<p>Hi guys,
I'm an international student and currently pursuing B.A in Accounting. Spring '13 is my final semester at college and I will transfer to CSU Sacramento. My cumulative GPA is 4.0.
I expect to spend more time in the US after my 1 year OPT. With a B.A in Accounting, applying green card seems to be impossible even though I think I will maintain my GPA higher than 3.5 (I'm a real Asian nerd :P)
Mom encourages me to choose a minor that helps my career in the future (I wanna be a CPA).
So, I concern between those minor: Statistic, Math, or Computer Science...?
What minor is best fit for accounting?
Thank you for reading, I'd be so glad if you leave a comment and give me an advice :)</p>
<p>I’m finishing a B.A. in Accounting this semester with extra accounting electives; starting a math minor this term. Technically those listed are all college of science classes usually. You can start out with applied math and take statistics after Calc.1 or 2 depending on your university prereqs. The business statistics (I took STA2023 Intro & a QMB3200 Stat.2) don’t really count for a statistics degree; the department did not consider to be “real statistics” courses at my university but simplified business courses (same as how business calculus is a watered down Calc.1). If you do math, best to start with at least Pre-Calc. & Trigonometry if you have not taken, maybe discete math or whatever else you can get before starting Calc.1. Computer Science uses calculus also, if you like programming sometimes there are dual-degrees for math and CS. CS is for if you want to work in programming languages. </p>
<p>If you choose math: The easiest option (most linear route) to figure out courses to take is to start with applied math (pre-calc, then do calc. 1-3, then electives to figure out what you want to minor in). Maybe you can do a B.S. in Accounting but at my school it is 2 classes beyond Calc.1, so it would be best for me to do 24 credits applied math or 2nd BA in applied math. I am taking 9 credits in math this term; but good idea that you plan to diversify and get the minor in a non-business area, very smart. :)</p>
<p>I believe math would be the best fit for the CPA. It also gives you options to later specialize in statistics, applied math, theoretical math, or actuarial science (if available at your college, there are some who do actuary and CPA exams because both take CPEs to maintain). Math is always a good skill, should help with accounting. My problem with accounting as a major is I didn’t get to do enough math (a lot of theory); I thought I would get to do more math as an accounting major.</p>
<p>I asked my mother this question who has had a 21 year career in taxes and manages the tax department at a Fortune 50 company. Her answer was Computer Science.</p>
<p>I would have picked computer science as a minor too. Other interesting choices are:</p>
<ul>
<li>criminology especially if you are interested in forensic work</li>
<li>English or philosophy, which helps greatly with writing. Few accountants are good writers. Being able to express your ideas clearly both orally and in writing will make you stand out from the crowd.</li>
</ul>
<p>I would not,as suggested above, minor in math. This is a waste. I might take an extra statistic course if you feel that you need it,but that would be it UNLESS you want to get a PHD in accounting. If you do, you should take a year of calculus and some more statistic courses.</p>