<p>jacob, it depends on if you’re looking for an internship or a full-time position. in the LA area, anything above a 3.3 is good for an internship. deloitte and ey are stricter on GPA for full time, while PwC and KPMG are more lenient because they need to fill positions.</p>
<p>I’d think languages like Russian or Japanese would be more helpful. There are HORDES of accounting students who speak Mandarin because they’re Chinese. You aren’t going to get better at Chinese than they are and you probably won’t be nearly as good at Chinese as they are at English. I have only run into one Russian speaker that I can recall and that was another kid at a callback interview for what it’s worth. I’ve run into dozens and dozens of Chinese speakers.</p>
<p>I have some questions about the summer leadership programs with the Big Four. A KPMG rep told me theirs is for people graduating with 150 hours in 2013 (so people currently in their third year would apply early 2011 and participate this summer). I believe Deloitte does the same thing.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How hard is it to be accepted? What are they looking for? Do they require an interview?</p></li>
<li><p>What is the experience like?</p></li>
<li><p>Can you do multiple ones (are they at different times?) And should you apply for all of them?</p></li>
<li><p>Where do they take place? If it’s any local office, can you do it closer to where you live during the summer?</p></li>
<li><p>Finally, which ones offer you an internship at the end? Do most people from the leadership programs get accepted?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>A lot of questions there, but I’d appreciate any feedback from people familiar with these programs.</p>
<p>Is it worth it to accompany your Accounting major with a minor, …or would your time be better spent networking and and completing the necessary units to sit at the CPA exam? And if a minor would be worth it, then which ones would be the most beneficial? Thx.</p>
<p>Also, RE: "@Mrocked-Any MBA that takes a year and doesn’t require work experience is useless "</p>
<p>Can you elaborate? I need to take a fifth year in order to meet 150 credits. I can get an MBA in Professional Accounting or an MS in either Prof. Accounting or Taxation.</p>
<p>I found this site by google searching for accounting-related subjects. Here goes:</p>
<p>I am an Active Duty USAF member, and really want to take advantage of some of the benefits, such as Tuition Assistance. I am 27 years old, married, and have a beautiful 2-year old boy. I am proud of my service, but I want a better life for myself and my family. I want to get my degree in Accounting, and definitely go for a Master’s/CPA. I know I can do it, the smarts are there. The problem is time/money. I am looking at mostly online classes because of the convenience. I have time to study at work (when not flying) and deployments are great for tons of school time. A traditional classroom setting would be not only expensive, but would require a much longer time period, and would require family-time sacrifice due to my particular circumstances. My worry is that a degree from an online school would be a joke to most employers, even though some of the “top” schools programs are very similar to traditional brick-and-mortar schools. All of the online schools I’m looking for are regionally accredited, but what else should I look for in an online school? Should I not go that route at all? ANY advice or imput would be greatly appreciated. Thanks- Adam</p>
<p>What would be a more useful major: BA with a concentration in accounting OR joint emphasis in accounting/finance OR joint emphasis in accounting/information systems?</p>
<p>Taxguy, if you could do it all over again? what would you do differently? minors, masters, start studying for cpa while working? or get cpa exam out of way than begin to work. If money also wasn’t a problem.</p>
<p>xypher, I am not sure what I would do differently except to buy Chipolte stock and Microsoft early on. Just kidding.</p>
<p>I passed the CPA while working for a big 4.
As for minors, I probably would have taken some courses that I would have enjoyed and given me more intellectual stimulation such as more math and/or philosophy. I certainly should have taken more courses that developed my writing skills.</p>
<p>As for money,it really wasn’t ever a problem. I always worked, even while in high school and college. I seemed to have more money than I knew what to do with since I never wanted to live a lavish lifestyle.</p>
<p>Sorry, I created a new thread, but then realized that I should’ve just posted my question here:</p>
<p>For an undergrad econ/accounting major, is a job at a Big 4 company THAT much better than any of the other job options that are available after graduation? I mean - is it common for accountants to start off at smaller firms and either move their way up there or use them as stepping stones to more reputed firms (like the Big 4)?</p>
<p>On a related note, I’m a senior (graduating in May) who recently decided against grad school (for econ), but now I’m in a crappy situation. I haven’t had any internships (a couple of jobs on campus, though, and one them involves accounting), and the recruiting season is over anyway. Is it even possible for me to get a job at a Big 4 after graduation, or are smaller accounting firms my only option? Also, would it be a good idea to get an internship this summer first or is it too late for that? Thanks for any help, in advance.</p>
<p>(Btw, my accounting GPA is very close to a 4.0, if that even makes a difference.)</p>
<p>Hello Taxguy:
Do you know if SJSU has a good accounting program? I’m planning to transfer there since I live around there and I don’t know if this is a good choice. Will I get a job after I graduate from SJSU? Does it matter where I get my BA from? What is the min GPA that I should strive for to get at least a decent job for accounting?
