<p>biggumt, the answer is “it depends.” They all care about your major GPA and most care about your overall GPA too.</p>
<p>@taxguy, how well did you do? GPA wise? What other courses did you take?
How long did you study, and did you ever seek help?</p>
<p>I am honestly considering majoring in Accounting, with a premed track course attached.</p>
<p>I will only need to do 2 science series since I will have everything done when i transfer out.</p>
<p>Thanks man</p>
<p>Yes, GPA is very important. A high GPA gives you so many more opportunities later. So, don’t blow off your classes.</p>
<p>Slick, I majored accounting and minored in physics and math. Originally, I was going to major in both physics and math but didn’t like physics enough to want to keep studying it and work in it.</p>
<p>My accounting GPA was about a 3.7 something. I had an overall GPA around 3.65. Don’t forget, in my day, there was very little grade inflation and many times courses were graded with a bell curve. A 3.6+ easily put me in the top 10-15% of the class. When you ask, " how long did I study, are you asking on a per day or week basis or years to finish? Normally, I didn’t study that much since the work normally came easily to me. I guess I was lucky. I could see solved examples in the book and then solve any problem in the homework without much difficulty whether it be in accounting or physics or chemistry, although I did have a bit more trouble with both physics and chemistry… I guess the physics training helped me. I always, however, did the homework and any problems or case studies assigned. I was a dilligent student. I also prepared outlines for all courses as the semester went on. Thus, come final time, I had finished outlines that I knew pretty well and could focus on potential test questions for the finals.</p>
<p>Also, starting in my junior year, I had a part time job working for a small accounting firm. In my senior year, I worked part time for a bond trading firm in their accounting department.</p>
<p>I never sought help. We didn’t have the broad tutoring and other support services that many colleges have today. In fact, I privately tutored other students for money.</p>
<p>Cool, that’s still a great GPA, imo.</p>
<p>It seems to me that if I work at it, treating like my other courses, i.e. Chem, Physics, Calc… I could get a good GPA.</p>
<p>Not saying its hard, but put in the time and effort, seek help, and I think you could be successful in any major.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>Hi Taxguy, I just recently found this thread and I am so glad that it gave me a lot of info for accounting. I am a college sophomore, and I am in the track of doing accounting. I’m just finishing up my College of Business prerequisites but I have taken a couple of accounting classes. In your own opinion, do you think that taking this field is much better in terms of job opportunities than science majors/engineering? My parents have been telling me to take engineering instead, and I am in the so-so position. I do enjoy my classes so far but I’m just kinda bugged by my parents who keep on telling me that everyone is taking accounting and the field is already full. I believe otherwise. Can I know your opinion on this? Thanks and have a great day!</p>
<p>theventurer,
I have taught accounting at a cc for 23 years. I’ve never known a time when there weren’t job opportunities for accounting grads, although some years are better than others. Just this morning, a study was discussed on the Today Show regarding opportunities for 2012 grads with accounting being tagged as a great career option. I’ve had lots of engineers enrolled in night classes through the years who were looking to move up the ladder by pursuing the MBA and getting into management. If you are completing your core business classes, you are likely finishing your sophomore year and it’s awfully late to think about transferring into engineering now without spending at least an extra year in school.</p>
<p>[Personal</a> Finance - Expert Money Saving Tips, Advice & Questions - TODAY.com](<a href=“http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041440/ns/today-money/#47155378]Personal”>http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041440/ns/today-money/#47155378)</p>
<p>Hey folks,
First-time poster here. I’m a third-year law student who is also pursuing a Master’s in Accounting. My undergrad degree was in English. </p>
<p>I am planning on taking the C.P.A. after my business coursework is completed. My question is this: Do employers look upon my additional law degree unfavorably? I learned a great deal in law school, but initially went to please my parents (it’s a LONG story)?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>“I have taught accounting at a cc for 23 years. I’ve never known a time when there weren’t job opportunities for accounting grads, although some years are better than others.”</p>
