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Messages - masticore99

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Non-Traditional Students / Re: CPA and Law school
« on: March 30, 2011, 07:55:04 PM »
I understand that there's a huge disparity in starting salaries between BigL and nonBigL jobs.  I have a few questions about the two tracks.  What are the salary outlook like for the two tracks after a few years?  Suppose I were to go work for a mid-tier or regional law firm.  If the salaries start at 70K, what are the salaries like after, say 3 years, or 5? 

What about the job experience differential?  I want to eventually start my own firm, so I am very interested in what kind of legal experience I would get if I do not go to BigL.  A first year associate is probably going to get grunt work anyways it seems.  Understandably, I will not be working on Fortune500 clients, but I would rather work with middle market or  SME's.  Is this market served also by BigL?

I'd think BigL culture is similar to Accounting Big4 (i.e. Up or out, sweatshop conditions, etc).  On the other hand, I'm sure the exit ops for BigL is much better, and is much more marketable anywhere, so most people don't stay more than a few years. 

Oh, also, one more thing.  How generous are laws schools, say in the T20-T40 range, with scholarships or financial aid?  I'm  considering GMU since I live in the area.  My GPA's about 3.63 +/- 0.02, and let's say my LSAT would be around 163 (GMU average).  I speculate that I can save at least 50K in two years working with my salary, so I will try to minimize debt.   

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Non-Traditional Students / Re: CPA and Law school
« on: March 27, 2011, 05:14:57 PM »
IrrX,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the pragmatism in your post.  I'm not planning to go into law for just the money. Economically, I'm probably not going to come out ahead.  Accounting's a good career with good money, but I don't find it interesting.  I just see accounting as a necessary tool.   The reason I want to go to law school is because I envision myself in client service helping business clients with legal advice, consulting, advocacy, etc.  I figure that a CPA and a business perspective will allow me to add value for my clients.  Right now I'm helping a friend of mine start a nonprofit with basic legal and accounting stuff, and I really enjoy it.   

I'd like to start my own law firm one day, but that's not possible without many years of experience beforehand.  Right now, all this is dreaming though.  I brought up salary because I would like to at least try to break even financially, if not immediately after law school, than say 5 years out.  I'm going to shoot for BigL, but if it doesn't happen that's just life.  I'm sure that I can get into at least Top 25 school though, since my GPA's a 3.6 and I'm in graduate level classes.

From reading your other posts, I gather you're a lawyer.  Out of curiosity, what kind of law do you do?  How did you get there?       

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Non-Traditional Students / CPA and Law school
« on: March 27, 2011, 12:53:15 PM »
Hey guys,

I'm graduating this year and will work Big 4 accounting (audit) for 2-3 years.  I will get my CPA this summer.  I've always wanted to be a lawyer, and am really working as an accountant to learn business.

What is the value of a CPA for law firm recruiters?  I don't think it counts for much in law school admissions, but my goal is to go into an area where accounting will be useful, such as corporate or tax.  Are there other legal specialties where accounting will be helpful?  How much does the CPA count for BigL?  I would like to make more than 70-80K per year after graduating law school, because if I stay with Big 4 accounting, my salary would be 80-100K anyways (less law school debt). 

Does anyone have experience or know of people in this situation?

Thanks in advance. 


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