Is a bachelor's degree enough to get an entry-level job in accounting or do you need a master's?

Hey Elizabeth,

That's a great question. I agree with the other answers to this question, definitely research the company's you are interested in to see what they are looking for in a candidate. All the big 4 firms have similar criteria but it's always best to be prepared and understand what the firms want in a new hire.

The easy answer to this question would be, yes a bachelor's degree is enough to get an entry level position however it won't always be enough to get you the 150 credits needed to be a CPA (which majority of firms require in order to get a promotion from an entry level position). From personal experience, I have my Master's in accounting and I did so in order to obtain the 150, and it also can never hurt to get more learning.

I would suggest doing the research, and than see if you have the time and financials to do a master's program before starting your career, it's not for everyone and isn't necessarily needed, as long as you can get the 150 without a Master's you aren't required to get one.

Best of luck!

Bachelor is fine. Most big4 firms (if you want to work in public accounting) will require you to have 150 credits (to be eligible to sit for the cpa - in the state of Florida)

Hi Elizabeth,

Yes, a bachelor's degree is enough for an entry-level job in accounting. The amount of credits you need will vary depending on firm, however. Big 4 require 150 credit hours, while smaller firms often only require 120 credit hours (standard of a bachelor's degree).

Hi Elizabeth,

A bachelor degree can be enough to get an entry-level job, and can get you into a Big 4 accounting firm. Of course a masters is always highly valued and can set you up for bigger opportunities. However, don't feel the pressure that without a masters you are limited. A lot of times employers are looking to hire someone who has people skills and the ability to learn as they go. If ultimately a masters is something you'd really like to pursue, some employers may even pay for your program.

 Getting a bachelor's degree is definitely enough for you to get an entry- level job in accounting. The companies do not require you to get a master's degree. I personally would say depending on the firm if they want you to get a master's they will send you back to school and pay for you. Having a master's degree does give you extra experience and knowledge. Some companies will pay you higher, but it depends what you would like to do.

Hi Elizabeth,

That is a great question! I do not work as an entry-level accountant, however, am in your field and thought you may find my experience useful! I obtained a bachelor's degree in accountancy and information systems and currently work for a public accounting firm. Although I'm not an accountant, I work as an auditor for public companies.

From my experience, I don't think that a master's degree is necessary as long as you are not going into tax as an accountant. Additionally, in order for you to become a CPA you have to have more than a bachelor's degree worth of credit, hence, that's why most people choose to get their master's degree, however, there are alternatives to obtaining enough credits such as obtaining multiple degrees or minors. I personally got two degrees and used my intern experience with PwC to get me to the credit requirement to be eligible to take the CPA exam -- i think it's a cheaper option than getting a master's degree and gave me a wide range of experience and educational background!

A bachelor's degree is enough to land you an entry-level job, however having a master's degree can help. Having a CPA license makes all the difference in the world when it comes to accounting jobs. Having a CPA license holds more weight than a Master's degree.

Good morning. This is such a great question. In my opinion, a bachelor's degree would be enough to get an entry-level job in accounting. However, if you want to have a competitive advantage, a master's degree is certainly worth it. It will differentiate you from others and help you get a better job opportunities.

Hi Elizabeth,

Great question! I work at PwC, one of the big 4, and I only have my bachelors degree. I did, however, do my 150 credits in 4 years by doing summer school and overloading. It honestly just depends on what you are looking for! It was very common at my college to obtain the 150 credit (to sit for your CPA) in 4 years with AP credit transfers. I would say its pretty much an even split in my team who has a masters vs a bachelors degree.

From my experience, primary qualifications are undergraduate degree and the 150 credits for CPA eligibility. Universities will try to sell you on the "5 year masters program" to get the CPA credits -- be skeptical and do your research. You do not need to spend excess money on the graduate school tuition to work your way into a entry level job at a Big 4 firm. Consider the cost v. benefit of the masters degree before you pursue it because it's thought to be the easiest path to gain the credits needed for the CPA.

Hi -

A bachelor's degree is definitely enough to get a job in accounting! All public accounting firms take kids right out of undergrad. If you are looking to become a CPA you need to have 150 credits. You can take all of these credits in your undergrad, you just have to plan out how to take them. A good way to get the extra credits are summer or winter courses through a community college. Good luck!

A bachelor's degree is great start for entry level. However, when applying make sure you do your research on the company because a lot of accounting firms and businesses will pay for your school as it relates to their company. When it comes to tuition any little helps makes a big difference.