RockingSocks

Hi All!

I am looking into getting a second bachelors degree but I can't make a choice. I wanted to see if you all had any insight

Accounting
I like the stability and career options but I'm not sure if it would be the most exciting job

Finance
I like the idea of helping people invest their money wisely, but the field is not as secure from my understanding

Supply Chain Management
I like the idea of interacting with different people at different levels and divising plan to get an item from point A to point B, but the job market doesn't seem to be strong right now, even though advances in SCM are growing

Information Systems Management
I would enjoy being a systems analyst or business analyst and could see a career in that, but I also see many business wanting 3+ years experience, there doesn't seem to be many entry level positions


Help? Does anyone have any insight into these fields?

sp1212

Have you taken the introductory level classes for these majors?

If not, do that first, and decide what you like.

That's how you usually decide on a major.

dmj120

As an Accounting major, I say accounting :-)


One of the listed items on taxguy's threads Everything you wanted to know or should know about accounting (provides some really good info) describes a BIG reason that I chose accounting -- upper mngt baby.

Currently with GE Healthcare, I began looking at the educational backgrounds and other credentials held by the top brass, in every GE business. A common theme arose, so much so seemed to be a requirement, CPA creds. were held be most. In fact, every CFO that I looked at, in every business, is/was a CPA.

I chose accounting after answering:
1. What do I like(in business, not just personal) ...... money / numbers
2. What accountancy covers ..... money / numbers
3. What corporations are about .... money / numbers

So for me it was a no-brainer. I was a DeVry EE major until I really thought about "it." That was due to my interest in technology, tinkering with stuff, and working with medical equipment. Event though I enjoy that stuff, I have always had an afinity for the numbers game - and actually molded my current position into numbers, reports etc.

Find what you 'really' like and screw everyone's opinion.

creamgethamoney

If you don't go to a top school, the general rule of thumb is to go with accounting and either double or minor in another subject you really enjoy unless you just can't stand it/aren't good at it.

With that said, I really think SCM is interesting, but I bet it's gonna be tougher to get jobs in this field because you have to compete with engineers who have a much higher quantitative background. Plus, while it's job rate is increasing, it's probably not as hot as accounting or financial planning.

coolkidd123

not really trying to be mean or anything but i don't think asking a bunch of random people on a forum about what you should pursue is the best idea. you should try to find out information on your own and maybe ask specific questions instead of broad ones.

sp1212

I agree exactly with that coolkidd123 said.


No offense to the above posters, but ever since Taxguy's Accounting thread, people have become way too hung up on the accounting major. And they think it's the only way to get a decent job after graduating if you go to an average school. This is simply not true.

If you don't find Accounting to be cool, then you should take it off your list.

You would be way better off in Info Systems since you said you could see a potential career in that.

However, take the intro classes (which I am pretty sure your business school requires you to take) and then make your decision that way. That is the best way to do it.

I don't want to discourage people from going into Accounting, but if you simply don't like it, don't major in it. Same with any other major. And really, "general rule of thumb"? Come on now. Are you saying all business majors should go into accounting? My friend, if that happens, salary will go down.

coolkidd123

seems like too many people are deciding on the accounting route because opportunities in finance is limited these days and they are finding that accounting is safer. if you guys truly don't like it, you're going to hate your job someday.

dmj120

Hating a job is not limited to accounting. No matter what field, if you no likey you'll end up changing at some point. my 2cents

AnyColour

I don't really like anything, but I find studying accounting tolerable. Don't know if I'll find accounting jobs tolerable though. I initially chose accounting because of my preconceived notion that accountants spent their workdays in cubicles, alone, in a tranquil environment bean-counting. But the reality is completely opposite. Oh well, I'll stick with it and see how it goes.

jonahrubin

Better go with tax if you want to go to public accounting. They spend a lot more time at the office than audit types. At our event with a big four firm they pointed that out as a key difference between audit and tax. Until you get higher up on the totem pole you won't have very much client interaction in tax.

manishkool

hi i am manish. i want to go for master in account in us.after completing my b.com what kind of job will available to me in india or back in india i have to do anything in accountancy.
and my concern is master in accounting similer in us and in india.

