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 Veteran
Posts: 104
Location: Southern Michigan | Was wondering if there were any accountants out there? I am thinking about finishing my Bachelors in Accounting, and wanted to see if any fellow barrel racers were in the accounting field as well?
I already have 2 associate degrees in horse related business field, then took some additional business classes at a community college. So I have about 3.5 years of college under my belt and it'll probably take about 2 years to switch to accounting and finish my bachelors, which I will do online classes-as I work full time. I did my college right out of high school then wasn't sold on what exactly what I wanted to do and didn't want to waste anymore time or money in school until I knew 100% what I wanted to do.
So I decided to take some time working to see what it was I really enjoyed. I've found I really like accounting most, and I think it best suits me and my personality best from the research that I've done. I believe that I'm ready to go back to school, and it's time to do it for me. I really want a better life/career especially before I have kids so I think now is best. Currently I am in an administrative job where I am slowly getting more and more accounts pay & rec experience which I know will be great to have experience on top of a degree once I do finish my bachelors for a better job.
What do you love and dislike about accounting?
What key points should I look for in my courses?
What was one thing you learned in the field and not from school?
How flexible is this career for taking time off for barrel races? ;)
What kind of scholarships are there? Where can I find good ones for 24yrs+ students?
These are just a few questions I can think of, if you have any other advice I'd greatly appreciate it!  |
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 I'm Here!!
Posts: 4583
  
Location: Is it Summer Yet? | I am, I hate it. I would never recommend anyone become an accountant. I would go get a trade instead. It was a waste of time and money and it's still a waste of money. |
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 Googly Goo
Posts: 7053
| Accounting is a good degree whether you become an accountant or not. Understanding accounting will put you ahead in any business field you decide to enter. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 352
Location: Texas | I am an accountant and also have an ag business degree. I like it for the most part. I'm not an OH I LOVE MY JOB person, but it's a good, steady job. As a staff accountant and even accounting supervisor there wasn't much overtime and pay was good. I got to pretty much leave work at work. Now that I'm financial controller at our facility it's a bit different, but it is still flexible. Work is not what keeps me from running barrels, that's due mostly to having three kids.
I like being able to lock myself in my office and do my job. On the other hand I don't ever feel like I have anything I can show for my work. I don't "produce" anything. Well financial statements but not too much oohing and ahhing over those unless we have a really good month.
I would not do public accounting, not my thing. Too many crazy hours.
As far as courses, take as many as you can, oil and gas, audit, tax, etc. They are all helpful. Keep in mind when you get out and get a job what you learned are guidelines and a starting point. Other than debits/credits, recons and journal entries, real life accounting is different. There are so many different areas. Cost accounting is cool if you are in an area that you enjoy. I like the costing portion of my job now (ag based field). I didn't like it so much when I worked for a chemical company. But I will say if you can do good at cost accounting, it's a great platform for revenue and ops management later on.
In the field I learned that despite GAAP and the rules there are a lot of unspoken rules and gray areas that I didn't really think about.
I'd love to have a job with horses and sometimes I think I'd rather be a vet tech but for the money and time I spend working, I'll stick with accounting. |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Lana - 2013-12-27 4:50 PM I am, I hate it. I would never recommend anyone become an accountant. I would go get a trade instead. It was a waste of time and money and it's still a waste of money.
Most people that go into a trade love it for the first 10 or so and hate it for the remainder of their lives. Most people that get a desk type jobe hate it for the first 10 and then appreciate it for the rest of thier lives. At least that how I interpret what they are telling me. I must be the odd duck, because I like my desk job and appreciate it, especially when it is -10 degrees outside. |
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I'm Here!!
Posts: 4583
Location: Is it Summer Yet? | Whiteboy - 2013-12-27 3:05 PM Lana - 2013-12-27 4:50 PM I am, I hate it. I would never recommend anyone become an accountant. I would go get a trade instead. It was a waste of time and money and it's still a waste of money. Most people that go into a trade love it for the first 10 or so and hate it for the remainder of their lives. Most people that get a desk type jobe hate it for the first 10 and then appreciate it for the rest of thier lives. At least that how I interpret what they are telling me. I must be the odd duck, because I like my desk job and appreciate it, especially when it is -10 degrees outside.
That's maybe why I don't like it. I don't like being inside or sitting still. I'm locked in a room with a computer, it's not for me. |
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That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Lana - 2013-12-27 5:09 PM Whiteboy - 2013-12-27 3:05 PM Lana - 2013-12-27 4:50 PM I am, I hate it. I would never recommend anyone become an accountant. I would go get a trade instead. It was a waste of time and money and it's still a waste of money. Most people that go into a trade love it for the first 10 or so and hate it for the remainder of their lives. Most people that get a desk type jobe hate it for the first 10 and then appreciate it for the rest of thier lives. At least that how I interpret what they are telling me. I must be the odd duck, because I like my desk job and appreciate it, especially when it is -10 degrees outside.
You just need more fun in there. Set up a roping dummy, thats what I did. Customer comes in and I shove it under the desk!  |
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I'm Here!!
