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To be an accountant with the government, is it better to get a bachelors in "corporate accounting and finance" or just "accounting"?
I'm currently a senior in high school and I'm taking community college courses for accounting. I'm aiming to be well equipped and prepared for a job I can see myself doing.
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Alexandra’s Answer
Hello Tammy,
I would recommend taking different accounting classes under a general accounting major and consider a master's degree in accounting as well. As others have pointed out, government accounting has very specific rules but you would benefit from any accounting class and will learn a lot on the job as well. You can pursue a master's degree while you are working , part-time or online, and some of the graduate classes may be more focused on different areas of accounting. In any case, I would recommend taking enough credits so you can sit for the CPA exam and looking out for internships where you can learn on the job.
Good luck!
I would recommend taking different accounting classes under a general accounting major and consider a master's degree in accounting as well. As others have pointed out, government accounting has very specific rules but you would benefit from any accounting class and will learn a lot on the job as well. You can pursue a master's degree while you are working , part-time or online, and some of the graduate classes may be more focused on different areas of accounting. In any case, I would recommend taking enough credits so you can sit for the CPA exam and looking out for internships where you can learn on the job.
Good luck!
Thank you so much Alexandra! I will definitely look into a master degree and keep an eye out for the types of credits i'll take and need to qualify for the exam. Do you know if it's possible to obtain an internship as a senior in high school? I've been searching but all require at least a bachelors which is very understandable.
Tammy
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Jennifer’s Answer
Hello Tammy,
Government accounting and Corporate accounting are quite distinct, especially in terms of restrictions and fund accounting. If you're aiming for a career in Government accounting, I would recommend pursuing an undergraduate degree in accounting and making sure to include as many government-related courses as possible. Should you also have aspirations for a master's degree, it would be beneficial to focus on a handful of specialized governmental accounting classes to broaden your expertise. In addition to your academic pursuits, any practical experience you can gain outside of school, such as work or volunteering, will be incredibly valuable. For instance, I spent several years working with a non-profit organization, assisting with the filing of low-income tax returns for individuals who would not typically file. If you need further advice or guidance, don't hesitate to reach out!
Best regards,
Jen
Government accounting and Corporate accounting are quite distinct, especially in terms of restrictions and fund accounting. If you're aiming for a career in Government accounting, I would recommend pursuing an undergraduate degree in accounting and making sure to include as many government-related courses as possible. Should you also have aspirations for a master's degree, it would be beneficial to focus on a handful of specialized governmental accounting classes to broaden your expertise. In addition to your academic pursuits, any practical experience you can gain outside of school, such as work or volunteering, will be incredibly valuable. For instance, I spent several years working with a non-profit organization, assisting with the filing of low-income tax returns for individuals who would not typically file. If you need further advice or guidance, don't hesitate to reach out!
Best regards,
Jen
Your advice was so informative and I really appreciate your guidance, I'll make sure to get in practical learning experiences outside of school and strive for a masters in accounting too. Can I ask you about your education and professional journey to where you are now?
Thank you for your time!
Tammy