5 answers
Sana
Student
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
1
Question
Updated
820 views
accounting after BS in nutrition and Dietetics
Hi! can i do masters in accounting after BS in nutrition and Dietetics or what options i have e.g. MBA?
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5 answers
Megan Nerad, CPA
Consulting Manager at PwC
43
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Sana. I'd recommend reaching out to an academic advisor to make sure the education requirements in Pakistan are similar to what I'm familiar with in the United States. Typically masters degrees are advanced electives in a field, so you'll want to make sure you have the fundamentals of accounting down before jumping straight into a graduate level degree. I have known people who have a bachelors in music performance and get their masters in accountancy however it usually requires extra coursework and additional independent study so that they don't fall behind the students who already have a bachelors in accounting. Hope this helps!
Hey Megan!
Thank you so much, i really appreciate your time and effort for answering, its really helpful.
Sana
Joe L.
Program Manager
88
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Hi Sana
MS in Accounting is usually a degree people pursue that want to be professional accountants/CPAs and eventually some may end up as Chief Financial Officer roles. Is this your intended career path? If so, then you may want to pursue this degree but as someone else mentioned..you will need likely to get some rudimentary courses first in this field before going into a Master's program that will likely expect you to have those basics down already from prior schooling.
If you are just wanting a business degree to compliment your Bachelor's in nutrition, an MBA which is more general business degree people pursue that want to add business management knowledge but not specifically interested in a professional financial management career...may be more suited. In this case you should again consider your intended career path. Does the MBA make sense...will you need it later to advance in whatever company you will work in..or will you not need it and instead pursue further degree in your Bachelor's field which could indicate you want to be a specialist in this area and need that level of knowledge (as opposed to a manager or managing others). Also, there are many MBA Programs. You should consult your college counselor if you have one to guide you in chosing the right one for you..and don't forget to save up funds ahead of time. Most MBA programs do not offer scholarships or other forms of government grant money...so you may need to pay for the degree yourself....so working a few years in your chosen Bachelor's career may not be a bad idea to start. I tend to steer people away from going into MBA programs right from their college days because I think those programs are more valuable if you've worked for awhile and that experience can also help you better assess what MBA program is best for your chosen career path (if any)
In short...
MS in Accounting - specialist degree for professional accountants or CFOs typically ..
MBA - general business degree that can benefit in the corporate world but takes work experience to determine the best one for you and also cost money to complete which you may not have accumulated out of college.
Your options depend on your chosen career path...but as a last word..don't discount the value of some work expeirence right out of college to help you decide you next career path
Good Luck.
Consult Career Counsel
Consider a few years of work experience to help you decide and save funds for next degree
If you want to jump right away into a graduate program...remember there will be courses likely you will need to add before being accepted
MS in Accounting is usually a degree people pursue that want to be professional accountants/CPAs and eventually some may end up as Chief Financial Officer roles. Is this your intended career path? If so, then you may want to pursue this degree but as someone else mentioned..you will need likely to get some rudimentary courses first in this field before going into a Master's program that will likely expect you to have those basics down already from prior schooling.
If you are just wanting a business degree to compliment your Bachelor's in nutrition, an MBA which is more general business degree people pursue that want to add business management knowledge but not specifically interested in a professional financial management career...may be more suited. In this case you should again consider your intended career path. Does the MBA make sense...will you need it later to advance in whatever company you will work in..or will you not need it and instead pursue further degree in your Bachelor's field which could indicate you want to be a specialist in this area and need that level of knowledge (as opposed to a manager or managing others). Also, there are many MBA Programs. You should consult your college counselor if you have one to guide you in chosing the right one for you..and don't forget to save up funds ahead of time. Most MBA programs do not offer scholarships or other forms of government grant money...so you may need to pay for the degree yourself....so working a few years in your chosen Bachelor's career may not be a bad idea to start. I tend to steer people away from going into MBA programs right from their college days because I think those programs are more valuable if you've worked for awhile and that experience can also help you better assess what MBA program is best for your chosen career path (if any)
In short...
MS in Accounting - specialist degree for professional accountants or CFOs typically ..
MBA - general business degree that can benefit in the corporate world but takes work experience to determine the best one for you and also cost money to complete which you may not have accumulated out of college.
Your options depend on your chosen career path...but as a last word..don't discount the value of some work expeirence right out of college to help you decide you next career path
Good Luck.
Joe recommends the following next steps:
Hey Joe
Thank you so much for your time and effort, i really appreciate. Your answer is really thought provoking.
Sana
I basically wanna switch my career and interested in finance, data, business and programing. I am practicing programming to manage my expenses through freelancing if i able to go abroad or in my country. I took some courses in data analysis. I am searching about both options, accounting and mba.
I dont have experience yet, and i am figuring out ways by which i can replace it by doing something else.
What do you say, how experience can benefit me?
Sana
Hi. Experience in the working world will help in several important ways
1) Allow you to see how the career you plan on chosing is actually applied and what type of work is done on a day to day basis
2) Allows you to accumulate funds if living with parents or minimal living expenses..to pay for later schooling without having to incurr debt.
3) Work experience can also help to bolster a application to your favorite college especially for a business degree...having business experience on your resume already says you've been successful holding down work in the business world
Joe L.
