Do you think taking finance courses is a wise investment? Accounting? Or is there a better way to learn? :P
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Do you think taking finance courses is a wise investment? Accounting? Or is there a better way to learn? :P
Money and Banking (goes by different names at different B-schools) is very useful. But, it's a major hurdle for the business majors, including Accounting majors, so be prepared for a very high level of intensity. Basic accounting is a good course just for learning how to keep your own books. (Although, peachtree, MS Money and Quicken have pretty much taken over that function.) A basic finance course is always helpful Again, in B-school, the basic finance course is a major hurdle that everyone has to take and pass, so expect that high level of intensity. (If your fellow classmates find out you are taking it pass/fail, do not expect a lot of respect from them. They are there to make the grade.) Ahhhh.... the pleasant memories of B-school. Money and Banking at 8:30 after dancing the night shift......YARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGG!
Z
Do you think it's a not-so-great undertaking for someone that has no mathematical aptitude?
I think ultimately it depends on what you are going to use it for. If you are taking it for a career in that kind of field, I would say yes invaluable. If you are taking it so that you'll understand it for your business I'd say yes, valuable although you'd probably do just as well with some non credit courses given through Quickbooks or a local business center or whatnot.
With regards to the math question I'd say people overrate mathematical ability of accountants. Most of it is simply adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. If you have zero aptitude on those basic skills you will be in trouble. But if you have a decent ability or an ability to learn you will do well. Plus everything is done with calculators and computers these days. But having a feel for numbers really helps and that comes with experience.
I hate to point this out, but being able to 'choose' investments with a good probability of gaining value in the near future is an entirely different skill from being able to 'account' for gains and losses !!! And there really aren't any formal sources of education and training for the former !!!
^^^Yeah but I figure I'll need some sort of grasp on the latter before I can hope of getting a grasp on the former. :P I should just look for a tutor or for online courses/lessons for financial math.....
What are you hoping to achieve. Do you want to be able to better manage your finances or are you looking for a career in the area? If you are looking to better manage your finances, taking college courses would probably be overkill since those courses tend to focus on areas relating to business finances or high net worth individuals finances.
For individual financial issues, there is so much available on the web, possibly too much in that it can be overwhelming. The library is another good source. Numerous books have been writen on the subject. Consider spending an afternoon in the library and reading up. One of the first books I read on personal finance/money management was Consumer Reports Books' "Investing on Your Own, A Commonsense Way to Make Your Money Grow". I have lent this book to several people due to how good it is.
If you (or anyone else) would like to know of some good sites, shoot me a PM describing what you are hoping to gain and I will see what I can find online.