I'm currently enrolled in a community college and thinking about picking accounting as my major. I plan on getting my associates degree there, and then transferring to a 4 year school to get my bachelors degree. However, I am not sure if I want to stay in school beyond that. Of course, my feelings may change a few years from now, but as of right now, I plan on trying to get a job right after I get my bachelors degree, without getting my masters or becoming a CPA.

My question is, can I make a good career for myself in accounting without becoming a certified CPA? I know becoming certified opens up more options and better pay, but I don't know if that path is right for me. Would I be able to get a good paying job (at least 40-50k per year) with just a bachelors?

Plenty of good paying jobs out there for accountants and auditors...CPA is not for everybody and to be honest it can only take a person so far in business if they lack certain other traits. Focus on your goal and then assemble the toolset to achieve that goal. Its certainly a lot easier to continue onward with your studies and take the CPA exam earlier in your career while the information is still fresh, but its certainly not impossible to get it later in life if you change your mind. Best of Luck!

Robert
http://www.accountingnation.com