3 answers
kayli
Student
Reno, Nevada
1
Question
Updated
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What was the most difficult accounting/finance class you encountered when obtaining your degree, and what advise would you have in succeeding?
I'm double majoring in accounting and finance and have heard of some difficult classes but I want to know what tips anyone has in passing the courses.
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3 answers
Sneha Deb
Tech Consultant
194
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hey Kayli! One of the most difficult classes for many accounting and finance majors is often Intermediate Accounting. It’s heavy on detail, theory, and technical application. On the finance side, Corporate Finance or Financial Modeling can be intense, especially if you're not super confident in Excel or quantitative analysis. Some tips I have would be to stay ahead on reading, practice problems regularly, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Whether in class, office hours, or study groups. Use resources like YouTube tutorials or online forums to reinforce complex concepts, and get comfortable with financial calculators and Excel shortcuts early on. These classes are tough, but they’re also foundational. Try your best to focus so you can build a strong foundation of skills to use in your career. Good luck!
Ethan Wang
CPA
3
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Ethan’s Answer
Hi Kayli!
From my experience, cost accounting and advanced financial accounting were the most difficult accounting courses in college. Cost accounting is unlike your typical financial accounting course because it has to deal with accounting related to managing operations and the business. I believe the best way to describe it would be a hybrid algebra and accounting class. The algebra side of it tends to throw most students off. I recommend taking your time reading through the materials, pay attention in class, working through practice questions, and ask your professor as many questions as you need. To be successful you must ensure that you truly understand the material. If not, you could fall behind easily.
As for advanced financial accounting, the only difference between advanced and intermediate or beginner financial accounting classes, is that the topics covered are more complex and require pre-requisite accounting knowledge. So if you're interested in learning more advanced accounting topics, be sure to have a strong grasp on how the overall accounting process works. Assuming you have the option to take the course, you would more than likely have passed intermediate financial accounting which can already be a beast on its own. I would recommend applying the same advice as the above to be successful in advanced financial accounting. If you felt pretty good about intermediate financial accounting then the advanced level may not be too difficult for you.
From my experience, cost accounting and advanced financial accounting were the most difficult accounting courses in college. Cost accounting is unlike your typical financial accounting course because it has to deal with accounting related to managing operations and the business. I believe the best way to describe it would be a hybrid algebra and accounting class. The algebra side of it tends to throw most students off. I recommend taking your time reading through the materials, pay attention in class, working through practice questions, and ask your professor as many questions as you need. To be successful you must ensure that you truly understand the material. If not, you could fall behind easily.
As for advanced financial accounting, the only difference between advanced and intermediate or beginner financial accounting classes, is that the topics covered are more complex and require pre-requisite accounting knowledge. So if you're interested in learning more advanced accounting topics, be sure to have a strong grasp on how the overall accounting process works. Assuming you have the option to take the course, you would more than likely have passed intermediate financial accounting which can already be a beast on its own. I would recommend applying the same advice as the above to be successful in advanced financial accounting. If you felt pretty good about intermediate financial accounting then the advanced level may not be too difficult for you.
Jennifer Erickson
Accountant
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Kayli! Thanks for your question. For me, cost accounting was the toughest course in college. It was different from intermediate accounting, and I had to put in extra effort to study and prepare for tests. But remember, the hardest class for you might be different based on your school, professor, and what you enjoy. I encourage you to read the materials ahead of time, pay attention in class, and review the key points afterward to make sure you understand the materials. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you're confused. And remember, it's okay if some things don't make sense right away; you don't have to know everything! Best of luck with your studies!