Connor Lloyd enrolled at Schoolcraft College after earning his bachelor’s degree to reach 150 college credits, a requirement for a Certified Public Accountant license.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Connor Lloyd put in his application to take classes at Schoolcraft College.
It seems like an unusual timeline to most people, but makes perfect sense given Lloyd’s area of study: he enrolled to put the finishing touches on earning his Certified Public Accountant license, which required additional coursework beyond the amount needed for a bachelor’s degree. These additional college classes can be in any subject and taken anywhere, which prompted Lloyd to look at Schoolcraft College for the remaining classes he needed rather than attending a pricier four-year institution.
Becoming a CPA has several requirements: candidates must complete 150 credit hours total of college education, which includes receiving at least a bachelor’s degree and completing courses in subjects such as auditing, accounting principles and general business. In addition, they must also take and pass the Uniformed Certified Public Accountant Examination, something they can take after earning a bachelor’s degree.
When Lloyd began looking at ways to earn the additional credits, he learned about the options at Schoolcraft College and decided to finish his coursework here.
“When I learned that a master’s degree was not required for the CPA license, I immediately thought of the possibility of taking courses at Schoolcraft to save a ton of money and make education more accessible and flexible while I studied for the CPA exams,” he said. “After I inquired with the CPA office to confirm that this plan was acceptable, I enrolled at Schoolcraft, taking courses that were interesting to me (i.e., languages and nutrition) or other accounting related courses (i.e., small business entrepreneurship and Quickbooks).”
Lloyd needed 24 more credits after he graduated with his bachelor’s degree, opting to take all of them online through Schoolcraft College as a non-degree-seeking student. It was a move, he said, he would advise others to follow.
“I highly recommend taking these added courses at Schoolcraft because some of the course offerings are very unique and can help fill out one’s understanding of accounting and add further technical skills (i.e. Quickbooks, Excel, more advanced computer programs),” he said. “While I only took courses online at Schoolcraft, my experience interacting with professors and other students was great. Specifically, I really enjoyed discussing the accounting profession and working with Professor Michelle Randall during my time taking the Quickbooks course. I also really enjoyed taking French with Professor Anita Süess Kaushik.”
Lloyd has worked as a Staff Accountant in the Assurance Department at Ernest & Young since January.
Randall, a professor of accounting, said she hopes plenty of other students seeking to become a CPA realize the value of taking their additional coursework after earning their bachelor’s degree at Schoolcraft College.
“Taking classes here at Schoolcraft College provides CPA candidates with a great experience,” she said. “Not only do students save money, but they also get the chance to strengthen their skills by enrolling in a wide variety of courses.”
Those looking to take classes at Schoolcraft College can get more information by visiting schoolcraft.edu/get-started.