Ena
Why do you choose accounting as your major?
I don't like accounting when i study so i am curious with accounting students. #accounting
16 answers
Josh Gehrlein
Josh’s Answer
Hi Ena,
When I first started College I wasn't sure what I wanted to do either as some of the people above previously answered. But I started off College with a 2 year diploma program in a general business course. Upon completing my first school year I found accounting the most interesting out of all the aspects of business that I had to take. Such as Human Resources, Marketing, Finance and Economics. If you are not sure what you would like to take, but know you want to be in the business field I would suggest the same. To see what area interesting you the most.
Best of Luck,
Diksha Chander
Diksha’s Answer
My dad is actually an accountant and I was able to get exposure to accounting through him. I found out I actually love accounting because it is not all about math. Even though there is number crunching behind accounting, you have to understand the organization as a whole, their business process and what kind of business they conduct.
Hope this helps!
Blake Carroll
Blake’s Answer
Rachel Resnick
Rachel’s Answer
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Collegeboard.org is a great resource for this! I poured through the pages of universities all over the U.S. when I was a senior in high school. Collegeboard was my go-to site! They put all of the information in one place and it is very easy to use. They even have various filters you can apply to see only colleges that have programs you are interested. To determine academic rigor, look at the admissions requirements, G.P.A. of past admitted applicants, SAT/ACT scores, class rank etc. This will give you an idea of what scores and grades you need to be accepted. However, don't be discouraged your application will be reviewed based on the full picture! College-board will help you get an idea of what is most important to the specific school you are applying to.</span>
This professional recommends the following next steps:
- <span style="background-color: transparent;">Chat with your Guidance Counselor</span>
- <span style="background-color: transparent;">Create a Collegeboard.org account</span>
- <span style="background-color: transparent;">Start using CollegeBoard as a resource to look up schools.</span>
Corey Spevack
Corey’s Answer
Hi Ena,
When i first went to college I knew I wanted to have a career in business, but I was not sure what specifically in business I wanted to do. Accounting was one of the first classes I took and I really enjoyed it, so I started talking to people in the department about what a career in accounting would look like and what it could lead to. Accounting gives you a good foundation of knowledge that can be applied to any business, which is one of the reasons I decided to pursue a career in accounting.
Accounting is a field that applies to all types of businesses: tech companies, financial services companies, healthcare companies, etc. so you can use your knowledge in accounting to have a career in any field that you choose.
Julia Cataliotti
Julia’s Answer
This is a great question! I think everyone's answer is different so you will really be able to hear a bunch of different perspectives.
When I got to college, I was entirely unsure of what major I wanted to pursue. My mom was an accounting major and is a CPA, so I had always known about the field, but I was hesitant to do the same thing as her. I took classes in every field during my first year- from English, to law, to economics, to accounting. I was really intrigued by my first accounting class. I remember my professor referred to accounting as "the language of business," and that really stuck with me because it meant that by becoming an accounting major I would have a valuable understanding and foundation in business.
Accounting definitely isn't for everyone, but I wouldn't rule out the major completely because of one class! Maybe take another class or look into opportunities for shadowing someone in the accounting field. Within the accounting major itself there is such a vast array of topics- from financial accounting to cost and managerial accounting, to audit, to tax, to forensic accounting, to accounting info systems, the list is endless! There are so many opportunities within the field and beyond.
Good luck with everything!
Mari Gomez
Mari’s Answer
Hi Ena,
I love this question, because that was kind of my feeling when I started school (I am Bachelor in Science of Accounting), and I totally agree with Corey, Accounting is a great foundation of knowledge for other disciplines. Initially, I chose Accounting because there are so many fields related to it, that I was almost sure I would be able to find a job relatively easy (and I was right about that). I am a very creative person (I would have studied something related to arts if in my country -Mexico- there would have been more opportunities for this field to make a living), and Accounting doesn’t give you too much room for creativity, but similar to Samantha, I focused most of my career in Audit, and I don’t regret it!, Audit allowed me to apply all that creativity by designing efficient tests which through my career have resulted in significant findings; I started with Financial audits, then participating in integrated teams with IT auditors, and evolving now working in cyber security audits, which I LOVE!. Accounting allowed me to have that foundation to understand the Finance environment, and more than 20 years later, I realize the valuable asset of having that financial background within the IT environment.
I hope this sounds more helpful than confusing ;-), I wish you all the luck!
Mari
Brandon Glass, CPA
Brandon’s Answer
Vic Wong
Vic’s Answer
I chose accounting as my major because I wanted an understanding of how companies work financially. I thought it was a good introduction to different concepts that play into how companies operate and what they are interested in.
