9 answers
302
Questions
9 answers
Updated
Bill’s Answer
When I first attended college, my desire was to graduate with an accounting degree. As I got further along in the 3rd and 4th year classes, I realized that accounting was not for me. It's something that you've got to have a high level of attention to detail in especially when you are working to make financial statements balance. It was this process that I found to not excite me and as a result I changed my major to finance. I felt a degree in finance wasn't as detail oriented as accounting was and opened more doors for me that being an accountant did. Between the two majors, I would definitely say that accounting is the harder of the two.
Be aware that the later 2nd year and begin 3rd year courses are very tough as they are the weed out courses and the intent is to get rid of those students who don't have the wherewithal to put in the time studying to be successful in the program. Once you get past those, I can't say it's easier, but the professors have a respect for you as you survived the weed out process.
Hope this helps and best of luck on your future endeavors.
Bill
Be aware that the later 2nd year and begin 3rd year courses are very tough as they are the weed out courses and the intent is to get rid of those students who don't have the wherewithal to put in the time studying to be successful in the program. Once you get past those, I can't say it's easier, but the professors have a respect for you as you survived the weed out process.
Hope this helps and best of luck on your future endeavors.
Bill
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Crystal’s Answer
Hi Jessica!
I completed my undergrad and Master's in business school and got my CPA. I have been breathing accounting for the past 6 years.
I want to start out by saying that accounting is like another language. I had no idea what accounting was at all back when I was in high school (even though that was my mum's line of work), so when I took an intro class, you can imagine how confused I was about all those terms and why those rules were as they were. Accounting is the record of numbers and transactions that occur in a business in order to track where money goes. There's also law and regulation involved. Most people don't tell you that. You will have to learn the laws in place (which establish the rules) about how to record a transaction.
Once you figure out why and how to read the transaction, it's about learning the different transactions and scenarios that happen and how to calculate and record the right numbers. The more you do that, the more you learn the logics and algorithms behind the rules.
I want to say it was hard to start during the intro class because I didn't know anything, then it got easier as I progressed, but once you reach the upper level classes, it was very, very hard (like above, they start weeding out people).
But, the great thing is: there are a lot of opportunities in career paths if you have an accounting background. You can do finance-related data analytics, you can be an auditor (like me!), or you can be a bookkeeper or CPA and own your own tax practice. The great thing is that you don't have to stay in any specific role or PLACE either, if you don't like it. Every company needs an accountant.
I completed my undergrad and Master's in business school and got my CPA. I have been breathing accounting for the past 6 years.
I want to start out by saying that accounting is like another language. I had no idea what accounting was at all back when I was in high school (even though that was my mum's line of work), so when I took an intro class, you can imagine how confused I was about all those terms and why those rules were as they were. Accounting is the record of numbers and transactions that occur in a business in order to track where money goes. There's also law and regulation involved. Most people don't tell you that. You will have to learn the laws in place (which establish the rules) about how to record a transaction.
Once you figure out why and how to read the transaction, it's about learning the different transactions and scenarios that happen and how to calculate and record the right numbers. The more you do that, the more you learn the logics and algorithms behind the rules.
I want to say it was hard to start during the intro class because I didn't know anything, then it got easier as I progressed, but once you reach the upper level classes, it was very, very hard (like above, they start weeding out people).
But, the great thing is: there are a lot of opportunities in career paths if you have an accounting background. You can do finance-related data analytics, you can be an auditor (like me!), or you can be a bookkeeper or CPA and own your own tax practice. The great thing is that you don't have to stay in any specific role or PLACE either, if you don't like it. Every company needs an accountant.
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Sirlei’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
I think that, like any other subject, it depends on the individual and their interests. If you like math and attention to detail, you will likely enjoy it.
I believe it to be a very good field of study, as it can be applied to many jobs, not only Accountant, such as Financial Analyst, Project Controls, Controller and CFO...the sky is the limit.
Best of luck!
I think that, like any other subject, it depends on the individual and their interests. If you like math and attention to detail, you will likely enjoy it.
I believe it to be a very good field of study, as it can be applied to many jobs, not only Accountant, such as Financial Analyst, Project Controls, Controller and CFO...the sky is the limit.
Best of luck!
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Craig’s Answer
Accounting is not hard but does take a good comprehension of numbers, math, dollars, and cents. If you like math, you will enjoy accounting. In addition, understanding accounting can lead to so many different fields such as financial, sales project management, and procurement. Not to mention the value it can add to your personal life for managing personal finances. Understanding the numbers and financials can be a key attribute to being successful in so many different fields.
Furthermore, if you really enjoy accounting, you will want to get your Certification for a Public Accountant (CPA). That is a goal you should certainly set as career opportunities can be endless for CPAs.
Furthermore, if you really enjoy accounting, you will want to get your Certification for a Public Accountant (CPA). That is a goal you should certainly set as career opportunities can be endless for CPAs.
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Mahmoud’s Answer
When i was in college, i was thinking "what are you talking about" "what is this" but after that and when i start working in PwC, i found that accounting is much better and easy to understand and in addition it is essential in our day and you will find accountant works in every company in the world . there is no any company without accountant
Good luck
Good luck
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noura’s Answer
I do not think it is hard. You just need to make sure that you grasp the fundamentals. It requires an attention to details and some work. If you also like data analytics, this is then ideal for you.
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Nika’s Answer
Like already stated on this thread, accounting isn't difficult per se, but definitely requires an interest in quantitative discipline. Developed by accountants and academics, accounting principles are purely man-made and require an understanding of different concepts. Personally, I have a strong quantitative background, so it came a bit more naturally to me (took me a few months to completely grasp the more difficult concepts). However, for my friend who majored in political science, the concepts seemed outlandish and bizarre. He dropped the class within 2.5 weeks. Essentially, as with everything else, your mileage will vary.
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Layal’s Answer
Accounting is not hard but you will have to be interested in analysing numbers. You can pursue accounting and then later on specialise in CPA which can open the doors for you to enter into the auditing field. Accounting drives business decisions - as it is the base for the financial statement of the business where management base decisions on.
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Maciej’s Answer
As someone currently in college in the school of business I am required to take managerial and financial accounting. While I wouldn't describe them as hard courses there are folks that struggle with understanding and connecting the dots between the material. It definitely helps if you come from an analytical background and enjoy looking at details and keeping everything in mind when looking at a problem.
I generally enjoyed those classes but I knew that it wasn't sometime that I wanted to proceed with. As the previous answers mention it's something that you've got to have a high level of attention to detail. If you have a passion for it and you enjoy the work that comes with it I believe you will succeed with accounting in the future
I generally enjoyed those classes but I knew that it wasn't sometime that I wanted to proceed with. As the previous answers mention it's something that you've got to have a high level of attention to detail. If you have a passion for it and you enjoy the work that comes with it I believe you will succeed with accounting in the future