6 answers
Rosa
Student
1
Question
Asked
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Would majoring in criminal justice and minoring in accounting be useful or would comms be better for job opportunities?
#accounting #criminal-justice #majors #choosingmajors
6 answers
Madi Dunlap
Forensic Consultant
193
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Madi’s Answer
Majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Accounting could be useful for job opportunities! For one, there is a career path called Forensic Accounting. In this career field, you could utilize both your knowledge of Accounting and Criminal Justice in order to assist with investigating financial fraud or embezzlement. Many companies have roles for forensic accountants, including the FBI! So essentially, having a background in both Criminal Justice and Accounting could open you up to opportunities where you could utilize your skills in both areas.
Thomas Okumbe
Staff Auditor II
2
Answers
Chico, California
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Hi Rosa,
I believe majoring in criminal justice with a minor in accounting would definitely provide some great job opportunities. When I was in college, I had the opportunity to speak with recruiters from the FBI and some state law enforcement agencies that expressed interest in college grads with experience in accounting that also had a background in law enforcement. Forensic accounting is the field you would most likely be looking to enter with that educational background.
I believe majoring in criminal justice with a minor in accounting would definitely provide some great job opportunities. When I was in college, I had the opportunity to speak with recruiters from the FBI and some state law enforcement agencies that expressed interest in college grads with experience in accounting that also had a background in law enforcement. Forensic accounting is the field you would most likely be looking to enter with that educational background.
Samantha Brooks
Investigations & Forensics Associate
55
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Hi Rosa,
If you’re interested in both accounting and criminal justice, I’d probably recommend majoring in accounting and minoring in criminal justice (or adding on a second major in criminal justice if you can fit it in). If you would like to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you will need to take a significant number of accounting classes in college and/or graduate school. As such, majoring in accounting makes it much easier to ensure you take the number and breadth of accounting classes required for certification. I would recommend reading up on the CPA requirements in the state you’d likely want to work in to make sure your academic choices will allow you to become a CPA, if you’d like. I majored in Accounting during undergrad and took lots of criminal justice classes as electives (my college didn’t offer a criminal justice minor unfortunately) and then pursued a Master’s of Science degree in accounting. Now I work in the Investigations & Forensics group at a Big 4 Accounting Firm and I love my job. The blend between accounting and criminal justice is incredibly interesting and I love being a forensic accountant! You will have lots of career opportunities, both in the corporate world and the government if you pursue an accounting and/or criminal justice degree. Best of luck!
Research CPA requirements for the state you want to work in after college
If you’re interested in both accounting and criminal justice, I’d probably recommend majoring in accounting and minoring in criminal justice (or adding on a second major in criminal justice if you can fit it in). If you would like to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you will need to take a significant number of accounting classes in college and/or graduate school. As such, majoring in accounting makes it much easier to ensure you take the number and breadth of accounting classes required for certification. I would recommend reading up on the CPA requirements in the state you’d likely want to work in to make sure your academic choices will allow you to become a CPA, if you’d like. I majored in Accounting during undergrad and took lots of criminal justice classes as electives (my college didn’t offer a criminal justice minor unfortunately) and then pursued a Master’s of Science degree in accounting. Now I work in the Investigations & Forensics group at a Big 4 Accounting Firm and I love my job. The blend between accounting and criminal justice is incredibly interesting and I love being a forensic accountant! You will have lots of career opportunities, both in the corporate world and the government if you pursue an accounting and/or criminal justice degree. Best of luck!
Samantha recommends the following next steps:
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
751
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Rosa:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Justice Department and the United States Treasury Department like individuals who have majored in criminal justice and have accounting skills.
There could be job opportunities in the federal government with this combination of education and skills.
Paul
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Justice Department and the United States Treasury Department like individuals who have majored in criminal justice and have accounting skills.
There could be job opportunities in the federal government with this combination of education and skills.
Paul
Kelsey Warford, CPA
Enterprise Risk & Controls Advisory - Senior Associate
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Kelsey’s Answer
Hi Rosa,
I had a similar question when I was in school. Criminology was my passion, but accounting was also very interesting to me and seemed a bit more structured in terms of getting a job out of college. Similar to Madisyn's response, I figured forensic accounting would be a great way to combine these two career opportunities. If you'd like to get your CPA, I'd recommend to major in accounting & minor in criminal justice. My advisors also recommended IT as a second major as having a good understanding of systems is helpful in the field. In terms of job security, I think you'd be well positioned either way. I currently work at PwC and many of the people in my field have a non-accounting backgrounds/majors. I hope this helps !
I had a similar question when I was in school. Criminology was my passion, but accounting was also very interesting to me and seemed a bit more structured in terms of getting a job out of college. Similar to Madisyn's response, I figured forensic accounting would be a great way to combine these two career opportunities. If you'd like to get your CPA, I'd recommend to major in accounting & minor in criminal justice. My advisors also recommended IT as a second major as having a good understanding of systems is helpful in the field. In terms of job security, I think you'd be well positioned either way. I currently work at PwC and many of the people in my field have a non-accounting backgrounds/majors. I hope this helps !
John Rooney
Consultant
56
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
John’s Answer
I would suggest thinking about the other aspects of a job other than the main function. For example, a big part of being a programmer might be being able to work on your own, whereas a big part of accounting, and most jobs is working with people and communicating effectively, although these skills would be useful in any job. My simple advice would be to try to choose a major/minor based on your career goals. There's lots of information online to help with this, and don't be afraid to reach out to adults in your life. Thinking through what the major/minor can add to your skillset might be helpful as well.
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