Liberal Arts-Based Degrees
Yet, it is a fact that one cannot be completely sure and certain about their future career. We should always weigh both sides of the coin. I had several questions in my mind before taking this decision. Some of them included: Will I be able to secure a good job as I graduate? Is it really worth it? Can I graduate in four years? If I had to take extra classes, how will I manage the extra costs? My parents are already spending so much money; will they agree to bear more expenses? Even though I knew the answers to all these questions would be very complicated, I still decided to give it a try and weigh both sides of the coin. However, many of my doubts were cleared once I started doing research and working on this paper. I realized that even though
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I may have chosen the hardest path, the fruits of my hard work and investment will certainly be sweet. The path to success is anyways never easy.
Numerous factors led me to consider accounting as a degree. First of all, I pondered upon job opportunities after I graduate. My aim is to get a good job after completing my degree so that I can earn and help my parents pay for my brother’s studies. According to the 2016-2017 PayScale College Salary Report, the early career pay for one with a Bachelor’s in Accounting is $48,300. I plan in taking part in the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam as I graduate. I would like to work for one of the best accounting companies in the USA. Being an accountant will also allow me to move and settle anywhere I want around the world. Huge multinational companies like Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers have established their branches all around the world. They even operate in Mauritius. I certainly do not want to do something which I might regret later or which might disappoint my parents because I am very much aware of how hard they work to save money for my education. It certainly costs a lot to study abroad. It is an undeniable fact that accounting is needed everywhere in our daily life, be it in the public or private sector. All businesses need someone to keep track of their books and every worker needs to file their taxes. Being an international student in the United States has not been easy and I know I will encounter more hardships in the future. Nevertheless, my aim is to always have a job and never be unemployed. With a degree in accounting, I am pretty sure my hard work will definitely pay off.
I also considered some features of an accounting degree before taking this step. As a matter of fact, the accounting world went through some major changes in the past. One of the most important was implementing the 150-hour credit requirement program for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). There were several reasons brought forward in favor of as well as against this new law. One of the advantages of the 150-credit-hour rule is that it will result in better qualified students aspiring to become accountants. College graduates are also more likely to pass the CPA exam. This change also adds value to this profession. Thus, the industry will produce highly competent accountants who would do their jobs very well. However, the 150 semester hours of college education is very costly. In other words, more classes mean more money. Students are most probably going to graduate after 5 years at college. Others might need one extra semester of classes. Even if a few of the bright students manage to graduate in 4 years, their whole college life tends to be very busy and stressful. Unfortunately, it is even harder for international students because it is almost impossible for the latter to transfer credits from their high school or to take summer classes back at home. The additional costs discourage many students from pursuing accounting as a career. Furthermore, minorities such as women as well as lower income family groups are less likely to be attracted to accounting as a major due to the increased costs of education. The authors of the article titled, “The Effects of the 150-Credit-Hour Requirement for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam on the Career Intentions of Women and Minorities” conducted a survey with 600 accounting students. The participants shared their views on the benefits and costs of the 150-hour requirement, especially on women and minorities. The results ultimately showed that a greater percentage of minority students planned to pursue the CPA exam. In contrast, they found out that only 38% of female students were likely to consider the CPA compared to 42% of the male students. Despite the additional cost, minorities were confident they will be rewarded by their employers for their fifth college year. Nonetheless, we cannot disregard the fact that this research was only centered on what students thought of this requirement instead of analyzing the statistics.
In the article “Accounting in the Small Liberal-Arts College,” the author T.R. Larimore talks about the importance of accounting in a liberal arts educational system. By taking accounting, economics and banking classes, the students are given necessary training allowing them to specialize in their respective fields and at the same time providing them with the basic skills for general life. The objective of the accounting department at Lycoming College is to build competent leaders for high positions in the business world. Other aims include “to offer a type of education needed by the modern business executive- an education at once technical, liberal, and ethical.” Likewise, most liberal arts colleges want their well-grounded graduates to have all the skills and understanding required to fit in the professional industry.
There thus are many benefits of obtaining an accounting degree at a liberal-arts college. Most importantly, graduates with a liberal education are more likely to explore and qualify for a pool of related job opportunities to their major. One example is the business field whereby students with an accounting degree can work in the finance sector. Such students are occupationally flexible and adaptive. They are thus most likely to find jobs very easily. According to the 2016-2017 PayScale College Salary Report, the early career pay for one with a Bachelor’s in Accounting is $48,300. They work as public accountants, tax advisors, auditors, corporate advisors, and top level managers.
Moreover, since everybody including businesses, institutions and individuals need to keep track of their books, accounting is needed everywhere in our daily life, be it in the public or private sector. There is thus a lot of job opportunities. Being an accountant will also allow me to move and settle anywhere I want around the world. Huge multinational companies like Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers have established their branches all around the world, even in Mauritius. Stability in their career path is another forte.
