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Would it be a good idea to double major in accounting and information system security? I have always had a passion for technology throughout my entire life. When I began to start taking more business-related courses I found a accounting to be intriguing. Are their ways I can combine these interests in today's job market?
It is definitely not a bad combo. I have a computer science undergrad with an MBA and have more options for work than most of my friends. There are not a lot of people out there who understand technical aspects of IT and can also talk accounting or finance (which is the language of the business world)
stradivarius:
As far as accounting is concerned I wouldn't say that it is come easy to me. However, it is something that I have been able to do well at during the two classes I've taken so far. Career wise I would like to obtain a position where I can use my knowledge of IT security and accounting in a consulting role. I would like to develop the accounting systems, and put the correct security provisions in place.
stradivarius:
As far as accounting is concerned I wouldn't say that it is come easy to me. However, it is something that I have been able to do well at during the two classes I've taken so far. Career wise I would like to obtain a position where I can use my knowledge of IT security and accounting in a consulting role. I would like to develop the accounting systems, and put the correct security provisions in place.
If what you're saying is truly coming from your heart (as opposed to, say, someone else telling you that you should do it), I think you already have a leg-up.
My background is in accounting, and as arduous as it was in the beginning being auditor, I am extremely grateful for the strong foundation it established for the rest of my business career so far.
There will always be a demand for a consulting role like the one you describe. The only threat, I would say, may be outsourcing, unless you go for certifications, namely, for your CPA.
Definitely keep us posted on what you plan to do. And we hope to be of further help!
Thank you for your input. Accounting and information security is something I really begun to focus in on over the last year or so. In the early part of my academic career math was always something that I really struggled with. because of that I would always talk myself out of the the accounting piece, but having taken a few of the classes I can see that there's much more to it and the math is only a very small piece. With the way technology is these days I think understanding the conceptual aspects of accounting and how they relate to business trumps the math portion.
Have you considered digital forensics and accounting instead of information security? From what I understand that's a more lucrative career and it would also pair up well with accounting.
Honestly, I think double majors are overkill and actually kind of can hurt you when you apply for jobs. The reasons is that having two majors in different departments, saddles you will too many required classes that may or may not be relevant. It can make you take a fifth year, a summer or two, or overloading of classes. It hurts because besides the quality of the school and its market, grades, leadership positions in campus organizations, and internships or co-ops are what gets you jobs.
Taking those extra classes may hurt your ability to get top grades, be active in campus activities, and apply for and get major-related jobs and internships. A double major getting never trumps those other things. Plus, for certain jobs, it makes you look unfocused.
For example, if you are applying to work at a Big 4 accounting firm in say their forensics group, it might be a slight advantage, but they might only be hiring 2 candidates from hundreds of applicants. But they would be hiring maybe a hundred entry level auditors. The audit job may be your backup, but to those interviewers they would see your background as someone who probably isn't interested in audit long term and will probably pass on you. This hurts because most of those forensics jobs are actually hired from the pool of experienced auditors.
I think it is better to pick one major and perhaps minor in other complementary topics. If you apply for a job unrelated to the minor, you can de-emphasize it in your resume and application.
A popular major for those that are interested in both of these fields is to do a management information systems major (M.I.S.) and overload your electives in either computer science or accounting, depending on whether you want a more technical or business oriented career.
Also, if you are truly undecided, I would error on the "hard" subjects that are more technical in nature, such of computer science. The reason is that it is easy to change the course of your career by adding a MBA or Masters of Accounting (sometimes the employer will pay for it), but very hard for a mid-career business professional to switch towards technical stuff. Those early, entry level tech or coding jobs will probably provide insights later down the road that a lot of people with business backgrounds don't have and will not make you so intimidated by rapid technological change throughout the years.
Would it be a good idea to double major in accounting and information system security? I have always had a passion for technology throughout my entire life. When I began to start taking more business-related courses I found a accounting to be intriguing. Are their ways I can combine these interests in today's job market?
Yes.
You can be mediocre in both but find a niche, Accounting Information Systems, and make good money.
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