Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Society Business and Career
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I’ll be applying to various universities soon to transfer my Business Admin (Management major) diploma credits.

I have Ryerson in mind as well; rather I’d give preference to Ryerson over others.

Ryerson offers a Business Management program with majors in both Management and Accounting (there are several others, but I’m not interested).

Description for Management major and relevant courses that are to be taken:

With this major you receive a breadth of business knowledge that qualifies you to wear a variety of supervisory hats in any enterprise.

Course offerings include studies in production/ operations management, strategic management, management control systems, purchasing and supply chain management, business ethics, public sector purchasing, global supply management, project management, and manufacturing management.

5th & 6th semester courses: http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2005-2006/5TH__6TH_SEMESTERS_261.html

7th & 8th semester courses:
http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2005-2006/7TH__8TH_SEMESTERS_262.html

Description for Accounting major and relevant courses that are to be taken:

This major is kept flexible to keep your career opportunities open upon graduation. We offer many of the courses needed to obtain a professional accounting designation, including chartered accountant, certified general accountant, and certified management accountant. We also maintain a close relationship with all the major accounting bodies to ensure a program that’s current.

Course offerings include studies in financial and managerial accounting, auditing, public sector accounting, and international accounting. The curriculum is rounded out with courses that include marketing, management, human resources, information technology, finance, and decision support systems.

5th & 6th semester courses:
http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2005-2006/5TH__6TH_SEMESTERS_226.html

7th & 8th semester courses:
http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2005-2006/7TH__8TH_SEMESTERS_227.html

I am interested in taking the Accounting major. However, I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to do in the program. I’ve done well in a bookkeeping type of accounting course that I took in gr. 11, but I ended up dropping prematurely from the gr. 12 accounting course, as I wasn’t doing too well and which was more or less all theory. I ended up taking a basic bookkeeping type of accounting course at college and did well in it. I’ve also done well in a financial management course. Hence, I’m interested in pursuing an Accounting major, but I’m a little hesitant.

I know I Management major won’t be too difficult, but I’m not sure if it’ll be worth it. I’m not entirely too keen on many of the courses offered for the management major stream, as they don’t interest me much.

Any suggestions or advice on which one could prove to be a better program and worth taking? Also, has anyone taken this particular accounting major or any other accounting courses/degrees? I’m basically looking for any guidance or help I can get to make a better decision.

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

where did u get ur diploma from?

why not try guelph @ humber?

or york u (dont they combine the seneca at york thing?)

what career do u have in mind when u finish all this?

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

I'm almost done with my diploma from Centennial. I don't wish to attend a univesity out of city. Therefore, Guelph is out of question.

I'll most likely apply to York to transfer my credits, but my first preference would still be Ryerson.

As for career, I'm not too sure. I'd like to know what kind of jobs I could possibly get with Business Management (BComm) Accounting or Management major.

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

It sounds like you’ve already sort of made up your mind Sadiyah… but if I may say so, a bookkeeping course can only be a weak indicator of your aptitude in Accounting.

Do you have to declare your specialization right away? Can’t you take a few courses that are common to both the Management stream and the Accounting stream and then make a more informed decision?

If you are planning to pursue a professional designation in accounting later on such as CA or CMA, then it most certainly makes sense to opt for the accounting stream… also, if you are planning to pursue an MBA at some later point in time, then the general management degree wouldn’t make a lot of sense since you would be repeating a lot of the stuff.

That being said, if you want to pursue immediate work opportunities in the ranks of middle management over the short to medium term after completing your bachelors degree, then the Management stream sounds very beneficial. With courses in Project Management, Consulting and Advanced Operations Management, the stream sounds like they want to prepare students with more practical skills than just offering strategy and policy type courses.

oeeee
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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Umar, well I would be applying to UofT and York; however, I know I'd only be credited for about a year's worth of school. Therefore, Ryerson seems like a better choice to me, as at least I'd be entering in the 3rd year of their 4 year program.

