Is Accounting a Hard Major? [2024 Guide]

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Is Accounting a hard major?

Is Accounting a Hard Major

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Accounting can be challenging for some, but if you can understand basic mathematical functions, have strong organizational skills, and are detail-oriented, this may be the field for you. Once you graduate, you could potentially be earning over $70,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

How Hard is Accounting Compared to Other Business Degrees?

accountant working in his office

Accounting is a more focused area than most business degrees. Accounting programs tend to focus on more specific concepts and skills, while business programs are typically broader. Both degree paths teach some common skills but vary in their career paths.

Accounting Degree

Accounting degrees offer courses that cover information like:

  • Annual Accounting Cycle
  • Types of Business Transactions
  • Accounting Ethics
  • Income Tax Accounting
  • Business Finance

These courses can help to ensure you understand how to use specifics codes, laws, functions, and programs to become an expert in the financial field.

Business Degrees

marketing director working on her laptop

A business degree typically offers a broader education and tends to provide courses in:

  • Communication
  • Marketing
  • Accounting
  • Management

These courses can help you to get ready to enter the business world in a leadership capacity.

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An accounting degree is worth it for many students because it can give the opportunity to crossover into the business world seamlessly. Crossing over is not always as easy for business majors because they do not have the same specialized as many financial areas as Accounting.

It is impossible to compare the difficulty level of one degree over the other. Some people do better in Accounting and others in the business. Your degree of difficulty in each program will depend on your learning style, background knowledge, and career aspirations.

Is Accounting Hard in Online Courses?

Female Accountant working on some documents

An online accounting degree program may be an excellent choice for you if you do not have the time needed to put toward a traditional educational path. Online classes can be tough for many because of the distractions of everyday life, but many find online learning easier than an actual classroom setting.

With the right study habits, motivation, and devotion, you may find that online Accounting classes are no harder than in a classroom setting. Here are five that can help you be more successful in an online course:

  1. Set a schedule for learning
  2. Take part in discussions boards, group work, and study dates
  3. Be organized and know when you need to have things completed
  4. Read the book, the web pages, and watch the video
  5. Practice your skills

Though an online Accounting program may be challenging, these simple procedures can help you be just as successful as those in any other online course.

Courses for a Bachelor’s in Accounting

accounting students listening to professor's lecture in a university classroom

A degree in Accounting should cover many aspects of the financial world that companies need you to know. Accounting branches out into the business sector and also into ethics and law.

Some of the many courses that most school offers in Accounting degree programs include courses listed below.

Intermediate and Advanced Financial Accounting – The information taught in these courses helps those who have already started your program and have basic knowledge of Accounting language.

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You should gain an understanding of financial contracts and reporting standards while enrolled in this class. These types of courses should help you learn the information you need to continue in this field.

Accounting Software and Information Systems – This course shows how to collect data, turn the data into usable information, and give the information to those who need it.

When completing this course, you also should have the ability to gather required data, store, and secure the data. Some of the programs used to complete this information process are a benefit to people enrolled in these courses.

business people in a meeting

Business Law – Business law classes teach the requirements for opening and running different types of businesses. These courses help those entering into any business sector by explaining the policies, regulations, and expectations of companies.

Topics such as payroll, reporting, confidentiality, and other important issues are part of this course work.

Ethics in Business – The instruction for this course covers many essential topics that managers, business owners, and employees may need to know.

Some of the items include:

  • Employee problems and duties
  • Leadership and decision-making,
  • Morality and ethics
  • Diversity and discrimination

This subject matter can help anyone become a better leader and employee.

Auditing – This course teaches the concepts and applications that you need to create and use financial-statement. You should also learn about the audit process, how to do a risk assessment, and make the proper reports.

This course can help prepare you for many careers, including one as a Certified Public Accountant. Learning critical thinking skills, decision making, and communication is one take away from this course.

Is an Accounting Degree Hard to Find Jobs With?

Accounting Degree Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting-related careers are expected to grow by 4% in the next ten years. The table below lists some examples of Accounting jobs and their average salary.

Careers Annual Median Salary
Financial Manager $134,180
Financial Analyst $83,660
Budget Analyst $78,970
Accountant $73,560

There are many other careers to consider before deciding how you want to use your Accounting degree. Many people graduate with a degree in Accounting but go on to achieve higher-level positions in companies.

Accreditation for an Online Accounting Degree

Accreditation for an Online Accounting Degree

Professional organizations help to develop professional and educational standards while working to help their members with career guidance and other services.

Here are some accreditations you should know about to help decide on a school that can work best for you.

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)is a nonprofit organization that accredits not-for-profit schools to ensure their courses meet high standards of world-wide management education. They identify colleges that value being leaders in their field.

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Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP) works to accredit organizations that work to improve the business practices in every industry on a global level. They help to connect professionals with others around the world to help improve business courses and practices for business students.

Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) works thoroughly with schools using self-studies and regular checks to ensure schools demonstrate they are improving their programs.

The IACBE hopes schools will deliver high-quality programs that meet or exceed set expectations that students have to become successful after that have finished the business program.

Financial Aid for an Accounting Degree Online

Financial Aid for an Accounting Degree Online

The cost of a college degree varies and will depend on factors that include:

  • The degree path you take
  • If you are an in-state student or and out-of-state student
  • If you go to a private or public college or university

Higher-learning education institutions usually offer a variety of financial aid packages and may be provided based on your total household income. There are grants and scholarships available for a variety of different degree paths, age groups, high school raking, and more.

A financial advisor at your school can help you find loans, grants, and other ways to help pay for your education. You can also search for grants and scholarships online. There are many out there that no one even knows about.

Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid, then check with your school and local businesses to see if they sponsor educational growth.

accountants working together in an office

Is Accounting a Good Major?

Yes, Accounting may be a good major for those who want to be in a growing field where they can use their skills to advance in the industry.

If you are an organized, goal-orientated person who likes a challenge, then Accounting might be the right major for you. Plus, it usually doesn’t take that long to get your accounting degree, especially if you take online courses or accelerated classes.

An Accounting degree does not limit you to one type of job. Many can branch into the business sector easily after studying Accounting. This degree offers a variety of specialty areas and allows for certifications to get even more experience.

Is Accounting the Hardest Business Major?

Many people agree that Accounting is a challenging major, but the degree of difficulty depends on your learning style. If you are a logical thinker who enjoys working with functions and numbers, Accounting may not be as hard for you as you think.

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On the other hand, if you struggle with basic math, computer technology, or find technical reading difficult, then you may want to look at other business programs as a major.

Is Accounting a Hard Job?

Accounting is hard for some. If it were an easy degree to get, then more people would be accountants.

All careers present their challenges, but with hard work and perseverance in school, you should be prepared for a job as an accountant.

What Is the Hardest Part of Accounting?

The hardest part of Accounting is learning the rules of the programs. Sometimes, course work does not make sense until you put it to practice.

Many students report the hardest classes are the first few. After the first few courses, they begin to understand more and more about the degree program.

Is Accounting a Hard Major?

accountant working in his office

If Accounting were easy, then everyone would be accountants. If you enjoy working with numbers, understand mathematical formulas, and have excellent organizational skills, you may excel in an Accounting career. Accounting is not for everyone, but for some, it comes naturally.

Do not be afraid to try a new and exciting career path. You can use this path for many careers so it shouldn’t hurt to try.

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Jordan Meeks
WRITTEN BY
Jordan is pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and earned her Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management and her Bachelor's in Business Administration. Jordan's research focuses on adults returning to college and online degree programs.