Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

[KSUowls]

Well I'm a finance major and I'm stuck in a situation where I can't make up my mind...

Ok so I'm dropping one of my classes and adding one to replace it with. There are 3 classes I am considering and would like to know if there are any accounting/finance/econ majors out there that have taken any of these classes (or equivalents) and their thoughts.

Current schedule (minus the class I am dropping):
Monday and Wednesday
12:30-1:45 pm
2-3:15 pm
5-6:15 pm
8-9:15 pm


Here are the 3 classes I am considering, along with day/time and course description

Class #1 Tuesday/Thursday 11am-12:15pm
Intermediate Financial Accounting - This course focuses on the collection, analysis, and reporting of financial accounting information. The course includes theory and application of financial accounting concepts within the framework of accounting as an information system. The course also covers several technical accounting topics from a preparer¿s perspective.

-Ratemyprofessor lists the professor as good but hard. I don't live on campus so this would be more driving, but it would give me 2 breaks during my long Monday/Wednesday days (at 3:30 and again at 6:30). This is my least liked of the 3 course topics


Class #2 Monday and Wednesday 3:30-4:45 pm
Microeconomics - Theory of the determination of price and output in both partial and general equilibrium. Topics include the theory of the firm, consumer behavior, analysis of market structures, welfare economics, social choice, the theory of games, and asymmetric information.

-Professor has mixed reviews. Most say they like the guy, but his class is very hard. This leaves me with just one break on Monday and Wednesday (at 6:30). This seems to be in the middle for me as far as topics go.


Class #3 Tuesday and Thursday 11am-12:15pm
Public and Urban Economics - This course considers the application of economic models to analyze the role of government in correcting market failures, the effects of taxation and expenditure policies on the allocation of resources, and the distribution of income. There is an emphasis on the optimal provision of public goods, the incidence and behavioral effects of taxes, regulation of externalities, public choice and the spatial

-Professor has the lowest ratings of the 3. Reviews state that his class is overly hard. The schedule here is the same as Class #1. The course Description sounds the most interesting of the 3.



I appreciate anyone's thoughts on the matter.

[p_rushing]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

What's the class numbers? That will tell you what level they are.

Class 1 & 2 should be easy and structured, but you will have to follow specific formulas/procedures to get the right answer.

Class 3 seems like it would be less structured and open to whatever the professor wants to do. Most likely the answers will be more theorical and open ended. You probably can come up with any answer as long as you can defend it.

[KSUowls]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

The accounting course is a 3000 level course.

Both Econ courses are in the 4000's.

I'm a senior and have noticed little difference in the upper division (3000 and 4000 level) classes though. Plus I find accounting to be more tedious than economics making it more on par with a 4000 level by default.


I'm leaning towards option #3 since it gives me an extra break on my long days and seems to be the most interesting course topic.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

Micro economics........Hands down. Goes with your major and has real world usage. I took that class, actually took 2 econ classes years ago when I was college. Loved them both due to I was actually able to use that knowledge on every job I ever had since taking those classes.

Accounting classes, more then just basic accounting are useless unless you are an accounting major and want to be an accountant.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

Accounting classes, more then just basic accounting are useless unless you are an accounting major and want to be an accountant.

Or finance. I work in the finance department of a large company and use basic accounting practices on a daily basis. It is imperative to understand how debits and credits (T accounts) work as well as understand the the ins and outs of the three major fiancial statments (Income, Balance and Cash Flow) and how they relate and interact with eachother.

For my job, I wish I would have taken a few more accounting classes and paid more attention. I've found myself on numerous occasions early on going back to my old text books for quick refresher lessons.

It really depends on what you think you want to do.

[KSUowls]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

Or finance. I work in the finance department of a large company and use basic accounting practices on a daily basis. It is imperative to understand how debits and credits (T accounts) work as well as understand the the ins and outs of the three major fiancial statments (Income, Balance and Cash Flow) and how they relate and interact with eachother.