Yes, I understand bookkeeping type of courses aren't the best indicator. I do take a lot of interest and find them to be interesting. Just that I can't seem to make up my mind as to which one would be a better major of the two.

Given that I'd be entering their 3rd year, I will not have much of an option to wait and decide as to what it is that I find interesting. However, given that I'd be allowed to take electives and that could be from management, I could try taking some accounting courses for the accounting major and a few from management (electives) to see how it works out.

Overall, I'm quite confused. Can't seem to make up my mind.

Is there any way I can find out if accounting is for me? I was thinking of taking a few courses at college level in the Summer of 2006. However, I wanted to take the summer off, as this Winter, 06 will be my 3rd consecutive semester at school.

As you suggested that a Management major would be better for middle management and such jobs, what exactly am I looking at in terms of positions that could be offered?

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

guelph @ humber is actually in toronto..at the humber college north campus i believe...i used to go to humber..and i remember reading up pple who have their diplomas in BA, can take more courses and upgrade to a degree with guelph @ humber.....u should check it out...

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

mfs555, thanks for the links.

Mere Paas Paas (The Sequel)
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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Hey just joined this forum and I couldn't wait to respond this thread. I'm also completing my Business Administration Diploma from Humber College and I'll be applying to Universities soon. I'm looking at Ryerson, York, Guelph-Humber, Ottawa, Wilfrid Laurier and Toronto. Ryerson University and Guelph-Humber are giving me the most credits (3rd year entry). But the programs' reputation is not that good compare to York and Toronto. Also, University of York and Toronto are giving me only 1 year worth of credits. The Bachelor of Administrative studies at York is giving 2 years of credits. However, the program is not well received abroad compare to B.Comm and BBA.

As for programs, I'm also confused what to specialize in. The best career in Business to specialize into would Accounting because the demand is really good. Human Resources is second and it is also very promising career. I'm in a dilemma of choosing three destinations: Finance/Management, Finance/Economics or Finance/HR. I'm also stuck in Reputation versus convenience since ryerson is in Greater Toronto Area.

As for Sadiyah, I would recommend you to stick with Accounting/Management because the job prospects are really good. Because if you don't plan on living in Canada you can always go back to Pakistan or Middle East and they really want Accountants. Unless, you don't enjoy accounting like me then I suggest you to take Human Resources or Marketing. Hopefully you make the right decision and Good Luck!

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

BigDaddy, I've heard there may not be that many jobs for HR. Most companies don't have a huge staff for HR.

In addition, after skimming through some available jobs at Workopolis last night, I realized how accounting could be really boring as a career. I'm now leaning towards Management major with a minor in Accounting if possible.

I also checked out York's BAS, but it doesn't look too appealing. I'll still apply to UofT and York, but I feel I may end up choosing Ryerson, as it'll give me the most amount of credits.

Still nothing is confirmed. I'm still double minded, as to what I should pick for a major.

Furthermore, I don't have any plans of moving back to Pakistan or outside of Canada. Therefore, whatever I study, I'll most likely end up using here to work.

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Sadiyah, HR is a safe career. Obviously, you have to work your way up. With, Accounting you will find jobs anywhere in Canada. It can be boring and it is a headache because if you make a mistake that's it. You get lot of warnings from your manager. THat's why Accounting is not that great. The best university to apply if your looking for credits and reputation wise is University of Ryerson and Ottawa. If your not willing to move to Ottawa then Ryerson's not bad since they recently built a new school of business and launched MBA.

I'm open minded regarding this transfer. But you got to keep on brainstorming time to time. With current job situations among Pakistanis/Muslims its hard not to think about working in Middle East or Pakistan since that region is developing immensely. I am currently doing my Canadian Securities studies and if all goes well I'll most likely do my major in Management/Finance.

DOn't forget, Information systems' demand is going to come back because the demand curve for technology is based on cycle of high and low.

Virtual Babies
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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Well, I'm doing my undergrad in Commerce at UofT and majoring in Accounting.Done with most of the 2nd and 3rd year Accounting courses.And, it's rigorous, and extremely competitive.There were times I felt I was biting off more than I could chew, but everything seems to be working out.

