Hi,
I am going to graduate school soon in Fall 09. I have a BBA in Finance.I have interest in IT as well too.But, I have not been able to make up my mind. I do deeply think that Accounting is the right degree to get. With an internship or two with accounting degree, one can get a job. But in IT, it is not impossible, but matter of luck , interview as well as skill developed through self learning might help. Please advise on this. Does Accounting degree have a long term future in the US. I know , starting salary isnt quiet high, but after a CPA certificaton, and few years of experience at big 4, one can be in pretty good position. Please enlight me. Any accountanst here.

Thanks in advance. 

I know a person who works in one of those mutual funds company and his salary is over 1/2  million a year so how can you say accounting degree is not good? it sure pays a lot better then IT.

Thanks Jenny.I see accounting among the only business degree that one can get a job, even in recession. So, I ll go for it. MS in accounting is only...33-36 credit..

 The problem is after you graduate, you will only have 12 month opt which is less than 27 month opt in IT field. Its hard to find H1filing companies.. Before studying Masters , think about it what will you do after you graduate. I have seen students ending up doing a PHD after Masters just to stay in status.. .. think about it. America is very unwelcoming for international workers.Think about it

So, go for IT .. atleast if you get a job you can work for 27 months..

There is so much competition in IT field that he probably has far better chance finding a job with H1 filing companies within that 12 months in Accounting field then 27 months in IT.

If you are interested in accounting and IT also then why don't you do both, ERP solutions like Dynamics GP, SAP and many many more all need as much accounting knowledge as IT knowledge in my opinion.

Well, I did BSc in Electrical Engineer. After that I did Masters in Finance. At the meantime, I did internship with Deloitte & Touche. Later, they hired me for permanent position as a Pricing Financial Analyst and I worked them for 3 years. Now, I work for DC Sarkar because it pays good and job is much secure. Good luck with yours.

Thanks Jenny and Cyberdude. The reason to think about pursuing IT is because of the longer OPT period and bit of an interest. The other thing is that, I had H1B, tara dhoti ko training for Business Analyst bata kaam payena. I changed my status to F1 already.Now, upon graduation I dont need to worry about H1. I just need to be able to get a job and the employer can file a petetion on my behalf, without waiting for april deadline. Tyasaile alik k garrau bhai rakheko chha sathi ho..Ek palta h1 paryo, aba grad degree liyera..kaam secure garna sakyo bhane .without the fake dhoti process..mero h1 pheri revive hunchha...

Thanks for sharing your story and success gay goat ji. So, what do you recommend? I know it is personal preference for education, tara..one offers 12 months OPT and the other 27 months..And its not about just the duration of OPT that should determine what to study and not too..tara..in 27 months many things can happen..whereas in 12mos..one can achieve success right after graduation too..

By the time you complete your degree...the OPT of 27 month may be back to 12 months or diasappear altogether...it is just a matter of politician making a decision...so better follow your interest...i guess that will better guide you.

Cyrus, the conversation we are heading right now is totally different than the conversation you have started before. You seem very confusing. Now you are talking about how to survive in US. Well, I will go with your own word
" one can achieve success right after graduation, too. " .

I will suggest you to go after the subject of your interest. Thinking in the long run, you will more likely succeed in ur life if u study the subject of ur interest.

Thinking abt the short run, I will suggest you to go for IT unless u wanna give and pass CPA exam. If you dont have CPA, u will be screwed.On the other hand, IT will always have job prospect.

Dont even think abt Finance.  

I am not going to get another FIN degree for sure. . I am confused like gay goat mentioned above. I think, since I have Fin degree, it will pay off better with an accounting degree. With regard to IT , I ll have to start from scratch..

I was doing  BBA in finance 3-4 yrs ago and realized tuff competition in finance; I switched to Accounting with minor in finance, just one year before graduation, I got multiple offers from big 4 and mid size  firms and they were willing to do H1B. My friends who graduated with computer degree, still hanging with Dhotis with H1 b but w/o work. Not to disrespect IT field, some have done wounderfully well too, I'd say at this time, it is very good to get an accting degreee. As long as one is motivated and willing to study for 2-3 months, CPA is not that hard as well. If one is lucky to get into Big 4, like so many of us, the career after 3-4 years of hard work is fantastic. Just prepared to be miserable while working for Big 4 though.

Good luck!

I don't see and feel accounting, CPA and the process of job getting as easy as u guys have put it up , u guys might be the lucky ones , i haven't even been able to secure an internship since last semester..

man think about it , accounting degree takes time and patience, at least for me the assignments and research cases take a considerable amount of time ..I am not sure about the pay off but I surely enjoy accounting and that's why I am pursuing it...

Cyrus as u have a BBA in finance, u will have a lot of prereqs( intermediate accounting, auditing, taxation, accounting information system) to go through before u start ur graduate level accounting courses  So think about it

Thanks for inputs and sharing experience daju bhai haru. To Sanuman, I dont need may pre-reqs for accounting degree. I already have intermediate accting taken through and undergrad degree..needt to take II, III auditing and the like..taxation., accouting info system....etcs..By the way, how much do these big four pay for accting students with graduaate degree? Plus, after passing CPA, down the road in few years, do auditors make six figure salary?

Thanks,

Ma pani accoutnig major in Bridgefort CT. dherai good job prospects chaa.

Thanks Nepaliyuwa bro. I heard Masters in accouting..MS..not MBA is sought after by big 4 compared to undergrads in some instance. Whatever, the case, I think in the long run the payoff is good,even if one decides to head back home.

guys any suggestions on getting ur foot into the door with public accounting firms..everyone needs some experience - AR , bookkeeping or payroll experience.and I don't have any...as many of u in this forum seem to be successful one share ur experiences guys