<p>After researching through the job outlook and salaries for both accounting majors and information systems majors, I'm torn between choosing either of them.
After finishing managerial accounting and some of the core undergrad business classes, I currently still maintain 4.0 GPA and attending UT Arlington.
I really enjoy working with computers but I understand accounting as it comes somewhat natural for me so far. Because I have interest in both, its even more difficult to decide. Major declaration date is coming up within 3 weeks.</p>
<p>Which one would be best considering the job outlook and salary, regardless of my preference?
Thank you for your feedback beforehand.</p>
<p>They are both awesome majors and this is a tough choice. IMO-</p>
<p>Accounting has slightly better overall job prospects and security, IS has slightly overall better job pay. Accounting will pay off more at entry levels, and IS will pay off more at managerial levels.</p>
<p>If you want to somehow do both… it is possible, technically. You can major in IS, and take as many accounting classes as you can. Then you can take additional classes after graduating at a community college in accounting (1-2 yrs) then take the CPA exam. Then you would be an IS major with a CPA.</p>
<p>Even accounting BA grads must do ~1 year of additional units to sit for the CPA exam. I was an Econ major with accounting classes and can sit for the CPA exam if I do 1 year of classes at community.</p>
<p>That said, there is absolutely no point to doing both. The fields are not even related. Back to the point:</p>
<p>If you want to be secure for life do accounting. Accounting doesn’t change. IS is the hot field now and for the forseeable future, but nobody knows beyond that. Accounting will still be in high demand in 40 years.</p>
<p>If you want opportunities to start your own business do IS.</p>
<p>I am a CPA that works for Dell. They are outsourcing all of our jobs to Malaysia. HP is outsourcing all of their accounting jobs to India. These are NOT accounts payable/receivable or payroll jobs. These are jobs for people with degrees and certifications. Don’t go into accounting. Dell’s entire IT department is outsourced to India and Mexico.</p>
<p>“That said, there is absolutely no point to doing both. The fields are not even related.”</p>
<p>Amazing you are very very mistaken. The are very related. You can even get an accounting degree undergrad then go for an MBA with a concentration in Accounting Information Systems and there are many Macc programs with many IS classes as electives</p>
<p>Doesn’t make sense to get an MBA to concentrate on AIS unless you want to spend 2 years at some random low ranked MBA that won’t be of much value.</p>
<p>Both. Compare the price and time to complete an MBA to the types of jobs or the lack of jobs you get with a low ranked MBA versus a Top 20 program, which has legit recruiting. </p>
<p>Top MBAs are also weapons in the fight to switch to prestigious careers. You want to spend 100k and 2 years to get a small promotion raise? What a waste of time considering the experience is more valuable.</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies. It’s rather confusing when one person truly recommends majoring in Accounting, while other recommends focusing more on IS. If it’s a common practice to have all the CPA jobs being outsourced, would it be worth more to concentrate on IS especially in Dallas region?</p>
<p>“If it’s a common practice to have all the CPA jobs being outsourced, would it be worth more to concentrate on IS especially in Dallas region?”</p>
<p>Dumb question, IF that is the case then yes it would be. Obviously your hypothetical indicates that you would be pursuing a field with no jobs domestically. Let’s make this clear though that your IF is far from the truth.</p>
<p>That was a dumb question. Let me rephrase that: By having more interest in computers & technology, would focusing on Information Systems be better than Accounting? I’ve been told that most jobs that you can get with IS tends to prefer those with Computer Science or Engineering degree anyway. However, most graduates (in those areas & Accounting) tend to lack social skills compared to those graduating with Operations Management, MBA, etc. Therefore, majoring in IS and minoring in Accounting (vice versa) seemed beneficial as they compliment each other.</p>
<p>I think a double major, or a major in IS with a minor in accounting would go well. It won’t be many classes to finish that minor. You could wind up working in IT at a bank with the accounting background helping you.</p>
<p>And don’t feel bad about ferrying an MBA from a non top school if you go that route. I’m planning on getting mine while I work and my company will pay for it.</p>
<p>I’m also dealing with this exact same dilemma.</p>
<p>I was thinking of doing a double major, but I’ve been told it might be more useful to just pick one and then focus on getting real world experience or a graduate degree instead.
Also, my school has a Professional Program in Accountancy which helps prepare you for the CPA exam which you can apply to when declaring your major, so I’m also factoring that in.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I love technology, but I’m worried a Management Information System degree will make me end up in a low tech help job. Or make my degree obsolete if what I’ve been reading about MIS jobs being outsorced to India and China is really true.</p>
<p>I’ve been going back and forth on making a decision, so are there any others willing to offer advice?</p>
<p>Accounting major w/IS minor would be very valuable. Acctg likely means higher salary and stability but choose IS if you love it more than Acctg.</p>