<p>What is the difference between the math in accounting and the math in engineering? How is the math used for each?</p>
<p>Also, what is generally the highest level math course taken by accounting majors and engineering majors?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>EDIT: Also what is the average salary of an accountant at middle age? (like 40 or 50)?</p>
<p>This question has also been on my mind!!!
I love Math. But, I want to do something that is based on Algebra, mostly.</p>
<p>Which one is?</p>
<p>Math for accountants = elaborate high school algebra and having microsoft excel do the heavy stuff for you.
Math for engineers = complex calc (any beyond) questions using the entire greek alphabet as variables for one question.</p>
<p>Math for accountants = the emphasis isn’t on math at all. it’s like saying “math in psychology” because studies often involve the use of regression analyses.</p>
<p>Math for engineers = complex calc (any beyond) questions using the entire greek alphabet as variables for one question.</p>
<p>Accounting math will be mostly algebra along with some statistics. Calculus is hardly ever used. Accounting math is 2D orientated, so if you have poor visual-spatial skills (like me, I can’t visualize 3d figures drawn on paper), but excellent arithmatic skills, it’s a good fit. </p>
<p>I’ve taken engineering calc as well, MODELING GALORE. AHHHHH. You have to deal with a lot of 3d stuff, spheres, cones, all the other scary things in life. And to boot, you have to draw them/visualize them on paper! It’s like geometry x10.</p>
<p>Hah, this question is very simple. For accounting, you only need a basic math, I can’t even call it an algebra. If you know how to summ up, subtract, divide and multiply, then welcome to accounting 
The only thing in accounting is that you have to know where to put right numbers, and if you make a simple mistake in something, the whole result will be WRONG!!!
Thus, you have to be very careful in accounting.
As for engineers, MAXELLIS (look above) is totally right.</p>
<p>I’d probably call it a bit more than basic algebra. You don’t HAVE to use algebra, but it makes things 1000 times easier if you do.</p>
<p>What about Finance??</p>
<p>@ navyarf: Are you talking about Engineering Math in general?
Because this seems to me more like Architecture Math.</p>
<p>Depends on the type of finance. Finance and Economics are similar.</p>
<p>Algebra
Statistics</p>
<p>Then if you’re mad:</p>
<p>Trigonometry
Calculus</p>
<p>Some finance theories can sound an awful lot like physics.</p>
<p>Here all business majors must take the first 2/3 of the engineering sequence of calculus, which gets pretty rough. They say it’s to prepare us for our statistics classes, which are calculus-heavy, and finance classes, which (as tort said) can have some tricky quantitative parts.</p>
<p>More designing for Aerospace, Mechanical, etc. But in all engineering disciplines you will have to work with maximization, and that requires some visual-spatial skills.</p>
<p>^openedskittles. Which classes are you talking about? McCombs statistics classes don’t have much calculus at all. </p>
<p>The requirement is two semesters of calculus at McCombs, you can take C/D engineering sequence, or K/L (2/3 of C/D). I think it’s kinda pointless and it would probably be more useful if McCombs designed a “Business Calculus” class that catered more to the type of applied calculus that would be useful in Finance. I ended up doing engineering (D) after AP, but it wasn’t that hard, but I don’t recall learning anything that I could have applied to any of my business/economics classes. </p>
<p>Another part of the unspoken rational for a calculus requirement is that Business schools can brag about having all their students pass calc, which is somewhat of a status symbol of a “good” business school.</p>
<p>I think calculus is unnecessary for the majority of business majors. The marketing majors who have to suffer through calculus probably aren’t grasping REAL CALCULUS (more on that later), or they probably aren’t learning it all. It’s just another unnecessary hurdle.</p>
<p>I began my undergrad as an engineering major, and eventually ended up as an accountant. The math you take as an engineer is far, far more advanced than anything you take as a business major/accounting major. If the curriculum is still the same, you take at least 4 semesters of calc as an engineer. Not to mention that most of your other courses are calc based as an engineer. I never took a “business calc” course since I had taken Calc I, II and multivariable, so I can’t speak to the difficulty of one, but I am sure it doesn’t compare to the engineering math courses. The fundamental difference is that in accounting you work with numbers all day, but it takes a more theoretical approach (the accounting equation) and not much in depth math, while in engineering, you focus more on the literal application of math/science/design. But this is just IMHO.</p>
<p>First, some college programs do require Calculus in their curriculum for accounting.</p>
<p>Second, in my many years as an accountant, I have NEVER used Calculus. I have used all types of arithmetic and even algebra and statistics though.</p>
