What to Think About when Choosing Accounting as a Major
- Interest in Mathematics
- Interest in Diversity of Professional Experience
- Level of Organization
- Long-term Goals
- Incorporation of Other Interests
Accounting has become a tremendously popular major, from those pursuing associates degrees for a rapid entry into the finance industry to those working towards master’s degrees to launch themselves into upper management of this dynamic sector. According to Forbes, degree holders with this major are being hired at a rapid rate as the global finance sector expands, making it a decidedly sound investment for students, especially for adult students with families.
Resource: Top 10 Online Accounting Degree Programs
However, a degree in this field bears some careful ponderance before deciding upon it conclusively. Here are five considerations to make when choosing accounting as a degree program.
1. Interest in Mathematics
This is the most important thing to consider – do numbers and mathematics interest you? Even if you don’t consider yourself brilliant at math, are there resources available at your college or university to help you master the skills you’re learning and improve your understanding of mathematics? If you enjoy numbers, this degree program might be the perfect choice for you, but if you groan internally anytime you have to crunch numbers, you should look at other programs that require less mathematical engagement.
2. Interest in Diversity of Professional Experience
This accounting industry can lead graduating students down a great variety of professional paths and not just as accountants. Degree holders in this field have found themselves in a broad range of positions from marketing and media to entrepreneurship and business administration. If you enjoy the program’s core academic subject matter and you’re interested in earning a degree that can open many professional doors, this area of specialization may be the best one for you.
3. Level of Organization
Degree seekers in any field require a certain level of organization, but this is especially true of those students in the financial sector. If you have a high level of organization and are a logical and yet creative thinker, these qualities will help you forge a brilliant career in the finance sector. If you’re not especially well-organized, you may want to consider a path where a consistent and strict attention to detail is not constantly required. Regardless of personal interests, organized thinkers tend to achieve a great deal in the financial and business worlds.
4. Long-Term Goals
When thinking about the degree program you want, think about what your long-term goals are. Are you aiming for a consistent, full-time job that pays well and may also offer benefits? Are you seeking a job that allows you to spend more time with your family? Are you aiming for upper management in your sector of choice? How will you balance work and school and how far do you want to go academically? Even if you don’t have concrete answers to all of these questions quite yet, they’re worth considering when choosing a program.
5. Incorporation of Other Interests
Whether or not you choose an accounting degree program, consider how you can incorporate your other interests and talents and what minors or dual degree programs your college or university offers. If the idea of working in business intrigues you, you might choose a minor in marketing; if you’re highly creative, you might choose a minor in the performing or fine arts and work in the finance departments of arts studios or opera companies. No matter your passion, consider how you can incorporate it into your degree program – and work towards a career that you’ll find truly fulfilling.
Regardless of where you decide to study or what specialization you choose, each of these considerations is worth making when choosing an accounting degree program.