RockingSocks

Wow my thread popped back up, anyhoo.....I am thinking of getting a graduate degree in finance and wanted to see how I could prepare myself for a position post graduation.

taxguy

I have addressed the questions about what the potential is for accounting positions in the US and why not everyone should major in accounting.PLEASE, PLEASE read through the thread, "What everyone should know or wants to know about accounting." Let me summarize a few of the posts here:

1. What it takes to succeed in accounting:


Let me be very clear about something. Yes, accounting is one of the better paying careers out of college. Yes, it is respected. Yes, it is one of the best careers for getting a job.

HOWEVER, you have to like it and be good at it if you want to keep that job. This means:

1. You have the ability to pay attention to detail for long periods of time
2. You have a very strong work ethic. This means that you can work 8-9 hours a day on projects, having only a few breaks.
3. You have strong analytical, problem solving ability.
4. You have common sense
5. You have a reasonable degree of people skills
6. You are a decent writer.You don't need to be Hemmingway or even have the skills of an English major, but you do need to write clear reports.
7. In college, learning disablied kids can get through with accomodations. They might get extra time for work, tutors, note takers etc. Don't expect any accounting firms to make accomodations for you in this regard. You will be expected to work hard, quickly and correctly. No excuses will be accepted.
8. Some of the smaller firms require their "would be partners" to bring in business.In fact, for one of my son's firms that he is with, there was a factor in the evalutation about new clients brought in by the employee.

Thus, at some point in your career, you may have to have strong networking skills. This isn't true for all firms,but I have seen it in the past with some firms.

Accounting does take a special kind of person to succeed. If the subject matter or work isn't for you, don't go into it! There are other careers that can be in big demand such as nursing, engineering, hard sciences, occupational therapy, physical therapy etc. Getting top grades, regardless of major, can be very helpful in both getting jobs and getting into a top graduate program. Thus, accounting isn't the "be all, end all" if you are not attending an ivy or semi-ivy school.

2.Throughout the past 30 years or so, there has been a shortage of qualified CPAs. Yes, the demand had ebbed and flowed.However, overall, there has been a shortage. The reasons are many.
-----__________________________________________________ ____
why there usually is a shortage of accountants:

First, many folks find accounting isn't right for them so they leave the profession.

Secondly, attaining the CPA is NOT for the weak or faint of heart. It is a weed out profession at every stage. In college, the course work is tough and grueling. Moreover, there usually isn't grade inflation for accounting majors. Thus, at most schools that I have seen, as many as 50% of the kids who started out as accounting majors, change majors.

Thirdly, accounting firms weed out those that aren't willing to work hard and competantly.

Fourthly: To become a CPA in most states ( and probably all states), you would need 150 credits in total,which requires another year of schooling. This adds a lot more cost to the education.
Fifthly: The CPA is one of the hardest, licensing exams given. It consists of four grueling parts with a number of tricky questions that must be passed. In addition, once you pass one part, you have 18 months thereafter to pass all of the remaining parts or you lose the parts that you previously passed.


The bureau of labor has projected that the accounting profession, especially jobs that require a college degree and certification (CPA) will grow around 18% through 2016. This is faster than the average for all occupations. We can actually benefit from this current economic crisis in that laws are becoming much more intense as corporations are scrutinized more and more (auditing). Also, with the complexity of tax laws and new legislation being passed constantly, the need for CPAs in the business line of work will be a very present force.

Yes accounting is alluring to many, however, it is not an easy climb to the CPA as mentioned by taxguy. WIth an average pass rate in many states of under 50%, this is a very difficult certification to claim. This is an old number from 2006, but in that year there were 646,520 CPAs registered (statistic given via NASBA). This means that less than .05% of the population was a registered CPA. Even with the expected growth of jobs in the CPA profession, the profession itself has not seen a comparable growth in new CPA candidates in the past few years.
__________________________________________________ _________

Let me end this by saying that both my kids, who majored in accounting, had job offers in excess of 50K BEFORE they even finished college! How many kids from other fields can say that. Also, I started the main accounting thread because there was a pervasive feel in CC that the only good majors were either math or engineering or economics or to attend some expensive top named school regardless of cost. I wanted to provide some counterbalance. Hopefully, I haven't caused the pendulum to swing too far the other way.

AnyColour

Please taxguy,
You have said that the extra 30 credit hours to meet 150 can be in anything (even lower division courses?), but can they be from a community college?

taxguy

Anycolour, I don't think so. However, you need to call your local State Board of Accountancy and ask them. I would NEVER depend on some random answer from these boards for that type of question.