I need help thinking this through. I'm graduating this semester with an associate degree in accounting. I'm not sure if I should continue and obtain a Bachelor degree. I'm 31, and currently work as a secretary. There's no room for advancement with my degree in my department.
I've looked at job posting for entry level accounting and they all required a bachelor degree and 2-5 years experience. I really thought I'll be able to find something entry level with my associate degree. I'm afraid that by the time I'm finish with school I'll be to old with no accounting experience and not marketable.
Post by pantsparty on Apr 29, 2016 12:33:26 GMT -5
I would probably press ahead with a Bachelor degree.
Also, do you have accounting experience? I would probably try to apply for entry-level jobs regardless. I think it will continue to be tough to break into the field even with a Bachelor degree if you have no experience.
I don't know anything about the accounting field, so take this with a grain of salt. I do think associate's degrees aren't valued as much as they used to be. If you can afford it, you should keep going. Don't worry about being too old. H didn't start his current career in IT until 33 and at 40 he hasn't yet hit his peak. I would think accounting would be even less like IT, in that it's not a "young" field.
I would probably press ahead with a Bachelor degree.
Also, do you have accounting experience? I would probably try to apply for entry-level jobs regardless. I think it will continue to be tough to break into the field even with a Bachelor degree if you have no experience.
I don't have actual accounting experience. Some of my job duties could probably relate. I do some spreadsheet at work and invoice verification.
You really need at least a bachelors if you want to work in accounting. A lot of the accounting firms wouldn't even talk to you if you didn't have a bachelors and a plan to pass the CPA exam within a certain time frame (this was 10 years ago, not sure how it is now, but I assume it's the same). Even working in private industry now, I've never seen anyone hired into an accounting department without at least a bachelors, and even my company is always looking for CPAs or MBAs.
ETA: I'd definitely suggest applying for entry level positions, but keep in mind that most of those jobs require more than just entering data into spreadsheets. There's much more to accounting than Excel.
What is your career plan (do you want to move up in the accounting field? Would you be going back to get an accounting bachelor's?
The people I know that work in the accounting field all have a bachelor's at bare minimum (most have master's) They're mostly state/university employees in accounting or fiscal fields which might be different from accounting firms.
I'll be going back to get bachelor's of accounting and enter a program for Internal Auditing. I'll love to work in the auditing side of accounting.
You might be able to find something in AP or AR, but your best bet is to get a bachelor's.
At my current job, all managers must have a CPA. I think director level and up need to have a master's as well. Not all places are like this, but more and more often companies are looking to have more CPAs than they used to.
ETA: I saw you mentioned internal auditing. Most internal auditors are pulled from public firms. I'd also look at the requirements for sitting for the CPA, and make sure you get the classes you need when you go back.
What is your career plan (do you want to move up in the accounting field? Would you be going back to get an accounting bachelor's?
The people I know that work in the accounting field all have a bachelor's at bare minimum (most have master's) They're mostly state/university employees in accounting or fiscal fields which might be different from accounting firms.
I'll be going back to get bachelor's of accounting and enter a program for Internal Auditing. I'll love to work in the auditing side of accounting.
Auditing will definitely require a bachelor's. They may also want you to show intent to pass the CPA exam which would require more than a bachelor's (most just get their master's to qualify).
With an associate's I would imagine you would only qualify for an accounts payable clerk or something similar.
I would keep pursuing higher education, personally.
You really need at least a bachelors if you want to work in accounting. A lot of the accounting firms wouldn't even talk to you if you didn't have a bachelors and a plan to pass the CPA exam within a certain time frame (this was 10 years ago, not sure how it is now, but I assume it's the same). Even working in private industry now, I've never seen anyone hired into an accounting department without at least a bachelors, and even my company is always looking for CPAs or MBAs.
ETA: Â I'd definitely suggest applying for entry level positions, but keep in mind that most of those jobs require more than just entering data into spreadsheets. Â There's much more to accounting than Excel.
Would you still apply if the requirements state bachelor's degree prefer or needed?
You might be able to find something in AP or AR, but your best bet is to get a bachelor's.
At my current job, all managers must have a CPA. I think director level and up need to have a master's as well. Not all places are like this, but more and more often companies are looking to have more CPAs than they used to.
Even AP and AR, job posting want 2-5 years experience and some required a bachelor's.
You might be able to find something in AP or AR, but your best bet is to get a bachelor's.
At my current job, all managers must have a CPA. I think director level and up need to have a master's as well. Not all places are like this, but more and more often companies are looking to have more CPAs than they used to.
Even AP and AR, job posting want 2-5 years experience and some required a bachelor's.
Put in for them anyway. Most of the time it's data processing, but does get your foot in the door.
Even AP and AR, job posting want 2-5 years experience and some required a bachelor's.
Put in for them anyway. Most of the time it's data processing, but does get your foot in the door.
