An MBA or advanced degree may just be the ticket to the top, according to a new survey released by Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International.

An overwhelming 80 percent of respondents felt that an advanced degree was very important or somewhat important as a way to be heard by top management in companies across the nation.

The survey was compiled from 150 responses among the nation's 1,000 largest companies. The reason advanced degree holders can climb the corporate ladder quicker than those without the additional education is the mandatory understanding of more than just core business issues that comes with this type of education.

According to Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, today's succssful professionals must be able to grasp specific issues within vertical industries, as well as technology, and those who can master these issues are extremely marketable. "MBA programs include concentration in areas such as e-commerce, brand management, competitive analysis, and specific industries including high technology."