I would not recommend the BAS program at York but the BBA at Schulich is very well reputed and infact Schulich has the highest pass rate for the CA examination in Canada(something I found out in my 2nd year). But again, very rigorous and competitive.

I don't know much about Ryerson's program.But talking to Big 4 recruiters I learned that they were mainly looking for grads from UofT-Commerce,Waterloo- Accounting Co-op , and York-Schulich.

Can two men have Virtual Babies
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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Sadiyah,

Where you’ll work, and what you do will largely depend upon what functional area in management interests you… finance, marketing, operations or HR… I’m not sure what concentrations in management are offered at Ryerson, but even if you were going to go for a general management degree, you can demonstrate your strengths in a particular area of interest by taking up more electives in that field.

That being said, by and large, most BBA and BCom grads are employed by large corporate entities, firms in the service sector and financial institutions.

Lastly, I’d also highlight that no matter which concentration you choose, competition will remain keen for the most prestigious jobs in all areas of business. Most of the graduating students who find the “good jobs” are usually those who’ve obtained professional recognition through certification or licensure. If it’s the CA or the CMA for accounts, it’s the CHRP for HR graduates or the CFA for Finance grads.

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

I'm in this dilemma of transfering between Administration and Commerce. What do you guys think which one is better suited in terms of job prospects?

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Umar Talib, given that you're a prof yourself. How well does Ryerson do in the eyes of the employers when it comes to hiring?

Yes, if I do end up taking Management major, I may concentrate on accouting courses, or may take an accounting minor. The only factor that's keep me away from taking accounting as a major (so far) is I don't know how I'd do.

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Hi Sadiyah,

Does Ryerson have a co-op or an internship program? The reason I ask is that graduates from universities like Ryerson, Ottawa, McMaster and WLU (which is where I teach) and the likes will always have a tough time against those graduating from Rotman, Schulich or Ivey. This isn’t necessarily because the academic programs themselves are below par – hell WLU and McMaster have outdone UofT and Ivey in several annual exams and competitions. The truth of the matter is that schools like Rotman, Ivey and Schulich garner strong brand name recognition, and co-op/ internship experience is by far the key strength that students from smaller schools can show-off when competing against graduates from these schools.

That being said, from my own experience in HR while working at GE, even a multinational like GE realizes that they need to look beyond the name of the schools. In 2003 and 2004 while I was there, 60% of positions in GE Corporate for new graduates were filled from McMaster, Carleton and WLU.

So what it comes down to is that internships and co-ops are competitive necessities for students at smaller schools, and you need other ways to differentiate yourself further against those students who have both a big university name attached to them as well as co-op experience – e.g. UofT and the PEY program for Commerce students. One way to do this is to obtain industry endorsed qualifications in the form of certifications or licensure.

Hope this helps.

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

To the best of my knowledge, this particular program does not have co-op at Ryerson. You've mentioned a whole bunch of other schools. Is UofT any better than Ryerson?

As I mentioned earlier I'd most likely be applying to UofT, York, and Ryerson. I wouldn't mind attending UofT granted that I can complete their 3 year direct entry program in 2 years by taking summer school. By any chance, do you have any idea if fast tracking by attending summer school at UofT is an option?

Also, if I end up taking management as my major, what kind of licenses and certificates am I looking at?

Just checked.. Ryerson does offer Internship program for the School of Business Management.

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Re: Ryerson - Management Major or Accounting Major?

Asslam aolikum.
i am seeking guidence from every one in room.
I have recently completed AEC diploma from Dawson college Montreal with major in accounting , business basics and business communications. I am looking to further upgrade this diploma( attestation programme) for an enerty level position and further improvement. I am a new immigrant and not very well aware of educational institutes and regulations.
Basically i a m a sale`s person and have 10 yeras sales experience witha multinational company in Pakistan.
can a ny body guide me some thing to penetrate in job market