Ditto---highlight things you do now that could be considered accounting related and apply for AP or AR clerk jobs. It's your best shot of getting an accounting job with an associate's.
You can absolutely get a job in accounting in AP or AR with a Bachelors. Experience is a plus, but not always necessary, especially since you'll have work experience (not accounting work experience, but it still counts), and transferable skills.
Many accounting programs now have an option for you to do an internship for credit towards your degree. If you can afford it, I would highly suggest it- a lot of the people I know with accounting degrees got their first full time job by first doing an internship with that company. Most accounting internships are paid, and paid relatively well for a student internship.
I do think you will have a hard time finding work with an associates and no accounting experience unfortunately. I do think the bachelors would fix this issue.
(I worked as a college of business advisor with accounting students for a long time, and my H is an accountant- has a masters, does not have the CPA, works for a publicly traded o&g company as a accounting manager over a large region. He is also currently job hunting, so I have seen a lot of accounting job postings lately).
You might be able to find something in AP or AR, but your best bet is to get a bachelor's.
At my current job, all managers must have a CPA. I think director level and up need to have a master's as well. Not all places are like this, but more and more often companies are looking to have more CPAs than they used to.
ETA: I saw you mentioned internal auditing. Most internal auditors are pulled from public firms. I'd also look at the requirements for sitting for the CPA, and make sure you get the classes you need when you go back.
Thank you. The auditing program is through the Institute of Internal Auditors. I'll get a certificate after completion.
I'm not sure if I'll want to sit for the CPA but I'll look into it.
Yes. I have an associates and it is basically like having a high school diploma. I am currently back in school to finish my bachelors. If you don't want to be stuck in Admin Aide-like positions for the rest of your life, keep moving on.
I guess I'm an exception to the rule? I'm in accounting and don't even have an associates degree. My new job will basically be AP, though. They also contribute $3000 a year (maybe semester, I don't remember) to schooling. So I may take them up on it depending on how it will effect my career advancement there.
I know at times when I was searching for different employment, I was discouraged looking at listings where BA was required.
You can absolutely get a job in accounting in AP or AR with a Bachelors. Experience is a plus, but not always necessary, especially since you'll have work experience (not accounting work experience, but it still counts), and transferable skills.
Many accounting programs now have an option for you to do an internship for credit towards your degree. If you can afford it, I would highly suggest it- a lot of the people I know with accounting degrees got their first full time job by first doing an internship with that company. Most accounting internships are paid, and paid relatively well for a student internship.
I do think you will have a hard time finding work with an associates and no accounting experience unfortunately. I do think the bachelors would fix this issue.
(I worked as a college of business advisor with accounting students for a long time, and my H is an accountant- has a masters, does not have the CPA, works for a publicly traded o&g company as a accounting manager over a large region. He is also currently job hunting, so I have seen a lot of accounting job postings lately).
Thank you. I really though I'll be able to get an entry level AP/AR with my associate. I feel like it was a waste of time and money. A lot of my classes won't even transfer. The university does offer the internship for a credit hours. From doing research a lot of students go to NY for their internship, which I wouldn't be able to do.
I started out at my last employer with just an associates as the AP clerk. After 12 years I worked my way up to accounting manager. Unfortunately when they sold the business I was kind of SOL without my BA even though I have years of experience. I am 2 classes away from my BA. I am not going to sit for the CPA so I am not planning on getting a master's.
Last Edit: Apr 29, 2016 15:27:58 GMT -5 by Ohhmm(bligo)
"You. You and your crazy life. You and your geographic anomaly. You and your drunken lesbianic ways and terrible navigational skills." - ProfArt and her holy baby
You really need at least a bachelors if you want to work in accounting. A lot of the accounting firms wouldn't even talk to you if you didn't have a bachelors and a plan to pass the CPA exam within a certain time frame (this was 10 years ago, not sure how it is now, but I assume it's the same). Even working in private industry now, I've never seen anyone hired into an accounting department without at least a bachelors, and even my company is always looking for CPAs or MBAs.
ETA: I'd definitely suggest applying for entry level positions, but keep in mind that most of those jobs require more than just entering data into spreadsheets. There's much more to accounting than Excel.
Would you still apply if the requirements state bachelor's degree prefer or needed?
I definitely think it's a good idea to apply - the worst thing that will happen is nothing. But, it could lead to something.
I saw that you mentioned getting the certificate through the IIA...that's a good plan, and if you're really interested in internal audit, you should do that. But, I agree with whoever said that most internal audit departments pull from CPA firms. I worked for a firm for a couple of years right out of college and when I moved over to the company I'm at now (into internal audit, actually), they really wanted a bachelors plus some certification or MBA, with a CPA being preferred. I'm not in that group now, but currently all of our internal auditors have CPAs, the CIA certification, and a couple of them have IT audit and/or CFE certifications. When I left the last position I held here (corporate accounting manager), my director wouldn't even consider anyone without a CPA.
