Said It Here

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.

Overview
People affected23 accounts across 8 forums
Workarounds found42 items attempted
Community agreement68 total upvotes

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

  • People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
  • This comes up 37.2× more often in r/careerguidance than across the site as a whole.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

42 items+ Contribute

Found another way around this?

Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.

  1. 1
    Getting an MS in accounting instead
    Did this help you?
  2. 2
    Getting an accounting minor
    Did this help you?
  3. 3
    Doing tax prep work or volunteering for VITA for real-world experience
    Did this help you?
  4. 4
    Reading online forums and subreddits to gauge career satisfaction
    Did this help you?
  5. 5
    Talking to friends or acquaintances who work in different professions
    Did this help you?
  6. 6
    Staying in a current career despite hating it to avoid unknown risks
    Did this help you?
  7. 7
    considering further education like an MHA or JD
    Did this help you?
  8. 8
    Asking for opinions and advice from peers on online forums and professional subreddits
    Did this help you?
  9. 9
    Researching program requirements and estimated times to completion
    Did this help you?
  10. 10
    Researching different educational pathways like a CPA license versus a master's degree
    Did this help you?
  11. 11
    Considering online competency-based universities like WGU
    Did this help you?
  12. 12
    Evaluating alternative career fields such as finance or actuarial science instead of accounting
    Did this help you?
  13. 13
    Taking online finance and statistics classes on Coursera
    Did this help you?
  14. 14
    Looking into career change master's programs and prerequisite courses
    Did this help you?
  15. 15
    Looking at native plant landscapers to jump into land management and restoration
    Did this help you?
  16. 16
    Seeking advice from experienced professionals on forums regarding career progression and long-term skill development.
    Did this help you?
  17. 17
    earning technical certifications
    Did this help you?
  18. 18
    getting a master's degree
    Did this help you?
  19. 19
    stacking technical skills like SQL and Python
    Did this help you?
  20. 20
    comparing estimated lifetime earnings and opportunity costs
    Did this help you?
  21. 21
    using ChatGPT to help structure and formulate career comparison queries
    Did this help you?
  22. 22
    relying on self-taught scripting and practical lab testing
    Did this help you?
  23. 23
    reading about certifications like A+
    Did this help you?
  24. 24
    comparing course-load differences across universities
    Did this help you?
  25. 25
    checking whether programs are cheaper or run by the college of business
    Did this help you?
  26. 26
    getting a CAPM certification instead of relying on a specific degree
    Did this help you?
  27. 27
    Applying for internal team transfers
    Did this help you?
  28. 28
    Applying for external roles at different companies
    Did this help you?
  29. 29
    Obtaining technical certifications to break into new domains
    Did this help you?
  30. 30
    Pivoting into IT management
    Did this help you?
  31. 31
    Identifying transferable skills from current unrelated roles to highlight on a resume.
    Did this help you?
  32. 32
    Creating simple portfolios or sample projects to prove capabilities instead of relying on certificates.
    Did this help you?
  33. 33
    Keeping the current job for income while applying to new roles daily.
    Did this help you?
  34. 34
    Getting IT certifications like CompTIA A+ and CCNA for helpdesk jobs
    Did this help you?
  35. 35
    Enlisting in the military to learn a new skill
    Did this help you?
  36. 36
    Combining online TAFE certificates with an existing psychology degree to target entry-level HR admin or assistant roles.
    Did this help you?
  37. 37
    Attending a 2-year local community college to get foundational credits and explore options cheaply.
    Did this help you?
  38. 38
    Working a entry-level job (e.g., security) while evaluating union apprenticeships vs. college programs.
    Did this help you?
  39. 39
    Considering returning to school for a master's or a second bachelor's degree.
    Did this help you?
  40. 40
    Pivoting to alternative roles within the same broad industry, such as moving from medical science to a Physician Assistant program.
    Did this help you?
  41. 41
    Targeting universally needed roles like tax accounting for pure stability.
    Did this help you?
  42. 42
    Speaking to a career counselor for professional guidance.
    Did this help you?
Tried another approach not listed above?+ Share your workaround ↑

