As an accounting student, you might have to take a course in algebra or precalculus as well as an applied calculus or business calculus class. Coursework in statistics can also be important, especially for teaching accounting students how to analyze financial data.

Accounting can be a very challenging major and takes four years of serious commitment to complete. With difficult classes, intense curriculums, and very little free time, many international students find that accounting may not be right for them and decide to leave the field.

A certain amount of math is required to be an accountant, but only the very basics. If you are aware of the principles involved in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, you already have enough math knowledge to be an accountant.

Accountants use arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This can all be done on a calculator.

Our Favorites for Best Accounting Calculator (the best out of the bunch)

• HP 12C Platinum Calculator.
• Texas Instruments BAIIPLUS Financial Calculator.
• Calculated Industries 3405 Real Estate Master IIIX.
• Canon Office Products HS-1200TS Business Calculator.
• Casio DM-1200BM Business Calculator.

Most accounting programs will have a good, basic math class to bring you up to speed. A comfort level with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, order of operations, exponents and some general algebra is what you will most often need to draw on in accounting work.

Accountants perform complex duties ranging from tax handling to financial reporting to auditing, among others that require high financial and accounting acumen. According to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for U.S accountants and auditors is $70,500 per year.

The short answer is a resounding yes. If you want to work in accounting, finance or business, getting a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting is a great investment in your career. An accounting degree might be more flexible than you think: An accounting degree is a great foundation for any career in business.

4. The work can be stressful. If you don’t stress easy or don’t mind being a little high-strung, working as an accountant might not bother you. If you know you’re easily frazzled, it’s possible that an accounting career isn’t the ideal choice for you.

The stereotypical CPA or JD is a clean cut, intelligent professional, who has highly specialized knowledge and is generally seen as a “pillar of their community”. Most have to have reasonable social skills to make partner and win clients.

Finding an entry-level position is easier than a lot of jobs simply because accounting tends to be a field with a lot of jobs available. Having a bachelor’s degree in accounting also really helps. The pay is relatively good but not tremendous, at least not until you have been at it a while.

Accountants don’t usually become millionaires, but it is possible. Generally, to do that, you would need to either work your way up to CFO of a very large company, work your way up to partner of a large accounting firm, or open your own accounting firm and do very well over the years.

Examples of Accounting Jobs without a Degree. You won’t be able to become a professional accountant or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) without at least a four-year degree. To become a CPA, you’ll need additional credits (150 total, including the Bachelor’s degree) and you’ll have to pass the CPA exam.

Which accounting jobs pay the most money?

• Chief Financial Officer. Glassdoor Salary Range: $86,000 – $286,000+
• Controller. Glassdoor Salary Range: $78,000 – $155,000.
• Accounting Director. Glassdoor Salary Range: $88,000 – $174,000.
• Finance Manager.
• Senior Accountant.
• Tax Accountant.
• Accounts Payable Specialist.