Should I major In accounting?

Question

I want to be a business major but the school that I am going to apply to has many different option in their business major like accounting, finance, real estate, information system and I think I want to go with accounting but I would like some feedback from accountants or anyone who is pursuing to be one.

Answer 1

Honestly, it doesn't matter. The best way to find out is to take some classes, and see if you like it. Entry-level accounting is probably the most boring job you can find, but is more than tolerable for those who likes accounting. Take a class and see if you like it. Also, I would be surprised if you can't do more than one business major. And usually it's not that hard.

Honestly though, accounting classes are probably the most valuable classes to take...

Answer 2

I would also recommend that you like math. You don't need to be an expert, but you must like it, as there is a lot of number crunching and you need to interpret what those numbers mean. Same goes for finance, although the higher paying parts of finance (derivatives) demand a strong math background.

If you go for accounting, then the important thing will be the designation. The best one in the States is the CPA; in other parts of the world, it is the Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) & Certified General Accountant (CGA). There are still others such as the ACCA in the UK.

Accounting is a good degree, but try to get excellent grades so you'll get hired by a top firm like Deloitte or KPMG. You need to be a very detail-oriented, careful and precise person; the work is very tiring at times, especially if you're at the junior level. It is also very repetitive. A lot of people give up or don't have the desire to do something which requires the kind of effort that accounting demands at times. It can also be very tricky and difficult; do not be fooled by anyone claiming that it is a "Mickey Mouse" degree - it is a solid degree and can lead to very nice careers.

Answer 3

You can weed out some choices:

Information Technology requires you to take programming courses; there is considerable coursework in the technical areas. Some people can't make it through the technical aspects if their life depended on it. You'll know you hit this wall during your first week of courses. If that happens, drop it and change right away! In contrast, you might love it and stay glued to the computer; you've found your major.

Accounting -- aside from IT, one of the better choices for steady work. You wont struggle to find a job after graduation. Not that the job may be of any interest to you as accounting is not for everyone.

Finance -- business schools typically teach financial management rather than quant-fin so your career choices tend to be centered in the sales area (i.e. financial advisor) with just a bachelors degree, or you can land a government job doing work there. In a compteitive environment you will have to work hard to get noticed as finance people tend to earn CFAs, MBAs, or MSF degrees to rise up into position. You will get stonewalled if you start slacking with only a bachelors to hold your belt up.

Real estate -- the best real estate people are sales people... realize this before doing anything else.

Answer 4

If you enjoy accounting, absolutely go with that option. Too few students are choosing to go into accounting these days, and the accounting firms are having trouble finding enough good employees. Starting salaries are the highest for any business majors. By the way, if you are really good at it, consider going on for a Ph.D. and becoming an accounting professor. There is a HUGE shortage of those right now, and starting salaries are through the roof!

Answer 5

When you are enrolled in a business major such as what you've already listed, before choosing your emphasis, you will be required to take core business classes in your university. You will be at least be taking all of these: Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Business Law, Operation Management, Organization Behavior. All of which are required doesn't matter what business major you are in.

So what that, you can take those classes first, get a taste of each of these basic business courses, then decide which of these you want to be in.

Answer 6

I'm a business major with a couple of classes away from completion. Let me tell you about my accounting classes, they are annoyingly hard because I do not enjoy math. I highly suggest you are well acquainted with statistics, financial statements, etc. if you want to be an accountant.

Answer 7

I showed my uncle your question, he is a chartered accountant, and he had a good laugh. As I had showed him your answerer's.
I asked him what he was laughing at and he said he would not want you in his office. Although lots of his clients have plenty of money some of them are not very well educated. And if you tried to pull them up in there spelling you would get a punch on the nose. Uncle said you don't have enough disgression to work in an a office,and you should get rid of the plank in your eye.

Answer 8

Hi,

Accounting is such a tedious task, it includes a lots of calulation stuffs and everything. If you are serious on accounting,i hope atleast it covers the info that you need of. Hope this helps.

Thanks.