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 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.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
Should I get an accounting certificate or degree while working?
- 1Getting an MS in accounting insteadDid this help you?
- 2Getting an accounting minorDid this help you?
- 3Doing tax prep work or volunteering for VITA for real-world experienceDid this help you?
- 4Reading online forums and subreddits to gauge career satisfactionDid this help you?
- 5Talking to friends or acquaintances who work in different professionsDid this help you?
- 6Staying in a current career despite hating it to avoid unknown risksDid this help you?
- 7considering further education like an MHA or JDDid this help you?
- 8Asking for opinions and advice from peers on online forums and professional subredditsDid this help you?
- 9Researching program requirements and estimated times to completionDid this help you?
- 10Researching different educational pathways like a CPA license versus a master's degreeDid this help you?
- 11Considering online competency-based universities like WGUDid this help you?
- 12Evaluating alternative career fields such as finance or actuarial science instead of accountingDid this help you?
- 13Taking online finance and statistics classes on CourseraDid this help you?
- 14Looking into career change master's programs and prerequisite coursesDid this help you?
- 15Looking at native plant landscapers to jump into land management and restorationDid this help you?
- 16Seeking advice from experienced professionals on forums regarding career progression and long-term skill development.Did this help you?
- 17earning technical certificationsDid this help you?
- 18getting a master's degreeDid this help you?
- 19stacking technical skills like SQL and PythonDid this help you?
- 20comparing estimated lifetime earnings and opportunity costsDid this help you?
- 21using ChatGPT to help structure and formulate career comparison queriesDid this help you?
- 22relying on self-taught scripting and practical lab testingDid this help you?
- 23reading about certifications like A+Did this help you?
- 24comparing course-load differences across universitiesDid this help you?
- 25checking whether programs are cheaper or run by the college of businessDid this help you?
- 26getting a CAPM certification instead of relying on a specific degreeDid this help you?
- 27Applying for internal team transfersDid this help you?
- 28Applying for external roles at different companiesDid this help you?
- 29Obtaining technical certifications to break into new domainsDid this help you?
- 30Pivoting into IT managementDid this help you?
- 31Identifying transferable skills from current unrelated roles to highlight on a resume.Did this help you?
- 32Creating simple portfolios or sample projects to prove capabilities instead of relying on certificates.Did this help you?
- 33Keeping the current job for income while applying to new roles daily.Did this help you?
- 34Getting IT certifications like CompTIA A+ and CCNA for helpdesk jobsDid this help you?
- 35Enlisting in the military to learn a new skillDid this help you?
- 36Combining online TAFE certificates with an existing psychology degree to target entry-level HR admin or assistant roles.Did this help you?
- 37Attending a 2-year local community college to get foundational credits and explore options cheaply.Did this help you?
- 38Working a entry-level job (e.g., security) while evaluating union apprenticeships vs. college programs.Did this help you?
- 39Considering returning to school for a master's or a second bachelor's degree.Did this help you?
- 40Pivoting to alternative roles within the same broad industry, such as moving from medical science to a Physician Assistant program.Did this help you?
- 41Targeting universally needed roles like tax accounting for pure stability.Did this help you?
- 42Speaking to a career counselor for professional guidance.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“What courses if any, would you all recommend to start creating my path towards System Administration?”source ↗
“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 ↗
“I assume network and server is obviously essential, are there any hidden good to know subjects you'e recommend?”source ↗
“I'm still pretty junior myself, but I'd probably go for PowerShell, Windows Server/AD, networking and some Linux.”source ↗
“Been in this spot, the risk of running the same job back is you become too much of a generalist.”source ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“I am a sophomore triple major in accounting, finance, and economics right now and I have no idea what I am doing.”source ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“since you already have two degrees, I wouldn't automatically jump into another bachelors.”source ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“What’s pulling me back is how competitive the job market is”source ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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
- 12Can you switch accounting service lines before starting your job?
- 3How to pick a rewarding career that pays a living wage
- 13Accounts receivable vs bank teller for a finance degree?
- 17Switching from audit to tax in accounting
- 5What career paths are parents suggesting for high school graduates?
- 6Is switching to teaching worth it later in life?