Should I get an accounting certificate or degree while working?
Adding credentials like an accounting certificate or degree alongside an existing major helps build qualifications for entry-level finance jobs while working. However, trying to weigh different education paths makes it difficult to know which option will actually strengthen a resume without quitting a current job.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Getting an MS in accounting instead
- 2Getting an accounting minor
- 3Doing tax prep work or volunteering for VITA for real-world experience
- 4Reading online forums and subreddits to gauge career satisfaction
- 5Talking to friends or acquaintances who work in different professions
- 6Staying in a current career despite hating it to avoid unknown risks
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Hey all! I'm finishing up my Econ degree at UCI and want to add an accounting certificate on the side to strengthen my resume for entry-level accounting/finance jobs.”source ↗
“For anyone who came to teaching from sales or another job you hated: how did the switch feel? Are you glad you made it? I’d especially like to hear from people who still enjoy teaching, even with the difficult parts.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5Accounts receivable vs bank teller for a finance degree?
- 15Switching from audit to tax in accounting
- 5What career paths are parents suggesting for high school graduates?
- 2How to change careers after years of training
- 8Can I get an accounting job with an unrelated degree?
- 11Is teaching still a realistic option for me?