CPAs and community colleges.

While doing some housecleaning recently, I reread "Those Who Can ... Teach" (JofA, Jul.00, page 49).

I take exception to the statement, "A decision to pursue a career in academia should be synonymous with a decision to pursue a doctorate." You can teach full-time with a master's degree and a CPA certificate at many community colleges throughout our great country.

If you have the opportunity and desire to earn a PhD, teach at the university level and do research, then you should go for it. However, if you want to teach and don't have the time or desire to earn a PhD, a master's may be a good fit.

Initially, I thought the only path to full-time academia was by first earning a PhD. Fortunately, I discovered otherwise when my part-time teaching job at Albuquerque TVI Community College developed into a full-time faculty position.

OK, so I am not addressed as Dr. K or Professor K. I'm addressed as Mr. K, or Milton, if the student is comfortable with that.

I also realize that a community-college compensation package is not as attractive as one for someone who spends several years earning a PhD and teaches at the university level. No, we are not talking high five figures, but you have plenty of flexibility to do other things with your time.

Instead of teaching upper-level accounting courses at the university level, you'll be teaching Accounting 101, Intermediate Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Business Math, QuickBooks Pro, Peachtree Accounting or Income Tax. If your heart is in the right place, you will find a community college a wonderful, fulfilling and rewarding place.

So to all you CPAs with master's degrees interested in teaching, I say, "Get going and get teaching!"

Milton Kuninsky, MBA, CPA, CFP 

Instructor

Albuquerque TV1

Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico