<p>Hello, I am in my last year as an economics major.</p>
<p>However, after I graduate I want to pursue a career in accounting. What would be the best way possible for me to do so? Should I obtain a Masters in Accounting, apply for internships, take courses so that I can sit for the CPA?</p>
<p>I'm not clear as to what my best options are, so any help will be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch.</p>
<p>Depends on your state. You really just need a BS/BA degree to get a job as an accountant. To become a CPA you made need the qualify for the 150 hour rule, which would include another year of school/classes. Plus, you may need to put in your auditing time. These things depend on the state you are in. I would just find an accounting job and take the courses at night.</p>
<p>See how many courses you still have to take to sit for the CPA in your state. If you have your CPA or are at least CPA-seeking (have all of your coursework finished but still have to finish the exams) it is much easier for a nonaccounting major to get into an accounting position.</p>
<p>Question:</p>
<p>1) You don't need to have a degree in accounting to become a CPA, correct? </p>
<p>2) If my undergraduate major is political science, do I just need to complete a certain number of required accounting-related courses to be able to sit for the CPA exam?</p>
<p>3) Once I pass the CPA exam, are job prospects good even though I don't have any degree in accounting?</p>
<p>I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>1) Correct</p>
<p>2) There are generally just a certain number of accounting and business credits that are required, plus a certain number of credits overall, check your state's requirements as they vary.</p>
<p>3) I think that if you show that you are determined to follow accounting as a career by going back to school and getting your CPA, you should not have too hard of a time breaking into the field. It may be more difficult for you to break into a large public accounting firm though. Try to get some accounting experience while you work on your CPA if you can.</p>
<p>Also, there is a good thread located under the business section of this forum that has a thread discussing things you should know if you want to be an accountant. If I remember right, it is mainly geared toward public accounting, but I think the basic information is good even for people considering corporate accounting.</p>
<p>Do you know, or do you know where to find, the requirements for becoming a CPA in Illinois? </p>
<p>also, can u post a link to that thread? </p>
<p>Appreciate the feedback. Thanks bro.</p>
<p>You can find the accounting thread (and some other helpful ones) on this board.</p>
<p>Illinois board of examiner's website:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ilboa.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ilboa.org/</a></p>
<p>You can actually register and apply mainly through the site. It's an expensive state to apply in though because they charge for the application and the academic qualification that you have to do before the application. I am also in Illinois and it's such a fee-happy state. =(</p>