I have orientation for my college coming up, and I am not so sure what I want to do with my life. It was recommended to me by my mom (who is a CPA and has a masters in accounting) to double major in accounting and finance. Any thoughts? I would like to become a CPA when I get out of college, and my thinking is that if I take another major that ties in well with accounting, it can help me get to the 150 credit hrs required to become a CPA. Plus finance is something that interests me, as I can see learning the major to be beneficial, even if I do not use it later in life.
(Just like to mention that accounting does seem interesting to me, it isn’t like my mom is pushing me to do accounting)
I’m a CPA and my S is also one – here are a few comments:
–If you know you will be in the b-school next year there is there is absolutely no reason and no advantage to picking a major (or double major) now. Part of the beauty of an undergraduate b-school education is that there is a business core curriculum so you will start off by taking introductory classes in a number of different disciplines (including but not limited to accounting, finance, IT, marketing etc.). Those classes should help give you a sense of where your interests and aptitudes lie. After the introductory classes you will have a better sense of what you want to major in.
–Your ability to double major will depend a lot on your personal situation and your particular college (including the requirements for a major, the general ed requirements needed to graduate, if you come into college with credits etc.) so if you are considering a double major you should look at all of these requirements and discuss what might be possible with your academic advisor when you are on campus. I would not stay more than 4 years to get a second major (you can always minor in or just take additional courses in a second subject of interest).
–Often double majoring does not earn you more credits, it is a matter of using all what normally would be electives to get the double major. Assuming you graduate in four years I’m not sure that double majoring will get you much closer to the 150 credit requirement. If you go to school for a fifth year, I’d suggest that a Masters Degree would be better use of your time than a second major.