What is the hardest class for accounting majors?

Asked by: Sophie Koch  |  Last update: July 28, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (67 votes)

Intermediate Accounting (specifically II) is widely considered the hardest, acting as a "weed-out" course with complex, in-depth topics. Other top contenders for the most challenging accounting class include Cost Accounting, Advanced Accounting, and Tax Accounting, often due to their high-volume, detailed, and sometimes abstract nature.

Is intermediate accounting 2 the hardest accounting class?

Intermediate Accounting I and II are normally upper-level courses at a 4-year school. You may not be aware that intermediate accounting II is frequently considered the toughest course offered in an AACSB business school.

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant? It is possible, but labor market data suggests it is rare for accountants to earn such a lofty annual salary.

Why is no one majoring in accounting?

Most states require 150 credit hours for licensure, necessitating extra coursework beyond a bachelor's degree. The notoriously low CPA exam pass rate of 50% adds to the uncertainty, making students hesitant to invest in this career path. To attract more students, universities and the accounting profession must evolve.

Do accounting classes get harder?

Generally, the more advanced the class, the stronger the analytical skills needed. However, anyone pursuing a career in accounting, corporate finance, or data analytics will likely be encouraged to tackle the trickier courses.

Ranking Accounting Courses | Easy to Hard |

42 related questions found

What is the easiest course in accounting?

Intermediate accounting is a course that is at the professional core level and has many reviews for being one of the easiest accounting courses. Accounting majors must take intermediate accounting I and II. Some students find that Intermediate Accounting II is easier after taking Intermediate Accounting I.

Is income tax a hard class?

Tax its self isn't harder but the breadth of the material covered for one or two classes is more difficult in my experience. Basically, tax felt like I was learning half of my normal accounting classes in one class so the amount of time needed to study was 5 fold. The actual topics weren't harder mentally to grasp.

What do accountants struggle with?

Common challenges like duplicate payments, lost documentation, and approval bottlenecks can be significantly reduced by standardizing accounting processes. Today's automation tools take the solution further by streamlining financial ops, applying robust internal controls, and capturing audit trails automatically.

Can I do accounting if I'm bad at math?

The fear of math should not deter you from pursuing a career in accounting. While basic arithmetic is essential, the profession emphasizes analytical thinking, attention to detail, and technological proficiency over advanced mathematical skills.

Which is the no. 1 toughest course in the world?

Medicine courses are considered the toughest courses in the world due to their long duration, challenging curriculum, and high competition. They are also among the toughest courses in India, mainly because NEET sees millions of applicants for limited seats.

What percent of accountants quit?

In 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 300,000 auditors and accountants have quit their job in the last two years—this represents a 17% reduction in the profession's workforce.

What is the #1 easiest major?

Psychology

A bachelor's in psychology ranks among the easiest majors. You can develop skills that apply to varying careers in counseling or marketing. As you complete your undergraduate psychology degree, you'll take classes such as human development, psychology theories, and research in the psychology field.

What is the rarest major?

1. Precision Production. Only 28 students graduated in 2020-21 with a degree in Precision Production—and only 12 in 2021-22.

Can a CPA make 300k a year?

Can accountants make 300k? Yes, it is possible for accountants to make $300,000 a year or more, especially those working in public accounting or executive finance roles. However, salaries at this high level typically require extensive experience, professional qualifications, and a track record of success.

Why are so many accountants quitting?

Monotony and lack of fulfillment

Craving more meaningful projects, creative problem solving and engaging work experience, many accountants leave the field to explore other career options where they can have a deeper sense of purpose and impact.

Why is accounting major so hard?

Other Things You Should Know About Accounting Degrees

Is accounting more difficult than other business majors? Accounting can be more challenging than some other business majors because it emphasizes detailed financial regulations, standards, and precise numerical accuracy.

Is a 75% on the CPA Exam passing?

How Is the CPA Exam Scored? The Discipline sections (BAR, ISC, TCP) were introduced under the updated (2024) CPA Exam structure. Each section is scored on a scale of 0–99, with a score of 75 required to pass.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The top 5 toughest exams in the world are generally considered to be:

  • Gaokao (China)
  • IIT-JEE (India)
  • UPSC Civil Services Exam (India)
  • CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
  • USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)