Posts: 4583
Location: Is it Summer Yet? | Whiteboy - 2013-12-27 3:15 PM Lana - 2013-12-27 5:09 PM Whiteboy - 2013-12-27 3:05 PM Lana - 2013-12-27 4:50 PM I am, I hate it. I would never recommend anyone become an accountant. I would go get a trade instead. It was a waste of time and money and it's still a waste of money. Most people that go into a trade love it for the first 10 or so and hate it for the remainder of their lives. Most people that get a desk type jobe hate it for the first 10 and then appreciate it for the rest of thier lives. At least that how I interpret what they are telling me. I must be the odd duck, because I like my desk job and appreciate it, especially when it is -10 degrees outside.You just need more fun in there. Set up a roping dummy, thats what I did. Customer comes in and I shove it under the desk!
I'm not even allowed a radio for religous beliefs, think a roping dummy is out. |
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That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Lana - 2013-12-27 5:17 PM Whiteboy - 2013-12-27 3:15 PM Lana - 2013-12-27 5:09 PM Whiteboy - 2013-12-27 3:05 PM Lana - 2013-12-27 4:50 PM I am, I hate it. I would never recommend anyone become an accountant. I would go get a trade instead. It was a waste of time and money and it's still a waste of money. Most people that go into a trade love it for the first 10 or so and hate it for the remainder of their lives. Most people that get a desk type jobe hate it for the first 10 and then appreciate it for the rest of thier lives. At least that how I interpret what they are telling me. I must be the odd duck, because I like my desk job and appreciate it, especially when it is -10 degrees outside.You just need more fun in there. Set up a roping dummy, thats what I did. Customer comes in and I shove it under the desk!
Oh man, no wonder you hate it! lol |
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| I am Plant Controller for a small manufacturing facility--have BS degree, MBA and passed CPA exam. I've been in accounting for about 30 years and I love it. Working in manufacturing gives me variety and different areas to get involved in - material cost, manning cost, cost of operations, cost savings, analysis of all costs and trying to find the best way to do things. I feel very involved in the whole process and feel that I contribute to the success of the organization. I gather, analyze the data and give it to management in a form that they can make good business decisions. I can get out in the plant, in fact it is good to be familiar with the processes, and am not just stuck in my office.
What you learn at school is one thing, but every place does things a bit differently within the debit/credit and GAAP framework. I went to school so long ago, that I can't help you much on classes or grants. I thought that I would rather go into public accounting, but am glad I couldn't find a job at the time. While I can work long hours, there is usually flexibility to still enjoy the horses and family. I raised my kids with this job and support me and my horses very well with it.
You have to like numbers and feel that the help tell you the story. My daughter is an accountant in St. Louis and doing very well for herself. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
| Lana - 2013-12-27 5:17 PM Whiteboy - 2013-12-27 3:15 PM Lana - 2013-12-27 5:09 PM Whiteboy - 2013-12-27 3:05 PM Lana - 2013-12-27 4:50 PM I am, I hate it. I would never recommend anyone become an accountant. I would go get a trade instead. It was a waste of time and money and it's still a waste of money. Most people that go into a trade love it for the first 10 or so and hate it for the remainder of their lives. Most people that get a desk type jobe hate it for the first 10 and then appreciate it for the rest of thier lives. At least that how I interpret what they are telling me. I must be the odd duck, because I like my desk job and appreciate it, especially when it is -10 degrees outside.You just need more fun in there. Set up a roping dummy, thats what I did. Customer comes in and I shove it under the desk!
splain please |
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Veteran
Posts: 104
Location: Southern Michigan | Wow..Thanks for all the advice!! Yeah I definitely would not like public accounting. I'm near Detroit and already have some transportation industry experience so the little voice inside my head keeps saying get a job with one of the big 3 and get a NEW dually at employee pricing!..I wish
But in all seriousness I do appreciate the help. I have been fortunate to have done trade and desk job, and I 100% agree with hating desk work at first, but growing thankful for it in the long run!! I do like being physically busy, however factory work is not for me and that's big here. I have also worked for a couple great horse trainers in Idaho and realize real quick I'd rather make money doing something else and ride my horse my way at my shows that I want to go to, but still a great learning experience. I guess I can't say I didn't follow my dreams up till now. I like to say I'm on plan b, reworking out my plan a. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 221
Location: Alabama | I have an Accounting degree as well as an Ag Business degree. I would recommend an accounting degree. I enjoy my work and there are many options for accounting degrees. Plus there will always be a need for accountants. I work for the university I graduated from. I will admit the pay could be better; however, I have flexibility in my schedule and we get two paid weeks off at Christmas and the benefits are tough to beat. In my opinion, an accounting degree would be a good investment in your future. |
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 Winner winner chicken dinner
Posts: 2047
Location: California | My dad is a newly retired accountant. He was a partner in a firm in San Francisco his whole career. From January-April he pretty much worked 6 days a week and very long hours. The rest of the year was a normal work week. He was able to coach our soccer teams and has been an elected official for the last 30 years (school board, planning commission, city council and now mayor). My dad is someone who is constantly on the so the long hours during tax season never really bothered him much. He was able to make a good living, put three kids through college and is now enjoying a comfortable retirement. The business never really interested me and sometimes I wish it did because my career (teaching) will never afford me the lifestyle I grew up in :-) |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | As I job hunt, it seems that an accounting degree is highly desired, even if it's not an "accounting" type job. I don't think it's my strength...I couldn't grasp it in college AT ALL. |
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OT- Any Accountants?..Thinkin about career change