FatBoySlim
Expert Member
mmmm, we have an MBA earning R2.5bar, and quite a few CA's earning less than that, I know of one CA who earns R4bar
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Is an MBA worth it?
- Thread starter Tigerman
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FatBoySlim
Expert Member
in summary , yes - or they go and buy strategy books and think they understand business
And all they do is acrew up companies (cut costs) and blame it on MBA graduates.
FatBoySlim
Expert Member
Pavan
Expert Member
i wish i earned 4 bar 
I know some really good CA's and some really poor ones, and some pretty average ones. Much the same with MBA's. Either opens a lot of doors. The only thing that sets some apart is that with the CA route you have SAICA protecting the brand and setting the exams, whereas with the smaller schools an MBA can be a lucky packet.
In the same vein, I've met CEOs who aren't CAs with massive inferiority complexes around CAs. Just can't generalise.
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In the same vein, I've met CEOs who aren't CAs with massive inferiority complexes around CAs. Just can't generalise.
Sent from my HTC click using MyBroadband Android App
its really en/discouraging for me at this point , having a technical degree and not a financial degree.
if you dont do your own thing and open your own business - you have a capped salary in all honesty.
the CA's that i know have LONG passed that roof. the one parent in my kids school, was a developer like me, then studied part time for 7 years to become a C.A.
the man is earning millions, compared to the guy who took his developer position earning less than R300k
wish i had the drive and courage to study C.A.
(sorry for hijacking the thread)
if you dont do your own thing and open your own business - you have a capped salary in all honesty.
the CA's that i know have LONG passed that roof. the one parent in my kids school, was a developer like me, then studied part time for 7 years to become a C.A.
the man is earning millions, compared to the guy who took his developer position earning less than R300k
wish i had the drive and courage to study C.A.
(sorry for hijacking the thread)
FatBoySlim
Expert Member
I like your train of thought, self employment, the only reason im thinking otherwise at this stage is my need to work overseas - at the point where i want to work and travel - otherwise self employment is the way to go.
Just remember the downside ito legislation wrt BEE compliance etc when you want to grow bigger at some point, I have a few self employed friends who become so demotivated to grow when they realise they must give away a portion of their business due to BEE.
But ultimately SA needs more people who decide the route of self employment.
Just remember the downside ito legislation wrt BEE compliance etc when you want to grow bigger at some point, I have a few self employed friends who become so demotivated to grow when they realise they must give away a portion of their business due to BEE.
But ultimately SA needs more people who decide the route of self employment.
Hi,
I am a second year MBA student at UKZN. From the opposite end of all things accounting, having an electrical engineering degree. There are a lot of accountants in my class but that does not mean to say they are wasting their time repeating courses they have already done at honours level.
Personally, what I've found is that the course is general in nature, it is designed to create pressure. It is almost all consuming with respect to your time. The beauty of the course is that in working your way through all the courses, you will be "forced" into all areas of the business, just to complete individual and group assignments. You will have to interact with people from IT, Finance, Operations, HR and gain significant insight into their purposes and functions. The result being a really well rounded outlook of the business as a whole.
That is not even the half of it. Next comes the thrill or horror of working in a group. Trying to move forward with a group of managers is a learning experience on its own... If you succeed, not only will you have learnt from the collective knowledge of some diverse and skilled people but you would have developed some life long contacts in a wide variety of fields. Networking is a big part of the courses value.
I did not focus on the career benefits because I feel it is definate. The experience will leave you better off then when you started and is therefore absolutely worth it.
Hope I helped in some way.
I am a second year MBA student at UKZN. From the opposite end of all things accounting, having an electrical engineering degree. There are a lot of accountants in my class but that does not mean to say they are wasting their time repeating courses they have already done at honours level.
Personally, what I've found is that the course is general in nature, it is designed to create pressure. It is almost all consuming with respect to your time. The beauty of the course is that in working your way through all the courses, you will be "forced" into all areas of the business, just to complete individual and group assignments. You will have to interact with people from IT, Finance, Operations, HR and gain significant insight into their purposes and functions. The result being a really well rounded outlook of the business as a whole.
That is not even the half of it. Next comes the thrill or horror of working in a group. Trying to move forward with a group of managers is a learning experience on its own... If you succeed, not only will you have learnt from the collective knowledge of some diverse and skilled people but you would have developed some life long contacts in a wide variety of fields. Networking is a big part of the courses value.
I did not focus on the career benefits because I feel it is definate. The experience will leave you better off then when you started and is therefore absolutely worth it.
Hope I helped in some way.
Which would those be?
Looking here: http://www.gsb.uct.ac.za/s.asp?p=102
and here: http://www.gsb.uct.ac.za/s.asp?p=103
I don't see anything of significance not covered in a Business Science degree.
Then again, perhaps things have changed in the last 5 years.
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Other Pineapple Smurf
Honorary Master
Was discussing this topic with someone earlier this week as he is gearing up to do his MBA soon and I had looked at doing one.
The real value in the MBA system is networking! Once you become a member of the exclusive MBA club, the business world changes as you get new doors open but at the same time you shut the old ones as you leave.
The real value in the MBA system is networking! Once you become a member of the exclusive MBA club, the business world changes as you get new doors open but at the same time you shut the old ones as you leave.
czc
Honorary Master
Not really. He is a Process Engineer. MBA's **** up engineering companies.
I’ve read an MBA – The 10-Day MBA by Steven Silbiger (a CPA when he entered a MBA programme), a “step-by-step guide to mastering the skills taught in top business schools”. The chapters cover usual topics – marketing, accounting, organisational behaviour, finance, economics, strategy etc, summaries of the topics. A MBA would not teach a business studies graduate anything new.
I now have the “degree of 10-Day MBA” conferred by the author.
An MBA’s value is (re-)introducing students to business concepts, consolidating knowledge and providing high level analytical skills at a post graduate level irrespective of students’ background. If you want to be a specialist, complete a CA or masters in finance etc. if you want to be a generalist that can walk the talk, complete a MBA. I think business needs both. Personally, i'm still not sure i want to take the time and expense re-studying basic business science subjects i left years ago.
I now have the “degree of 10-Day MBA” conferred by the author.
An MBA’s value is (re-)introducing students to business concepts, consolidating knowledge and providing high level analytical skills at a post graduate level irrespective of students’ background. If you want to be a specialist, complete a CA or masters in finance etc. if you want to be a generalist that can walk the talk, complete a MBA. I think business needs both. Personally, i'm still not sure i want to take the time and expense re-studying basic business science subjects i left years ago.
PurpleLights
Member
My background is in business admin and I've been thinking of taking up an MBA. I'm not sure about its value and if I'll really learn anything extra. I might take up a Masters in Finance instead
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My background is in business admin and I've been thinking of taking up an MBA. I'm not sure about its value and if I'll really learn anything extra. I might take up a Masters in Finance instead
See Wall Street Journal article
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703558004574581920638318790.html
"More students are looking to business schools for shorter and focused alternatives to the MBA, with in-depth education from science to management and international finance. Schools are beefing up specialty programs and adding more to keep up with demand."
Unfortunately SA universities don't offer the many alternatives available overseas.