What if you want to be a CPA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - San Diego
1

<p>and you're a freshman here in UCSD, which has no Accounting major.
What should I do? Right now I'm an Econ major, if that helps at all.</p>

<p>Was wondering if anyone had any advice. Like should I transfer, or take accounting classes or what? Thanks in advance</p>

2

<p>the way i see it:</p>

<ul>
<li>if being a CPA was a lifelong goal - why'd you come to UCSD then?</li>
<li>if it wasn't and something that recently struck your fancy - might there be something else you'd like?</li>
</ul>

<p>there are many paths to being a CPA; an accounting major would probably be the most straightforward way of attaining it, but by no means is it the only one.</p>

3

<p>um you don't have to be an accounting major to become a CPA
i have many friends who are Econ or Mag. Sci. major and want to be CPAs</p>

<p>if you want to meet the requirement to take the CPA exam, there are courses you have to take and since UCSD's econ dept doesn't really have any course that will meet the course requirement, i suggest you look into the extension program.</p>

4

<p>Take 8 accounting classes somewhere and graduate with a degree and you should qualify to sit for the exam in cali.</p>

5

<p>If you, for sure, want to be a CPA, just go to a community college and take the exam after an AA. No need for overkill since accounting firms don't care so much about your bacc degrees.</p>

<p>If you want a backup in case accounting isn't for you (and it isn't for most people... this coming from a former accounting/auditing assistant), then look into a university. Don't limit yourself to Economics/Management Science since they don't deal with business in UCSD (besides ECON4 and to SOME degree the ECON17X classes).</p>

<p>If you go the Math direction in UCSD, and take actuarial math, topology, analysis, math statistics, and advanced calc, you'll be set to impress corporate finance firms, insurance/actuary firms, etc.</p>

<p>Just some extra options.</p>

6

<p>You can't even take the CPA exam with only an AA, let alone become a CPA.</p>

<p>The requirments for becoming a CPA in California are: </p>

<p>A bachelor’s degree;
24 semester units in accounting-related subjects;
24 semester units in business-related subjects (accounting courses beyond the 24 required units may apply toward the business units);
Passing the Uniform CPA Exam;
Two years of general accounting experience supervised by a CPA with an active license; and
Passing an ethics course.</p>

<p>CPA</a> Requirements</p>