The Minnesota Society for Certified Public Accountants

Building new leadership capabilities

"Metropolitan State was very impassioned about the content of the program and eager to customize it to enhance the learning process. We sensed a real dedication to making the program address the special needs of CPAs."

- Betsy Adrian, President, Society of CPAs

Client: The Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, a member-driven organization serving certified public accountants in public accounting and industry.

Membership: 9,600

The challenge:
Based on new research identifying the capabilities required of CPAs in the 21st century, the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants sought to offer a master's degree in business administration to its members that would be customized to build on their strengths and meet their needs.

The solution:
Metropolitan State University was selected through a competitive progress and, together, the university and the Society created an M.B.A. for CPAs, based upon guidance from CPAs in the field. The weekend program builds on the strong financial skills of CPAs and enhances their capabilities in other areas of business.

The results:
Sixty-three professionals have graduated from the M.B.A. for CPAs program since its inception in the fall of 1999. Feedback on the program has been uniformly positive.

• Focuses on the competencies crucial to the success of the CPA
• Limited class sizes with a cohort of other CPAs fosters a collaborative learning experience
• Graduates receive their M.B.A. in just 21 months
• Graduates also earn Continuing Professional Education credits
• Because students have already passed the Uniform Accountancy Exam, the GMAT exam requirement is waived

The curriculum is taught by practicing professionals who have an understanding of what is required of CPAs in real-life work situations. Classes are constantly evaluated and updated, and they emphasize helping students learn to communicate effectively and appropriately; demonstrate skilled critical thinking; pursue, find and use information to solve problems and make decisions; and use technology effectively. Employers and graduates alike find the program quickly enhances the CPA's contributions to their companies' implementation of strategic business objectives.

Students in the program have praise for its impact on their careers.

"My long-term goal was to have access to more professional opportunities and to get into higher-level management, but I found I was immediately able to apply what I was learning," said Greg Krizan, director of finance for U.S. Filter Recovery Services. "The M.B.A. program has allowed me to take a broader, more strategic perspective and look beyond just the financial aspects."

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