Are you contemplating what you should study or at least want to study?
Making the choice can be daunting and difficult.
I hear you, it’s a big decision!
Anyway, so is Accounting harder than Engineering?
Engineering is more difficult to study than Accounting because Engineering involves complex math and physics, making it more difficult to study. Engineering is a more difficult career path than Accounting because there are fewer opportunities for advancement and career growth.
Keep in mind that Engineering and Accounting are two different career paths.
One requires a very high understanding of mathematics and science and the other requires a conceptual understanding of the business structure and law/regulations.
However, I don’t think you should make any decisions based on what’s harder or easier in school or your job.
It is best to pursue a career path that you are interested in.
So now we answered the main question let’s explore further comparing Engineering to Accounting;
What Makes Studying Engineering Degrees So Hard? (Explained)
What makes Engineering Degree so hard is they involve a lot of chemistry, physics and statistics and applied math. Students who are not comfortable with these subjects, find Engineering Degrees hard.
However, answering this question can be a bit tricky, owing to the many different types of engineering degrees that we can get.
Engineering ranges from electrical engineering to mechanical, industrial, chemical, and civil, to name a few.
All of these types are significantly different from each other.
Engineer is a thorough discipline, and you need to be devoted and passionate about the subject if you want to pass.
The workload each semester can also be pretty heavy and can keep you on your toes.
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- Electrical Engineering: Things You Should Know Before Studying (For Students)
- How Difficult is Mechanical Engineering to Study?
- How Difficult is an Engineering Degree? (Explained)
What Makes Studying Accounting Major So Hard? (Explained)
The main reason why students find Accounting hard to learn is understanding the accounting concepts and how the transactions work.
Such as, when you get into courses such as corporate accounting, where accounting concepts dictate what you can and can’t do, and then how you must go about either thing.
However, once you get a grasp of the fundamentals of accounting it is not that hard to learn.
Accounting is a business major that is hugely different from its counterparts.
Majors such as economics, marketing, and human resources can make accounting seem hard to learn.
There is a lot of coursework in an accounting degree, and there is a lot more quantitative work required.
There are also many technical terms you need to learn, and you need to have a grasp of computer software as well.
You don’t have to be fantastic with mathematics it is relatively simple.
If you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide you will be fine.
As mentioned above, getting an understanding of the basics can be challenging, but once you have them down the degree gets much more comfortable.
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- Accounting Degree: 7 Things To Know Before Becoming An Accountant (Explained)
- Should I Study Accounting or Economics, which Degree is Better?
- How Hard is Accounting at College? (Explained)
Harder To Work In Engineering Or Accounting? (Explained)
Working in Engineering is harder than Accounting if you don’t like continually failing to find technical solutions to problems. Accounting is harder than Engineering if you don’t like following rules, working with numbers, and dealing with complex financial problems with strict deadlines.
It’s difficult to say if one profession is harder than the other. They both have their challenges.
Also, what someone finds harder than another person will largely be determined by a person’s interests and likes.
If you are the technical thinking type who likes mathematics, physics and working on developing solutions then Engineering might be the career path for you.
If you enjoy numbers, crunching numbers, following rules and legislation there is no better occupation for you than Accounting.
Studying for an Accounting degree is one of the safest careers that can be undertaken.
Whilst there is an economy there will always be a need for people with accounting skills.
Career paths typically available by fully qualified Accountants include auditing, business services, corporate, cost, financial, financial control, forensic, funds, insolvency, management, and tax.
If you are ambitious and want to earn the big bucks then turning your attention to become a CFO one day, you will need to be certified as a CA (Chartered Accountant) or CPA (Certified Practising Accountant) after finishing your accounting degree
Related Articles
- Is Being An Accountant An Enjoyable Job?
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- Is Accounting A Fun Or Boring Job?
Engineering is a broad area, where there are many branches or career paths that can be chosen.
For instance, Computer Engineer, Civil or Chemical Engineering.
Here are some related articles that explain these branches further
- What is it like being a Civil Engineer?
- What is it like being a Mechanical Engineer? Is it a good job?
- What is it like being a Chemical Engineer? Is it a good career?
Do Engineers Earn More Than Accountants? (Solved)
Engineers earn more than Accountants, with the median wage of an Accountant being $73,560 compared to an Electrical Engineer at $103,390 per annum.
Engineer wages do differ depending on the branch. Below are some popular Engineering branches.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, even the lowest-paid Engineering branch in the table below is higher than an Accountant’s wage.
The wages below should be used as a guide only and that wages will vary on the number of years of experience, geographical location, etc.
| Role | Median Pay 2020 |
| Accountants | $ 73,560 |
| Electrical Engineer | $ 103,390 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $ 90,160 |
| Chemical Engineer | $ 108,540 |
| Civil Engineers | $ 88,570 |
Source
Accountants and Auditors: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Architecture and Engineering Occupations: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Final Thoughts
An Accounting or Engineering career path offers both an interesting and challenging career path.
Accounting offers a reasonable amount of flexibility, allowing accountants to pursue careers in audit, tax, forensic accounting, budget analysis, financial analysis, management, and consulting.
While Engineering offers a more streamlined career path from engineer to senior engineer it does not mean that an Engineer cannot branch off into other non-engineering paths.
It is not usual to find people with Engineering degrees working in business streams or even heading up companies.
Neither Accountanting nor Engineering is necessarily harder than one or the other, a lot depends on a person’s strengths and interests.
As with any career that you want to pursue, analyze yourself and your strengths and weaknesses before deciding which major you want to pick.
Choosing the right career means taking into account your personality, interests, and goals.
Further, choosing a career you also need to consider earning capacity, demand for roles and pay.
