My major is accounting

Emyrn · September 2006

This is a mostly useless topic but tell me your thoughts anyway: I'm studying accounting to be an accountant when I graduate. I haven't figured out yet if I should pursue Forensic, Tax, Public or the Private Accounting field. Does anyone here like accounting? Have suggestions on which field is best? And no its not that masth intensive. Algebra is about as high a math that is required.

Am I or in my choice?

modjoe86 · September 2006

Great choice. It's one of the few degrees with a guaranteed, well-paying job out of college. I'm considering it myself.
You shouldn't have to worry abotu a concentration until you get your bachelor's, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

tookmaster1 · September 2006

Man I had accounting 1 back in college, thank God I didnt go any further

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//\//\oo · September 2006

Heh, whatever floats your boat. It's one of those mind-numbingly boring things (no offense, it just was to me) that requires a lot of hardwork and memorization. If you've got the necessary mental faculties and discipline (the most important quality I'd suspect), by all means, become an accountant and make a 6 figure salary.

If you ever get bored of accounting, you could step up the math a few levels (calculus I-III, math stats and applied stats) and become an actuary which pays a >= salary.

Same kind of methodical stuff, I've heard....

Good luck

tetsul · September 2006

Not the most thrilling field, but smart choice.

I'd go tax. After a couple years experience you can get a job as an auditor. Then you can make them all your bitch.

olddaddy · September 2006

Forensic is a new and upcoming field, my experience is that it would include working criminal defense in tax cases. Tax (private) means be willing to not see your family from about mid February to mid April at the most, but summers are pretty laid back. Most private tax accountants in the snow belt like it, they get nice vacations in the summer with the family as an exchange. Tax (government) is a major disappointment, the IRS is run like a circus with the clowns in charge, and you will very quickly get fed up with the bullshit and either quit the job, or just go in and pass time. There are other general accounting positions in the gov't besides this though, they always need accountants to figure out how far over budget they are. Industry is fine, but you will run into a glass ceiling if you do not have your CPA, unless you want to do accounts receivable/payable for eternity. So if you go that route, start your job search with a small to medium CPA firm. Eventually, if you stay with the CPA firm, and move up, it will be all about recruiting and entertaining clients. By that point most of the accounting is done by the juniors. Sarbannes-Oxley has created quite a demand for accountants, watch for any developements or toning down there, because it could leave the accounting field oversaturated.

Hochete · September 2006

all i know is my uncle is an accountant and he's loaded, go for it.

sly220 · September 2006

this is a great choice for anyone seeing how lotsa people wouldnt wanna do that job ever

but if you can stand it go for it... its like being a doctor theyll always be needed

Znith · September 2006

I had 3 accounting classes in college plus payroll accounting.. Man talk about a snoozer class. Personally I despise accounting and numbers crunching.

You will have a good job when you graduate.

olddaddy · September 2006

Hohbien, your uncle does work with numbers, but he's a sports bookie, that's why he's loaded. Accountant is just what the family tells the nephews he does for a living.

WantsumBier · September 2006

Accounting might be a bit boring, but if you want some action the FBI is always hiring Agents with accounting degrees.

TheAnomaly · September 2006

Its a good safe job but very boring.

noname12345 · September 2006

This is a coincidence. My grandpa is a retired accountant, and I have been throwing college majors that I want back and forth in my mind. So I asked my grandpa what accounting is like and the stuff involved. So he starting go over some concepts involved and I actually was interested. I'm thinking about going into a Business major or Law (graduate school), however i'm going to talk to my grandpa more about accounting.

I think accounting would be really important even in just your private life. You will probably never get into any serious debt or anything, and with your knowledge of money you could make a plan to pay off your college tuition even faster than the average joe. Also you will learn bookkeeping so you will be very organized. Just some thoughts...

Vertex1980 · September 2006

All it is, is math right? How how can that be?

olddaddy · September 2006

Accounting is more than math, it involves moving money thru various offshore entities, overstating balance sheets by hiding debt in foreign shell corporations, and manipulating the price of your company's stock on the market, just to name a few. For those of you interested in a REAL accounting career, check out the Andy Fastow School of Accounting...earn your BS degree.

Vertex1980 · September 2006

Originally posted by olddaddy
Accounting is more than math, it involves moving money thru various offshore entities, overstating balance sheets by hiding debt in foreign shell corporations, and manipulating the price of your company's stock on the market, just to name a few. For those of you interested in a REAL accounting career, check out the Andy Fastow School of Accounting...earn your BS degree.

Ah yes... "Accounting".

Xexima · September 2006

I would put a bullet in my skull before I would become an accountant. That seems like the most boring and monotonous work possible.

Kuzzle · September 2006

Originally posted by Xexima
I would put a bullet in my skull before I would become an accountant. That seems like the most boring and monotonous work possible.

I agree +5.

Vanillacream · September 2006

Originally posted by Xexima
I would put a bullet in my skull before I would become an accountant. That seems like the most boring and monotonous work possible.

And what are you aiming for? Or do?

Xexima · September 2006

Originally posted by Vanillacream

Originally posted by Xexima
I would put a bullet in my skull before I would become an accountant. That seems like the most boring and monotonous work possible.

And what are you aiming for? Or do?

Something in the field of psychology or law

Unknown · September 2006

Just curious, as I will never enter the field of accounting, are there career opportunities in the FBI? I know tax evasion is how they got Capone, but I thought they just cooperated with the IRS, does the FBI have its own accountants for that sort of investigation these days?

noname12345 · September 2006

Originally posted by Sawtooth
Just curious, as I will never enter the field of accounting, are there career opportunities in the FBI? I know tax evasion is how they got Capone, but I thought they just cooperated with the IRS, does the FBI have its own accountants for that sort of investigation these days?

Why do you want to help the corrupt bastards at the IRS?

fizzle322 · September 2006

Originally posted by Xexima
I would put a bullet in my skull before I would become an accountant. That seems like the most boring and monotonous work possible.

That's probably why they call it "work."

olddaddy · September 2006

The FBI leaves tax work to the IRS. Pretty much, the IRS handles tax fraud, money laundering, and white collar crime. The FBI handles some white collar crime, but is now mostly tracking terrorist financing. The FBI doesn't have alot of accountants/agent, most are lawyers/agent. The IRS is the other way around, and specializes in accountant/agents, with a few lawyers/agents. The FBI will also requires you and your family to move anywhere in the country, which can be a burden if you are going from a low cost of living area. say like in the midwest, to a high cost of living area, say San Francisco bay area. The IRS lets you stay in one place and settle down to raise your family if you so desire.

Cooktastico · September 2006

Do enginerring if you like numbers. Mechanical engineers are guaranteed jobs too, they pay more, and you actually get to do some hands-on design work! (really depending where you are though, i hang on mmorpg.com all day and sometimes do some paperwork)

Aetius73 · September 2006

Originally posted by tookmaster1
Man I had accounting 1 back in college, thank God I didnt go any further .

Thats why its a guarnteed well paid job if you get a accounting degree! hehe no one wants to do it.

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My major is accounting

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