Can any major ---> Accounting Career?

Franks · 10-13-2009, 04:34 PM

Does it matter what major you are if you want to be an public accountant? It doesn't have to be business oriented right? I can major what ever I am interested in whether its music, bio, or chemistry right? As long as you take enough courses to take the CPA it is fine right?

Anyone know? Or know someone who has an out of the ordinary major but is working in accounting?

taxguy · 10-13-2009, 04:42 PM

Yes, you can major in anything;however, in order to sit for the CPA , each state has different requirements in addition to the accounting course requirements. Some states require a course in ethics. Some require a year of economics and management. You need to check with your state society of CPA in order to determine your exact requirements.

Personally, I would always recommend that you major in accounting and minor in another field.

Franks · 10-13-2009, 05:07 PM

Do employers care as along as your certified you are golden right? I am a senior bio major too but have decided I don't want a career involved with science/health field. If I were go into the bio/health field it would only be on the business side of things.
It is way too late to change my major to biz/accounting. I can pick up an accounting minor which will have enough courses to make me eligible to take the CPA exam tho.

So will a person with a background in science will be at a disadvantage applying for an accounting position? I have a 3.8 GPA at a mid tier university and 2 years of non-biz related work experience.

creamgethamoney · 10-13-2009, 05:12 PM

If it's not too late, take the GMATs and do a masters in accounting program designed for non-accounting majors such as the one at UNC or UTexas. That'll solve all your problems and prep you for the CPA as well.

openedskittles · 10-14-2009, 12:32 AM

I second the response above. I met a guy who works for Deloitte who got an economics degree from Vanderbilt and just applied for the MPA program at UT Austin. He needed it for the accounting requirements, but I'm sure it helped a lot getting a job at Deloitte from the number 1 program rather than a mediocre one where they might not even be hiring (which might be your case), especially due to the increased selectivity of the big 4 since the recession.

Will_S · 10-14-2009, 12:48 AM

My accounting professor actually has an undergrad degree in chemistry, a masters in Information Systems, and a PHD in Finance yet spent his thirties and forties auditing for one of the Big 4 (forgot which one).

He got his required Accounting credits during undergrad since the CPA exam only requires like 25-30ish semester credits.

msl2008 · 10-14-2009, 12:53 AM

Taking enough courses usually entails 8 accounting classes I believe. Thus even if you accumulate the 150 hours for some states i don't think you can take the cpa b/c you don't have enough accounting classes. Even if you get an accounting minor I think that is at most 4 accounting classes? I think you need to throw in some biz classes as well depending on your state. Check the board of accountancy websites.

Franks · 10-14-2009, 02:10 AM

I'll have enough units and accounting/biz related classes to take the CPA by the time I graduate. The only thing I am wondering is if I am at disadvantage applying for an accounting position with a degree in bio.

jonahrubin · 10-14-2009, 02:37 AM

I just attended an event at a Deloitte office. Pretty sure the only people there were accountants...certainly no non-business majors.

Don't know why you wouldn't choose the path of least resistance...

Dawgie · 10-14-2009, 03:20 AM

The answer is NO.

Franks · 10-15-2009, 02:38 AM

So there aren't any ppl who are non-biz majors that work as a CPA >_>?

rosedust · 10-15-2009, 03:29 AM

Well, I met someone at a job fair who worked for Deloitte who was a Biology major. He did an accounting minor so I don't see why they wouldn't consider you as long as you did well in your accounting courses/took enough to sit for the CPA exam. Though...it would probably help if you could find some accounting related work/internship experience considering what type of people apply for these positions...>_< especially in this economy =/

maxellis · 10-15-2009, 08:04 AM

My tax accounting professor majored in theater and spanish. She got a Ph.D, in account though.

taxguy · 10-15-2009, 08:54 AM

Franks, I'll say it again in case you aren't reading. You CAN major in anything as an undergraduate and still work as an accountant. This includes language, biology, business etc. However, if you want to sit for the CPA, you need to take about 8 courses in accounting, some business law and a few courses in other areas depending on each state's requirements for the CPA. See my prior post, which is post number 2 here. Many folks get a major in topics other than accounting and then get a masters in accounting,which usually will qualify you to sit for the CPA.

Frankly, this is the harder road. I would strongly suggest majoring in accounting and getting a masters in some related topic such as tax , forensics, financial planning etc.