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Which is better: an accounting or business administration degree?

Question:

Which is better: an accounting or business administration degree?

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Answer:

Whether it is better to earn a degree in accounting or business administration depends on your career objectives. If you want to focus your work on managing money, handling taxes, and maintaining financial records, you may find it more beneficial to earn an accounting degree. This would prepare you to work in jobs such as staff accountant, accounting manager, budget analyst, chief financial officer, revenue tax specialist, internal auditor, comptroller, personal financial planner, and certified public accountant. If you prefer to focus your career on other aspects of business, you should earn a business administration degree. You can work in some accounting jobs with a degree in business administration, but this degree also prepares you for a broader scope of work in business. For example, with a business administration degree, you would be prepared to work in jobs such as management analyst, business manager, management consultant, healthcare administrator, labor relations specialist, market research analyst, real estate appraiser, and loan officer. With either a degree in accounting or business administration, you can expect to earn a competitive salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors earned an average of $34.40 per hour in 2019, or $71,550 per year. In business and financial occupations listed by the BLS, including accountants and auditors, the salaries in 2019 ranged from $50,600 to over $80,000 per year.

For more information about being an accountant, check out this article: How to Become an Accountant: Education and Career Roadmap.

For more information about business degrees, check out this article: Business Degrees.

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