Accounting vs. Computer Science [2024 Guide]
By Joy Miller
Updated on September 17, 2024
If you enjoy working with numbers and are looking for a college major, you may be debating the merits of Accounting vs. Computer Science degrees.
Both are logical choices if you have a mathematical mind, and there are certainly merits to both. The difficulty is determining which is best for you.
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There are several courses that both Computer Science and Accounting majors would be required to take. These include many of the general education classes taken in the first several semesters of college.
In fact, even after the general education classes are completed, the two majors still have courses in common. This is why some students consider pairing these degrees as majors and minors.
But first, let’s take a look at what makes each of these degrees unique:
After comparing the courses required for each degree, you can also explore the areas common to both degree programs.
Some of the most commonly required accounting classes include:
These are only a few of the potential Accounting classes you might be required to take as part of online accounting programs.
What jobs can you get with an accounting degree? The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average salary for accountants and auditors is $73,560.
Here are some related career paths that graduates with Accounting degrees may pursue:
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Actuaries | $111,030 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $89,330 |
| Financial Examiners | $81,430 |
| Forensic Accountants | $71,550 |
| Cost Estimators | $66,610 |
The median wage for these careers is more than the national average.
Some of the most commonly required Computer Science classes include:
There are many more courses you’d take when pursuing a computer science degree online or on campus, but these give you an idea of what kind of topics you’d be studying in each field.
What makes computer science a good major is that there is a wide range of job opportunities in the Computer Science-related field. In addition, a post bacc computer science online degree can pair well with a variety of other bachelor degrees in case you’ve already earned one.
Here are five of the highest paying jobs for computer science professionals with bachelor’s degrees, as indicated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $151,150 |
| Computer Network Architects | $116,780 |
| Software Developers | $110,140 |
| Information Security Analysts | $103,590 |
| Database Administrators | $98,860 |
Again, the median wage for each of these positions is well over the national average.
Some of the courses both majors might be required to take include:
At the higher level of courses, including bachelor’s courses and especially master’s and doctoral courses, the required classes for the two majors begin to branch in different directions.
Both professions are suitable for someone who’s number-centric with superior analytical skills and the ability to pay close attention to minuscule details.
Both accountants and computer scientists are meticulously methodical in their work. Internal computational and excellent computer skills also benefit both careers.
The Accounting field, though, often appeals to independent people who enjoy working alone. It also attracts those whose interests lie in finance.
Accountants may spend much of their work time poring over invoices, bank statements, and other financial documents. They may work on people’s taxes and are often required to perform audits.
Although computer scientists are also computer- and number-savvy, they focus more on writing code and programming computers.
They may develop formulas, functions, software, and more. Because there are many components to developing new programs, they often work in teams rather than alone. So, if you’re sociable, you might enjoy the teamwork aspect of Computer Science.
Working so closely with the public, sometimes in awkward or uncomfortable situations, means accountants can benefit from having excellent communication and people skills. Empathy’s also a plus when forced to give clients bad news.
Computer scientists, on the other hand, are more behind-the-scenes. They don’t interact with customers often, so they aren’t required to develop the same set of interpersonal, customer-service skills needed by accountants.
If you’ve decided to major in Accounting, you may have a passion or talent for numbers. If that’s the case, Accounting may not give you too much difficulty.
A number of your classes, though, may be preparing you to take and successfully pass the CPA exam, which certifies you as a licensed accountant. These advanced courses are likely to be more challenging.
Like any other major, Accounting will likely present you with some easy, no-trouble-at-all classes and some difficult, ratchet-up-your-stress-level classes. You can try to adjust your schedule to give yourself the most time to work on the hardest courses. Remember, nothing worth earning is ever earned easily.
Just as with Accounting, Computer Science will present you with a myriad of different courses. Is computer science hard? Some may be easy and present you with little to no challenge, and others may be much more difficult and require you to study hard.
In general, all college degree paths work this same way.
College is meant to challenge you in order to prepare you for your chosen career. If you’re determined to earn your Computer Science degree and willing to work hard for it, it may be easier for you to persevere through the demanding courses.
Which major is easier will depend entirely on you, your skills, your knowledge of the subject matter, and many other factors, all centering around you.
