Is an Accounting Degree Worth It?
Written By: Jennifer King Logan
Published: 6/7/2022
Prospective students considering a business career that focuses on money and numbers often wonder if an accounting degree is worth the investment of time and energy. The answer is a definite yes. In fact, a bachelor's degree in accounting is required for most entry-level positions in accounting or finance. Graduates who go on to complete a total of 150 credit hours by enrolling in master's degree-level coursework can sit for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam and take on more responsibilities in higher-paying roles. If you're interested in tracking financial details and interpreting numerical data, an accounting degree may be the right choice for you.
Written By: Jennifer King Logan
Published: 6/7/2022
Prospective students considering a business career that focuses on money and numbers often wonder if an accounting degree is worth the investment of time and energy. The answer is a definite yes. In fact, a bachelor's degree in accounting is required for most entry-level positions in accounting or finance. Graduates who go on to complete a total of 150 credit hours by enrolling in master's degree-level coursework can sit for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam and take on more responsibilities in higher-paying roles. If you're interested in tracking financial details and interpreting numerical data, an accounting degree may be the right choice for you.
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EXPERT INSIGHT
Meet Our Expert
Andy Clouse Live Accounting Manager at Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Georgia
Andy Clouse served in the Army for four years before attending college at Saint Martin's University in Washington, where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting. He attributes his academic success to the goal-oriented mindset and self-discipline he learned in the Army, especially as a sergeant. Clouse is currently an accounting manager working in the poultry industry in Georgia. He is also earning a master's degree online with the intention of becoming a certified public accountant.
EXPERT INSIGHT
Meet Our Expert
Andy Clouse Live Accounting Manager at Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Georgia
Andy Clouse served in the Army for four years before attending college at Saint Martin's University in Washington, where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting. He attributes his academic success to the goal-oriented mindset and self-discipline he learned in the Army, especially as a sergeant. Clouse is currently an accounting manager working in the poultry industry in Georgia. He is also earning a master's degree online with the intention of becoming a certified public accountant.
Is Accounting a Good Major?
Wherever there are business transactions taking place, there is a need for accountants to keep track of all of the financial data associated with them. Accounting is therefore a good major that equips graduates with skills and knowledge that are always in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020 there were close to , the median annual salary for these positions is $45,560. Individuals who would like to obtain higher-paying positions with greater responsibilities need a bachelor's degree.
Based on his experience in the job market, Clouse agrees. "A bachelor's degree in accounting is an absolute must," he says. "I would also suggest it over a degree in business administration with an accounting concentration. I grew up hearing, 'It doesn't matter what you major in, it just matters that you go to college.' I think that may have been true of earlier generations, but it's no longer true today. Pretty much every accounting job now will call out a bachelor's in accounting as a job requirement. Sometimes job postings even list a minimum number of accounting credit hours of upper division accounting classes."
Accounting Careers
With a bachelor's in accounting — and perhaps a master's in accounting, an MBA, or other types of professional certification — accounting professionals can move into a wide range of job openings. Some may choose to become self-employed service providers, while others may opt to work in for-profit or not-for-profit organizations of all sizes.
Are Accounting Degrees in Demand?
One of the advantages of a career in accounting is that professionals are needed in all parts of the country. However, additional data from Burning Glass Technologies reveals where accounting jobs are concentrated. Not surprisingly, the highest volume of job openings are located in the most populous states, with California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois topping the list.
Larger corporations hiring a significant number of accountants in recent months include Nelnet, Lithia Motors, UnitedHealth, Humana, Intuit, and Cushman & Wakefield. The following graph provides a more comprehensive picture of the industries where accountants are most likely to find employment.
Based on his experience in the job market, Clouse agrees. "A bachelor's degree in accounting is an absolute must," he says. "I would also suggest it over a degree in business administration with an accounting concentration. I grew up hearing, 'It doesn't matter what you major in, it just matters that you go to college.' I think that may have been true of earlier generations, but it's no longer true today. Pretty much every accounting job now will call out a bachelor's in accounting as a job requirement. Sometimes job postings even list a minimum number of accounting credit hours of upper division accounting classes."
Accounting Careers
With a bachelor's in accounting — and perhaps a master's in accounting, an MBA, or other types of professional certification — accounting professionals can move into a wide range of job openings. Some may choose to become self-employed service providers, while others may opt to work in for-profit or not-for-profit organizations of all sizes.
Are Accounting Degrees in Demand?
One of the advantages of a career in accounting is that professionals are needed in all parts of the country. However, additional data from Burning Glass Technologies reveals where accounting jobs are concentrated. Not surprisingly, the highest volume of job openings are located in the most populous states, with California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois topping the list.
Larger corporations hiring a significant number of accountants in recent months include Nelnet, Lithia Motors, UnitedHealth, Humana, Intuit, and Cushman & Wakefield. The following graph provides a more comprehensive picture of the industries where accountants are most likely to find employment.