Should i major in business administration or accounting
Now that we've highlighted some of the differences between the two programs, it's important to highlight some of the similarities - namely, that both degrees will prepare you for success in the accounting field.
The Skills You'll Build in a Graduate Accounting Program However, if you are interested in building skills in a different subject area, this would be a great option for you to pursue (for example, if you've always had an interest in conflict management, or you think that employment law sounds intriguing, you could pursue a certificate in one of those areas instead).Īll in all, a Master's in Accounting prepares students to meet the evolving needs of today's businesses of all sizes, and they will emerge from the program able to address challenges in fast-paced, modern work environments using an integrated, financially-focused approach. You will complete many of the same core accounting courses that you would in an MBA in Accounting program, and then build on them with highly-focused courses that take your understanding of the field to the next level.įor example, in Champlain's Master's in Accounting program, you have the option to complete an embedded graduate certificate in the subject area of your choice, so you could obtain many of the same general business skills with an advanced management or business management graduate certificate. Master's in AccountingĪ Master's in Accounting is a deep immersion into the field of accounting.
SHOULD I MAJOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OR ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL
From there, you'll dive into your accounting-specific coursework, which will cover the essential accounting knowledge you'll need as a professional in this field. You'll get the name-recognition of an in-demand degree as well as a credential that highlights your accounting specialization - in short, you get both the breadth to build a well-rounded business skillset and the depth to truly become an accounting expert.Īn MBA in Accounting program will help you develop the competencies required in today's business professionals, including managing risk, leadership, understanding the impact of globalization, financial decision-making, business analysis and performance measurement, understanding customers and markets, and process integration and performance. So what is an MBA in accounting? This program will deliver the technical skills and business concepts (and review the accounting essentials) you'd get in a traditional MBA, but adds an emphasis on leveraging financial analysis to help decision-making at a strategic level.
As an accounting professional with advanced knowledge of the field, you might be wondering if this is applicable to you, and the answer is yes - if you pursue an MBA accounting concentration. MBA in AccountingĪn MBA is one of the most popular degrees in today's higher education landscape and often incorporates basic accounting knowledge into the curriculum. To best understand the differences between these two types of programs, we'll explore each of them in depth. While the differences between these two programs might not be immediately clear, there are actually some significant distinctions that are important to take into consideration when deciding which one is right for you. When looking into graduate-level accounting programs, you have probably noticed that the majority fall into two categories: a master's degree in accounting, or an MBA in accounting. Getting a master's degree is the best way to not only further your accounting knowledge but also qualify you to sit for the exam, which will then allow you to practice public accounting. As of 2014, accounting students preparing for the CPA must earn 150 credit hours of education, which is 30 credit hours beyond a bachelor's degree. In fact, many of today's upper-level accounting jobs require a master's degree.īeyond that, having a master's degree is a necessity if you are planning on, or considering, sitting for the CPA exam. Additionally, having a master's degree (especially in a competitive field such as accounting) can help you qualify for more jobs, particularly those with more seniority and higher pay. Those with a master's degree can, in general, earn an average of $400,000 more over their lifetimes than those with just a bachelor's degree. If you're an accounting professional looking to take the next step in your career, considering a master's degree is a smart place to start.