David McCann, CFO.com | US
April 23, 2008

The road less travelled

As a CPA and attorney I find many advantages. To understand both the business and the accounting for the business is a strength in negotiations. Even more importantly as terms become a contract only accountants who understand law or lawyers who understand the accounting can contract revenue recognition, tax treatment, and transaction form effectively.
Yes, an MBA is good too but doesn't give you the lawyers perspective. I find the CPA skills, then legal skills, then MBA skills benefit a CFO in that order.

Posted by Steve Vogel | Apr 24, 2008 1:11 PM ET

MBA

Personally, I would have done an MBA if I was the article indivdual who did law instead.

It can be done part-time and it opens the same doors not only to CFO but to CEO. Plus, with an MBA, an individual can follow up with a Doctorate of Business Administration.

Posted by David Newman | Apr 24, 2008 11:40 AM ET

Dual/ Multiple degrees always an asset

In the Commonwealth countries (British colonies), it is quite common for companies to have a person with dual degrees - Chartered Accountancy (equivalent to the US CPA) and Corporate Laws/ Company Secretary - double up as CFO and Company Secretary/Compliance Officer/General Counsel.

Posted by Chandrasekar Venkataraman | Apr 23, 2008 4:48 PM ET

Which area

Which area in law did Richard get his JD? Is it corporate law?

Posted by Jessica Zhang | Apr 23, 2008 2:09 PM ET