They say they want a career that allows them to work with other people. Another reason they did not declare accounting as a major is that they do not think accounting offers many job opportunities, beyond the accounting field. The majority of students never considered an accounting major. They chose the major because of job security, they find it interesting, and they know people, particularly family members and friends, who are accountants. Accounting majors also feel very adept with math.
College students have a great deal of respect for CPAs.
They perceive CPAs as intelligent, well-educated, hard working people. Perceptions are developed through family and friends, professors, advisors and their accounting classes. They recognize that CPAs are often involved in financial planning for businesses, and in financial consulting. Students also plan to pursue a career in finance, as a stockbroker, an owner of a small business, be self-employed, or in the computer industry. Other instrumental sources of information are family, both parents and other family members, friends, internships or work experience, and courses.