Accounting vs. Computer Science?

[Medellin]

Which (university) program is more in demand in the job market right now?

It seems like everyone is getting into accounting, but the deal with computer science is that it can be outsourced to some third world country like India or the sort

[boyoflondon]

Accounting > Comp Sci ................

Numbers are what makes this world go around

[dandy2008]

Accounting, bookkeeping, tax returns prep are already outsourced to India and Middle East.

[the_fm]

why do people go for what's in demand instead of following their passion? seriously, we need more passionate people, not people who'll eventually hate their job

btw, there's an oversaturation in accounting right now

[dandy2008]

btw, there's an oversaturation in accounting right now

There is a surplus of accountants, financial analysts (10,000+ CFAs in Canada), teachers, IT people, engineers, HR folks etc.

Might as well become a physician.

[BananaHunter]

I took some comp sci classes in high school. I'd say if you're really really good with comp sci, then go for it. Otherwise take accounting. I find comp sci to require more brain power than accounting so there's probably less supply of good programmers than good accountants.

I finished accounting program at UofT and I must say, the program is fairly easy. The job prospects are there but the market is way too saturated. Entry lvl jobs demand experience, giving many fresh grads a tough time job hunting. The phrase "every company needs an accountant" is ********. Every company needs a controller...and you're not going to become a controller without years of exp. Computerization makes entry level accounting job really boring.

There's also the dream of working for a big CA firm. If you get into accounting, you'll find most of your classmates are gunning for the CA designation.

[dandy2008]

I took some comp sci classes in high school. I'd say if you're really really good with comp sci, then go for it. Otherwise take accounting. I find comp sci to require more brain power than accounting so there's probably less supply of good programmers than good accountants.

I finished accounting program at UofT and I must say, the program is fairly easy. The job prospects are there but the market is way too saturated. Entry lvl jobs demand experience, giving many fresh grads a tough time job hunting. The phrase "every company needs an accountant" is ********. Every company needs a controller...and you're not going to become a controller without years of exp. Computerization makes entry level accounting job really boring.

There's also the dream of working for a big CA firm. If you get into accounting, you'll find most of your classmates are gunning for the CA designation.

The market is saturated with those having accounting degrees from places like Seneca, Humber, George Brown etc, but if you have your Bachelor's degree form UofT, York, Queens....you will have tons of job opportunities.

[Medellin]

why do people go for what's in demand instead of following their passion? seriously, we need more passionate people, not people who'll eventually hate their job

btw, there's an oversaturation in accounting right now

because I just need an undergrad. I have a passion for law and that's what I plan to go, but I need an undergrad I can fall back on if all else fails

[BananaHunter]

The market is saturated with those having accounting degrees from places like Seneca, Humber, George Brown etc, but if you have your Bachelor's degree form UofT, York, Queens....you will have tons of job opportunities.

I beg to differ. Most entry level jobs don't care much about your education background. If you have an accounting background, that's nice but it has never been a major selling point in interviews. It has always been my work exp that seems to land me offers, not my B com. This is strongly backed by people who have degrees and have trouble finding a job in accounting.

Entry level accounting jobs aren't difficult. You don't really need a uni educated person to do it. Opportunities are just that - opportunities. There's no law saying you can't apply to a certain job without certain credentials.

I'm not saying it's really hard to get a job in accounting with uni education. It's not easy either. The fact that companies can ask you to have a degree for a menial job implies there's abundance in supply of job seekers. And you can't be REALLY good at accounting the same way you can be a REALLY good programmer.

[fdhw]

if you are going to use accounting degree as your fallback plan. Just remember that designations (CA,CMA,CGA) will get you that accounting job. Not your B.comm

[dandy2008]

I beg to differ. Most entry level jobs don't care much about your education background. If you have an accounting background, that's nice but it has never been a major selling point in interviews. It has always been my work exp that seems to land me offers, not my B com. This is strongly backed by people who have degrees and have trouble finding a job in accounting.

Entry level accounting jobs aren't difficult. You don't really need a uni educated person to do it. Opportunities are just that - opportunities. There's no law saying you can't apply to a certain job without certain credentials.

I'm not saying it's really hard to get a job in accounting with uni education. It's not easy either. The fact that companies can ask you to have a degree for a menial job implies there's abundance in supply of job seekers. And you can't be REALLY good at accounting the same way you can be a REALLY good programmer.

The big 4, top tier IBs always recruit at UofT, York, Queens..never heard of them recruiting at Seneca.

Having a degree from a reputable university will land you interviews.

[nickinto]

The big 4, top tier IBs always recruit at UofT, York, Queens..never heard of them recruiting at Seneca.

Having a degree from a reputable university will land you interviews.

He's talking about book keeping positions..not accounting.

[dandy2008]

He's talking about book keeping positions..not accounting.

Oh, I see.

[Medellin]

if you are going to use accounting degree as your fallback plan. Just remember that designations (CA,CMA,CGA) will get you that accounting job. Not your B.comm

Thanks, and yes, I've considered it. That's still an easier task than law school

[the_fm]

because I just need an undergrad. I have a passion for law and that's what I plan to go, but I need an undergrad I can fall back on if all else fails

oh, as a fall back. well, accounting might be more useful along side your law degree than having computer science/law, imo