Business Administration Vs. Accounting: Which Career Path Is Right For You?

Enrolling in an accounting or business administration program will equip you with relevant skills and unlock exciting job opportunities in the dynamic world of business and finance. But which of these two popular training options will offer the best path forward based on your specific interests, skills, and goals?

In this post, we’ve provided an overview of the fields of accounting and business administration in order to help you narrow down your decision. Find out what defines these areas of study and distinguishes them from each other as well as what sorts of career opportunities a diploma in either one can open up.

Ready to learn more about business courses in Edmonton or Calgary, Alberta? Contact Robertson College to connect with one of our Student Advisors today!

Key Takeaways

• Business administration and accounting are related fields distinguished by certain fundamental differences. In small organizations, they may exist together in a single department, but in larger organizations, accounting usually has its own department.
• Business administration encompasses a wide variety of skills related to the operation and growth of an organization, while accounting is more focused on specialized financial tasks like bookkeeping, recordkeeping, tax preparation, and financial analysis.
• Some jobs may be open to both accounting and business administration graduates, but accounting positions are typically more specialized while business administration positions often require a greater degree of versatility, communication, and leadership.
• The right education program for you depends on your personal interests, skills, and goals. Both accounting and business administration diplomas can lead to rewarding careers in business.
• Robertson College offers a variety of business courses designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to move forward on your chosen career path!

What Is Business Administration?

Business administration is a broad field that encompasses all of the practical, technical, and interpersonal aspects that go into keeping a business or organization running day-to-day and growing and thriving over time. These include but are not limited to, operational management, budgeting and financial planning, human resources, marketing, project management, logistics, and more.

From administrative assistants to department managers and chief executive officers (CEOs), personnel in a wide variety of different roles are considered to be business administration professionals. At Robertson College, our array of business administration diploma programs includes human resources, event planning, dental and medical office administration, tourism and hospitality management, and more.

What Is Accounting?

Accounting can be thought of as a specialized financial niche within the broader field of business administration. Careers in this field typically have a narrower scope of focus than other business administration roles and involve a clearly defined financial skillset with responsibilities like recordkeeping, bookkeeping, payroll, tax preparation, financial analysis, and more.

Accounting coursework at Robertson College focuses on building robust and competitive financial skills with classes in business mathematics, financial transactions, taxation, costing, payroll, accounting software, and much more. Graduates from our accounting, payroll, and other financial diploma programs are extremely hireable and possess the foundational skills and knowledge necessary to pursue further financial education and certifications down the road if desired.

Key Differences Between Accounting And Business Administration

While some overlap exists between the fields of accounting and business administration, they diverge from each other in the following key ways:

Areas Of Focus

Business administration has a much broader focus than accounting. As such, students in business administration programs typically study a variety of subjects related to the operation and management of a business while students in accounting programs typically spend more time developing specialized financial knowledge and skills. Business administration encompasses big-picture financial skills such as budget planning and analysis but is less focused on specific financial processes like bookkeeping and tax preparation.

Job Opportunities

Certain professional roles may be equally suitable for accounting or business administration program graduates, but most jobs will be tailored to a specific skillset. Many rewarding career paths can begin with an accounting or business administration diploma, including the following:

• Business Administration
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Office Administrator
  • Human Resources Coordinator
  • Event Manager
  • Hospitality Coordinator
  • Marketing Associate
  • Sales Associate
  • Account Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Project Manager

• Accounting
  • Executive/Office Assistant
  • Receptionist
  • Accounting Clerk
  • Bookkeeping Clerk
  • Payroll Administrator
  • Payroll Analyst
  • Tax Clerk

Skillsets

Business administration and accounting positions both require a high level of organization and professionalism as well as the ability to work well with others. However, while business administration roles tend to involve a higher degree of communication, collaboration, and leadership, accounting roles demand more specialized financial knowledge, attention to detail, and independent work.

Below are some of the core skillsets and competencies that define careers in both fields:

• Business Administration
  • Communication Skills
  • Leadership Skills
  • Presentation Skills
  • Customer Service
  • Project Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Strategic Planning
  • Budgeting
  • Proficiency With Business Administration Software

• Accounting
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Budgeting
  • Financial Analysis
  • Auditing
  • Account Reconciliation
  • Bookkeeping
  • Recordkeeping
  • Tax Preparation
  • Payroll
  • Proficiency With Accounting Software

Benefits Of A Career In Accounting

Financial careers in the fields of accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll can have many unique benefits, including the following:

• Enter the Workforce As a Specialist – As an accounting student, you’ll develop concrete financial skills designed to help you enter directly into specialized roles.
• Concrete Opportunities for Professional Growth – A financial diploma lays the foundation for professional growth, financial certifications, and even an accounting degree if desired.
• Transferable Skillset – Financial specialists are needed in every industry, so a financial diploma will qualify you for a wide variety of exciting roles no matter where you live or where you’re at in your career path.

Benefits Of A Career In Business Administration

Careers in business administration also come with many benefits, including the following:

• Flexible Career Options – Because the field of business administration is so broad, a diploma in this area of study can qualify you for a wide variety of different roles immediately upon graduating as well as in the future.
• Opportunities for Growth and Leadership – If you aspire to grow into a business management or leadership position within an organization, a strong foundation in business administration will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills as well as open the door to pursuing a business degree in the future, if desired.
• Diverse Skillset – As a business administration student, you’ll have the opportunity to explore, hone, and develop a well-rounded and diverse array of professional skills.

Job Outlook

In Canada, the job outlook is favourable for both business administration and accounting program graduates. In Alberta specifically, the Government of Canada projects that between 2022 and 2031 the number of job opportunities available for Accounting Technicians and Administrative Officers will slightly exceed the number of qualified applicants. A diploma in business administration or accounting can prepare you for corporate work as well as a career in the non-profit, educational, health, or government sectors. With the wide selection of job options available, graduates of these programs are sure to find a fulfilling career path that aligns with their passions and skills.

Which Career Path Is Right For You?

Business administration vs. accounting: Which is the right career path? Only you can definitively answer that question, but our supportive and qualified Student Advisors are here to help you make an informed decision and begin your educational journey with confidence. Learn more about the admission requirements for diploma programs in Robertson College’s School of Business when you contact our professional team today!

Explore Your Career Options With Robertson College

At Robertson College, our Student Advisors are ready to guide you in exploring exciting career options in business administration, accounting, and a variety of other fields. Get started today! We look forward to helping you achieve your professional goals.