<p>I recently finished a BA in Economics, but am looking at picking up an additional background in accounting by taking courses at nearby community colleges since my uni didn't offer an accounting program. The accounting classes at the JC won't count towards my bachelors degree since I already completed my bachelors, but at the same time, I won't be getting an official degree or certificate from the JC after taking the accounting classes. I'm planning on taking six classes at the jc in addition to the two I already took at my uni. So is simply taking the classes and listing them on a resume enough to "prove" that I have an academic background in accounting, even without a major, minor, or certificate? Also, how are the career prospects for the accounting field if I choose this route? will I have less access to recruiting events or career fairs, especially interning at larger firms such as the big 4?</p>
<p>You will have virtually no chance at the big 4 or mid tier firms going this route. Internships are completed between the 4th and 5th years for Big 4. You will not be eligible for internships. Your only option would be a full time position but you will not have access to the recruiting the Big 4 will do on campuses. </p>
<p>You are putting yourself at a huge disadvantage by going this route. I’d honestly advise you to either enroll in a MAcc program or find another field.</p>
<p>Outside of perhaps Intermediate Accounting, you really don’t want to take classes like Cost, Tax, or Systems at the CC level. And I have taught tax and cost at the CC level. You want to get them in a 4-year program. Also, you would be much better off taking the route working has suggested. The masters degree is becoming the minimum level you will need for the Big 4. It would be one thing if you were already a CPA (a friend of mine and me both worked at Big 4 without the traditional background during a time when they had big demand for tax accountant during the .com boom) but those opportunities are few and far between.</p>
<p>^^In my opinion, it is not only the stigma of haven taken the classes at a CC but you will also lose almost all opportunities at recruiting. I did not get my masters and many colleagues and new hires are opting to double major (I live in a state without the requirements fulfilled by a MAcc). I have always felt that a MAcc was so redundant. Quite a few of the classes at my alma mater that you take for the MAcc are actually combination senior/master’s classes. I interview for my firm’s local office and (yes we can be biased) give extra “points” to students who plan to double major in something like Finance or MIS. </p>
<p>Big 4 pretty much exclusively recruit on campus and at schools that they have gotten good employees from before. I can assure you that they aren’t going to recruit at a CC and even if you somehow manage to get face-time with recruiters you will have a hard time justifying not getting a MAcc. You will really have a hard time justifying it to any accounting firm. Telling a recruiter “I got my UG in Economics and then decided to go to a CC to get an accounting background” will result in them asking why you didn’t get a MAcc every time.</p>
<p>Many good points, working, especially re the recruiting for the Big 4. My M. Acc. was to get the tax concentration and it was 20 years after I received my BS.</p>
<p>what about enrolling in an “open university” certificate program at a university that does have big 4 recruiting? or a certificate offered through a uni’s extension program?</p>
<p>Why are you against the MAcc? Your chances go way down outside of doing the MAcc.</p>
<p>The thing is the application deadline is already over for a Macc program that begins this fall, so I’d have to wait until next year to apply and then hopefully get accepted to enroll in Fall 2013. but I guess that isn’t necessarily a bad thing since it gives me time to take the GMAT and work a little bit, which can lead to letters of rec. Although if I don’t pursue big 4 and choose to work at a smaller firm or even jump straight to industry, would the drawbacks still be the same for not getting an Macc?</p>
<p>Well, what are your plans in regard to the CPA?</p>
<p>I’ll most likely take the CPA once I’ve finished enough accounting courses in order to satisfy the accounting credit requirement, whether it be at a JC, Master’s, or Credential program.</p>