For my job, I wish I would have taken a few more accounting classes and paid more attention. I've found myself on numerous occasions early on going back to my old text books for quick refresher lessons.

It really depends on what you think you want to do.

I want to be in corporate finance I think.

Anyways thanks for all the replies guys. I added option #3 last night. I'm still going to be at school from 12:30-9:15pm every Monday and Wednesday but now I have 2 breaks in there to get some extra stuff done. Also, most of my course load this semester isn't too bad so I'm thinking it would be better to take the harder class this semester and take the somewhat easier classes next semester when my load will be heavier.

Again thanks for the responses.

[stlstudios189]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

microeconomics is an easy class that is very usefull. It will fill up your day but only 2 days of class not bad.

[USF11]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

My Undergrad and Masters are both in finance.

I would say take as many accounting classes as possible. If you want a career in corporate finance, your going to have to take the CFA at somepoint and possibly the CPA(Not Likely...but you never know).

Having as much accounting knowledge as possible will help. Plus accounting is fairly straightforward and easy.

I always found econ classes boring and worthless, most of what is being taught is common sense stuff.

[KSUowls]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

microeconomics is an easy class that is very usefull. It will fill up your day but only 2 days of class not bad.

I had to take a micro econ class before I was accepted into the business school. This one is just a senior level one that goes really in depth.

I attended the Public and Urban Economics class today and I think I'm going to like it. The class is basically all about the role of the government in the economy and affects it has which I find really interesting.

I'll probably take the accounting course next semester since I still have a couple of non-finance business courses I still need to take.

@USF11
Have you already taken the CFA? I've looked up the passing % for each of the three tests and it seems like it is one of the hardest certifications to get.

[Misfit]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

I'm an econ major that now works in accounting. Accounting courses are easy, it's just straight-forward math for the most part once you get the terminology down. The most useful stuff you'll learn is on the job anyways. One of my clients hired a CPA to be the contact between my firm and their shop. The guy has no real world experience and is absolutely useless. I would love to ask him how he managed to pass because he asks me questions no one with that certification should ever ask.

Anyways, I think you made the right choice as that course sounds like it's the most interesting. My econ background really isn't a major help in my profession but those classes usually give you industry knowledge which can help you get ahead later in life.

[USF11]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

emester since I still have a couple of non-finance business courses I still need to take.

@USF11
Have you already taken the CFA? I've looked up the passing % for each of the three tests and it seems like it is one of the hardest certifications to get.

I am going to take level 1 in December.

My Masters had 4 CFA prep focused classes. I also hear great things about Schweiser study guides before you take each level.

The thing about the CFA is they only take the top 10% of passers at each level. However alot of people take the test because their employer pays for them to take it and these people do not study at all.

My teacher who has his CFA said it takes roughly 40 hours a week for 12 weeks of studying. To pass each level with ease.

[Tomahawk]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

I got a degree in Accounting, but later went back to school and switched careers. I can honestly say that Intermediate Accounting was the hardest college course that I have ever taken. It is a whole lot more than just straight forward math and way beyond just basic principles of accounting. If you think it would further your career then take it, but if you are just looking for something to fill out your schedule then I would take something else.

[MassNole]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

Micro economics........Hands down. Goes with your major and has real world usage. I took that class, actually took 2 econ classes years ago when I was college. Loved them both due to I was actually able to use that knowledge on every job I ever had since taking those classes.

Accounting classes, more then just basic accounting are useless unless you are an accounting major and want to be an accountant.

I despised Microeconomics.

[av7]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

I despised Microeconomics.

Its even worse when you have a professor speaking English with a heavy accent making it almost impossible to understand

[MassNole]

Re: Help picking a class (Econ/Accounting)

Its even worse when you have a professor speaking English with a heavy accent making it almost impossible to understand

LOL, my wife says the same thing, she compared her Econ prof to the Swedish Chef.