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/sysadmin4 people · October 2026

“What courses if any, would you all recommend to start creating my path towards System Administration?”source ↗

TeaBagTroopers · r/sysadmin · 16 upvotes

“I’m trying to decide where to take my career next.”source ↗

“Any of these are appealing, I’m mostly just trying to ensure I don’t pigeon hole myself skills wise into a role with minimal opportunity for growth.”source ↗

Zuxicovp · r/sysadmin · 5 upvotes

“I assume network and server is obviously essential, are there any hidden good to know subjects you'e recommend?”source ↗

TeaBagTroopers · r/sysadmin · 1 upvotes

“I'm still pretty junior myself, but I'd probably go for PowerShell, Windows Server/AD, networking and some Linux.”source ↗

Significant_Sky1471 · r/sysadmin · 1 upvotes

“Been in this spot, the risk of running the same job back is you become too much of a generalist.”source ↗

goatsinhats · r/sysadmin · 1 upvotes
r/humanresources3 people · September 2026 – November 2026

“I’m trying to make a major career move and would love some honest advice.”source ↗

“I’m debating between: 1. Get a Master’s in Data Analytics/AI/Information Systems and pivot... 2. Stay in HR/HRIS and stack technical skills/certifications...”source ↗

AbiesConsistent2401 · r/humanresources · 8 upvotes

“Would you be prepared to do HR work taking a 1-year online course? I am considering this because I can't attend classes due to work, and I don't wanna be unemployed.”source ↗

“FYI, I never worked real office jobs, but I do have a degree in psych and interest in recruitment and workplace psych.”source ↗

TerryPressedMe · r/humanresources · 5 upvotes

“Based on my career journey so far, which degree do you think would be most relevant to my experience but also to my long-term career?”source ↗

“Just trying to decipher between a few of these options.”source ↗

Adorable-Hearing1826 · r/humanresources · 2 upvotes
r/Accounting7 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“Fresh Accountancy grad here, and I’m currently deciding between two career paths.”source ↗

“My background is in Accountancy, so I still want to build a career in accounting. At the same time, I’m genuinely interested in learning ERP/accounting systems while I’m still early in my career.”source ↗

“For those who have experience in either traditional accounting or ERP/functional consulting, how did your career progress after a few years?”source ↗

Prestigious-Food-205 · r/Accounting · 4 upvotes

“Currently a teacher in Georgia and wanting to transition into the accounting world (teach science, but love math & numbers. Spent the last 7 years as a data analyst and miss it).”source ↗

“What would be the best pathway to go? I was recommended to go get my CPA vs a masters, but not sure if I have all the hours/classes. Was looking at WGU but not sure if I want to waste money/time getting another bachelor's.”source ↗

Suspicious_Brain_229 · r/Accounting · 3 upvotes

“I am a music major in maryland DC area, currently working as a musician with both bachelor and master degrees in music without any prior finance experience.”source ↗

“I eventually want to earn a finance degree to land a 9-5 career, hopefully with 80k+ annual salary.”source ↗

Sad-Hunter-8171 · r/Accounting · 3 upvotes

“I’m so tired of the nights and weekends. I also have children so being home with them at a decent time is extremely important to me. I’ve been considering going back to school for accounting.”source ↗

“Any advice on where to start and what’s the best route to take.”source ↗

Fresh_Caterpillar_87 · r/Accounting · 2 upvotes

“I am a sophomore triple major in accounting, finance, and economics right now and I have no idea what I am doing.”source ↗

spicynoodle-_- · r/Accounting · 2 upvotes

“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 ↗

Special_Gur_4594 · r/Accounting · 1 upvotes

“That's fair. I have looked at the data analytics masters degree, but I have to get a certificate in order to even be accepted since it's not a STEM degree that I have”source ↗

