Most accounting and finance professionals reach a point in their career where they consider obtaining a certification or an additional degree of designation. One of the questions I get asked most is whether an MBA or CPA is better for career advancement? The answer should be based on the career path you want in the future and in some cases having both is ideal. You might also need to consider the investment of time and money in obtaining one or the other. There are requirements for obtaining the CPA that entail a certain number of hours in accounting simply to be eligible to sit. On the other hand getting an MBA requires acceptance in to an MBA program.