4 answers
Emily
Student
1
Question
Asked
674 views
What made you choose Finance over Accounting, or vice-versa?
As a high school student who is trying to decide between two majors, I feel like this is a typical dilemma faced when deciding a business major.
4 answers
Caitlin Canton
Human Resources Manager
31
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Caitlin’s Answer
Hi Emily!
This is a great question, and I think it all comes down to personal preference. I have discovered that I am a very logical, analytical, and rule-oriented person. The thrill of balancing journal entries felt like a big puzzle that I had to solve. I liked the simplicity of the type of math involved, and I appreciated that most things are pretty cut and dry when it comes to accounting.
For me, finance felt a little more theoretical and conceptual. It applies to almost any industry, so it is a great foundation.
My guess is that if you plan to major in business, you might need to take both a foundational accounting course and a foundational finance course. Hopefully some exposure to both will give you a clearer picture of what you enjoy.
Best of luck! You can't go wrong with either, and it is probably easy to switch if you change your mind partway through - there is a lot of overlap!
This is a great question, and I think it all comes down to personal preference. I have discovered that I am a very logical, analytical, and rule-oriented person. The thrill of balancing journal entries felt like a big puzzle that I had to solve. I liked the simplicity of the type of math involved, and I appreciated that most things are pretty cut and dry when it comes to accounting.
For me, finance felt a little more theoretical and conceptual. It applies to almost any industry, so it is a great foundation.
My guess is that if you plan to major in business, you might need to take both a foundational accounting course and a foundational finance course. Hopefully some exposure to both will give you a clearer picture of what you enjoy.
Best of luck! You can't go wrong with either, and it is probably easy to switch if you change your mind partway through - there is a lot of overlap!
John Babusci
Finance Sr Manager
1
Answer
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
John’s Answer
Hello Emily!
I chose Finance over Accounting because it offers more dynamic roles, being an integral part of an organization, and exposure to different aspects of a business.
One of my college professors told me that finance is “the language of business.” After working in the field, I feel that was the best way to describe it because every aspect of a business is impacted by finance. Even as an analyst, you’ll be working with people all around your organization and gain experience working with every product and service your organization offers.
A career in finance also offers exposure to a variety of interesting roles and opportunities. A career in finance can encompass roles in business strategy, including capital budgeting and mergers and acquisitions. It also includes careers and roles in Investing, such as roles in banking, fund managers, and market analysis. There are also finance professionals who work in risk management, such as Finance Risk Managers or Forensic Accountants.
Overall, I chose a career in finance over accounting because I thought it would be a lot more interesting. Best of luck to you, Emily!
I chose Finance over Accounting because it offers more dynamic roles, being an integral part of an organization, and exposure to different aspects of a business.
One of my college professors told me that finance is “the language of business.” After working in the field, I feel that was the best way to describe it because every aspect of a business is impacted by finance. Even as an analyst, you’ll be working with people all around your organization and gain experience working with every product and service your organization offers.
A career in finance also offers exposure to a variety of interesting roles and opportunities. A career in finance can encompass roles in business strategy, including capital budgeting and mergers and acquisitions. It also includes careers and roles in Investing, such as roles in banking, fund managers, and market analysis. There are also finance professionals who work in risk management, such as Finance Risk Managers or Forensic Accountants.
Overall, I chose a career in finance over accounting because I thought it would be a lot more interesting. Best of luck to you, Emily!
Dave Baird
Business Analyst
4
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Dave’s Answer
Both fields are similar and if you major in one and find that you like the other better, it will be easy to switch.
I would recommend finance for two reasons. One is that as a finance major, you will take basic accounting classes, so it will allow you to see if you like accounting better. The second and more important reason is that finance is considered to add "strategic value" to a company and it is generally forward-looking, making decisions for a company's future. In contrast, accounting is mainly backward-looking, documenting and reporting on financial events that have taken place in the past.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
I would recommend finance for two reasons. One is that as a finance major, you will take basic accounting classes, so it will allow you to see if you like accounting better. The second and more important reason is that finance is considered to add "strategic value" to a company and it is generally forward-looking, making decisions for a company's future. In contrast, accounting is mainly backward-looking, documenting and reporting on financial events that have taken place in the past.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Emily. For me, I decided to choose Accounting over Finance because I'm more interested in the process of organizing and keeping track of financial information.
What drew me to Accounting was how it involves paying close attention to detail and making sure everything adds up. In Accounting, the main job is to record all of a company's financial transactions accurately. I've always enjoyed tasks that require precision and following a clear set of rules. For example, accountants prepare reports like balance sheets and income statements to show how a business is doing financially. I like the idea of making sure all the numbers are correct and following a logical structure.
On the other hand, Finance involves a broader look at how money works in a company or even in the economy. Finance is about making decisions on how to invest money, manage risks, and grow wealth.
Overall, the choice between Accounting and Finance really depends on your personal interests and strengths. Both fields are rewarding and offer strong career opportunities. Some people thrive in the fast-paced, analytical world of Finance, while others prefer the structured and detail-oriented nature of Accounting. Neither path is "better" than the other, it's about finding the one that fits who you are and what kind of work you enjoy.
What drew me to Accounting was how it involves paying close attention to detail and making sure everything adds up. In Accounting, the main job is to record all of a company's financial transactions accurately. I've always enjoyed tasks that require precision and following a clear set of rules. For example, accountants prepare reports like balance sheets and income statements to show how a business is doing financially. I like the idea of making sure all the numbers are correct and following a logical structure.
On the other hand, Finance involves a broader look at how money works in a company or even in the economy. Finance is about making decisions on how to invest money, manage risks, and grow wealth.
Overall, the choice between Accounting and Finance really depends on your personal interests and strengths. Both fields are rewarding and offer strong career opportunities. Some people thrive in the fast-paced, analytical world of Finance, while others prefer the structured and detail-oriented nature of Accounting. Neither path is "better" than the other, it's about finding the one that fits who you are and what kind of work you enjoy.
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