An accounting major requires a strong base in general education, such as liberal arts courses. Before taking courses focused on accounting, students are required to take various math and communications courses such as college algebra, statistics and English. Accounting majors generally require a set of core business courses, such as management and marketing. However, the core courses for the major are specific to accounting. These courses are specialized in accounting fields such as cost, tax and managerial accounting. Accounting majors also take courses specializing in data analysis and computer auditing.
Business majors are required to take the same general education courses as accounting majors, as well as various introductory accounting courses. However, core courses of the major are focused in general business practices rather than accounting. Business majors take courses specialized in business management and ethics, as well as human resources, leadership and communications. This gives students the knowledge to operate a small business internally – in the context of employee relations and productivity – as well as externally – in the context of the market and economy.
Accounting degrees are specialized for various accountancy careers. Students may go on to work for businesses in accounting positions such as cost analysis, tax auditing and financial planning. Accounting majors may also go on to open a private firm, through which they perform various accounting duties for businesses on a contract basis. Other careers suited for accounting majors include banking and insurance positions, as well as personal finance advisory services.
Business majors are prepared for various careers in business operations and management. Students may use their business degrees to obtain entry-level corporate positions in sales, accounting and administration. Alternatively, students may use their degrees to plan and start a small business. In either case, a business degree prepares students to obtain leadership roles in the business world. A business student with experience in the field may eventually hold such positions as CEO or analyst, as well as management positions in sales, human resources and other business operations.