Finance Vs Accounting: Which Major Should You Choose?

 

Choosing a perfect career in your school days is very important. Laying a firm foundation by choosing the right subject is essential to build your career. Selecting an accounting subject in high school will allow you to choose between accounting and finance expertise later.

At the undergraduate level, getting a dual degree in accounting and Finance is possible. Students will have the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the accounting and finance sectors. On the other hand, those who decide to further their education will typically decide to specialize in one or the other to gain more in-depth knowledge in a particular field.

The daily maintenance of financial records and reporting across all corporate sectors is a problem of accounting. Finance, on the other hand, makes use of this data to plan the company’s financial future by analyzing expenditures and forecasting future growth. As a result, students majoring in Finance are likely to be more interested in financial strategy and control, whereas students majoring in accounting are more interested in the professional concepts and techniques used to manage numbers rather than to change them.

 

accounting major. is it suitable for you?

The Accounting Major:

The foundation for expert accounting jobs and a wide range of related careers can be laid by earning a degree in accounting. Analyzing financial data and using it to understand an organization’s financial condition are frequent tasks in careers in accounting. This could include anything from managing income and balance sheets to simple bookkeeping. Careers in accounting often place a lot of emphasis on past transactions and present reports in addition to cost management. This frequently entails both the creation and examination of such records. Planning, controlling, decision-making, stewardship, accountability, and other related concepts are increasingly often covered in accounting careers.

Even though it is extremely simple to pursue careers in accounting with only a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate education is an option for people who want more specialized knowledge in a certain field. You must obtain additional professional certifications specific to the country in which you wish to operate to become a chartered accountant. These specifications will differ from one country to the next. On the other hand, depending on the organization making the hires, it may be possible to get these professional credentials while working, frequently with financial assistance from the employer.

 

finance major is different from accounting

The Finance Major:

Earning a degree in Finance is a great way to start a job in the financial services industry’s business, banking, or consulting sectors. Careers in Finance have a chance to be more lucrative than the majority of accountancy paths. This is because employment in Finance frequently focuses on managing a company’s or organization’s current and future figures rather than just keeping track of past and present income and expenses. As a result, people who work in the finance industry frequently have the additional responsibilities of forecasting and analyzing the potential for profit and growth, evaluating financial resources, using accounting statistics and reports, and searching both internally and externally for potential sources of future funding.

For those who major in Finance, common areas of concentration include corporate Finance, financial analysis, behavioral Finance, capital markets, derivatives, econometrics, financial modeling, quantitative Finance, investment management, financial regulation, financial reporting, and even some accounting-related topics. Postgraduate students frequently have the chance to take these specialties as independent, stand-alone classes, even if they are studied as part of the same program as undergraduates. Financial management, banking, international Finance, financial engineering, financial planning, and financial risk management are other potential study topics.

 

what are the differences between accounting and finance

Differences between Finance and Accounting:

Finance is often believed to refer to the art of managing money, whereas accounting is the process of keeping track of the many monetary transactions. In other words, the role of accounting is to make sure that these transactions are appropriately recorded. In contrast, the role of Finance is to plan the allocation of an organization’s assets and take decisions accordingly.

In the context of Finance, this could mean formulating distribution strategies for a company’s available resources or managing investment portfolios. On the other hand, using this in accounting might entail recording transactions in the general ledger and producing financial statements. The courses are necessary for degrees in Finance and accounting and the professions for which these degrees are intended to prepare you to reflect these definitions.

When students load up on specialized finance subjects rather than accounting studies throughout the more demanding junior and senior years, there is a noticeable difference in the classroom. Taking finance classes will help you grasp the best practices for managing your portfolio, making capital investments, and making financial forecasts. While completing the accounting curriculum, you will become familiar with the rules and legislation governing the accounting industry, such as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the United States Tax Code.

However, people who want to work in Finance or accounting must know about each industry’s inner workings. Each career choice requires the individuals to have different skill sets. This is often where you will find the most overlap when comparing majors.  We can safely say, to understand finance you must have strong foundation of accounting.  Sound accounting knowledge will give you an edge over the Finance subject matter.

Possible jobs for people pursuing Accounting majors:

Regardless of where you work, you will be able to make decisions that will affect the course of an organization because you will be qualified to do so. Here is a list of some of the jobs you might be able to get after getting your Accounting degree.

cpa is a prominent accounting certificate

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (Certified Public Accountant):

There are qualified public accountants and regular accountants. A candidate for certification as a certified public accountant must first show that they have the requisite education. They must pass a demanding exam and swear under penalty of perjury that they would follow a demanding code of ethics.

  • A forensic accounting specialist:

When a business has cause to suspect that unethical financial behavior is occurring among its employees, it turns to forensic accounting to look into the matter and ascertain the facts. Forensic accountants analyze data to determine where money has disappeared from and how to recover it. They examine data to do this. If the case gets to trial, they may be able to testify in court as expert witnesses on their findings after using their knowledge to find any misbehavior.

  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

A chief financial officer (CFO) is accountable for upholding order in the company’s financial operations, much like a controller is. In addition, a CFO must analyze all pertinent data to develop strategies for the company’s future. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) participates in business planning meetings as a member of the C-level management team to assist a company in laying the foundation for future growth.

Possible jobs for people pursuing Finance Majors:

 

  • Management Consultant:

Organizations receive support from management consultants in problem-solving, improving business performance, creating value, and maximizing growth. They develop solutions for issues the business is experiencing and make suggestions for improvements that need to be made. In terms of job satisfaction and financial rewards, a career in management consulting can be extremely successful. People who become bored easily can consider consulting because every day can be unique and unpredictable.

  • Stockbroker or trader

A stock trader who buys and sells stocks might operate for themselves or a business. Traders can purchase and sell bonds, metals, and other financial assets. Due to the intense competition in the market, trading is a high-risk occupation that calls for individuals to be self-assured and extroverted. Due to the early opening of international markets, the hours are fairly long and usually start early.

 

trading requires strong finance skills

  • Financial Analyst:

Financial analysts must collect and analyze financial data to guide their employer’s investment decisions. Their employer may be a person, a company, a government agency, or a non-profit organization. You will suggest the best action to take when you recognize hurdles and the necessity to keep up with market developments and investment opportunities in your particular sector. A job as a financial analyst may be successful for those with a high talent for strategic thinking, a love of statistics, and a focus on data.

 

If you are interested in working in corporates in Financial Services or the banking industry, making your career in Finance will be great for you. If you like to play with numbers, creating financial statements such as balance sheet and income statement, then accounting is a career for you.

Conclusion:

If you are interested in working in financial services, the banking industry, or the stock markets, making your career in Finance will be great for you. If you like to play with numbers, creating financial statements such as balance sheet and income statement, or to audit those statements, then Accounting is a career for you.  Both of them require an inclination towards different skills. Before choosing the right one, you need to know what you want to do in your career.