An MBA or an ACCA?

Kristina wrote:

Hello, I would like to know what is better, to study for MBA or ACCA?

I have a Bachelors degree in Finance from US. I have been working in billing department for more than a year, but I want to advance in my carrier. Even though I am not American, but I understand US market better than UK. Could you please advise what are my prospects if I get MBA, ACCA or both.

Sincerely, Kristina

An associate director at Marks Sattin replied:

Hello Kristina

This is a difficult one to answer without knowing the direction that you would like to take your career.

If you are looking to go down an 'accounting route' then the ACCA would be the first step as that will be done whilst working in industry and most companies will provide study support throughout the process. An MBA is generally done as a set study period, again depending on the timescales someone wants to complete this in. An MBA would be a more professional level, but will lend itself to more strategic and less accountancy type roles, depending on the MBA structure/set up.

If you are looking to relocate to the UK and need to be working whilst studying, I would suggest looking into the ACCA, CIMA or even ACA (again depending on the direction you would like to take your career) and follow this up with a MBA. You could even do a CPA before relocating from the States, (again depending on your personal situation and desire to move abroad now or in a few years)

Please bear in mind though, arriving with a degree and just over a years experience in billing, you will have to start off again with a company and work your way through the business whilst studying for either of these disciplines.

Please contact us again if you need any more advice.

Good luck!