Indeed, the article titled “What are Some Benefits of Studying Accounting at a Liberal Arts School?” states that “a liberal arts-based curriculum instills the writing, thinking and cross-disciplinary skills needed to successfully navigate through changing markets and economies.” Furthermore, employers prefer open-minded graduates who are more likely to bring innovation and change to their company. Liberal arts-based curriculums assist students in developing their creativity and passion for the field. As the article “What are some benefits of studying accounting at a liberal arts school?” states, employers want to recruit such dedicated graduates “who will apply their skills and knowledge to challenge traditions, streamline processes and increase quality.” Moreover, an accounting student at a liberal arts college is given the opportunity to develop core competencies. The latter have excellent communication and oratory skills which are very important for an accountant. They need to be analytical and efficient in working with complex financial information to make reports. In addition, students graduating from a liberal arts college are more open to diversity, respect, and understanding toward other cultures. A blend of all these skills and competencies make accounting graduates with a liberal education demanding and professionally fit for the career world of
accountancy.
The TED talk titled “Why Markets and Clients Need Creative Accountants?” by Dr. Dan Stone is focused on the requirement of creativity in the accounting field, especially financial accounting. Dr. Stone talks about the skills necessary for an accountant, more specifically creativity. I think that attending a liberal arts college helps students to work on different skills after which they become well-rounded qualified graduates. Personally, I have been working at the costume shop for the theatre department since I started my tertiary education at Lycoming college. I think the skills I have been acquiring will definitely not only help me in my future endeavors but also in life in general. I think everyone, regardless of their major, should try to learn such basic skills of life. It enhances judgement, then used to better understand and follow the rules and regulations. He points out the fact that creativity is as much important for accountants as it is in other fields such as engineering, health care, and law. Dr. Stone also mentions about David Friehling, a successful CPA but prior to that he was paid $3 million for being an auditor when there is actually no evidence that he did any auditing. He was thus involved in one of the largest Ponzi schemes in USA. This shows how accounting tricks can be hugely beneficial. Dr. Stone is aiming at such accountants who can use their creativity for problem solving, increasing profits by attracting businesses through social media, technology and global markets. Creative accountants are more likely to be useful in supporting projects, serving communities and completing budgets. His team conducted a survey by interviewing a large number of accountants about the creative accounting which is viewed as less ethical. In contrary, the conclusion drawn was that ethical position and creativity are not related at all. The fact that the interviews carried out among many accountants led to the conclusion that creativity and ethics are not related at all is very interesting. I think that most people have the opinion that accountants tend to use their “creativity” to do some accounting tricks such as making bad numbers look like good ones and doing other frauds. This is the picture most people have of the use of creative skills in accounting. However, it is very interesting how Dr. Stone shows that such skills can indeed be used for positive ends. Thus, the skills and knowledge students gain by taking classes from different fields such as arts, social science and business related classes prove to be useful in future.
I may have chosen the hardest path, the fruits of my hard work and investment will certainly be sweet. The path to success is anyways never easy.
Numerous factors led me to consider accounting as a degree. First of all, I pondered upon job opportunities after I graduate. My aim is to get a good job after completing my degree so that I can earn and help my parents pay for my brother’s studies. According to the 2016-2017 PayScale College Salary Report, the early career pay for one with a Bachelor’s in Accounting is $48,300. I plan in taking part in the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam as I graduate. I would like to work for one of the best accounting companies in the USA. Being an accountant will also allow me to move and settle anywhere I want around the world. Huge multinational companies like Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers have established their branches all around the world. They even operate in Mauritius. I certainly do not want to do something which I might regret later or which might disappoint my parents because I am very much aware of how hard they work to save money for my education. It certainly costs a lot to study abroad. It is an undeniable fact that accounting is needed everywhere in our daily life, be it in the public or private sector. All businesses need someone to keep track of their books and every worker needs to file their taxes. Being an international student in the United States has not been easy and I know I will encounter more hardships in the future. Nevertheless, my aim is to always have a job and never be unemployed. With a degree in accounting, I am pretty sure my hard work will definitely pay off.
I also considered some features of an accounting degree before taking this step. As a matter of fact, the accounting world went through some major changes in the past. One of the most important was implementing the 150-hour credit requirement program for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). There were several reasons brought forward in favor of as well as against this new law. One of the advantages of the 150-credit-hour rule is that it will result in better qualified students aspiring to become accountants. College graduates are also more likely to pass the CPA exam. This change also adds value to this profession. Thus, the industry will produce highly competent accountants who would do their jobs very well. However, the 150 semester hours of college education is very costly. In other words, more classes mean more money. Students are most probably going to graduate after 5 years at college. Others might need one extra semester of classes. Even if a few of the bright students manage to graduate in 4 years, their whole college life tends to be very busy and stressful. Unfortunately, it is even harder for international students because it is almost impossible for the latter to transfer credits from their high school or to take summer classes back at home. The additional costs discourage many students from pursuing accounting as a career. Furthermore, minorities such as women as well as lower income family groups are less likely to be attracted to accounting as a major due to the increased costs of education. The authors of the article titled, “The Effects of the 150-Credit-Hour Requirement for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam on the Career Intentions of Women and Minorities” conducted a survey with 600 accounting students. The participants shared their views on the benefits and costs of the 150-hour requirement, especially on women and minorities. The results ultimately showed that a greater percentage of minority students planned to pursue the CPA exam. In contrast, they found out that only 38% of female students were likely to consider the CPA compared to 42% of the male students. Despite the additional cost, minorities were confident they will be rewarded by their employers for their fifth college year. Nonetheless, we cannot disregard the fact that this research was only centered on what students thought of this requirement instead of analyzing the statistics.
