<p>Hi, </p>
<p>So I was wondering if anyone can offer me some advice. I'm currently in the CPA BS/MS Program at my school. So far, my future goal after I graduate from college is to pass the CPA exam and work in some Accounting-related field. </p>
<p>My question is: how important is it to double major with a degree in Accounting? Most of my peers in the program are double majoring in Finance, since it's only three extra classes. But I took my first finance class last semester and I did not find it interesting at all, so I decided that I won't be majoring in Finance.
The only other major I can see myself pursuing is Information Systems, but there are limited courses at my school and most of them require previous knowledge of programming (which I don't have).
The other option I have is specializing (kind-of like a co-major but requires less credits) in Media and Technology, which deals with less tech-y stuff and the business aspect of the tech industry. </p>
<p>I'm already pursuing a minor in sociology, and our BS/MS program, unlike many other schools, is only 4 years of undergraduate and two and a half months of summer classes, so if I decide to double major, I'd have to max out at 18 credits every semester which will probably drive my GPA down (given that I work and do extra-curricular activities).</p>
<p>So I was wondering, when it comes to recruiting, would I be at a disadvantage because I only have one major and a minor compared to my peers who are double majoring in Finance and Accounting?
Should I just pursue that double major even if it will, no doubt, drag down my GPA? Or is GPA more important if I want to work as an Accountant?</p>
<p>GPA is the most important piece. You you need to qualify to sit for the CPA exam–they don’t care about anything else.</p>
<p>This is for the Big 4 at least. If you are interested in a tax or audit job, then you don’t really need to the have a finance major. It doesn’t hurt, but it isn’t absolutely necessary like you are fearing.</p>
<p>Information Systems is a fantastic double major to have with accounting. The two pair together perfectly. Programming knowledge isn’t as important as just understanding how systems operate. </p>
<p>Don’t stress out–enjoy the ride, make As, and develop yourself so that you can interview well. I think people overestimate the difficulty to get into the B4. </p>
<p>As a recent goingconcern article stated, “News Flash: The Big 4 is hiring a small army this year.” There are tons of positions available at the B4. It is just a matter of fitting the profile they are looking for in a new member.</p>
<p>If you had aspirations to do consulting at McKinsey or BCG or Investment Banking at GS, then I think finance would be very helpful. Those jobs are much more difficult to land than B4 audit and tax gigs. </p>
<p>B4 consulting/advisory jobs fall somewhere in between MBB and audit/tax jobs as far as selectivity and difficulty to land. The advisory positions can vary in being audit support (Risk/IT/ITRS) to Performance to Transaction Structuring (which resembles investment banking).</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply! It really helps! </p>
<p>Yeah I don’t plan on going into IB or anything too finance related, and was considering consulting. But you’re right, I should just focus on improving my GPA and instead of maxing out in credits every semester and being very stressed out about my classes.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about it. My impression is that the accounting firms honestly do not care about stuff like that. Funny story: if you ask any recruiter for PA at my school, they’ll tell you that they don’t care how you get to 150 credits. They don’t care if you get a Masters in Accounting or do a dbl major in managment and opts; which is mindboggling to me. I dont think they’d care if you had a minor or not. </p>
<p>But you could always just ask them when they’re next on campus.</p>