Career Coach
Karen Platt
Karen Platt provides career and education advice to prospective college students and recent graduates. She has several years’ experience teaching Reading & Composition at the college level, and holds a Ph.D. in English.
She provides guidance for people who are considering going back to school, for those in the midst of getting their degree, and for recent graduates hoping to leverage their new credentials into new career opportunities.
Featured Schools
University of Phoenix
Whether you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, University of Phoenix can help you reach your goal much sooner than you might expect.
Programs:
Walden University Online
Earn a respected bachelor's degree, master's degree, or Ph.D. online at Walden University.
Programs:
Getting an Accounting Degree
Ask Your Question
Question
I've earned a B.A. in child development, but now I want to become an accountant. My GPA was a 2.5. What route should I take?
Answer
If you'd like to switch careers soon, you might consider an associate's degree in accounting. This takes an average of one to two years to complete, and could qualify you for bookkeeping, auditing clerk, and payroll clerk jobs. While you're working in the field, you can study online for a bachelor's degree, which could lead to accountant and/or auditor jobs. To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), in addition to getting your bachelor's degree, you'll need to pass a four-part CPA examination.
Most states require CPAs to complete continuing professional education hours to maintain licensure. To expand their job options and pay range, accountants often earn their MBAs. With changes in accounting rules since the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed, the need for highly trained accountants and auditors has increased significantly.
As for your GPA, it should not limit your associate's degree program options, although it may exclude some higher-degree programs. If you start with an associate's degree and maintain a strong GPA, this should be used to determine acceptance into a bachelor's degree program. Remember to ask schools whether any of your general education credits from your child development B.A. are transferable. Good luck!
Most states require CPAs to complete continuing professional education hours to maintain licensure. To expand their job options and pay range, accountants often earn their MBAs. With changes in accounting rules since the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed, the need for highly trained accountants and auditors has increased significantly.
As for your GPA, it should not limit your associate's degree program options, although it may exclude some higher-degree programs. If you start with an associate's degree and maintain a strong GPA, this should be used to determine acceptance into a bachelor's degree program. Remember to ask schools whether any of your general education credits from your child development B.A. are transferable. Good luck!
