Would humanities students be at a disadvantage in Accounting

DS86

I am currently reviewing my postgraduate options, and my two main options at the moment are Law and Accounting. I'm kind of thinking on going with the former as I did a BA in History, which is mostly based on essay writing, along with the ability to retain information and provide my own personal views in relation to any facts learned, thus I have thought that perhaps studying Law would be better for me as it seems to be closer to History in it's learning structure than say subjects such as Accounting.

Is there truth to this? I ask, just in case a career in Law is not an option in future. Would the focus on Bookkeeping/ Mathematics/ Logic etc. in Accounting put me as a History undergraduate at a disadvantage as opposed to students who did say Maths or Statistics for their undergrad?

Tarzana

I know someone who did a BA in History who is starting in a big 4 in the autumn. Any discipline is accepted but if you didn't do a business degree, they'd probably want to see business and/or accounting and/or higher maths in your LC subjects otherwise they'll wonder why you're interested in this area. Be prepared to explain that well, I guess, if you go for it.

DS86

Tarzana wrote: »

I know someone who did a BA in History who is starting in a big 4 in the autumn. Any discipline is accepted but if you didn't do a business degree, they'd probably want to see business and/or accounting and/or higher maths in your LC subjects otherwise they'll wonder why you're interested in this area. Be prepared to explain that well, I guess, if you go for it.

How did he manage to do that with a BA in History? Also, would doing a HDip in Accounting help, or would it be unnecessary?

Also, in general is it easier to make it into Accountancy as opposed to Law? And is the work actually potentially interesting, and not just something people just do to make a living? Is it actually possible to enjoy a career in Accountancy, or is it just something you do make ends meat?

Tarzana

DS86 wrote: »

How did he manage to do that with a BA in History? Also, would doing a HDip in Accounting help, or would it be unnecessary?

He was doing a postgrad in accounting during the milkrounds but graduates from any discipline can apply. It's a help certainly as you'd gain exemptions.

Jim2007

DS86 wrote: »

I am currently reviewing my postgraduate options, and my two main options at the moment are Law and Accounting. I'm kind of thinking on going with the former as I did a BA in History, which is mostly based on essay writing, along with the ability to retain information and provide my own personal views in relation to any facts learned, thus I have thought that perhaps studying Law would be better for me as it seems to be closer to History in it's learning structure than say subjects such as Accounting.

Is there truth to this? I ask, just in case a career in Law is not an option in future. Would the focus on Bookkeeping/ Mathematics/ Logic etc. in Accounting put me as a History undergraduate at a disadvantage as opposed to students who did say Maths or Statistics for their undergrad?

Well accounting and law have far more in common with each other that either do with history! First of all apart from criminal law much of the same material is covered in both areas - contract law, mercantile law, torts, company law, tax law and so on.

And on the other hand both, require you to master a large volume of rules, regulations etc.. and apply them to a given situation. Your opinion does not count for much at least in the early stages - it is can you apply the rules and regulations that is the question?

Furthermore may qualified accountants go on to take the bar exams as well because they have already covered a major part of the course.

sineadio

I work in the Big 4 and I have a humanities degree (classics).
They discussed in my interview about how I felt it might cross over into accounting but in my intake we have people with degrees in politics, engineering, languages and so on.
For the first couple of months you might be beyond lost (i was!) but so are most first years.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Join a bigger firm with an established training program, wmaller firms just won't have the time to help you catch up on the background you are missing