<p>Question for anyone willing to field it: I have a not-so-useful major, and am considering going to a community college and fulfilling the educational requirement for the CPA examination. My concern: the CPA requires accounting work experience in order to sit for the exam in my state (Ohio). Color me cynical/negative, but I foresee a social science major with some accounting credits having an *extremely *difficult time landing the job that is required in order to get the "experience" requirement for the CPA.</p>
<p>Are my concerns valid? Consider that a burning passion for accounting is hardly the reason for this pursuit; rather, my family is growing, and I want financial stability in my life, and am willing to settle for a less-than-thrilling 9-5 to get that stability. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Sure it’s possible. You’re just going to be at a HUGE disadvantage next to the 1000s of new Masters of Accountancy students coming out with much more relevant experience than you.</p>
<p>FYI…you’re off your rocker if you think being a CPA is a 9-5 job. The AVERAGE is 55 hours with 65-80 hour weeks during busy times.</p>
<p>EDIT: Pretty bad though, you’re a social science major but can’t comprehend what you read =P. You need 1 year of experience FOR THE LICENSE, not to sit for the exam.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if your community college offers advanced accounting classes needed for the CPA exam. You will need to take at least 24 credidts in accounting to be able to sit for the exam; however, you can do that without having any working experience. In other words, you can take the exam first, then start working, and get your licence after one year. In fact, it is a better option, for when you going to work, you won’t probably have enough time to study for the exam.</p>
<p>DON’T DO IT. Accounting is not the career field you want to pursue unless you have a genuine interest in it. There are a ton of ways to support a family besides accounting and much more interesting career paths that will lead to satisfaction and decent pay.</p>
<p>I would definitely shadow at an accounting firm before doing it.</p>
<p>I live in NY and have a finance degree, yet currently working in corporate accounting. </p>
<p>I myself have been thinking of pursuing the CPA like yourself, and if available would pickup the credits at a community school. While I am posting to say do it if you can and are interesting in accounting, I want to see what people think of ways to fulfill the following:
Earn a bachelor’s degree with 150 hours, with 33 hours in accounting, 36 hours in business electives and 60 hours in liberal arts and sciences. Students must graduate with a B average.</p>
<p>Since I have my degree in finance could I simply take some night classes in accounting courses to meet the requirements or would I need a masters in accounting?</p>
<p>I understand my path is backwards and most get the accounting degree, work in public, than get a job in industry. Since I got a degree in finance, work in industry, I will need to get the CPA, go work in public and than re-enter industry with a CPA and experience to jump into management.</p>