I am currently thinking about switching careers. I am considering an Accounting Certificate Program offered through UCLA's Extension and I would like to know if this is sufficient for an entry level accounting position. Also is it worth pursuing a certification course to become a certified tax preparer and register with The California Tax Education Council (CTEC) to gain some type of experience? I really do not want to pursue another Bachelors or get a MBA.

My ultimate goal is to pursue a CPA or MST(Taxation) or MS in Accounting, but I would like to get some practical experience first after the certificate. When I asked around, the field seems to be saturated with new college grads and out of work accountants right now and if you do not have any experience, it may be very difficult for even a CPA to get a decent job. Unfortunately, my B.A. is in Political Science and my past corporate desk jobs were mainly sales related positions. It is my intention to look for an internship during the program or to work part time preparing taxes through something like H&R Block in order to put some type of accounting experience on my resume. I am planning to get the certificate and some experience in the next four to five years, unless if I get laid off, then that is another situation I have to deal with then. I am in the bottom group of the seniority list and if we have another round of lay offs next year, this will be my last flying job with the exception of CFIing.

I currently work for a fractional, not Netjets, but even if I was there, the life style of being a pilot on the road does not appeal to me anymore. I enjoy flying, but after having worked at 121, 135, and 91k companies, I cannot see myself doing this for another 25 years. In addition, when I reflect back on my CFI years, I kind of miss flying small pistons and teaching people how to fly. Thus for the rest of my pilot life, I want to fly for fun and not for a living. I did not come to this realization until recently, but I may be one of the few oddballs that do not enjoy this as a career anymore. However, although I would not discourage any young person who still wants to become a pilot, I would suggest to him or her to have a secondary practical interest and some academic or vocational training outside of aviation. This could even be done when one has achieved a decent pilot position since there are a lot of part time and internet courses to pursue certificates and degrees.

Accounting and numbers have always appealed to me, and if I could go back in time, I would kick my own ass and force myself to change majors. I always enjoyed math, got good grades in all my math and science classes, but I think in my youthful years, I was interested in international politics and economics. The stupid idealist. My interest in flying goes back to flying on Pan Am as a kid and thinking how cool it would be to be a Captain on the Clipper surrounded by young female stewardesses, sitting on the beach in Bangkok. Now I sit in economy in the middle seat often during my first day, last day, and at times even in the middle of my rotation as my company sends us to crew another plane 1000 to 2000 miles away. Ugh!

Anyways, sorry for the long post and if someone is currently in the accounting field could give me some suggestions, I am very grateful.

Thank you.