Are you considering moving onwards and upwards in your accounting career? Two ways to do that are to get more education or to gain more experience. But which is better? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on what you want out of your career, the job you’re considering, and much more. However, it can be helpful to look at the advantages of each when deciding what’s right for you.
Advantages of A Degree
The first advantage of having a degree is that it’s almost always a requirement to enter the field. There’s little chance you’ll be hired as an accountant without, well… an accounting degree of some kind. Plus, you’ll be able to command a higher salary with a degree. Another advantage of the education route is that specialized or unique certifications will be useful for certain jobs or career paths. You can get a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) degree, for example, in addition to your CPA certification, to gain access to certain jobs.
Advantages of Experience
One great thing about gaining more experience is that it allows you to start earning immediately. So even if it’s not your ideal job, you’ll be getting paid. This also lets you evaluate certain types of jobs to find out if you really like them. Gaining more experience also bolsters your resume, and it gives you a chance to work with more types of teams and companies to round out your career further.
Don’t forget that another advantage of experience vs. a degree is that you’ll avoid adding more debt to your plate. College degrees and even certification programs can be costly, so it’s important to factor this in when deciding.
Which is Better: Degree or Experience?
At the end of the day, there is no single answer to which is better: a degree or more experience. It simply depends on your circumstance. If you’re just starting in the accounting world, if you’re interested in exploring a new kind of accounting, or if the job you want requires a certain education level, then a degree might be the path for you. If you’re interested in moving up the ranks or appearing more attractive to more hiring managers, gaining more experience might be the way to go.
Whether you’re looking to move onto a new job or are searching for your entrance into the accounting world, High Profile is here to help. Visit our Job Portal and contact us to get started on your journey.