<p>The good thing about accounting is that there is a defined job market. With that said, it has gotten much more competitive and you will have to stay on top of things to even be considered for most positions. </p>
<p>I also tend to think that engineering firms care mostly about your technical abilities while accounting firms put a larger emphasis on your people skills while still requiring great grades.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. Now I have another question. I was wondering when is the best time to get an internship? I am going to be a junior next fall and was thinking of probably applying for Big 4. However, my resume is kinda dry right now. My overall GPA of the moment is a 3.9. However, I am not a part of any clubs or anything like that, but I do work for school (work study). I am applying for an office job and if I get it, do you think it can be helpful? I am also planning to join my school’s accounting club next semester. What do you think are the requirements to be able to have a shot at big 4?</p>
<p>There is never a bad time for an internship. I would start looking around the end of the sophomore year and certainly you should try for an internship and/or summer job for the summer after your Junior year.</p>
<p>sure anything that could differentiate you from your peers is good. </p>
<p>Also, I recommend start practicing interviewing now (ie. in the career center/with a friend/mock interviews). </p>
<p>Also, don’t only apply for the big4. It’s competitive, especially for internships, so cast a wide net. Big 4 also tend to hire alot of students for entry level/1st year positons who interned at other companies (whether corporate or public accounting).</p>
<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>Is the answer to my question already within the scope of this forum? I just wanted to receive some feedback on my situation from people within the field. If I am posting in the wrong place, or being a nuisance, please let me know.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Preppyintowson, an additional law degree is favorably considered IF you are in their tax or financial planning department. If you are an auditor, I don’t think a law degree will help or hinder you.</p>
<p>taxguy: Thank you! Those are exactly the fields in which I am interested.</p>
<p>Thank you for the answers! I guess I should try starting to look for one now. Looking way ahead, do you have to be a CPA to be able to work at a Big 4 firm? I know someone who got hired into the firm even if she hasn’t graduated yet and hasn’t taken the license exam yet. </p>
<p>Also, do you think that working at a Big 4 firm is a good move? I’ve read some stories saying that even if it pays a lot and looks good on a resume, environment is really bad and you don’t move up the ladder, unlike working for other firms where you can get promoted and excel in your field. Is that true?</p>
<p>I think it’s unhealthy to be so fixated on big 4, so I’ll answer in terms of public accounting. And if you’d like to interpret, big 4 is an extreem, both positive and negative, of everyone good and bad about public accounting. </p>
<p>Public accounting is a good move, but it is def not for everyone. </p>
<p>Salary is decent but hours are long; oftentimes top corporate accounting jobs will pay morel and Most decent corporate accounting jobs will pay more on a per hour basis. </p>
<p>Public accounting does look good on a resume, however many big company staff accountant positions will look similarly impressive…</p>
<p>You move up the ladder faster in public accounting than in corporate. </p>
<p>Generally, public accounting is consdered to be a more competitive work environment, where a lot is expected of you, company cultures vary, but during busy-season most would probably agree with you that the “work environment” is lacking.</p>
<p>Is anyone here worried about what tax simplification would mean for the future of tax CPAs, especially in the big 4? It is a hot topic. The politicized nature of our tax code makes true reform seem unlikely, though. </p>
<p>I am an undergrad student and am much more interested in tax than audit, but worry about my prospects when much of America is calling for extreme changes in the tax code.</p>
<p>bcd4520758, I have seen Congress debate and try various forms of tax simplification. None of them worked. In fact, every signal year, the changes make tax preparation more complicated. Congress is inept about being able to simplify the law. It sounds politically good,but it won’t happen and particularly won’t happen for business returns.</p>
<p>In fact, after all these years of congressional debates, accountants are needed now more than ever.</p>
<p>Thank you for the response. Every tax professional I have spoken to has agreed with you, too. I might be worrying a little bit too much about it, since there will always be a place for skilled tax professionals, whether in government or the private sector.</p>