Will Xue, CFA
Manager at PwC
102
Answers
Updated
Will’s Answer
Hi Sana,
It's definitely possible to pursue a Master in Accounting after BS in a totally-different area. However, it will be challenging and requires additional work.
A few steps to consider:
- Look for the specific requirements of the Accounting program of your target schools and make sure you check all the boxes
- To fill the gap of your BS and MS:
-- Obtain online certificate in Accounting
-- Get some relevant working experience in accounting
-- Take some data analytics/programming courses as now quite a few Accounting programs rebranded as Accounting Analytics due to rising market demand
- Seek suggestion from staff in Admission Committee of your target school.
Good luck!
It's definitely possible to pursue a Master in Accounting after BS in a totally-different area. However, it will be challenging and requires additional work.
A few steps to consider:
- Look for the specific requirements of the Accounting program of your target schools and make sure you check all the boxes
- To fill the gap of your BS and MS:
-- Obtain online certificate in Accounting
-- Get some relevant working experience in accounting
-- Take some data analytics/programming courses as now quite a few Accounting programs rebranded as Accounting Analytics due to rising market demand
- Seek suggestion from staff in Admission Committee of your target school.
Good luck!
Hi Will!
I have taken some courses in programming and data analytics. I will try to more. I don't know how i will get some relevant working experience in accounting but i would try to figure it out.
Do you think, if i do this, it worth it as i want to switch career and interested in data, finance and business?
Thank You again
Sana
Thank you so much for your time and effort, it's really helpful.
Sana
Sana - Great to know you've got some data analysis skills in your quiver! Maybe check data analysis positions in accounting department in any industry for experience. Whether worth it really depends on you personal situations and goals. Wonder why the switch from nutrition to accounting?
Will Xue, CFA
Alright,
actually i lost interest in nutrition so,
Sana
Interesit is key! People who enjoy what they do normally tend to be more lastingly self-motivated.
Will Xue, CFA
Kaylea Baldus
Auditor
5
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Kaylea’s Answer
Hi Sana,
Northeastern University actually offers a MSA program specifically for those without an accounting background. Here is the information from the website:
Master's in Accounting/MBA: Reimagine your future through accounting + business
Designed for those without an accounting background, you'll earn a combined degree in accounting and business, including a concentration in analytics that will prepare you for the rise of big data. You'll also gain valuable industry experience while you enhance your professional network through your paid corporate residency at a leading accounting firm. All of this, in just 15 months.
Master's in Accounting: Accelerate your career in accounting
As an undergrauate accounting major, our program prepares you to become CPA ready in just two semesters. Your coursework will give you the opportunity to specialize your studies in either audit or tax, while also integrating analytics into the curriculum. Over the course of seven months, you'll learn firsthand from CPAs including former partners in national and regional firms.
I hope this helps!
Here is the link: https://connect.northeastern.edu/portal/lp?page=9f75f849-55f9-4049-e6c3-8225bb49a21e&gad_source=1
Northeastern University actually offers a MSA program specifically for those without an accounting background. Here is the information from the website:
Master's in Accounting/MBA: Reimagine your future through accounting + business
Designed for those without an accounting background, you'll earn a combined degree in accounting and business, including a concentration in analytics that will prepare you for the rise of big data. You'll also gain valuable industry experience while you enhance your professional network through your paid corporate residency at a leading accounting firm. All of this, in just 15 months.
Master's in Accounting: Accelerate your career in accounting
As an undergrauate accounting major, our program prepares you to become CPA ready in just two semesters. Your coursework will give you the opportunity to specialize your studies in either audit or tax, while also integrating analytics into the curriculum. Over the course of seven months, you'll learn firsthand from CPAs including former partners in national and regional firms.
I hope this helps!
Here is the link: https://connect.northeastern.edu/portal/lp?page=9f75f849-55f9-4049-e6c3-8225bb49a21e&gad_source=1
Jack Alexakis
Project Manager
11
Answers
Lakewood Ranch, FL
Updated
Jack’s Answer
Hi Sana.
Good question. I used to work for a university and you have to find out what university "would allow" for transfer credits. More than likely you would have to get a bachelors degree in accounting; a foundation and so would see how many credits you could transfer into it. You might have to do the whole degree over with; an bachelors degree. I do not think you will be able to get into a Masters program in finance without and undergrad in finance.
Also, if your degree is from a different country; there is also a set of rules what can be transferred or not. It's all about accreditation, so you can work with other universities and see what they would transfer in.
Find the program and university/'s that interests you.
Speak to admissions, let them know you want to transfer in as many credits as you need.
If you find that right program and right school; work on admissions and funding.
Good question. I used to work for a university and you have to find out what university "would allow" for transfer credits. More than likely you would have to get a bachelors degree in accounting; a foundation and so would see how many credits you could transfer into it. You might have to do the whole degree over with; an bachelors degree. I do not think you will be able to get into a Masters program in finance without and undergrad in finance.
Also, if your degree is from a different country; there is also a set of rules what can be transferred or not. It's all about accreditation, so you can work with other universities and see what they would transfer in.
Jack recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for your time and effort, Jack
Sana