20 answers
Brian’s Answer
I'm glad you are showing inter interest in accounting and finance.
While I do not have personal experience in finance, I have worked in the accounting industry for a few years now. Depending on the stage of your career you are in, there are different starting places. Please see a few options below:
1. If you are in highschool, do your best to be part of clubs and professional societies. It is also important to socialize and build a strong reputation for yourself. During your Summer break, I reaching out to small accounting firms and seek an internship opportunity. The more experiences you have the more skills you will have for the future.
2. If you are in college, you should make sure you are enrolled in the correct accounting courses. Meet with a guidance counselor to make sure you are enrolled in appropriate classes, and if there is career services available to you, make an appointment, build your resume, and continue to apply for internships. Be sure to join Beta Alpha Psi or any other accounting honors society and make sure to go to the recruiting events with the firms.
Joshua’s Answer
My story:
I didn't join the accounting club until my junior year of college, which was late because I should have already been looking for internships. I also didn't keep up a good GPA, which then made it hard to get noticed by the more desirable accounting firms. I did get a job with a small accounting firm right before I finished my Masters of Accountancy degree. I worked there for two years, then a friend of mine at Big 4 referred me there. After a year in Big 4, I moved back to a smaller firm, and then back to Big 4, at which point I realized that public accounting wasn't for me because of the hectic schedule. I then spent a year planning my move to industry (while building up skills that would be relevant), which led me to my current job in industry where I am happy now. Summary is, I wish I had realized earlier that I didn't like public accounting, and there are so many more accounting jobs/options out there besides public accounting. Not that public accounting is bad, it just wasn't for me.
Joshua recommends the following next steps:
Mike’s Answer
Sandesh’s Answer
a. Identify your niche: What is it that you have to offer different than what's being already offered by your competitors
b. Assess your competition. Assess your target market. Create a business plan
2. Finance
a. Pitch the plan and attract investors. If capital requirements are small, self sponsor but remember to keep your losses minimal.
b. Close the deal, make the capital draws
3. Capability
a. Develop your product/Service
b. Identify the target customer. Promote your product/service via website, social media etc. (Some times your need to give out your product/service for free limited trial)
c. Execute on production, marketing, accounting, human resource, business management
Stephany’s Answer
From a perspective of someone who came to the US after high school, I would say it's important to get a good understanding of how things work. I found leveraging my peers and reading about the industries I was interested on helped me a lot. Make sure you are getting involved in your faculty activities (i.e. Accounting Society), you will be able to make valuable connections, get great advice from your peers, educator or from activity guests, internships, etc.
Stephany recommends the following next steps:
Jesus G’s Answer
Not sure if you already have a degree in Finance or Accounting, but if you do, then the first step is to look for opportunities is larger companies who may be able to hire someone without a lot of experience.
If you don't have the degrees, then of course, first step is to apply for college and get admitted to the their school of business. It will take you 4 years for accounting and 4 years for finance as well. Hope this helps!
Simeon’s Answer
Rebecca’s Answer
Hope this helps!
Rebecca recommends the following next steps:
Katie’s Answer
I would recommend finding an internship in finance or accounting. Internships allow you to see what day to day work looks like in the industry, network with finance professionals, and learn about the company. Many different companies have finance and accounting internships. Another way to network with finance professionals and to see day to day finance/accounting responsibilities is through a job shadow. A job shadow is usually one day where you follow someone around virtually or in person to see what they are working on. You could ask a professor to see if they know anyone that you could job shadow.
Katie recommends the following next steps:
Arietta’s Answer
I obtained my BBA in Accounting and based on my experience here are the things I'll advise you to do:
-If you have not done so already, take one or two introductory classes in Accounting and/or Finance to get an overview: Although the introductory classes won't tell you all you need to know about working in an accounting or a finance field, you will still get a feel of the fields.
- Join a club: some of the clubs I will recommend are NABA, ALPHA and Beta Alpha Psi. Joining one or more of these clubs will help you connect with people already working in the field and grant you opportunities to get a good internship.
-Get an internship: The benefit of having an internship is that you get to feel what it is like working in your prefered field. You also have access to ask questions about what working in your prefered field entails. This can help you decide if you are interested in the field or might like to try something else. Many people I know come to the conclusion that they are not interested in the field they have chosen after completing an internship.
Accounting and Finance are both broad fields with various areas or groups, an internship will also help you observe some of the various groups so you can choose the one the interest you the most.
- Find a mentor: You can do this by attending networking events on campus or reaching out to individuals on linkedIn who work in your prefered field.
Arietta recommends the following next steps:
Jamie’s Answer
Hope this helps!
Vic’s Answer
Figure out what your life goals are (ie. work to fund your hobbies, work as your hobby)
Figure out what you want to learn from a job, what you value in a job
Figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are
Figure out what jobs align with your personal abilities and your personal & professional goals
Figure out what opportunities are closely available to you (ie. school network, campus recruiting, personal connections, etc)
We’s Answer
As a college student, the best way to get started in accounting and finance is to take an introductory accounting course. Typically, this course would be called 'Principles of Accounting' at most colleges and universities. Some institutions break up the course into Principles of Accounting I and Principles of Accounting II. Take this course (or both if offered) as early as you can in your undergraduate career. This allows you to see if you enjoy the subject and if you can handle the content. Additionally, take an introductory finance and business course to get additional exposure to business.
Other prerequisites normally required for an accounting major would be Principles of Economics I and II. One course focuses on microeconomics, and the second course focuses on macroeconomics. Both of these courses are typically taught at the introductory level. Finally, you will need a calculus course and a writing course to round out the prerequisite requirements as most colleges and universities.
Once you enroll in these courses, please work as hard as you can and do your best. If an area doesn't make sense, please take your time to read the content carefully, work the problem sets, review answers to practice problems and go to office hours. These courses form the foundation for the rest of your accounting, finance and business studies. It is critical that you have a firm grasp of the introductory content. Specifically, a strong understanding of basic accounting will allow you to comprehend more complex topics you will encounter as you advance in your degree.
Outside of you formal coursework, please consider joining business-related groups during your first and second years as an undergraduate. For example, there could be an investment group at your college that you can join. There could also be case competitions you can enter either individually or with a group. These would give you additional experience in the field that you can use towards your resume when looking for internships.
As you near the end of your second year and especially in your third year, start attending career fairs, networking events and information sessions with companies that recruit at your school to learn about the different opportunities available at their firms and start applying for internships.
H’s Answer
If you're not already in college, one option is to go to a community college and take a couple accounting and business-related courses. This would be a good way to see if you like the technical aspect of the accounting field. Then, if you find that you like it, you can plan to transfer to a university that offers a strong program.
If you are already in a university, you can sign up for an accounting course there just the same. I think it's a good idea to take courses in fields you have some interest in to see if it's something you actually enjoy.
You can also show up to some of the club activities to learn what other students are thinking about, such as career directions and steps to move forward. You might meet a lot of future colleagues that way as well!
Kristina’s Answer
Kristina recommends the following next steps:
Juexiao’s Answer
First of all, enrolling in a college program with a degree in finance or accounting is key. This will ensure you to have a solid foundation for your future career through systematic trainings and well-rounded curriculum.
During college, I would highly recommend you to join a club or professional fraternities where you can broaden your network and get access to events and first hand career advice and opportunities.
Last but not the least, make sure to utilize the career center or similar services provided by your college. Personally, I've find it very helpful through attending the resume/interview workshops, career fairs, and info-sessions hosted by employers on campus. Hope this helps!