<p>Right now, I'm looking into possible majors into a successful, challenging, and interesting work. ( I know... who isn't :) )</p>
<p>As an undergraduate, I'm thinking about going into a few things: Finance, Accounting, and Mathematics as my concentrations.</p>
<p>I'm interested in many things academic, so I was considering increasing my breadth by double majoring in any combination of finance, accounting, and mathematics (though there doesn't seem to be a strictly mathematics major at Goizueta. Perhaps I would have to get a degree in the arts+sciences school as well?).</p>
<p>The rankings for Emory's Goizuetta in terms of mathematics and accounting according to businessweek are fantastic, but it is hard to draw conclusions about academic rigor and after-college job opportunities from just a ranking.</p>
<p>So my question is sort of two-fold. What kind of paths do people take through the undergraduate experience (including specialized area depths if you have any more specific tips) to get in those great top 4 accounting and I-Banking firms (or maybe equally great jobs in smaller firms).
And what would sort of be my "chances" given the possible economic climate and my Emory degree in a few years for I-banking and Accounting jobs?</p>
<p>Investment banking and accounting are two entirely different fields to aim towards. Generally, accounting majors do not aspire to be investment bankers. And investment bankers come from many different majors and backgrounds, like philosophy majors, economics majors, etc. Although you need to know the basics of financial accounting to be an investment banker. </p>
<p>The best thing you can do is take a breadth of courses during your freshman year. Take the necessary prerequisites for the business school (intro econ, intro accounting, or whatever they make you take) and go from there.</p>
<p>If you are thinking of doing accounting for the CPA, don’t take math as a double major. You wont have the required courses to complete the requirements for a CPA, but math would help with finance since finance has much more to do with complex math than accounting does. Just my two cents :)</p>
<p>The kind of mathematics you do in a mathematics major has little if nothing to do with practical applications of finance. The mathematics used in most accounting and finance does not go beyond basic arithmetic.</p>
<p>Take finance classes and get as close to a 4.0 as possible. Hard majors will not help you at all. Network with alumni and get an interview. Get a banking interview guide and know your technicals.</p>