Victoria
What is the difference between a Bachelor's in Accounting and a Bachelor's in Business Administration with Emphasis in Accounting?
I am asking this question because certain institutions offer one or the other and I was wondering if they are the same degree essentially (or is there a difference). I would love to hear from professionals from both sides. I am interested in becoming an accountant and I would like to choose a degree program that will provide the best route. #accounting #financial-accounting #accountant #business-administration #women-in-accounting #women-in-business
5 answers
Mikayla Kenney
Mikayla’s Answer
Hi Victoria,
My understanding is that the two degrees are essentially the same thing. A college that offers a degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting would likely not offer a degree in accounting, and vice versa, because they are the same degree.
Thank you!
Victoria
Joshua Levine
Joshua’s Answer
Hi Victoria,
My belief is each University defines their Accounting major differently. My University only offered a Bachelor's in Business Administration with Emphasis in Accounting but I was strictly an accounting major. I am unsure how other university programs work but my program required me to take a couple of mandatory classes and then select electives in accounting that I was interested in. Either degree will allow you to start a career in accounting if that is what you are interested in. My suggestion would to research the programs you are interested in and read their course curriculum to see what program you like the best.
Spencer Morris
Spencer’s Answer
A Bachelor's in Accounting is very specific to accounting and will require more accounting courses to graduate than a Bachelor's in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Accounting. I have a Bachelor's in Business Administration (without an emphasis in accounting) and I was only required to take 2 accounting classes to get my degree. From my understanding, in order to get an "emphasis in accounting" you might be required to take some additional electives in accounting, but for the Bachelor in Accounting you would be required to take accounting classes as the majority of your classes. The specific requirements will vary by University and at my University there wasn't even the option to receive a Bachelor's in Accounting.
Hope that helps!
Dylan Riddle, MBA
Dylan’s Answer
I believe these degrees are essentially the same. Personally I have a BBA with an emphasis in Accounting. My university was able to structure the curriculum in a manner that I believe benefited me. For my undergrad degree I completed the 36 accounting hour requirement because I took accounting classes as electives. This allowed me to get an MBA rather than a MACC. Because I plan to get a CPA license, I believe this was a beneficial and unique path for an accountant.
Mary Graham
Mary’s Answer
Hello Victoria,
You have chosen a very interesting and profitable field/area of study (Accounting). There are some differences between a Bachelor's in Accounting and a Bachelor's in Business Administration with Emphasis in Accounting.
I have a BBA; but, did not select an emphasis in accounting. As part of the course studies, the courses were mostly related to general skill areas such as communication and teamwork as well as technology agility and general business knowledge. Some of the course work included financial theory, organizational planning and processes and one accounting course.
In my opinion, if you are seeking a career as a CPA, you may want to consider a Bachelor's in Accounting as the curricular will be focused on managerial accounting, financial accounting, cost accounting, taxation and auditing with some understanding of business ethics and practices.
If your plan was to be a manager or work at the executive level, a BBA might have been your best option. Conversely, since your desire is to work as a CPA, a BS might serve you better.
I hope you find this information helpful. I wish you much success in your future endeavors!