Your personality and interests can also determine which classes are easiest for you. For instance, if you love numbers and computation, an algebra class may not seem difficult. If you hate reading and writing, though, you may not enjoy an English course.
According to many published statistics, though, like the one published by the University of Nevada, the average GPA of Accounting majors (3.18) seems to be just a bit higher than that of Computer Science majors (3.14).
Similar studies have been published at other schools with similar results, so perhaps some students would consider Accounting to be a tiny bit easier than Computer Science.
The great thing about both these degrees is that there’s a pretty large market for available jobs in each.
Being an accountant is a relatively steady career choice, and the job market for people with Computer Science degrees is booming right now.
In addition to becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) for individuals or a private accountant for businesses, there are other potential career paths out there for someone with an Accounting degree. Five of the most popular are:
A bachelor’s degree in Accounting could help you qualify for a number of opportunities in the field. Actuaries are especially in very high demand right now. Cost estimators, too, are often sought after with all the new businesses popping up everywhere.
Professionals with Computer Science degrees may be needed now more than ever. This is the technological and digital age, and computer-related jobs are all the rage. Five of the most popular Computer Science-related jobs are:
These are only five of the vast number of Computer Science-related jobs that have been dominating the job market lately. While having a degree in Computer Science isn’t required for some of these jobs, having one could help increase your competitive edge in the job market.
Oftentimes, people with degrees in Computer Science also get paid more than people with no formal education working in these jobs.
Yes, there are accountants who have a Computer Science degree, but there can be limitations. Becoming a CPA, for example, requires passing the CPA exam, but it isn’t open to anyone who wants to take it.
Different states across the U.S. have different rules and regulations concerning what exactly qualifies you to take the CPA exam. Most agree, though, that applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in either business or Accounting and have met specific coursework benchmarks.
For a list of requirements specific for your state, you can contact your state board using the directory on the Accounting Institute for Success website.
If your degree is in Computer Science, you may not currently have all the requirements that would allow you to take the CPA exam. If you double majored in both subjects, though, or if you majored in Computer Science but minored in Accounting, then it’s possible you could qualify to take the CPA exam.
You may have to jump through a few extra hoops first, though.
Another benefit about both these fields is that when it comes to pay, they both rank above the average national yearly salary. This means jobs in these fields generally pay quite well.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for accountants and auditors is $73,560 a year. That beats the median salary of the average American worker, which is $41,950 a year, by nearly $30,000!
People with Computer Science degrees may hold a wide range of jobs, but the median yearly salary for these jobs runs anywhere from $55,510 at the low-end, which still beats the national average, and $151,150 at the high-end, which more than doubles the average.
If you’re looking to become certified while earning your degree in Accounting, you have three primary options. These include certifications as a CPA, CMA, and CIA.
CPA: Certified Personal Accountants may be accountants, tax consultants, auditors, business advisors, and more. They can work with individuals and small businesses, advising them on financial matters, estimated costs, and helping them out at tax time.
CMA: Certified Management Accountants are similar to CPAs, but they usually work on a larger scale with businesses, non-profits, corporations, and more. They’re experts in Accounting, professional ethics, decision support, analysis and control, and all other fields of financial planning.
CIA: Certified Internal Auditors work with businesses and corporations as in-house auditors.
The certifications you may receive while working towards your Computer Science degree are almost as numerous as the number of jobs available to degree holders after graduation.
This list shows some, but certainly not all, of the certifications available to Computer Science professionals.
Which degree path you should choose is entirely up to you. It can help to weigh your own personal interests, knowledge base, and study habits against your future career goals.
Do you want to maybe work a little harder and potentially make more money with a Computer Science degree? Or would you rather do less math and still possibly make a comfortable living as an accountant?
Both of these fields are lucrative, growing, and rewarding. There are numerous job opportunities available in both fields, and those jobs often pay above average salaries.
Whichever you choose, you don’t have to waste another second dreaming about your future. Instead, you can get online and find a credible program at an accredited college near you. You can start working towards building your future today instead of just dreaming about tomorrow.
Start building your future—click “Find My Program” to explore your options.
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