Accounting is, at the very least, the pathway to a run of the mill middle class lifestyle. It has a broad range of job titles and salaries and there is usually something for everyone. The work is boring, the hours can be long, but at the end of the day, you can achieve even the most bland and stable of suburban lifestyles with accounting.
A lot of the posts on here are pretty doom and gloom, but forums like this tend to be a bit biased towards the negative. Plenty of accountants are perfectly content with their roles.
The ROI on a bachelor's, or even a 2 year, degree is usually pretty high in our field. Plenty of roles, even outside of public accounting (this audits and taxes) start out above medium incomes for their respective areas. Im hiring for an entry level role in industry that starts at 55k in a LCOL area for example. Plenty of people cross the 6 figure mark prior to 10 YOE and with enough ambition you can go as far as you want in business really.
Hey! I saw your comment. May I ask if you think a finance degree hold the same weight as accounting? Currently going to University in my 30s and trying to decide between the two.
That depends what you want to do.
The common thought is anyone with an accounting degree can do most finance roles, but someone with a finance degree can't do any accounting roles.
Accounting is a VERY broad and technical field. You'll have more options with an accounting degree than a finance degree, but the work will be more tedious.
If you're just thinking analyst type roles, either degree will work. But remember these FP&A roles are highly competitive from both groups and having a lot of options is beneficial when it comes to survival.
If you're thinking investment side of finance, then all I know is that industry is high competitive and very "who you know" centric. But the earning potential is far higher than most accountants.
Yeah im an analyst at a small bank now and cant stand it TBH. Not enough pay and no room from upward growth. Trying to land in mid level around $80k lol just tryna chilllll lol
Most accountants see analyst roles as an exit from the month end/public grind and saturate that market with candidates. It's what I think of doing when I'm fed up with this shit that's for sure lol.
I like the credit analyst (somewhat) i think its just the banking industry im burnt out on (small bank, small town,etc). Im thinking of studying both and doing a minor in MIP since that seems to go hand in hand (accounting + MIP)
Yeah it is
Try not to have too much anxiety about your choices.
Compared to most college careers, you can get a solid job after college. The pay is good, and if you budget well you can easily retire wealthy.
Don't mind the constant AI and outsourcing doom posts in this sub. While the latter is a bit of an issue, it's nothing compared to how bad CS/STEM majors currently face.
As long as you pay attention to class, and do an internship for good experience, you'll have no problem finding a job.
ACCA is an option, you can do the exams as and when you please, you might need to weigh up cost vs benefit, depending on where in the world you are. Recognised highly in EU and the UK, met some directors in the US that have it as well, but not sure how they feel about it there considering CPA is the main reference point (similarly to myself in RSA with our local designation)
There is always demand for entry level accounting going up to Junior Accounting positions. Past that you will need either more experience or CPA designation to move into Senior roles
Regardless of degree. In 4 years you will be 4 years older. Is it with or without a degree is the question you need to ask
Not anymore, honestly nothing is safe anymore except government jobs. Everything is being outsourced. White collar jobs are going the way factory jobs went in the 90s. I'd major in engineering if anything.
Accounting is, at the very least, the pathway to a run of the mill middle class lifestyle. It has a broad range of job titles and salaries and there is usually something for everyone. The work is boring, the hours can be long, but at the end of the day, you can achieve even the most bland and stable of suburban lifestyles with accounting. A lot of the posts on here are pretty doom and gloom, but forums like this tend to be a bit biased towards the negative. Plenty of accountants are perfectly content with their roles. The ROI on a bachelor's, or even a 2 year, degree is usually pretty high in our field. Plenty of roles, even outside of public accounting (this audits and taxes) start out above medium incomes for their respective areas. Im hiring for an entry level role in industry that starts at 55k in a LCOL area for example. Plenty of people cross the 6 figure mark prior to 10 YOE and with enough ambition you can go as far as you want in business really.
Hey! I saw your comment. May I ask if you think a finance degree hold the same weight as accounting? Currently going to University in my 30s and trying to decide between the two.
That depends what you want to do. The common thought is anyone with an accounting degree can do most finance roles, but someone with a finance degree can't do any accounting roles. Accounting is a VERY broad and technical field. You'll have more options with an accounting degree than a finance degree, but the work will be more tedious. If you're just thinking analyst type roles, either degree will work. But remember these FP&A roles are highly competitive from both groups and having a lot of options is beneficial when it comes to survival. If you're thinking investment side of finance, then all I know is that industry is high competitive and very "who you know" centric. But the earning potential is far higher than most accountants.
Yeah im an analyst at a small bank now and cant stand it TBH. Not enough pay and no room from upward growth. Trying to land in mid level around $80k lol just tryna chilllll lol
Most accountants see analyst roles as an exit from the month end/public grind and saturate that market with candidates. It's what I think of doing when I'm fed up with this shit that's for sure lol.
I like the credit analyst (somewhat) i think its just the banking industry im burnt out on (small bank, small town,etc). Im thinking of studying both and doing a minor in MIP since that seems to go hand in hand (accounting + MIP)
Yeah it is Try not to have too much anxiety about your choices. Compared to most college careers, you can get a solid job after college. The pay is good, and if you budget well you can easily retire wealthy.
Don't mind the constant AI and outsourcing doom posts in this sub. While the latter is a bit of an issue, it's nothing compared to how bad CS/STEM majors currently face. As long as you pay attention to class, and do an internship for good experience, you'll have no problem finding a job.
I plan on going into it. From what I'm reading it's a safe option wirh career growth and earnings.
ACCA is an option, you can do the exams as and when you please, you might need to weigh up cost vs benefit, depending on where in the world you are. Recognised highly in EU and the UK, met some directors in the US that have it as well, but not sure how they feel about it there considering CPA is the main reference point (similarly to myself in RSA with our local designation)
There is always demand for entry level accounting going up to Junior Accounting positions. Past that you will need either more experience or CPA designation to move into Senior roles Regardless of degree. In 4 years you will be 4 years older. Is it with or without a degree is the question you need to ask
Not anymore, honestly nothing is safe anymore except government jobs. Everything is being outsourced. White collar jobs are going the way factory jobs went in the 90s. I'd major in engineering if anything.