In the article “Accounting in the Small Liberal-Arts College,” the author T.R. Larimore talks about the importance of accounting in a liberal arts educational system. By taking accounting, economics and banking classes, the students are given necessary training allowing them to specialize in their respective fields and at the same time providing them with the basic skills for general life. The objective of the accounting department at Lycoming College is to build competent leaders for high positions in the business world. Other aims include “to offer a type of education needed by the modern business executive- an education at once technical, liberal, and ethical.” Likewise, most liberal arts colleges want their well-grounded graduates to have all the skills and understanding required to fit in the professional industry.
There thus are many benefits of obtaining an accounting degree at a liberal-arts college. Most importantly, graduates with a liberal education are more likely to explore and qualify for a pool of related job opportunities to their major. One example is the business field whereby students with an accounting degree can work in the finance sector. Such students are occupationally flexible and adaptive. They are thus most likely to find jobs very easily. According to the 2016-2017 PayScale College Salary Report, the early career pay for one with a Bachelor’s in Accounting is $48,300. They work as public accountants, tax advisors, auditors, corporate advisors, and top level managers.
Moreover, since everybody including businesses, institutions and individuals need to keep track of their books, accounting is needed everywhere in our daily life, be it in the public or private sector. There is thus a lot of job opportunities. Being an accountant will also allow me to move and settle anywhere I want around the world. Huge multinational companies like Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers have established their branches all around the world, even in Mauritius. Stability in their career path is another forte.
Indeed, the article titled “What are Some Benefits of Studying Accounting at a Liberal Arts School?” states that “a liberal arts-based curriculum instills the writing, thinking and cross-disciplinary skills needed to successfully navigate through changing markets and economies.” Furthermore, employers prefer open-minded graduates who are more likely to bring innovation and change to their company. Liberal arts-based curriculums assist students in developing their creativity and passion for the field. As the article “What are some benefits of studying accounting at a liberal arts school?” states, employers want to recruit such dedicated graduates “who will apply their skills and knowledge to challenge traditions, streamline processes and increase quality.” Moreover, an accounting student at a liberal arts college is given the opportunity to develop core competencies. The latter have excellent communication and oratory skills which are very important for an accountant. They need to be analytical and efficient in working with complex financial information to make reports. In addition, students graduating from a liberal arts college are more open to diversity, respect, and understanding toward other cultures. A blend of all these skills and competencies make accounting graduates with a liberal education demanding and professionally fit for the career world of
accountancy.
The TED talk titled “Why Markets and Clients Need Creative Accountants?” by Dr. Dan Stone is focused on the requirement of creativity in the accounting field, especially financial accounting. Dr. Stone talks about the skills necessary for an accountant, more specifically creativity. I think that attending a liberal arts college helps students to work on different skills after which they become well-rounded qualified graduates. Personally, I have been working at the costume shop for the theatre department since I started my tertiary education at Lycoming college. I think the skills I have been acquiring will definitely not only help me in my future endeavors but also in life in general. I think everyone, regardless of their major, should try to learn such basic skills of life. It enhances judgement, then used to better understand and follow the rules and regulations. He points out the fact that creativity is as much important for accountants as it is in other fields such as engineering, health care, and law. Dr. Stone also mentions about David Friehling, a successful CPA but prior to that he was paid $3 million for being an auditor when there is actually no evidence that he did any auditing. He was thus involved in one of the largest Ponzi schemes in USA. This shows how accounting tricks can be hugely beneficial. Dr. Stone is aiming at such accountants who can use their creativity for problem solving, increasing profits by attracting businesses through social media, technology and global markets. Creative accountants are more likely to be useful in supporting projects, serving communities and completing budgets. His team conducted a survey by interviewing a large number of accountants about the creative accounting which is viewed as less ethical. In contrary, the conclusion drawn was that ethical position and creativity are not related at all. The fact that the interviews carried out among many accountants led to the conclusion that creativity and ethics are not related at all is very interesting. I think that most people have the opinion that accountants tend to use their “creativity” to do some accounting tricks such as making bad numbers look like good ones and doing other frauds. This is the picture most people have of the use of creative skills in accounting. However, it is very interesting how Dr. Stone shows that such skills can indeed be used for positive ends. Thus, the skills and knowledge students gain by taking classes from different fields such as arts, social science and business related classes prove to be useful in future.