Suspicious_Brain_229 · r/Accounting · 1 upvotes

“since you already have two degrees, I wouldn't automatically jump into another bachelors.”source ↗

Traditional_Oil2413 · r/Accounting · 1 upvotes
r/careerguidance5 people · October 2026 – November 2026

“I stay in California, recently started working as a state custodian I in a prison making 40k-45k salary and being hard on myself because I feel like I’m going backwards from making 32/hr as a CNA in the same correctional facility.”source ↗

“Unfortunately all registry workers got layed off so now I’m starting over again.”source ↗

“I’m looking at stuff I can complete in 1 year online due to me having a full time schedule 10am-6pm with no access to a computer or phone.”source ↗

“I’m struggling hard because I also have to balance rent bills etc.”source ↗

“I don’t want to take action on anything unless I’m sure I will be able to clear 60k.”source ↗

Strict-Average4179 · r/careerguidance · 3 upvotes

“finished my Bachelor of Medical Science in 2025 but honestly realised I’m not interested in research later down the line, I’m just lost because I don’t really know what to do as a job, not really sure what I’m passionate about either.”source ↗

“I also feel really behind compared to my friends and people my age who graduated and have jobs lined up.”source ↗

No_Recording4179 · r/careerguidance · 3 upvotes

“My school is trash so I wasn't able to get certificates helpful for my path. I don't have the skill as well for designs or creatives.”source ↗

“I always feel so insecure because after graduating an IT course, I'm not good at coding.”source ↗

“I feel so down now not having a clear path to take, can you please give me advice? What should I do? Where should I start?”source ↗

sayonarachingu1014 · r/careerguidance · 2 upvotes

“What’s pulling me back is how competitive the job market is”source ↗

Strict-Average4179 · r/careerguidance · 1 upvotes

“My main concern is the cost of college and the debt. I know electrical engineering is a stable career path, but I want to be xareful about the financial side of things too.”source ↗

dariusspsncer26 · r/careerguidance · 1 upvotes

“Honestly though i have no idea what i want to do I have always been dead set on going to college but the interest rates on the loans are insane.”source ↗

dariusspsncer26 · r/careerguidance · 1 upvotes

“I completely relate on prioritizing stability over passion in a career, and I am halfway through my working years already having worked in three separate fields (with healthcare being one I just left after years of burnout in a low paying role and without the resources to earn more educational credentials to move upwards).”source ↗

No_Flight_2560 · r/careerguidance · 1 upvotes

“I’m 19 and graduated high school in 2025. I’ve been looking into getting into the electrical trade through an IBEW apprenticeship, but I’m also trying to figure out what my other options are in case I dont get accepted.”source ↗

“I’ve thought about trade school, other trades, and even going to college for something like electrical engineering, but I’m honestly not sure what’s worth pursuing.”source ↗

“I’m still young and have time to figure things out, but I don’t want to waste a few years going in the wrong direction.”source ↗

dariusspsncer26 · r/careerguidance
r/Landscaping1 person · September 2026

“so i just graduated a month ago from agriculture engineering and im still weighing my options, im super interested in landscaping but i have no idea what it is like as a career option.”source ↗

“so my question is if u have a career in landscaping what is the day to day work like and what courses did you take to secure your position.”source ↗

Electronic_Discount4 · r/Landscaping
r/personalfinance1 person · October 2026

“I'’m confused between two career/degree options and want to look at this purely from a financial/return perspective.”source ↗

“Basically, is the higher long-term earning potential of Option 1 enough to compensate for losing 3 years of income and taking a ₹40 lakh loan?”source ↗

Bade_daaksaab · r/personalfinance
r/projectmanagement1 person · October 2026

“Hi, I’m stuck between choosing a degree in my transition into project management roles.”source ↗

“These seem similar enough but is business admin too broad?”source ↗

im_justpeepin · r/projectmanagement
r/Teachers1 person · September 2026

“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 ↗

TopSeaworthiness1573 · r/Teachers

Where this came up

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