How to get started in Accounting field

So after 4 years of procrastination I have finally decided to go back to school to complete degree in Accounting. I still have atleast two years of school left before I complete the program, however, I have been wondering what the best way of getting into the field would be. I currently have a BS in Business Administration.

Currently while attending school I am working full time as an admin/account rep for a company. I currently have no experience in the accounting field.

I guess im just looking to be proactive, if thats even possible, because I do not want to spend the next two years of my life being stressed out and then end up without a job in the end.

Any advise you guys can give would be great. TIA

Re: How to get started in Accounting field

I am in public accounting and I got my job through the career center at the college I went to. I have been with the company for 9 years now and work part-time since starting our family.

I believe private accounting is much harder to break into these days but I would definitely check with the career center.

Re: How to get started in Accounting field

I am in private accoutanting. I started at my job as an intern & then started FT as soon as I graduated. I interned for 2.5 yrs & I have now been FT for 2.5 years. I am conmleting my MBA this May & I am supposed to be getting a promotion with a nice big raise !

I had no desire at all to do public accounting. So becoming a CPA was/is not an option for me. I got VERY lucky with the internship I had & I am very grateful for the experience.

I agree with PP that you start with the career center at your school. if you can get an internship public or private accounting i think that will be your best option to get started

Re: How to get started in Accounting field

Ok so I just started for my Masters of Accountancy. Is there a diff between getting an MBA or MACC?

Thanks

Re: How to get started in Accounting field

MBA is Masters of Business Adminstarion. This is what my school offers. I was supposed to be doing the MBA with specialization in Accounting but ended up not doing it.

The main reason was that the Accounting classes that are required for the Accounting specialization keep getting canceled because there are not enough students enrolling in those classes. I could have switched schools if but i decided that I no longer wanted the Accounting Specialization. I wanted something more general as I don't plan to be just an accountant for the rest of my career. I may want to venture into other areas so a general MBA is best for me.

I figure if I decide later that I want or need a master in Accounting I can always go back to school for another masters degree at another school. I am young (24) so I still have many options for the future.

Message edited 3/4/2009 5:10:03 PM.