Things You Need to Know About Being an Accounting Major

People who major in accounting learn to maintain as well as report the financial details of an organization or person. To excel in this, they need to enjoy mathematics and be highly organized. 

Let’s take a quick look at some of the other things you’ll need to know if you’re considering pursuing this major.

Becoming an Accounting Major

An accounting major will get a strong education when it comes to business administration and dive into various technical intricacies of the accounting field while developing other skills that are required for a role in the field. These might include things like information systems and public speaking. 

Students considering this major should have an interest in numbers, how financial information is communicated, software programs, corporate finance, and data analytics. 

What Exactly Is an Accounting Major?

People who major in accounting will learn how to do things like create, maintain, and then audit an accurate and detailed system that should display the finances of an organization, business, or person. They’ll study the theory that lies behind accounting while learning to analyze the fiscal position of their clients.

An undergraduate degree in this field might qualify you to take what’s known as the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam, which is a qualification you’ll need to practice as an accountant. However, in some instances, you might need even more coursework. 

Common Coursework

Many students majoring in this field will begin their journey with a broad education in liberal arts that should include courses like a foreign language, English literature, physics, and psychology. 

That said, as they get further along in their education, they might expect to take classes in taxation and introduction to accounting, along with principles of macro and microeconomics. Math classes, such as statistics and calculus, are also a portion of the curriculum. Some of the more advanced courses include operations management, computer-based systems, business theory and business law. Public speaking and business communications are frequently part of the curriculum too.

Is It for You?

People interested in majoring in this field should find true enjoyment in math while also reveling in organization. This is because crunching numbers in computer-based systems and performing analysis on financial information are critical parts of the job. 

However, accounting majors must also be able to communicate all of their findings to their clients while also being able to answer any questions that might be related to those analyses. They need to find contentment with repetitive, routine tasks and expect to work long hours during tax season (January through April). Finally, they need to be able to follow rules, be honest, and have integrity, because the job requires adherence to detailed tax codes and regulations. 

What Can You Do With This Major?

If you’re interested in continuing your education, you can get a master’s degree in taxation or accounting or even a Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in the field of accounting. Quite a few schools offer programs that last for five years where you can get your bachelor’s as well as your master’s degree and, typically, also complete an internship. 

Once you graduate and pass the CPA exam, you’ll be able to work as an accountant at organizations, firms, or even from your own home. You might also choose to work at a large auditing firm. A few other options include things like being a financial analyst or a personal finance advisor. 

If you aren’t a fan of, or are good at math, this might not be the field for you. However, if it’s something you’re both good at and enjoy, it can be a career that’s incredibly rewarding.