Accounting or consulting?

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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Economics, Business, Money, Finance

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matjusm — 17 years ago(October 18, 2008 07:20 AM)

I am an undergraduate at a fairly highly ranked university studying Management specializing in accounting and finance and I would like to know, if I were to choose a career between accounting (Big four only) and consulting, which would be the better option?
I am talking in terms of compensation, promotion possibilities (and pay ceiling), international opportunities, work life balance and just the nature of the work in general.
mmm, doughnut
-Homer J. Simpson

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miltonebx — 17 years ago(October 18, 2008 08:03 AM)

Elect to study and enter the Accounting profession. It is a technical field and is very much in demand. The consulting field is something that you can always "back into" with your Accounting knowledge, and even do both with the large Accounting firms.

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frank-tj-mackey — 17 years ago(October 18, 2008 04:16 PM)

Once an accountant, always an accountant. Stay away from Accounting as a profession, you'll never get out. Management consulting, esp at a top tier firm, will lead to better opportunities.

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frank-tj-mackey — 17 years ago(October 18, 2008 11:58 PM)

Management consulting provides more career opportunities, better compensation and is more interesting. Most consulting firms hire undergrads.

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kevinsmithf1master02 — 17 years ago(October 19, 2008 05:18 AM)

That's BS. Once you get a CPA or CA degree, you can do whatever you want. A professional accounting degree opens alot of doors. You could become a CFO at a large company after.

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matjusm — 17 years ago(October 19, 2008 01:18 PM)

Thanks for the input.
You have made the world one accountant richer and one consultant poorer.
mmm, doughnut
-Homer J. Simpson

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frank-tj-mackey — 17 years ago(October 19, 2008 10:24 PM)

I've known several accountants who later regretted going into accounting and wanted to change careers, it was very difficult for them to get away from accounting. On the other hand, I've known several management consultants and they like their jobs and have transitioned to other jobs much easier. Forget being a CFO, you can become a CEO as a consultant.