<p>Third, as I have said in the thread, “Everything you wanted to know about accounting,” the math in accounting is somewhat similar to doing an SAT all your life. There is a fair amount of problem solving;unlike that of Engineering or hard science, which does use a LOT of sophisticated math. However, as someone noted, accounting is more akin to law. This is what makes it hard.</p>
<p>In short, the math in accounting isn’t that sophisticated. You do need, however, a strongly mathematical and logical mind in order to succeed in accounting.</p>
<p>^ Well put. Although I think accounting is more difficult than law, and there’s certianly less room for mistakes.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, I think I have a good idea about the math. What is the average salary of an accountant at middle age (40 or 50 years old)? </p>
<p>Haha, tax laws will always keep accounting relevant. But law school is not an amazing career choice.</p>
<p>Also, while I’m at it, I have another question. If my school only offers accounting in its business school (and in the scenario that I can’t get into it), how do I become an accountant without an accounting undergrad major? I know there is a MAcc, but I feel like I’d be in shaky ground without an undergrad accounting degree. </p>
<p>Basically, what kind of possibilities are there for non-accounting majors to become accountants? Thanks.</p>
<p>Most of the time it is not the major that gets you into accounting type work it’s the number of accounting credits you have. Generally you’ll need about 12 to get hired by the Fed. You can also get in if you can show a strong math background. </p>
<p>Self employment is different. You need a finance or accounting degree or some serious networking skills to get clients that trust you with their books. My sister is an Engineer so she was able to work with my brother in law to open a tax office. They do well because people assume engineers can do taxes. She helps him but she works full time elsewhere. He has a political background so his network is colossal.</p>
<p>There are many disciplines in accounting. You may want to explore the career possibilities first. See what employers look for in background and then ask that question again. </p>
<p>The second time you ask, the answer from me will be: Go to a different school. Hopefully you can transfer most of your core credits. If your school doesn’t offer the program you want or need, then why do you go to that school?</p>
<p>In response to the above poster - an engineer cannot sign a tax return and cannot represent a client in front of the IRS or state taxation authority if they are audited. You do need some type of certification to do this, either as an enrolled agent or a CPA (it should also be noted here that restrictions on who can prepare a tax return are being tightened by the government going forward in 2010). You cannot get into accounting with a strong math background. If you read this thread you will see that there are active accountants posting on here stating that the math is not hard, but rather the intuition and reasoning behind accounting that makes it a hard discipline. </p>
<p>As for non-accounting majors getting into accounting, it does come down to the credits, but having some type of accounting degree (either undergrad or grad) will likely be necessary for most employers to take you seriously. Do go and explore the career possibilities in accounting, because as the above poster noted, there are many. If you think that you will go into public accounting, even just to start your career, I would consider getting your requirements to take the CPA exam fulfilled by completing either your undergrad or grad degree in accounting.</p>
<p>An accounting problem(in school) might give you three or four numbers and maybe you’ll have to add them all, add all but one, add two and subtract one, multiply two and add another, etc. If it is multiple choice, chances are any idiot can see how to come up with any of the possible choices, question is which one is right based on the qualitative information.</p>
<p>Thetaxdad is correct. Not all tax preparers are CPA’s. Tax preparation requires a certification or CPA credentials. I did not realize you needed every detail about how to start a business. I was just giving an example of people who have no traditional accounting background being successful in tax preparation. I wasn’t trying to belittle the need for and accounting degree. a lot of entrepreneurs don’t have the benefit of a formal education in their field. If you become an accountant you will run into those types. They are good with research and self study. At times they are able to surprise professionals with their grasp of law, accounting, marketing or anything they set their mind to. You may be one of those types as well. </p>
<p>FYI - in most places you can’t even run a hot dog stand without licensing or certification. I thought that part was obvious.</p>
<p>No need to be defensive - I just wanted to make sure the facts about credentials and accounting were correctly stated.</p>