INPUT ARTICLE: Article: What you hear is often as important as what you see when dealing with an unruly amp. Now that you know your amp isn't completely busted, remove the sound wires connecting to speakers and other devices. If the noise stops, then you know you have a wiring problem. Hissing and crackling are often easy to fix by rearranging the wires or getting complimentary speakers. If the noise doesn't stop, then you probably have a faulty amp to replace. Every device has an amperage rating that indicates what current strength it can handle. Use speakers with a similar or slightly higher rating than the amp. The wrong rating, whether it is too low or too high, means your system won't work the way you want it to. If the amp has a much lower rating than the other devices, it won't send enough sound to the speakers. You may hear a lot of static or get a low-volume sound. Higher amp ratings lead to a louder, stronger sound quality. However, if the amps are more powerful than the speakers, your speakers could burn out much quicker than usual. Hissing coming from your speakers is often a sign that the wires aren't positioned correctly. It's an easy fix, but it's often a little annoying and time-consuming. Go back through the wires, separating the speaker wires from the amp wires. Tuck the speaker wires into safe areas, taping them down or using plastic ties to keep them in place. The positive and negative wires are a common problem. When they touch, they cause the system to go silent and lose power. This doesn't usually harm your devices. You can test for wire problems by moving the wires apart while the speakers and amplifier are on. Don't touch any exposed ends or active power sources like a car battery or wall outlet. Listen for the sound to come back on as you separate the wires. Loose speakers and subwoofers rattle in their cases as sound passes through them. Make sure your devices fit securely in storage spots or leave them out in the open so they aren't bumping against things. Keep them well-mounted so they don't move at all. If your devices have screws holding them in place, tighten the screws to prevent them from rattling. Whooshing sounds happen when air gets pushed out of a speaker or subwoofer as it vibrates. You can fix it by mounting the device to stabilize it or by turning down its settings to make it rattle less. If your amp turns on but no sound comes out of the speakers, your overall setup may be the problem. Not all speakers are compatible with an amp. If your amp is still alive, it will respond when you connect it to speakers and other devices in good condition. Turn up the volume to see if anything changes. Fixing any wiring and mounting issues solves sound problems if your amp still works. Radio silence from a good pair of speakers is a good sign that your amp needs to be replaced.

SUMMARY: Test the sound by unplugging the sound cables or colored RCA wires. Compare the amp's power ratings with the speakers and subwoofers. Reroute speakers wires so they aren't touching one another. Stabilize the speaker enclosure to prevent rattling. Connect the amp to a working pair of speakers.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: High school students interested in pursuing accounting careers should choose classes that fulfill the prerequisite requirements for college-level classes. Mathematics classes prepare you for the courses you will need to take in accounting. In addition, you will need to take classes to prepare for the general education requirements. College accounting programs usually require students to have completed two years of high school algebra and geometry and one advanced math class such as calculus. If you have the opportunity to take business or economics classes in high school, you should. Also, high school statistics classes are valuable for learning to apply your math skills to think critically and solve problems. It's not always necessary to have a degree to work as an accountant. But, most accountants attend college and earn a bachelor's degree in accounting. Also, some states require accountants to have a minimum number of credit hours in accounting. For most bachelor's degrees, you will need 150 credit hours in accounting and related business areas. Accounting degree programs are available at most colleges and universities throughout the United States. US News and World Report has ranked the best on-campus and online accounting degree programs. Many colleges and universities offer on-campus and online degree programs. Some online programs may grant credit for your prior work experience in the field. Corporate or business accounting is different from public accounting. The bulk of public accountant work in big firms is auditing, which is confirming the accuracy and validity of financial records. Corporate accountants work in the accounting department of a business. They handle day-to-day accounting tasks such as balancing the books, tracking expenses and revenue, executing payroll and paying the bills. They also prepare financial statements to comply with government regulations. When choosing your college accounting classes, consider the requirements of a corporate accountant. Select classes that give you the appropriate knowledge and experience. Financial accounting and corporate reporting classes familiarize you with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and teach the basics about ledgers, balance sheets, cost accounting and inventory methods. Internal auditing and forensic accounting classes teach you how to enforce GAAP by looking for irregularities in a company's accounting practices. While some corporate accountants may not prepare tax returns, you should still take classes in principles of taxation to familiarize yourself with these concepts. In addition to accounting classes, prepare for management positions and graduate work by taking other business classes such as economics, finance, management, communication, and quantitative analysis. These kinds of activities fill your resume with valuable experience. They also demonstrate your initiative and level of preparedness for college and your career. Join a professional accounting organization such as the on-campus Accounting Student Association or your college's chapter of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), the international honor society for financial information students. Involve yourself in community service work, such as preparing free tax returns for senior citizens or educating community members in financial literacy. Participate in a team sport to demonstrate your ability to work well with others towards a common goal.

SUMMARY:
Take the right classes in high school. Choose a course of study in college. Choose classes related to a career in corporate accounting. Participate in accounting-related extra-curricular activities.