Considering majoring in accounting, but unsure what other major/minor to look into, any advice?

College Majors Business Major
1

Hi, I hope I put this in the right place, if not, I apologize.

The more I look into accounting, the more I’m starting to think of it as something I could do, I think that working in private to start out with suits me better currently. I prefer being behind the scenes, and even though I don’t like talking to people, it’s easier to talk to one to three people vs a group of people. Now that I’m truly deciding to think about this, my next question is majors and wondering what would be better for choosing majors/minors to go with accounting?

Here is what I’ve been thinking, either:
Double major with accounting and foreign language (either French, Japanese or Korean) with a minor in CS or IT

Or

Double major with accounting and CS (or IT) with a minor in a foreign language.

I enjoy foreign languages that was something I was thinking of being before an accountant, I had thought about a job in linguistics or a translator. So, I am interested in international studies as well (I’ve looked into the international accounting, but reading how bad things could go wrong if I mess up –even though that goes for accounting in general I guess- it kind of scares me and is putting me off of considering that for a career.

Sorry for getting off track, my question is which would be a better thing to go into or is there something else I should look into that I didn’t mention? Also which language would be better to go into (I know that I would have to study abroad in that country for a while).

Now that I’m starting to really think about a future/career, I feel like I’m all over the place. Something else I was thinking about, if the university I choose to go to allows us have 3 majors, should I try doing that? Or am I completely overthinking things and I shouldn’t even go into a double major/minor, should I try a major and double minor with what I’ve already mentioned?

On an unrelated note, I’m a 27 female and I’ve had mental health issues, but I’m working on it and I’m finally ready to start my life. Is 27 too old to start looking into a career as an accountant?

2

You are not too old to start life as an accountant – I know people who have made career switches into accounting. But it sounds like you will be overloading yourself with all of these double and triple majors. Find your focus and pursue it.

3

As an accountant you’ll want to take the CPA exam, have you looked into it?

4

^^^Since the OP wants to go directly into private accounting, he/she may choose to not get a CPA. While I generally do recommend the CPA route, but it may not be for everyone (and the extra year of school may not be worth it for someone starting at 27).

5

Fair point @happy1 you’re the expert here. But even when going into private accounting wouldn’t OP be competing with people who have taken (at the very least) the bookkeepers’ exam if not the CPA exam? That might make it difficult unless OP were to have a sole proprietorship or start their own practice.

As for the languages: that might be more of a situational thing. OP were you hoping to utilize the language to help immigrants with their accounting? If so, that might depend on where you want to live/work. For example if you live/work in San Diego, Spanish would probably be the most useful.

6

@philbegas I never heard of a bookkeepers exam, but I agree that not having a CPA can be a competitive disadvantage as one furthers his/her career. Still, for a quiet person getting a later start who wants to work in a private company and may not aspire to the highest levels the time/effort/money required to become a CPA may not be worthwhile. It is something the OP should consider and make a decision, but there is no need to make that decision now – I’d recommend starting off by taking accounting courses, seeing if it is a good match for his/her abilities and interests and then in the last year of college the OP can decide if he/she wants to take a job in private accounting or continue on for a CPA.

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@happy1

http://www.nacpb.org/exams/bookkeeper-certification.cfm

The community college i go to has classes geared for training you to become a CB

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@philbegas Thanks – learn something new all the time. Still, I’d think that a 4 year accounting degree would be preferable (certainly equal) to a bookkeeper certification in terms of committing for jobs.

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@happy1 Perhaps the Bookkeeper’s exam is geared towards people who just want to get an AS in Accounting and go into the work force? I don’t know the specifics but just thought it was worth mentioning.

10

That is a good possibility – it is just never something I have run across.

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Accounting with IT or systems background would be a great combination in a corporate accounting environment.

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@philbegas I’ve heard/know about it and read a little bit about it, but haven’t looked into it a lot. Also, thank you for your comments, they have given me a lot to think about.

@happy1 If having a CPA is something that would help me in my career, because even though for now I want to be in public, I never know what will happen and I might wind up in public. So, I probably would take the CPA. Would I have to take it while I’m in school, or could I get into a job and then if I decide to go into public take the exam then? I don’t mind going to school for an extra year if in the long run it will help me. Also, thank you as well for your comments, I have a lot to think about.

@UCBUSCalum Thank you, I think I’m going to lean towards that, with a minor in a language.

13

To get a CPA one now needs 150 college credits. Most bachelors degrees are 120 credits so many go on for a one year MS degree. When you are eligible to take the exam varies from state to state so it is important to check the details with your state board of accountancy. My S started to take the exam while he was getting his Masters degree.

And as an aside, it is now possible to get a CPA working in private accounting. Again, you need to check with your state board, but typically one has to work directly for a CPA working financial reporting.

The CPA exam itself is very challenging. My S took the Becker review course online for the CPA exam which he found to be immensely helpful (fortunately he had accepted a job and his company paid for the review course).

My best recommendation would be to store all of this information and take things one step at a time. First start in an accounting program and be sure it fits your interests/abilities, then consider things like where you want to work and if you want to go for the CPA.

I wish you all the best as you move forward.

14

My $.02 as a long time CPA:

Consider working towards your CPA, as it will always serve you well. You will end up competing against CPAs for jobs in the future.

Good luck!