Source
r/Accounting•
themethchef

Majoring in Economics with a goal of working in public accounting... can it be done?

Hey guys,

I'm a college sophomore who recently after having what you could call an epiphany, switched majors from biology to Economics. Our school offers an Accounting program, but it requires admission to the business school. Having already done a few semesters of coursework, I would be ineligible to graduate if I tracked back to apply to the business school (this would put me over graduating in 6 years, which is the limit of attendance at my university).

However, I will be able to complete a BA in Economics within 5 years, so my tentative plan is to apply to a MAcc program in California postgraduation.

I will still be able to take business school level accounting courses with permission from the business school, they just won't count towards my degree. These courses include Principals of Accounting I/II, Intermediate Accounting I/II, Taxation/Advanced Taxation, Auditing, & VITA.

My question is, should I load up on this coursework now and attempt to sit for the California CPA exam postgraduation? Or should I use these extra credits to diversify my resume and add a minor in another subject then apply to a MAcc program? Or should I take the accounting courses, and apply to a MAcc program?

Disclaimer: I am not currently a resident of California. Grew up there, but graduated high school in Virginia and currently attend college there.

I'm leaning towards taking the courses and applying to a MAcc program. I'm unsure how necessary it is, but the only network I really have established in CA is in an industry I don't really want to work in. So I figured by taking this route, I'll be able to get a foot in the door with graduate school campus recruiters.

Thank you all for your advice, my academic advisor has not been terribly helpful in this regard.

Posted Feb 1, 2017, 4:28 PM UTC

424
The_Accountess•

2 of our staff have Econ BA and nothing else. Not a B4 obv, nor a 2 pony firm. Just start applying, I'd say

6
hamms30•

Depends if you are more interested in Accounting or Finance. If you are set on accounting then it would be wise to take the undergrad classes you can while you finish your econ degree. It'll make your MAcc easier and it will help you when you study for the CPA because you won't be starting from scratch. It'll also give you some exposure to it earlier in the event you find you hate it and then you can just focus on your Econ. If you decide to pursue it, go to all the recruiting events your school offers and talk to big firms, small firms, everybody.. ask questions.

Unfortunately as the other poster said.. it's not as simple as "just getting a Fin. analyst or IB job" If it is possible though, also a very good opportunity.

3
themethchefOP•

Thanks for this - I'm currently in Principals of Accounting and loving every minute of it, but I definitely feel like I need to be wary that I could end up hating the higher level courses.

1
hamms30•

Good luck. Last couple bits of advice I'd give from my own experience, if accounting ends up being the direction you go, take the time to read the books and understand the content. A couple peers of mine just did the homework and studied what they needed to pass the tests and when they got into the real world, fell behind the curve very quickly because they just did the minimum. If you looked at their grades vs. mine you wouldn't have known. Also, make sure you take and audit, business law, cost account and tax class. If I recall these four areas are pre-reqs along with the other credit hours needed to sit for the CPA exam in the future.

2
IamRupe•

I'm in the Big4 (forensics and a CPA), got my undergrad in economics from a smaller school. Went to grad school for a masters in accounting. I had to take some remedial accounting courses, but its very easy to do so (especially if looking at a separate masters program).

3
themethchefOP•

Awesome! I do indeed go to a smaller school - would you say grad school helped you establish a more firm network?

2
IamRupe•

Most assuredly. I went to an extremely well respected accounting graduate program. I still have many contacts from there (who I work with still, who are at other firms, and whom work in industry). Additionally, the Big4 "recruit" heavily out of the top accounting programs, so if you are a good student and can interview, you have a huge step up with them.

2
Savvir•

Yes, my firm (B4) has a few service lines that employ Econ majors + law school graduates (many of which have an Econ major). It can be done, just be proactive and apply when the time comes.

Also, for these service lines do not require a CPA in order for career progression to happen. They do require some type of certifications though, just can't remember which.

2
xBonerDetectiveStudent•

[deleted]
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^0.1417

What is this?

2
retz119Audit & Assurance•

If you can come away with all the courses necessary to be able to become a CPA then yes you should be able to find a job in public. Being CPA eligible is really all that matters.

2
Jasonions•

Yes, it can be done.

I was in a similar situation as you, except my school did not have an accounting program. I got a BS in managerial economics and took another year at a specialized accounting post-grad program (not a masters program). Currently working audit in a B4 (CA as well). Let me know if you have any questions.

2
themethchefOP•

Thanks for the response, would you say going to grad school helped you establish a network within the Big 4?

A more location related question - how did you end up in CA? Was that your goal or did it just happen? I ask because that's where my family lives and it is quite important to me to have the opportunity to move back.

1
Jasonions•

Yes. Grad school definitely helped a lot with networking. I grew up in CA

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

2
iMaxulGraduate•

Got an economics degree at UC. Got a MSAcc at state two years later. Just got an offer at big four. It's possible.

2
themethchefOP•

Thanks for this. Hearing replies like these are encouraging and the type of thing I'm looking for.

Edit: side note, congrats!

2
iMaxulGraduate•

Just set your sights on what you want. I took a three break break in between my bachelors and masters to find what I wanted to do. In the process, I obtained valuable real world experience and leadership experience, but I would have much rather preferred to go right after finishing my Undergrad years. Either way, keep it going.

2
I3lackcellSr. Mgr Tax (US)•

I was in the same situation (except I got rejected from our business school like 2/3 of the applicants, I should have taken freshman year more serious). I got my BA in Econ and took the required pre req classes for a masters in accounting from our business school. I ended up getting in (thanks to my GMAT) ended up interning and working for b4 then moving to a smaller firm due to family relocation(small market, specialized, couldn't transfer). The reason I would say to get your masters is for recruiting. The best and easiest way to get a job in public is while you are in school, the b4 almost fully recruit new hires out of college, so if that's your plan a masters is helpful.

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redditisbadforusTax•

Just don't. Go find a finance analyst or IB job for a few years then go get an MBA from a top tier program. I massively regret going into tax. I went through an mtax program and have passed the CPA exams. I've done big 4 and now at a smaller firm and there is nothing fun or exciting about what we do. All my friends make more than me, even those who never went to college. Fuck everything and fuck everyone.

-1†
deeptoot4545•

What makes you think OP goes to a target school? And financial analyst is a meaningless job description that may or may not make more than an accountant.

9
redditisbadforusTax•

Thanks captain fucking obvious.

-8
tafcasablancaBig 4 Software Developer (Tax)•

Holy shit dude

6
Enzymic•

Did you miss your nap today? You must seriously hate your life or something.

3
deeptoot4545•

Lol you should start a salt factory

3
thing85•

Just don't. Go find a finance analyst or IB job for a few years then go get an MBA from a top tier program. I massively regret going into tax. I went through an mtax program and have passed the CPA exams. I've done big 4 and now at a smaller firm and there is nothing fun or exciting about what we do. All my friends make more than me, even those who never went to college. Fuck everything and fuck everyone.

Someone's bitter... just because you didn't find it rewarding and weren't successful at it doesn't mean others can't.

2