Can't choose between Accounting/Finance

someguyinNC
Fri, 02 Jan 2015 20:19:25 +0000

Hello! New poster here. Hoping someone could give me some advice on which path would be better for what I want to do in life.

Background: I’m in my late 20s. I attended a top 20 public university out of high school and was majoring in economics at the time… but I could not afford to finish because I flat out could not afford it. That was about 7 years ago. Since then I’ve worked full time in accounts management and have a bit of sales experience as well.

I’m now starting back at East Carolina University. I know it’s far from being a top 20 university but it’s really my only choice right now. The financial aid package offered will cover everything and I am VERY VERY thankful for that.

Now as to accounting or finance… I am much more interested in the finance side of a business. As much as I highly respect accountants I can’t see myself being happy working as one. The Economics (applied with accounting/finance) program I am not considering because I just don’t feel really good about the Econ program at ECU.

I have a feeling Accounting + CPA is the way to go for what I want to do instead of a Finance degree. My thinking is the experience preparing and understanding of financial statements in an Accounting program would be more beneficial for what I want to do. I’ve been really going back and forth lately with this. Currently leaning toward accounting. Any help would be appreciated.

Choices

Accounting + CPA: Would take a bit longer than a Finance degree. Seems to be a much more useful in business environments. My financial aid would still cover it though. Could take Finance courses to meet 150 hour CPA requirement?

Finance: I’m more interested in the financial side of a business. Graduate faster.