Everything you wanted to know or should know about accounting

<p>Why not take the 2 classes at your local 4-year college, online or local community college (some offer a AA program with advanced accounting courses that don't transfer to 4-year schools but are recognized as accredited by the state). Make sure to read the course descriptions closely to avoid having one of your classes not counted due to duplicate content.</p>

<p>I m an international student in GA and i will graduate next may with a double major of acc & bus. I also have minors in maths and finance. my gpa is high~ 3.8,,,and i have working experience, interns.
but what i m conerned is that i heard many companies dont hire international students since they dont want spend time and money changing our visas.
the big 4 might be better, but still limited....</p>

<p>So, has anyone found Accounting Master's programs that don't require a business background? I looked through quite a few and the only one I found was University of Cincinnati's program. The rest either didn't specify what they wanted or specifically said a buisness/accounting degree was needed.</p>

<p>I've heard that government jobs have good benefits, but what about the salary? How about for corporations? I just want to work 40 hours/week, make a decent living, and have health insurance</p>

<p>pugfug90--I like a good Office reference! I'm more of a Pam.</p>

<p>^UT-Austin, UNC-Chapel Hill, USC, Geroge Washington...etc.</p>

<p>UNC Charlotte has a program requiring just 14 classes that is acceptable by the North Carolina CPA board. UNC</a> Charlotte :: MACC Program Outline</p>

<p>**HOWEVER, many states require a business background to go along with your accounting coursework. These states often require a CPA, holding license in another state, to also meet all their education requirements.</p>

<p>Research the requirements of the state(s) you want work in.**</p>

<p>Sam Lee,
Texas and USC have the typical intensive pre-reqs for their programs that can push it up to 54-57 credits, same as most programs.</p>

<p>GW's program is only 37 credits and acceptable by DC standards, but would not qualify the graduate to take their license right across the border in Maryland or Virginia.</p>

<p>UNC claims to take only 1 year. UNC takes advantage of the same ruling by NC's CPA board that UNC-Charlotte does. Holders of a graduate accounting degrees do not need to meet the specific course requirements. Again, this is only acceptable in NC as far as I know and you must meet additional education requirements if moving to a new state.</p>

<p>So how much actual travel is in Auditing? I want nothing more, but to travel and make a comfortable income. I admit it; I am incredibly materialistic, always wanting the latest toys, i.e Italian sport bikes, Ducati/Aprillia, Habana cigars. I am a firm believer that money makes happiness. money=entertainment, entertainment=pleasure, and pleasure=happiness. Anyway, back on topic, how much potential is there actually for auditing. I was looking at CareerBuilder, and the auditing salaries capped out at 75k, while tax guys :p were making 100k+. IA's make partner, too, right? Is it better to getba CIA or a CPA? Thanks</p>

<p>DandhsIrishguy, I will tell you a truism that I have found in life. You can accept or ignore my view on this. Money DEFINITELY doesn't buy you happiness or even will necessarily make you happy by itself! In fact, to many people, making or having large amounts of money has been a curse. ( Yes, I know the old joke: Please smite me with this curse).</p>

<p>However, You will generally be much happier rich than being poor!</p>

<p>What I said has a lot of implications. For example, even if you are earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, if you are traveling a lot to earn that money, and don't see your kids growing up, or your travel harms your relationships, the money isn't worth it! There are tradeoffs in life that we have to come to terms with and try to achieve some sort of balance. If you end up rich but alienating everyone around you, it won't be worth it!</p>

<p>
[quote]
Your goal should be to make partner. Different firms have differing philosophies. In some firrms, you can become a "permanent"employee without making partner if you are very competant and willing to work hard. Other firms, such as the Big 4, generally lay off folks who they feel aren't partnership material.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Really? I thought Big 4 firms, or any acct firm for that matter, don't lay many ppl off. Acct is famous for its super-stability.</p>

<p>Leo, unless things have changed dramatically over the last twenty year, you heard incorrectly, especially regarding the Big 4.</p>

<p>^^
I've heard that many ppl quit after a couple years after they get their certifications and go to industry where they will make more money or go to another acct firm at a higher position.</p>

<p>I've never really heard of many ppl gettig fired from the firm, given that their not a lazy bum that does no work.</p>

<p>Well, Leo187um, now you have heard about it.</p>

<p>They definitely do lay people off. They look to hide it. Take a look at deloitte's lip service about 2% layoffs when there have already been 2 previous rounds of layoffs just this year to "right size" their headcount. More like 5% plus. YET they hire the same number of grads. Weird huh. Next you have PWC doing the same thing, and the other 2 soon to follow. Bad planning amongst partners</p>

<p>Southpasdena, it isn't bad planning among partners. The Big Four always had a policy of "up or out." If you can't make partner or they don't feel you are partner material, they either want you to leave or they will lay you off. This way they get a constant stream of motivated people who might be partnership material. Frankly, if folks knew that they won't make partner, how motivated and hard working will they be?</p>

<p>I should note that there are a few positions that they keep for "permenant managers." These are people who are VERY competant and work hard but won't make partner for one reason or another. Usually it is because of their personality. However, these few select folks might have some skills that the firm deems very desireable and , thus, won't be layed off. However, they are the small exception.</p>

<p>These people you speak of are directors. </p>

<p>And what we are experiencing is not the up or out policy. It is beyond that. It was and still is bad planning by the firms. You really need to look into this. I cannot see how you can deem yourself credible as a leader on this forum for accounting if this news is slipping you by</p>

<p>SouthPasdena, What "news" are you referring to? I already noted that Big 4 do lay people off. Thus, what have I missed or not explained correctly?</p>

<p>I'm not sure whether to major in accounting or finance. I don't really have any intention of being an accountant for the long term, and am strongly considering law school. My original thinking for going into accounting over finance is that it gives me more opportunity in the general business realm if I choose not to go for law, or even if go for law. Basically my question is if I don't want to be an accountant should I major in it over finance?</p>

<p>ybernstein, no one can really answer that question for you. However, I will say that generally accounting will open more doors than that of any other business major. In addition, it is the language of business and will help you in a number of ways such as understanding tax law, financial statements, etc. It even will be a good background for securities analysis and finanicial planning. My son majored in accounting and got is masters in financial planning. Despite having students who were finance majors as undergraduates, my son graduated valedictorian from his graduate program. I honestly don't think that any business major, including finance,gives a better all around preparation for business than accounting. Perhaps I am in error,but, from what I have seen, this is my opinion.</p>

<p>taxguy, how will the accounting profession in the United States be affected once the international financial reporting standards becomes adopted? and what will this mean to the current crop of accounting students and practioners? that is, more or less opportunity because of increased global competition, higher or lower wages etc.?</p>

<p>Great question, rocco! And for those who are currently getting an undergraduate accounting degree, will their coursework prepare them for this change? I would imagine it will take a number of years for schools to update their curricula.</p>