I really think that trying to get into this field, you really need to go beyond the bachelors, especially if you want a higher paying/ranking job.
Yes, an associates will get you no where. I am currently looking at programs to go back and get my Masters. My bachelors is getting me no where. lol
In accounting?
I was told in my 2-yr program that jobs to look for were labeled "clerk." Billing, payroll, A/P, A/R, and accounting. Talk to your teachers tho, they usually know people in the community in the field and can often get you an interview.
You can absolutely get a job in accounting in AP or AR with a Bachelors. Experience is a plus, but not always necessary, especially since you'll have work experience (not accounting work experience, but it still counts), and transferable skills.
Many accounting programs now have an option for you to do an internship for credit towards your degree. If you can afford it, I would highly suggest it- a lot of the people I know with accounting degrees got their first full time job by first doing an internship with that company. Most accounting internships are paid, and paid relatively well for a student internship.
I do think you will have a hard time finding work with an associates and no accounting experience unfortunately. I do think the bachelors would fix this issue.
(I worked as a college of business advisor with accounting students for a long time, and my H is an accountant- has a masters, does not have the CPA, works for a publicly traded o&g company as a accounting manager over a large region. He is also currently job hunting, so I have seen a lot of accounting job postings lately).
LOL at the bolded. Perhaps where you live, down here they are mostly unpaid.
You can absolutely get a job in accounting in AP or AR with a Bachelors. Experience is a plus, but not always necessary, especially since you'll have work experience (not accounting work experience, but it still counts), and transferable skills.
Many accounting programs now have an option for you to do an internship for credit towards your degree. If you can afford it, I would highly suggest it- a lot of the people I know with accounting degrees got their first full time job by first doing an internship with that company. Most accounting internships are paid, and paid relatively well for a student internship.
I do think you will have a hard time finding work with an associates and no accounting experience unfortunately. I do think the bachelors would fix this issue.
(I worked as a college of business advisor with accounting students for a long time, and my H is an accountant- has a masters, does not have the CPA, works for a publicly traded o&g company as a accounting manager over a large region. He is also currently job hunting, so I have seen a lot of accounting job postings lately).
Thank you. I really though I'll be able to get an entry level AP/AR with my associate. I feel like it was a waste of time and money. A lot of my classes won't even transfer. The university does offer the internship for a credit hours. From doing research a lot of students go to NY for their internship, which I wouldn't be able to do.
Do you know for SURE your courses won't transfer? Just because they aren't called the same thing doesn't mean they won't transfer. The school you would transfer to should be able to check equivalencies.
But.....unfortunately, yes- associates usually require 66 credit hours, and most undergrad degrees require 60 hours of junior/senior level courses. So you will probably lose 6ish hours at least. They'll be on your transcript, but won't really "count" for anything.
You definitely don't have to travel for your internship. I would actually tell you that if you have no plans on getting the CPA and going into a big 4 firm, etc that you don't need to. You can get valuable experience at places nearby.
Have you talked your college's career center? You might ask if they know of any places that hired people straight out of the comm college in accounting roles. You might also contact Accountemps or Robert Half and see what the likelihood of you finding something through them would be. It won't pay as much as a job that requires a bachelors, but it would get your foot in the door and get you some experience.
I guess I'm an exception to the rule? I'm in accounting and don't even have an associates degree. My new job will basically be AP, though. They also contribute $3000 a year (maybe semester, I don't remember) to schooling. So I may take them up on it depending on how it will effect my career advancement there.
I know at times when I was searching for different employment, I was discouraged looking at listings where BA was required.
Is this your first accounting job, or have you always worked in accounting? Did your employer train you on the job?
I really wish employers wouldn't request years of experience for these entry level positions. I can't get experience if no one would hire me ?
You can absolutely get a job in accounting in AP or AR with a Bachelors. Experience is a plus, but not always necessary, especially since you'll have work experience (not accounting work experience, but it still counts), and transferable skills.
Many accounting programs now have an option for you to do an internship for credit towards your degree. If you can afford it, I would highly suggest it- a lot of the people I know with accounting degrees got their first full time job by first doing an internship with that company. Most accounting internships are paid, and paid relatively well for a student internship.
I do think you will have a hard time finding work with an associates and no accounting experience unfortunately. I do think the bachelors would fix this issue.
(I worked as a college of business advisor with accounting students for a long time, and my H is an accountant- has a masters, does not have the CPA, works for a publicly traded o&g company as a accounting manager over a large region. He is also currently job hunting, so I have seen a lot of accounting job postings lately).
LOL at the bolded. Perhaps where you live, down here they are mostly unpaid.
This is no longer the norm. All big 4 firms pay their interns, as well as many of the smaller firms. Most universities REQUIRE an internship to be paid in order for students to receive credit.