Can you become an accountant with a degree in Econ?

<p>just curious, but is it possible? What advantages does an actual accounting major provide towards the CPA?</p>

<p>I have the same question, just that my major is Global Studies. Please let us know if you have any info, thanks</p>

<p>You have to have a certain number of accounting credits/classes to even take the CPA, as well as business courses and a Business Law course.</p>

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<p>What if you major in a business subject, minor in accounting, and then get your masters in accounting? As of late, I’ve been considering doing the IT audit stuff, and really want to solidify my IT/computer skills, so I have been thinking that maybe for undergrad, I should focus primarily on taking some tech/quant classes while taking a good amount of accounting classes, and then get my masters to fullfill any CPA requirements.</p>

<p>Could doing something like that be possible? What are the potential downsides to doing something like this? Is it possible to not be admitted into a masters program without a degree in accounting, because I think there are some programs for non-accounting majors at the masters level as well?</p>

<p>That is certainly a route you could do. You don’t need to have an undergrad degree in accounting for most grad level accounting programs and as you mentioned, most masters programs will fullfill your requirements to sit for the CPA.</p>

<p>ok, if I just major in global studies and dont get any minor but can still take the accounting classes even though the CPA exam is hard, what recommendations would you give me to do well and pass? or would a math minor be advised? Please let me know what you think</p>

<p>First off, accounting does not require much math, so minoring in math will not help you. Secondly, it is required you take the accounting classes. This will mean that you will either have an accounting undergrad degree or a grad degree that fullfills the requirements. </p>

<p>If you really do decide to take the route of accounting, I suggest taking the two entry level classes to see if you understand it, and also if you like it, join some accounting groups/attend some networking events to see if you will really like it in the field. If you do decide to take this route and eventually take the CPA, a prep course like Becker is something I would suggest to help you prepare for the actual exam.</p>

<p>In Texas, you need 30 hours of upper division accounting classes, 24 upper division business related(up to six from any subject), 150 total hours, and an accounting ethics class.</p>

<p>So your econ classes gives you six of those 24. You need six hours of lower level accounting classes to get into the 30 upper division ones so basically you’ve got two years left of schooling, assuming you didn’t get a business econ type degree. Also, your state might require less. But you get the idea. Unless you took lots of business classes you aren’t that much better off than someone with a degree in anything else for meeting CPA requirements, though obviously an econ degree is probably more useful than a degree in Ancient Religions if you are looking for a job or actually doing one in accounting…</p>

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<p>This is not necessarily true, so long as you meet the credit requirement in your state, you can major in anything.</p>

<p>Regardless of what you major in or where you go, you will almost definitely need a good prep program (e.g. Becker, Yeager, Gleim) to actually pass the CPA exam. The level of prep may change depending on your program and how soon after your classes you take the exams, but a good prep course is generally a necessity.</p>

<p>what about <a href=“http://www.cpaexamforfree.com%5B/url%5D”>www.cpaexamforfree.com</a> is this a good program? it’s on youtube with joe hoyle. So if I major on anything else other than accounting, but if I take the accounting courses I’ll be ok?</p>

<p>tbradford - I should have said, you most likely will have an undergrad or grad degree. Most states requirements are such that if you want to meet them, you will more than likely also fullfill degree requirements in the same process, though as you mentioned in some cases this is not true. You certainly do not need an undergrad degree in accounting to be a CPA.</p>

<p>UCLA - again, check with you state board of accountancy for the specifics on courses, most of their websties lay it out very well for you to see what courses you need.</p>

<p>You can attend buisness graduate school with a undergraduate degree in economics.</p>

<p>You will need to attend an accredited business program either way.
If you have a business undergrad, you can usually do a 5-year program, but if you don’t do a business program undergrad, you’ll need to apply for a masters in accounting at an accredited business program grad school and it’ll usually take 2 years.</p>

<p>Hey taxdad, would you recommend finance, econ, or IT for undergrad and then masters if I choose to pursue that route? Which one would be beneficial for what types of careers (aside from IT as that’s a no brainer)?</p>

<p>If you plan on being an auditor - I reccommend doing the accounting degree for your undergrad. You will be able to sit right away for the CPA and also will be able to work accounting internships during undergrad - two things you won’t be able to do if you do accounting via a grad degree. However, this is just my opinion. Finance and Econ might be of use to you down the road if you plan on working in industry or in banking in an upper-level accounting position. As mentioned, taking IT courses will help you become more familiar with IT auditing if that is your thing. However, as mentioned before, it all depends what you actually want to do. If you want to work for a big auditing firm, then taking the most direct route while keeping your GPA high might be the best option. You can always think about a double major (with finance this is some what easier as many classes over-lap). This is an option that I considered doing since you need the 150 credits anyway.</p>

<p>taxguy might be another one to ask on this topic as I am not as familiar with the job market for econ and finance majors as he is.</p>