Do I have to finish first? (credit, applying, non-profit, college degree)

[Sabiya]

I keep hearing conflicting information stating that you don't need a college degree for an entry level accounting clerk/bookkeeping job and you DO need 2 years of college for an entry level job in accounting.

I am more than halfway done with my degree and the only accounting-style classes I have left to do is financial accounting, accounting 211, and a class on business management. Everything else is just electives and some generals.

I'm anxious to start an entry level job at a small company or a non-profit (even if the pay sucks) just for the work experience. I don't finish college until next May due to the way my school sets limits on credit hours, otherwise, I'd be done by Christmas

So which is it? Do I need to graduate first or no? A lot of job postings require a degree, but I've had people tell me that I should ignore them because it's not really necessary to HAVE a degree, just necessary to know the programs and get the gist of it. So confused.

[charlygal]

There are no hard and fast rules. It depends on the job and the company. If your resume looks good and you can make a compelling case in your cover letter, then I would begin applying for jobs. It can't hurt.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by charlygal

There are no hard and fast rules. It depends on the job and the company. If your resume looks good and you can make a compelling case in your cover letter, then I would begin applying for jobs. It can't hurt.

Exactly. Our lowest level accounting jobs require a 4 year degree and 2 years experience, but I have seen people hired for accounting temp jobs and tax prep seasonal without a degree.