Getting an accounting degree.

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:28 pm

I've decided to go into accounting. Excel is one of my favorite programs, so I think it will be a good degree path. My plan is to get a BA. Anyone here an accountant? Do you like it?

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:56 am

I'm not an accountant, but I had to take a few accounting classes while getting my MBA. They were nothing like excel.

How are you at memorizing seemingly random rules? That's what accounting was like for me. You'd think it was just adding and subtracting but it isn't.

I would suggest picking up an accounting book at a used book store and start reading it. If it leaves you scratching your head and thinking WTF?, maybe accounting isn't for you.

Then again you might love it. You don't know until you try.

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:50 am

You're right. Why am I thinking accountants are just glorified Excel users?

*kicks him self*

Reading about how businesses go public, I'm realizing how important accountants are in generating reports that reflect a company's worth. ...plus all the other internal stuff. So your comment about \"random rules\" makes sense. I'm sure a lot of it's going to sound random to me, until I really understand how it all ties together (which might take 40 years after college).

Picking up an accounting book is a brilliant idea. In fact I should find out what my first school accounting text book will be and buy the current version.

shaktazuki · Post by **shaktazuki** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:18 am

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:31 am

The rules seemed random to me, but that may be because I come from an engineering background. I didn't care for accounting at all. I hope you do. Good luck.

Tunnelcat · Post by **Tunnelcat** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:45 pm

Hmmmmmmmm, a BEAN COUNTER you say? Hope you like numbers, you'll be juggling a lot of them.

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:37 pm

At my old job I would get an insurance agent freaking out that an appointed company gave them a spread sheet of a few thousand lines of info. I was the best at Excel in the whole company, so they would come to me first when wanting special embedded formulas made. Ever feel like a superhero?

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:44 pm

shaktazuki wrote:yup.

yup

Tunnelcat · Post by **Tunnelcat** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:49 pm

Go for it if it works for you. Plenty of job opportunities.

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:58 pm

Oh yeah. I'm excited about it.

Duper · Post by **Duper** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:49 am

accounting isn't that hard. you just deal with other people's carelessness. you will also probably need a degree in Taxes; depending on if you want to do. If all you want to do is single account management (AC, AP etc) within a company then no. If you want to handle the entire book setup then yes.

Excel?? lol. You do professional accounting and all you will use Excel for is stacking numbers for yourself. Most accounting programs these days are completely integrated and all you basically need to do is post to the general ledger.. for small companies. For larger companies, like the one i work for has Accounts payable, Accounts receivable, and Pay Roll maintained by different individuals.

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:46 am

If you are interested in getting your CPA then you can get a job as a controller of a company. That can be a frustrating but rewarding job.

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 7:50 pm

Duper wrote: you will also probably need a degree in Taxes; depending on if you want to do. If all you want to do is single account management (AC, AP etc) within a company then no. If you want to handle the entire book setup then yes.

There's a Tax Specialist Associate's Degree. I guess could do that with the BA.

Dedman wrote:If you are interested in getting your CPA then you can get a job as a controller of a company. That can be a frustrating but rewarding job.

Reading what a CPA does it looks like a tax degree would be required. Not a big deal, but if I'm getting a second degree, I should be sure it's the right one.

Everyone,
Thanks for making me more aware. You've given me a better idea on what I should be reading. Thank you!

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:22 pm

CPA's don't have to do taxes. You can if you want to but you don't have to. My Aunt is a CPA and a controller for a small candy company is San Francisco. She doesn't do her company's taxes.

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:55 pm

shaktazuki · Post by **shaktazuki** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:07 pm

Psst: you can work for the IRS, who are always hiring... just imagine, auditing your enemies, giving your friends a pass...

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:27 pm

I know you're joking, but good paying dishonest work doesn't need a 4 year degree. The only risk is jail time and death... Why would I spend all that time in school to be dishonest?

shaktazuki · Post by **shaktazuki** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:34 pm

College means bigger payoff, and vastly lowered risk. Consider Madoff.

Plus, gov't work is about as secure as teh gov't itself.

Octopus · Post by **Octopus** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:55 pm

Top Wop · Post by **Top Wop** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:05 pm

Go for what you want to do and feel you can get a handle on. Good Luck!

Getting an accounting degree.

Getting an accounting degree.

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