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Why Accounting Beats Business at the Start Line

For many students, accounting offers a more defined and secure path than a general business degree. Andrew Lokenauth, CFO and former head of financial reporting at Amalgamated Bank, strongly recommends an accounting major over business:

He adds that accounting careers offer economic resilience:

Dick Dumont, Program Chair of Accounting at Post University echoed this perspective through his own professional lens:

Dumont encourages students to let their early coursework guide their career decisions, offering a clear, experience-based litmus test for aspiring accountants. As he puts it:

Tapos Kumar, a former accounting educator and founder of Finance Ideas, agrees. In his experience, accounting offers:

• Stronger early job placement

• Clear certification ladders (CPA, CMA, EA)

• Transferable skills for finance, audit, and even crypto regulation

Together, the experts agree on the long-term value of an accounting degree: consistent demand, stronger early returns, and greater job security. Unlike studying business, an accounting major combines core business concepts with more in-depth financial training and technical expertise, making it both more specialized and more career-ready from the start.

Real Roles That Build Real Careers in Accounting

Many students debate whether to pursue an associate degree in accounting or continue toward a bachelor's degree in accounting. While an associate can qualify you for basic roles, like bookkeeper or accounting clerk, most mid- to high-level opportunities (especially those requiring CPA licensure) expect at least a bachelor's, and sometimes even a master's in accounting.

The truth is, most graduates don鈥檛 step directly into glamorous titles. But they do gain exposure to essential business functions. We talked to folks who hire in this industry鈥揾ere's what Kumar had to say about the most common jobs for accounting majors:

Jun Zhou, who studied accounting at the undergraduate level, has a solid understanding of accounting fundamentals. And as the founder of an AI analytics firm, he has hired online accounting grads into multiple roles:

These early roles may not sound flashy, but they lay the groundwork for real growth. Whether you stick with general accounting or branch into areas like forensic accounting or corporate analysis, these entry points can lead to job security and long-term advancement.

Online Degrees, Offline Impact

The myth that online degrees are somehow 鈥渓ess than鈥� is quickly fading. As Zhou explains, "If you bring value, no one will ask where you learned it." In fact, many employers now associate them with the very qualities they desperately want in new hires. 

Brad Scharf, Chief Operating Officer of Go Auto Insurance, explains exactly how he thinks of online accounting degrees when he's hiring:

Lokenauth echoes this shift in perception regarding online degrees:

Curran Clark is a small business strategist, who discussed how online accounting programs have made major strides in providing "real-world exposure" through simulations and virtual labs by way of case studies. This way, students are doing auditing and tax preparation exercises based on real financial data, which is excellent experience:

Kumar supports this advice as well, stating that:

Clark also mentions "virtual internships" as a way to gain valuable experience and make the accounting program fully worth your time:

Taken together, these insights affirm that an online accounting degree is a credible path that's increasingly respected by employers who are actively hiring in the field. Dumont adds, "What matters most in hiring decisions is the quality of the program, accreditation status, relevant experience, and the candidate's skills, not the delivery format of the degree." He goes on to brainstorm ways that students enrolled in an online accounting program can gain practical experience:

Today鈥檚 online accounting students are graduating with the skills and work ethic that hiring managers value most, making it a worthwhile investment. 

The Value of Pursuing a CPA License

A CPA license is not always required, but every single expert agreed that it's very important for advancing in most accounting careers. In Lokenauth's view:

It seems like, if you're aiming for long-term advancement in accounting or a specific role within the field, a degree alone may not be sufficient. It does, however, provide you direct alignment with CPA eligibility, a credential that experts agree boosts salary and career mobility. Kumar provides clarification:

Dat Ngo, a licensed CPA and financial consultant, stresses early preparation:

He goes on to say that students should take courses that meet CPA eligibility requirements and review your state's specific CPA rules, because every state is a little different. Lokenauth's advice is to begin early:

Software Fluency Is Non-Negotiable

One of the clearest signals that an accounting degree is worth the investment? The real-world, job-ready skills it can build. One theme stood out among all the experts we interviewed: software proficiency isn鈥檛 optional. Excel, QuickBooks, and tax software like Drake or ProSeries were mentioned again and again as critical to success in early career roles. According to Lokenauth:

Zhou agrees with Lokenauth:

Below is a complete checklist of the specific software tools mentioned by our experts, grouped by category and supported with brief notes on their relevance.

The Bottom Line

For students wondering if an accounting major is worth it, this is a key takeaway: the value of the degree rests in the skills you acquire along the way. Zhou says:

Programs that integrate hands-on software training set students up not only to land jobs but to thrive in them from day one. Kumar also notes that you shouldn't overlook the development of soft skills either, especially "communication, client readiness, [and] systems thinking." Make sure to see what topic your program covers when choosing the best accounting degree for you.

Contributing Experts

CFO

Andrew Lokenauth is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience across Wall Street, tech, and banking. Now a fractional CFO and founder of The Finance Newsletter, he has held leadership roles at firms including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Amalgamated Bank, where he served as SVP and Head of Financial Reporting. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and Finance from Pace University.

Accounting Educator & Financial Analyst

Tapos Kumar is an accounting educator and the founder of Finance Ideas, where he simplifies complex finance topics for everyday readers. With a BBA in accounting and over a decade of experience in financial analysis, academic instruction, and investment research, Kumar focuses on helping students and professionals navigate career decisions, market shifts, and certification pathways like the CPA.

Small Business Strategist

Curran Clark is a small business strategist and the co-founder of ContractorNerd and ORCA, where he helps companies build scalable growth systems. With nearly two decades of experience launching and advising digital ventures, Clark brings a deep understanding of how accounting tools, financial systems, and hands-on training can empower small businesses. He hires and collaborates with accounting professionals, offering value from an employer perspective.

Software Engineer, Financial Analytics Expert

Founder of AirROI, an analytics platform serving the short-term rental market, Jun Zhou studied accounting at the bachelor's level during his studies at the University of Michigan. With prior software engineering roles at Airbnb, Facebook, and Amazon, Zhou specializes in building data systems that support financial decision-making.

Certified Public Accountant

Dat Ngo is a licensed CPA, personal finance expert, and senior contributor at Prop Firm App, a website dedicated to proprietary trading and investment strategies. With a background in corporate and freelance accounting, he specializes in tax strategy, financial analysis, and business consulting.

Program Chair of Accounting at Post University

Richard Dumont is the Director of Undergraduate Business Programs and Program Chair for Accounting at Post University, where he brings decades of experience in both academia and the financial industry. A CPA and former senior bank executive, he has taught auditing, fraud examination, and advanced accounting at multiple institutions, and he remains active in professional organizations such as the AICPA and ACFE.

Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer at Go Auto Insurance with 15+ years in that role, Brad has overseen finance and operations at scale, including the hiring of accounting professionals. He provides firsthand, credible insight into employer perceptions. Insurance companies are deeply embedded in compliance, reporting, and data analysis, all areas where accounting plays a vital role. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 in finance and financial management from LSU.