How Hard Are Accounting Courses? (2024)

Key Infor­ma­tion:

  • Account­ing cours­es involve math, but they focus more on prac­ti­cal appli­ca­tions rather than com­plex the­o­ries like in cal­cu­lus or physics
  • Ear­ly cours­es cov­er basic finan­cial account­ing, while advanced class­es might dis­cuss audit­ing, man­age­r­i­al account­ing, and tax account­ing, which can be challenging.
  • Account­ing pro­grams are designed to pre­pare stu­dents for the CPA exam and careers in account­ing.

While Account­ing cours­es require stu­dents to have an apti­tude for prin­ci­ples of math­e­mat­ics and sta­tis­tics, they do not require ahigh lev­el of con­cept and the­o­ry manip­u­la­tion. Sub­jects like Cal­cu­lus, Physics, and Com­put­er Sci­ence require stu­dents to think abstract­ly, tak­ing many dif­fer­ent dynam­ics into account, where­as Account­ing cours­es are more straight­for­ward in their appli­ca­tion. The most dif­fi­cult cours­es for an account­ing major will depend on their per­son­al­i­ty and pro­cliv­i­ties, as there are dif­fer­ent areas of account­ing which require dif­fer­ent areas of understanding.

The most com­mon types of cours­es for account­ing majors include:

  • Finan­cial Account­ing: Usu­al­ly some of the first cours­es for account­ing majors, these cours­es pro­vide an under­stand­ing of how to clas­si­fy assets and expens­es of abusiness.
  • Man­age­r­i­al Account­ing: Builds upon the skills learned in Finan­cial Account­ing to focus on how to man­age abusi­ness to make its expen­di­tures and invest­ments more efficient.
  • Audit­ing: Teach­es stu­dents how to inves­ti­gate busi­ness prac­tices to ensure that codes and reg­u­la­tions are being followed.
  • Tax Account­ing: Usu­al­ly some of the most dif­fi­cult class­es for an account­ing major as they delve into the minu­tia of tax codes, though this knowl­edge is amajor source of income for account­ing graduates.

If you are look­ing to become aCer­ti­fied Pub­lic Accoun­tant (CPA) you are required in most states to have earned abach­e­lor’s degree and pass the CPA exam­i­na­tion. Many Bach­e­lor’s in Account­ing pro­grams are tai­lored to pre­pare stu­dents for the CPA exam­i­na­tion. If you want to get an idea about the knowl­edge base that you will be expect­ed to mas­ter dur­ing your account­ing pro­gram, it would be agood idea to check out aprac­tice CPA exam­i­na­tion online. If you have decid­ed you want to become aCPA and are look­ing for an afford­able pro­gram that will put you on track, check out our rank­ing of the Top 15 Cheap­est Bach­e­lor Degrees in Account­ing.

Some of the most dif­fi­cult, upper-lev­el (400+) cours­es that stu­dents will have to pass in their bach­e­lor’s in account­ing pro­gramare:

  • Busi­ness and Account­ing Infor­ma­tion Sys­tems: Teach­es stu­dents to uti­lize state-of-the-art soft­ware that cal­cu­lates inputs, out­puts, and pro­cess­ing of busi­ness transactions.
  • Analy­sis of Cor­po­rate Finan­cial State­ments: Gives stu­dents the knowl­edge to check the finan­cial flow of major cor­po­ra­tions for reg­u­la­tion adher­ence and finan­cial efficiency.
  • Ethics for Account­ing Pro­fes­sion­als: Teach­es stu­dents eth­i­cal the­o­ry in order to acquaint them with prop­er work­place practices.
  • Finan­cial State­ment Audit­ing: Intro­duces stu­dents to the prac­tice of finan­cial state­ment assur­ance by com­bin­ing account­ing and busi­ness knowl­edge with applic­a­ble sta­tis­tics and law concepts.
  • Inter­na­tion­al Tax­a­tion: Gives stu­dents the knowl­edge of inter­na­tion­al tax codes, exchange fees, and how to ensure that cor­po­ra­tions are not dodg­ing tax respon­si­bil­i­ty by manip­u­lat­ing off­shore bank accounts.

While many of these cours­es might seem intim­i­dat­ing, remem­ber that your account­ing pro­gram will start from square one and build up your knowl­edge and con­fi­dence before you have to pass the most dif­fi­cult courses.

Oth­er course­work, depend­ing on your account­ing career path, may include:

  • book­keep­ing
  • foren­sic accounting
  • finan­cial management
  • account­ing principles
  • finan­cial reporting
  • inter­na­tion­al accounting
  • man­age­ment accounting
  • val­u­a­tion
  • finan­cial records
  • cor­po­rate accounting
  • lan­guage of business
  • cost account­ing

Account­ing class­es will intro­duce you to bal­ance sheets and cash flow. You’ll become an expert in excel. Account­ing stu­dents need to be detail-ori­ent­ed and ready for hard work. Account­ing firms are demand­ing, but so is pass­ing the CPAexam.

On this rank­ing of schools with afford­able account­ing degrees, you will find avari­ety of great pro­grams that will pre­pare you to mas­ter the most dif­fi­cult sub­jects in account­ing and qual­i­fy you for sta­ble employ­ment as an accoun­tant or anoth­er sim­i­lar profession.