Thanks</p>
<p>Is the accounting job market oversaturated already? Based on my research (yay for Google), there are many CPAs who are out of work, even some with Big 4 experience under their belts.</p>
<p>I’m thinking of applying to an MAcc program, but I do NOT want to work at a Big 4 afterwards. I’ve heard a lot about the lifestyle of a Big 4 auditor and it does not sound like a good fit for me. I hope to land into consulting / financial analysis / accounting positions (in that order of preference) within the private sector or government. It is still worth pursuing an MAcc in my case?</p>
<p>Hello Taxguy & anyone else who can provide input:</p>
<p>I am in a dilemma where I can’t decide whether if I should finish my undergrad accounting requirements, or just take it easy for the rest of my senior year? I am double major in finance & international business w/ honors, and have just completed all my finance requirements. While I am finishing my IB and honors requirements, I have some open space left for either taking electives of my interest or finishing a degree in accounting (I need four more classes). </p>
<p>Is it worth it? I am trying to differentiate myself from competition at my school. If I don’t take these accounting classes, I was just going to learn Mandarin since I am in a good environment where I could practice the language, plus it would contribute to my international business degree.</p>
<p>Any input/advice is greatly appreciated. 
Sorry for the long post.</p>
<p>Hi Taxguy and everyone else,</p>
<p>I am new to the forum and seeking some advice. I’m a real estate broker who owns a small real estate firm. I went back to college when I was 35 yrs. old. I earned an Assoc. of Science degree in business and am now majoring in accounting to obtain my B.S. I am 37 yrs old (a junior in college). </p>
<p>My questions are: 1.) At my age will I have a hard time breaking into the accounting field?
I have absolutely no former accounting background besides the obvious of running a small business. My goal is to enter this field as I know it would not only be good for my personal but my business life as well. However, ultimately I would like to pursue accounting full time. My desire is to sell real estate as a hobby and later on in my retirement years. </p>
<p>What have you been seeing in the industry; will my age play a major factor switching careers? </p>
<p>2.) With my background and present experience which of the accounting fields may best relate to me; Or, which acctg field goes best with my personality type: mature, outgoing, highly attractive, smart, detail and people oriented. Not to mention I’m analytical and very technical with superior work ethics. I’m not opposed to traveling. I can work alone or in groups. I like jobs that are results oriented! </p>
<p>3.) Should I even include real estate on my resume (as it may not be relative), or should I just start fresh with accounting specifically? </p>
<p>4.) At my age and with my businesss experience (but little to no accounting experience) what prospects would I have position wise? Basically, would I start at the bottom?</p>
<p>Any help, advice or information is most appreciated! Thank you.</p>
<p>REbroker, I can’t really answer your question;however, I don’t think that you are too old for the change. Get good grades, interview well and you should be fine.</p>
<p>If I were you, I would specialize in real estate topics and clients. This could be audits of real estate, tax problems involving real estate and realtors etc. Accountants, especially at large firms, can have a specialization if they seek it out and make their interest known.</p>
<p>You might want to interview with firms that have real estate clients and who audit REITs and big brokers.</p>
<p>Thanks Taxguy.</p>
<p>You answered my question and that is useful advice. Based on what you’ve told me it sounds like I need to further investigate with my university and see which accounting electives would fall into this category. Also, maybe I should get on the internet and research different accounting firms in my area and see which ones have real estate investment/auditing services etc… that could benefit from my education. </p>
<p>Presently, I hold a 3.86 GPA. I did some extra curricular activities and received numerous awards my freshman and sophmore years, but I think I’ll specifically and wholeheartedly focus my efforts on my academics alone these remaining years.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help! Your forum has been most helpful to me. I will follow up with you as time progresses if that’s okay with you.</p>
<p>Hey folks, great thread, almost 3 years and still going strong.</p>
<p>I have a question for Taxguy (or any other knowledgeable individual)</p>
<p>I’m a recent liberal arts college grad and I’ve recently decided to pursue a career in accounting. However, with MAcc deadlines just around the corner, coupled with the fact that I haven’t taken the GMAT, let alone study for it, a masters this year is out. </p>
<p>But a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting is still on the table. It would give me the hours needed to sit for the CPA, but at this point in time, I’m more concerned about it’s hiring potential. Is it possible to get a decent accounting job/internship with good grades in a post-baccaureate certificate? Something at aBig 4, a tier 2 firm, or government job? Has anyone even heard of this, or met someone who has done it? Or should I just wait out another year for a Masters program that admits non-accounting majors? </p>
<p>Also, I occasionally hear that a MAcc is just a glorified CPA review course. I have the grades to get into at least a top 25 program, but if I already have the hours to sit for the CPA via a post-bacc cert, is the Masters still a good investment?</p>
<p>Much thanks to anyone who replies.</p>
<p>I have a question: Major in finance or accounting? I want to get into finance, but my school’s accounting program is more rigorous and also respected. If I majored in finance, I might get a lower GPA than finance, but it would be an accounting degree. Should I risk lower GPA or major in finance?</p>
<p>Most importantly, can an accounting major do a financial job?</p>
<p>How important is calculus II to accounting?</p>
<p>Does it look good on your academic record if your employer is looking at it? Will they even care?</p>
<p>Even though I am really good at basic math, I am really bad at higher level math but I am really worried about it since people around me say math is really important for any field you are going to…</p>
<p>I need opinions from people who have had experience in the accounting industry, and know the hiring process!!! please…</p>
<p>P.S I am considering to drop calculus II really bad, I don’t know if it is important enough to keep. I have not been able to do the problems,and I think I might fail the class…</p>
<p>Don’t bother with Calc 2 if you want to pursue an accounting career. The only math you need to know is basic addition subtraction division and multiplication and Calc 2 would be highly irrelevant. I took Calc 2 anyway because I like Math and did decent on my exams. If you think you’ll fail, just drop it. Take classes that will improve your GPA, not kill it.</p>