Colorado Technical University

how do I get into the accounting field?

I have a B.S. in Business Administration and when I graduated I had enough credits to obtain a concentration in either marketing OR accounting, but at my university we couldn't choose both. So I decided to go with Marketing as that was the path I was on and I thought I would be really interested in it. Unfortuantely, it didn't work out for me, just not my thing. I would like now to get into accounting. I am willing to go back to school but would prefer some work experience so I know what I'm really dealing with. I graduated in 2003, so although I had a ton of accounting classes, without practical use I forget almost everything.. I felt confident in accounting courses though and did well. What should my next step be? My one issue is that I have a good job now, as far as pay/benefits/etc, and although I can probably afford to take a cut if it means a greater reward in the (near) future, I'm not able to risk my current job for something that may not end up being better..

Public Comments

1. My wife hires many people to answer the phones and gives them accounting duties based on their ability, try small accounting firms they may also work that way.
2. Try to obtain a position in A/P or A/R. Auto dealers do a lot of hiring in these positions. You may even try one of the tax services.
3. I'd would find an entry level accounting job. Something like a payables clerk. That doesn't require much if any experience. You could also take a few night classes and get quickbooks certified which make you more marketable and will also brush up you skills. Once you get working you'll be suprised how quickly all that knowlegde comes back.
4. I happen to graduate with a degree in accounting so i guess we share the same interest i could tell. My advice for you is to search any University that will credit your previously earned units on Accounting. Umm, you might as well re-take those subjects because there are so many updates now, so get yourself updated. Do you plan to take a CAT licensure Exam? "I'm in full support of your actions! GO! GO!GO!"
5. H&R Block USED to offer tax classes for free and then hired people during the busy season out of those classes. Now I think they charge for the classes, but I'm sure if you do well they would hire you and you'd get the experience you need. They say you don't even need a degree to take the courses. Check them out: http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/planning/tax_courses/faq_gen.html
6. get a job at Defense Finance Accounting Services. They have entry level accounting positions that promote you every year for three years guarnateed. The pay is okay, so are the benefits. It is a government job.
7. Keep your current job and go back to school for an undergraduate in accounting or masters in financial accounting. The undergraduate will probably be cheaper and faster as you will be getting a second bachelors and will skip general education requirements. If you don't remember anything, take some non-credit refresher courses at a community college or online and then move into the more expensive Intermediate courses at a four year school.
8. I've always thought that looking at your own state's CPA testing criteria was a really good way to see if you took enough accounting in college to be prepared to enter the accounting field. A pretty good yardstick to use. Here is AZ's: at a mininmum, they require 36 semester hours in accounting with 30 of those being in the intermediate or upper division area (Tax, Fund, Cost, etc.). Also, like AZ, most states also require possession of a Baccalaureate degree (not necessarily in accounting, though). Sounds like you have the degree, but how are you doing toward the 36 semester hours?