<p>I'm new around here but I've looked around at a lot of the previous posts that ask "accounting vs finance, which is better/more fun/ pays more/ blah blah blah." But I don't think I've seen anyone ask which 'major is easiest to get a job with, or which major would make it easier to hold on to a job?'<br>
I've read a lot, (A LOT) of posts that say the same thing about accounting is inputting information and that a finance major can't really do what an accounting major will, and also that a finance major makes more decisions than an accounting major who just inputs the results (or something like that). So, I pretty much get the gist of that but what I want to know is, provided I have a 3.5+ GPA in either major, which would make me more employable? Accounting without a CPA or Finance? What has been your experience with your major? What have you heard is the employment prospect for either one? </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for taking your time to read this, I'd really appreciate some real advice.</p>
<p>I actually concentrated in both finance and accounting in my undergraduate years. If you are looking for stability, then accounting would be the way to go because there are always jobs in accounting, even if getting into the Big Four is a bit more tricky these days because of the economy. However, I would highly advise you to take the CPA exam even if you have to take a few more requirements to sit for the test. The CPA comes in handy when it comes to credibility and in the Big Four, you can’t get promoted to manager without it. Although accounting isn’t the most fun, it is stable and lucrative enough. </p>
<p>A few years ago, finance was flashy and attractive. Big bonuses and a booming industry. However, now its tough. Investment banking used to be the top job that students sought, but nowadays, unless you come from a top school and the top of that school, its tough. Unlike a CPA you aren’t necessarily “certified” to do really anything, so its not as stable. </p>
<p>Now, if you can do accounting AND finance, I would recommend that because then you have more options. I actually worked in consulting after having done both, which was interesting and loads of fun. </p>
<p>Also, you can always do the finance thing, and then if it doesn’t work out too well, you can go back to get your Masters in Accounting (USC has a one year program) and then be set for a good job in accounting. </p>
<p>GPA is important for getting a job, but the experience is even more important, so any internships you can get is always useful! </p>
<p>Let me know if you have any more questions.</p>
<p>How’s the job market for finance majors? What are some of the entry-level jobs for either one? And where? Obviously NYC is a huge market for it, but I’m from Texas.
I’ve gone on monster and looked at both accounting and finance jobs available now in various states, and almost all of them say something like “Requirements: Accounting or Finance degree…” (emphasis on OR) and these are usually positions that are titled in some form or another “Auditor” or “Analyst” so i see where there might be some overlap in knowledge/skills.
I do want to double major in accounting and finance, but time is of the essence for me so if i HAVE to pick a major and run with it i want to be as well-informed as possible. Hence me asking questions that may be elementary to most of you.</p>
<p>The requirement is there because someone who is an accounting or finance major is more likely to have the necessary accounting/finance experience to do the job description. If you fit the job description and have performed the accounting/finance tasks in your previous job or internship, then even if you are an econ major or business admin major, it doesn’t matter and you can still apply.</p>
<p>I do too VTlove… man if that was a serious attempt to provide some advice… I might have to major in linguistics first!</p>
<p>Aside from that though; I’ve pretty much decided to go into Accounting. I’ve looked over the degree plan for my school and it looks like the only difference between the plan that allows one to sit for the CPA and the one that doesn’t is a matter of a few electives, which I almost have all of, and two more ACCT classes. It’s not a big school (it’s a TAMU branch school). So if what you all say is true about most big businesses preferring to hire an English major from Yale over a Finance major from Podunk Local College then I’d rather tackle the major that’ll at least get me in the door for an interview. Besides that, I like the idea of flexibility.
BTW, if you become a CPA in one state, can you use it in another state? Or would one have to meet the requirements for that state as well before being able to use it?</p>
<p>Accounting has always provided more opportunities than finance. Accounting majors can do most jobs that a finance major can do;however, finance majors can’t do all jobs, of accounting majors. </p>
<p>Wangfuchang, to answer your question, read over post number one in the thread, “Everything you wanted to know or should know about accounting.” It will answer your question.</p>
<p>“have a 3.5+ GPA in either major, which would make me more employable? Accounting without a CPA or Finance? What has been your experience with your major? What have you heard is the employment prospect for either one?”</p>
<p>IMO, Accounting without a CPA or Finance is comparable. </p>
<p>Without the extra credits (in most states it amounts to ~ 1 extra year of schooling- $$$) to sit for the CPA exam, your not likely competitive for a large portion of entry level accounting jobs (public accounting). </p>
<p>So undergrads, of either major (who get jobs), often end up working at banks, or as analysts, or in finance/accounting departments. I would say that accounting/finance departments usually hire more accounting students than finance students BUT investment/portfolio management/financial planning firms hire a lot more finance majors than accounting majors. </p>
<p>So I’d think the “employability” of either, right our of undergrad, are pretty similar and often depends on your region/school. You can find success in either one, but are not guaranteed anything either. </p>
<p>Although, note: a 3.5 gpa in accounting is likely to be harder to acheive than a 3.5 in finance and some companies may take this into account if they hire from both majors.</p>
<p>whatdidyou said,“BUT investment/portfolio management/financial planning firms hire a lot more finance majors than accounting majors”</p>
<p>Response: contrary to what you may believe, these top notch investment banking firms do NOT generally hire finance majors. They hire kids who attended top schools and who were among the top of the class at these schools. There is an exception, however. If you attended a top notch masters program in finance from Princeton, Wharton, MIT etc, you probably will get a leg up. However, for undergrad, what I stated is generally the case.</p>
<p>I have some of the same questions as you and my current degree decision is to major in Accounting with a concentration in Financial Analysis.</p>
<p>Idk how it is at other schools but at my school an Accounting degree with a financial analysis concentration has all the same classes as an finance degree except the finance degree has “free electives” instead of the more advanced accounting classes (but does require basic accounting)</p>