How to pursue accounting when I already have a BA in Sociology?

Question

Hi, I am interested in a career in accounting. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. I am thinking of going back to school to get another Bachelor’s for Accounting because it will be easier than getting a Master’s in Accounting and not having any experience at all. Also, I was looking at the Master’s program for non-accounting majors and you have to take a lot of credits and the classes if you are enrolled as a Graduate student are more expensive.

I would like to know how hard it will be for me to major in Accounting?

I’m not used to studying hard. I’m used to being the “lazy student” and barely passing. I love Math but while I was going for my Bachelor’s in Sociology I took Calculus 1 and I didn’t pass it because I couldn’t keep up with how fast the class was moving.

Any advice how I can achieve the above or any options on what I should do?

Thank you.

I planning to go back in Aug. '07. What can I do in the meantime to prepare? I have a very bad memory.

Answer 1

You should be able to transfer most of your credits to a new program to count toward your Accounting degree. I mean that the classes you have already taken should count toward requirements of an Accounting program (like having a double major). I would simply speak to an enrollment representative at the school you are looking at to get the requirements and info on transferring the credits.

You will have to do a lot more work for Accounting than you did for Sociology. It's what I would call a "real" degree program, whereas the arts are generally a cake walk.

Answer 2

I would recommend to continue thinking about a master's program and taking the preliminary classes for the master's. You can also think about getting a master's in finance or even an MBA with flexible entrance requirements. Getting a BA in Accounting won't necessarily prepare you automatically for an accounting career.

Answer 3

Generally a BA degree is referred to as having "Bug-er All" when it comes to being employed. Go see your college counsellor and see which courses can be applied to an accounting degree. If you don't plan on becoming a VP Finance, just a darn good, well-paid accountant or accounting manager or director of finance, then go for the Certified General Accountant diploma or Management Accountant diploma where you get hired and work as an intern while taking classes at night.Takes 4 or 5 years but you are meanwhile getting experience and, hopefully, promotions along the way,.

Answer 4

If you had trouble with Calc I, accounting might not be the line of work to pursue. Before making any school decisions, I would recommend contacting a local CPA to see if you could do a job shadow for a day. Explain that you are interested in accounting but not sure if it's right for you. Not all places will be willing to do this, but if you call a few you will find one that will.

I thought I wanted to be an actuary until I job shadowed one day and realized it woudl have been the biggest mistake of my life!

This can save you a lot of time and money in making a mistake to go back to school for something that you don't like.