Accounting vs Business Management

[Angio333]

I am considering getting a Bachelor's Degree in either accounting or business management.

I currently have an Associate's of Applied Science and work as a paramedic for a large city. I would love to shave a career in either finance or another business. I am also licensed to sell life insurance, health insurance, accident insurance, annuities, variable products, and I also have my property and casualty insurance license. I am currently not working in the field, and it is kind of my safety net in case something happens to my current job.

I will be going to a 2 year online accelerated program for either degree from an accredited university...Indiana Weselyn University. I am currently finishing up some prereqs at a community college.

My first choice would be to start a career as a financial advisor, and after that insurance sales. However, my wife hates the hours that those jobs have and would prefer a steady income instead of a commissioned based salary.

Accounting seems like a good compromise. It would give me all of the financial stuff thatI love with the better hours/steady income. This degree will take 22 months, but would require me to take 2 more math classes before beginning. That means that I would not be able to start the 22 month program until May 2009. However, we will be 100% debt free at that time and paying for the course with cash. The entry level salaries are close to what I make now, but I should make more money that I make now after 2 years.

Business Management is another degree that I am thinking about. I also would love to manage a business, but I have no real business experience. I am somewhat concerned about what jobs I would be able to get with a degree, but no experience. This program is 18 months, and would not require any extra classes. I would start it in January and would be paying cash. However, we would not be debt free until July 2009.

Which degree would you suggest?

[MonkeyMama]

How old are you?

I am an accountant and it is not realistic at all to be marketable in the job market if you have no experience. Accounting particular is kind of an odd duck because experience is generally valued much more than education.

However, if you are interested in business management, accounting is generally a good way to go. It is a good stepping stone.

I can't speak much for a management degree. But I think it is much the same. We have had a lot of MBAs come through who thought they were the bomb and going straight to the top. We had one who was upset he had to use a 10-key. IT was so "beneath" him. Without the experience they sunk straight to the bottom. So I would venture a business degree with no business experience is rather useless. We just kind of roll our eyes that these big business schools are churning out people with no experience, who truly believe they will get top management jobs simply because of their degree. Though they don't understand in the least what they want to manage...

If you are young you can get your foot in the door. It's much harder when you are older, so that is why I asked your age. If you get a degree and don't use it for a long while, I'd say it's probably not worth it. If you can work in some experience along with your degree, and you are young, then it will be more useful.

[Angio333]

I'm 30 years old. I have no problem working my way up, and do not expect to walk into a top position. In my area, there seems to be a large number of entry level staff accountant positions available. The job requirements do not rquire experience. The starting pay is a little less than I make now, and would be a great way to gain experience.

[MonkeyMama]

Well, then you have the advantage of being young. Which is important.

Hopefully someone else will have more advice on the management degree angle. My advice/experience is rather one-sided.

[kevinbrown]

I would definitely suggest that if you feel so passionate about accounting do follow up in the same field. At the end of the day, it is your interest and commitment that will take you the distance and not just the monetary gains. Look for a course that also prepares you for certifications such as Tax Preparer, Microsoft Office User Specialist-Word for Windows, Microsoft User Specialist-Access, Internet Commerce/Management. This might give you the upper hand when competing in the job market as well. I am currently doing my Bachelors Degree in Accounting from California College San Diego (CCSD) and the facilities and the curriculum they offer are highly appreciable.

[graceful]

Originally Posted by Angio333

However, my wife hates the hours that those jobs have and would prefer a steady income instead of a commissioned based salary.

Are you thinking of starting and managing your own business with the business mgmt degree? Or managing someone else's business?


The reason I ask is because my parents have always been self-employed in various incarnations and I now work and manage the family business. I LIVED through all the ups and downs and 24/7 hours. Financially, the business is doing very well now. However, there were lots of dark periods through the years.

When I said yes to DH's marriage proposal, it was with the understanding that he NEVER go into business for himself. He was to bring home the steady salary at a 9 to 5 job (well actually it is more like 8 to 6:30) because I had enough uncertainty in my life.




Good luck, OP.

[Angio333]

I decided to go with the accounting degree. I am hoping to work for a non-profit, or use the accounting degree and medical background to get a job as a life insurance underwriter.

[tzsgti]

Don't listen to anyone else Accounting for sure! What ever job you can get with business management you can get with accounting but not vice-versa. You cant get a good accounting job with any other degree. I am still a student and am fortunate to have a good PT position and two young graduates with a BS in Business Management are settling for my job and i don't even have a BS yet. One is even traveling and hour and half to work to make so little. You also may say its the economy but its true. At least with accounting you are guaranteed a job more or less ( a base salary job). Also accounting degrees don't vary from one school to another so you don't have to compete with others for jobs.

[Angio333]

I ended up going with accounting. I finish my strategic planning class on Wednesday and then I only have 4 classes left! My graduation date should be June 29th, 2011.

The Indiana Wesleyan University accelerated online program is great. However, I am worried about not retaining information due to the accelerated pace.

[krantcents]

Originally Posted by Angio333

I am considering getting a Bachelor's Degree in either accounting or business management.

I currently have an Associate's of Applied Science and work as a paramedic for a large city. I would love to shave a career in either finance or another business. I am also licensed to sell life insurance, health insurance, accident insurance, annuities, variable products, and I also have my property and casualty insurance license. I am currently not working in the field, and it is kind of my safety net in case something happens to my current job.

I will be going to a 2 year online accelerated program for either degree from an accredited university...Indiana Weselyn University. I am currently finishing up some prereqs at a community college.

My first choice would be to start a career as a financial advisor, and after that insurance sales. However, my wife hates the hours that those jobs have and would prefer a steady income instead of a commissioned based salary.

Accounting seems like a good compromise. It would give me all of the financial stuff thatI love with the better hours/steady income. This degree will take 22 months, but would require me to take 2 more math classes before beginning. That means that I would not be able to start the 22 month program until May 2009. However, we will be 100% debt free at that time and paying for the course with cash. The entry level salaries are close to what I make now, but I should make more money that I make now after 2 years.

Business Management is another degree that I am thinking about. I also would love to manage a business, but I have no real business experience. I am somewhat concerned about what jobs I would be able to get with a degree, but no experience. This program is 18 months, and would not require any extra classes. I would start it in January and would be paying cash. However, we would not be debt free until July 2009.

Which degree would you suggest?

If you are really interested in accounting, I would suggest for you to become a licensed
CPA. It takes 2 years of auditing and passing the test. You would be a double threat in the financial advising arena and a good career. You can go in several different directions CPA management (partner), financial role in companies (public & private), individual practitioner.
The career is recession proof. Good luch no matter what you do.