Is Accounting a good Career?

Question

I start school April 26th, at Devry University. I don't know much about Accounting. Even though I have looked up some information online, it varies by site. They don't have that many options that interest me. I'm looking at Accounting and Computers, but more interested in Accounting. I know you're wondering why Devry, but I get to go for free. While I'm on the topic of schooling. Does the school I attend matter with Accounting. I do plan on going to get a Masters and go for CPA. I don't know if jobs really care about what school you went to if you have your CPA. I also am not sure which Masters degree to get, if I'm going for Accounting. I have the options to get a Masters in Accounting or Accounting and Finance Management. I'm not really sure what the difference is. What are my career options and how much could a person make if they have a Masters and CPA? Are there always jobs in Accounting? I just don't want to make a mistake and not be happy in the end. What are some of the perks of being an Accountant? Do you get to work from home or do you have an assistant? I don't know just trying to make sure I'm covering all my questions. Please serious answers. Thanks to you all.

Answer 1

Wow! That's a ton of questions.



Let's start here. Accounting is an outstanding profession, but it isn't the most exciting. You have two paths to choose from: Public accounting...where you will work for CPAs and do taxes for personal and corporate clients. Option number 2 is corporate accounting where you will do AR/AP, Payroll, creating financial statements, etc. My personal recommendation is to go for the public accounting job because corporations are the clients. Once they see a competent tax accountant, they try to recruit the person...and the CPA is cool with that because now he has a contact within the corporation.



But let me get to what I really wanted to talk about. The decision of where to go to school matters. If you get your undergrad from Devry, or UOP or one of non-traditional schools, you will have a more difficult time being hired at one the big 4 tax firms. Once you have your master's that will ease up...especially if you get it at a traditional school. It matters.



You can't go wrong either way with a masters in Accounting or Finance. It's six of one / half a dozen of the other. Just make sure that you get your required 150 units to qualify you for the CPA exam.



Let's talk about that for a minute. If you get hired on a big firm, they are going to work you to death. 50-60+ hours during tax season. Get ready for that. But in return, they have the tools to study for the CPA exam, and if you pass, some companies pay the bill. They won't do it if you fail, though.



Good luck. Let me know if you have questions.

Answer 2

"Accounting" is very general. With an accounting degree you can choose to go into public accounting (work for an accounting firm doing audits and/or taxes - become a CPA). Another option would be to go into private accounting (work for one company) and do things such as financial reporting or tax work to name just a few (I recommend getting experience at a firm first). A third option is to work for the government (IRS or Franchise Tax Board). What I mentioned above is still very general. You'll find that there are many paths you can take once you have that degree and a few years of experience. There's a lot involved with accounting....it's not just debits and credits. As far as you having more difficulty with Acct II, that's okay...it supposed to get harder. You don't have to know everything, because you're not going to use everything you learn from the text book. However, you should have a general understanding and then you'll tend to specialize. If you are enjoying your accounting classes, that's a good sign. An accounting degree is a very respectable one to have and I can assure you that if you have a good understanding of accounting, you'll never have a problem finding a good job. Keep the GPA up and firms will be recruiting you before you get out of college. I highly recommend getting involved with the Accounting Society or Beta Alpha Psi at your school (if you are at a 4 year university right now). It's a great way to learn more about careers in accounting, learn to network, improve on communication and interviewing skills, and meet other accounts who are looking to higher good students with a desire to work hard and be successful.

Answer 3

If accounting doesn't interest you, why do it? I'm going to major in it and get my master's and my CPA license, and let me tell you, it is TEDIOUS. If you don't enjoy it, and working with numbers, and are a person who wants everything to be just right, DON'T do it, you will be so bored and you will hate it. Jobs don't really care what school you go to, as long as you have your degree. There is pretty much a steady demand for accountants. A big perk, is you do make a lot of money, but like I said, if it doesn't interest you, you will not like it. It depends where you work and who you work for as to if you can work from home. As for the assistant, no, you usually do not get an assistant. Hope I helped, I know it sounds like I'm trying to turn you away from it, but I'm really not, I just want you to know what you're looking at. (: Good luck in whatever you decide.

Answer 4

Is Accounting A Good Job

Answer 5

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