RELATED LINKS:

25 Best Bachelor’s in Accounting

15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

10 Most Afford­able Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

Top 15 Online Bach­e­lor of Account­ing Degree Programs

The Top 15 Cheap­est Bach­e­lor Degrees in Accounting

How Hard Are Accounting Courses? (2024)

FAQs

How difficult are accounting classes? ›

Earning a degree in accounting can be challenging due to the complex nature of the subject matter, however it is not necessarily categorized as math-heavy. Students who are dedicated, diligent, and hard-working can successfully earn an accounting degree.

Is accounting easy to pass? ›

The overall CPA Exam pass rates hover slightly below 50%. This makes passing the CPA Exam a difficult, but achievable, goal. You'll need to study wisely, set a strategy for managing your time, and call on your support network, but with the right plan and good study materials, you will conquer it.

How to pass an accounting class? ›

I recommend a process that includes twelve steps: (1) know what the professor expects, (2) be your own teacher, (3) work hard from the first day, (4) attend every class, (5) take good notes, (6) participate in class, (7) read the textbook several times, (8) look for patterns, (9) do the homework, (10) study with a ...

Is it hard to take accountancy course? ›

Rigorous Coursework

Accounting is often considered to be one of the most intense college majors there is. Students are required to take very rigorous courses in a number of different subjects. In addition, the core coursework required in accounting can be daunting and takes much studying and preparation.

Is accounting hard if you're bad at math? ›

Expertise in mathematics is not required to succeed as a bookkeeper or an accountant. What is needed, however, is the confidence and ability to be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide as well as use decimals, fractions and percentages.

Are accounting classes a lot of math? ›

Accountants need to be proficient in basic arithmetic, algebra, and statistics to analyze financial data, prepare reports, and ensure accuracy in their work. They may also use mathematical principles to perform tasks such as budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

Which is the easiest course in accounting? ›

Intermediate accounting is a course that is at the professional core level and has many reviews for being one of the easiest accounting courses. Accounting majors must take intermediate accounting I and II. Some students find that Intermediate Accounting II is easier after taking Intermediate Accounting I.

What is the hardest accounting exam? ›

The FAR section of the CPA Exam is hard because it's the most comprehensive of the 4 exam sections, and it has a lot of math questions that are mentally taxing to get through. It has the lowest pass rate of all 4 exam sections and is considered the hardest CPA Exam section.

Is the CPA harder than the bar? ›

The CPA Exam is also a rigorous process. Candidates have an 18-month window to study and sit for the four-part exam once they have been approved as a candidate. The first-time pass rate for all sections is less than the Bar Exam.

How do I not fail an accounting exam? ›

Review each lesson before and after class.
  1. Take notes on the chapter before you go into class.
  2. Don't be afraid to ask questions. ...
  3. Take time to review notes after class.
  4. Revisit anything you are still having trouble with by rereading sections in your textbook or going over notes from the day's lesson.

Is the accounting test hard? ›

The CPA Exam is a rigorous test and requires a serious commitment. However, like all tests, the amount of time you dedicate to studying for each section of the exam will depend upon your own knowledge, experience and test-taking abilities.

How to easily learn accounting? ›

Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Step 1: Understanding the Accounting Equation. ...
  2. Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with Financial Statements. ...
  3. Step 3: Learning to Record Business Transactions. ...
  4. Step 4: Posting Journal Entries to the Ledger. ...
  5. Step 5: Prepare the Trial Balance. ...
  6. Step 6: Make Adjusting Entries. ...
  7. Step 7: Prepare Financial Statements.
May 30, 2023

Are accounting classes hard? ›

Learning accounting may be challenging for some. The most challenging parts of learning accounting are mastering complex skills and abilities and paying close attention to detail.

What is the toughest accounting course? ›

What Is the Most Difficult Accounting Course?
  • Source. ...
  • Financial Statement Analysis. ...
  • Cost Accounting. ...
  • International Accounting. ...
  • Source. ...
  • Forensic Accounting. ...
  • Source. ...
  • Intermediate Accounting. Builds on foundational accounting principles, covering topics such as revenue recognition, inventory valuation, and long-term liabilities.

How fast can you learn accounting? ›

The length of time it will take you to receive your degree can vary, and the total time will depend on a number of factors, including how many credit hours you've already completed as well as the course of studies you intend to follow. In general, it takes four years of study to earn a degree in accounting.

What is the hardest thing to learn in accounting? ›

One of the most challenging aspects of accounting is interpreting financial data, which involves analyzing large amounts of information to provide accurate financial reports. It requires a deep understanding of accounting principles and concepts, as well as an ability to interpret complex data sets.

How long does it take to learn basic accounting? ›

It can take anywhere from two to four years overall to learn. While learning accounting skills, individuals begin with researching and determining the type of program they wish to pursue. Throughout years two through four, individuals complete accounting, finance, and taxation classes.

What are accounting classes like? ›

Accounting courses cover a range of topics, such as budgets, financial statements, tax law, and production costs. In your accounting courses, you'll explore the accounting cycle, how to prepare financial statements, create and manage budgets, and collect and document financial evidence.

Is accounting harder than finance? ›

Is finance harder than accounting? Accounting relies on precise arithmetic principles, making it more complex, whereas finance requires a grasp of economics and accounting without as much mathematical detail.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6209

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.