Law is awful right now but what about accounting?

[Anonymous]

Undergraduate accounting degree and have always been fascinated by law but if this board is any indication, the profession is in turmoil. Did three years in corporate accounting and now in marketing for a brokerage firm - long story.

So my choices are, buck up for a year, take the CPA exam and get back into accounting or do the law school application thing and hope that in 3-4 years it gets better. Question, how is the accounting field in terms of growth outlook? Feel that only an undergrad degree without a license or masters doesn't cut it anymore and need to start thinking about a better future.

[Anonymous]

I was hoping you'd get some responses OP because I'm thinking of switching to accounting...from teaching. There are at least a couple of threads about switching from law to teaching. Surely there is a lesson here, but what is it? We are always looking for the greener grass?

[Anonymous]

You'd probably only be offered an entry-level position.

[Anonymous]

When I was in grad school, I mentioned to my advisor that I really always wanted to be a lawyer. He said to me, don't get old wishing that you had done something. Not doing something is making a decision by default. If it doesn't work out for you, at least you know and you won't spend your life wishing you were something you are not. Right after graduation, I started law school and have been practicing now for over 20 years. I think his advice was good and I live by it in all areas of my life.

[Anonymous]

Sounds great until someone passes the flat tax

[Anonymous]

The best is to do accounting AND law - then you WILL have a profession later - guaranteed. Accountant lawyers are still very sought after both in private practice, consulting and the government.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds great until someone passes the flat tax

CPAs do more than taxes. Every business needs a good auditor and needs people to make sure the books are in order the rest of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds great until someone passes the flat tax

I'm a CPA and I do zero tax work.

[Anonymous]

As my mom said when she convinced me to major in Accounting "you'll always find a job" she was right.
many entry level accountants out of a good program make $50K. 5 years experience= $75K. Controllers= $100-$150K. and up. good, solid field. but don't go into it unless you really like the subject matter, because it can be boring and tedious to non-number people.

Lots of different specialties- audit, tax, manufacturing accounting, services accounting, partnership accounting, etc.

I've been in in 20 years now, in upper management now, and it's been a very good career choice for me

[Anonymous]

Some important information you're leaving out OP - (1) Did you like accounting? (2) What "fascinates" you about the law and what do you think you'd want to do in the legal field?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some important information you're leaving out OP - (1) Did you like accounting? (2) What "fascinates" you about the law and what do you think you'd want to do in the legal field?

Yes, this is key. I know many, many lawyers who have accounting degrees and used to work in accounting. Some have gone on to do tax law because they liked accounting and enjoy this sort of legal work. I know a few who hated accounting and wanted to escape that -- they are criminal lawyers, transactional lawyers, labor lawyers, etc.

How much do you know about being a lawyer? Have you researched the types of careers available to someone with a legal degree? Do you have an area you're passionate about? What about debt? Are you in a position to do law school debt free or with minimal student loans, or will you need to take out 200k? This will influence the choices you make about jobs after law school.

[Anonymous]

OP -- so many lawyers can't find jobs now. You'd be better off getting your CPA. There are even Harvard Law grads now interning for free on Capitol Hill.

[Anonymous]

Get the CPA, especially since you're interested enough in accounting to have majored in it. Law is a lot less fascinating when you're unemployed with a ton of law school debt.

[Anonymous]

I am a lawyer in my experience people with an accounting background fo very well. If you can get into a T14 law school or a full scholarship to a second tier one, go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds great until someone passes the flat tax

Congress will never let it happen.