Jodi Gottlieb, CPA
Jodi’s Answer
At first I did not know what I wanted to major in, which is the honest answer! I chose accounting because my college had a great program for it, and I knew that some of the big accounting firms had an incredible coaching environment so I would have a lot of resources to be able to work with different people and learn the business world quickly! There are a ton of opportunities once you know the basics of finance and accounting and how it impacts clients and businesses around the world!
Astrid Gonzalez, MBA
Astrid’s Answer
I love accounting. I was originally a political science major but once I started an accounting class I fell in love with the subject. To me it is enjoyable and it makes sense.\
Just take it one step at a time. Give accounting a chance to grow on you, if it doesn't consider changing major. You spend 4 years in college and then many more working, find something that you enjoy if you can.
Peggy P. Wang
Peggy P.’s Answer
I didn't really know what I was getting into when I first stated college.. I was an "undecided" major. During my first year, I realized I wanted to be in business. There are many majors in business, such as marketing, business administration, accounting, etc. I asked around and received advice that to have accounting or having a CPA license will be a good start as it lays a good foundation in the business environment. I picked accounting and didn't really enjoy certain classes (tax in particular) but enjoyed others including fundamental accounting principles and auditing. I enjoyed doing accounting, something I found to be more "concrete" and made sense to me than other business marketing/administration classes that are more abstract. Here I am.. an auditor for life!
Hope this helps!
Peggy
audit accounting
Samantha Davis
Samantha’s Answer
Peter Lah
Peter’s Answer
Hi Ena,
I chose accounting as a major because I like numbers and wanted be a CPA accountant. However, after getting a CPA designation, I am glad that I chose accounting as my major because having a designation means that people know that you an expert on the respective field. Also, a CPA designation can be applied to multiple industries as well.
Kristina Verras
Kristina’s Answer
1) Will you like studying it in a college setting?
- While courses are not always indicative of the careers in the field, it is important to like it enough to put in the work and effort.
2) Do the potential career options interest you?
- Try to look into what a day in the life is like in different careers, as it might surprise you.
In my personal experience, I kept these questions in mind. I knew I wanted to pursue business, and my accounting classes seemed to make the most sense to me. While I really enjoyed some classes, others did not particularly interest me, and that is okay too as it helped me narrow down what fields I might want to work in. I also looked into potential jobs after college, and found that there are extensive possibilities with an accounting degree. I knew that I had enough options even if I was not sure exactly what I wanted to do at the time.
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Here's why you might want to consider Accounting as your major:
1. Job Stability and Broad Career Options: Accounting is a profession that's always in demand, offering a sense of job security. Plus, an accounting degree can open doors to a variety of career paths in different sectors, such as public accounting firms, corporations, government bodies, and non-profit organizations.
2. Room for Growth: Accounting provides a clear pathway for career progression. With experience and additional qualifications like the CPA (Certified Public Accountant), you can climb the ladder to roles like senior accountant, controller, or even CFO (Chief Financial Officer).
3. Skill Development: Studying accounting hones your analytical skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking abilities. These skills can be applied to other professions as well, making them highly valuable.
4. Versatility: An accounting degree gives you a strong grounding in business and finance. This makes you flexible and able to explore varied career paths beyond traditional accounting roles.
5. Attractive Earnings: Accountants typically earn competitive salaries and benefits, making it a financially rewarding field.
6. Worldwide Opportunities: Since accounting principles are universally applicable, you can explore job opportunities globally.
7. Entrepreneurial Advantage: If you aspire to be an entrepreneur or a business owner, understanding accounting is essential to manage your finances effectively and make informed business decisions.
8. Lifelong Learning: Accounting is a dynamic field with continuous changes in regulations, technology, and best practices. This offers opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development.
In summary, while accounting might not be everyone's first choice, its numerous advantages and opportunities make it an attractive field for students seeking a stable career with room for growth and skill development.
The top 3 authoritative sources used to provide this information are:
1. American Institute of CPAs (AICPA): A leading professional body for certified public accountants in the U.S., offering valuable insights into career paths, trends, and educational requirements in accounting.
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): A source of comprehensive data on job outlooks, salaries, employment statistics, and educational requirements for various professions, including accountants and auditors.
3. Harvard Business Review: A reputable source for business insights, research findings, and industry trends that are relevant to accounting professionals.
These sources were used to ensure that the information provided is accurate and reliable.
Take care,
JC.