Before applying to any colleges or universities, try making a list of your educational and professional aspirations. Research schools and programs with exemplary offerings that align with your goals. For example, if you want to work professionally as an accountant, seek institutions with strong alumni networks or internships in the accounting field. The American Institute what are other receivables of CPAs considers AACSB as a top accreditor for accounting and business administration programs; AACSB-accredited schools meet the most rigorous standards for CPA requirements in 17 states. Accreditation from ACBSP and IACBE also indicate high quality for business programs. Every accountant follows a different path, but for many, the process takes about six years.

• Check to see if enrolling online lengthens or shortens the time it takes to earn a degree.
• You could also be responsible for preparing payment statements, processing payroll taxes, and preparing reports for the company’s accountant.
• When choosing a higher education program, students should always keep accreditation in mind, as it can affect financial aid, continuing education, and employment opportunities.
• Students learn to navigate accounting information systems and use industry-standard software.

If you enjoy working with numbers, you might find that one of the accounting fields below is right for you. Enrollees explore coursework in income taxes, business finance, operations management and principles of marketing. NSU also allows students to tailor their education as they see fit with multiple opportunities for elective studies. CPA requirements vary by state, but in most cases, CPAs must meet strenuous educational requirements, pass a qualifying exam and demonstrate at least two years of public accounting experience.

benefits of an online accounting degree

The data below shows the median annual salaries of the major accounting careers, along with projected job growth data and education requirements. Some positions — such as federal accountant, internal revenue agent, and financial examiner — require a CPA credential, which requires 30 additional credits after the 120 typically required for a bachelor’s degree. Students can also improve their qualifications by taking courses in economics and government accounting. Accounting encompasses diverse careers for graduates at all degree levels. According to BLS occupational data, accounting graduates make up one of the largest workforces in the coastal states, and most accounting degree jobs are in metropolitan city centers.

• Students can complete their coursework without set class times through Canvas for added flexibility.
• Tax preparers help individuals and businesses put together federal and state tax returns.
• All median salaries and projected job growth percentages courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.

Bookkeeping requires just a high school diploma and a few college courses in accounting to get started. The Certified Public Bookkeeper certification offered by the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers is a bonus to your resume. While accounting terminology is generally the same regardless of your job in this field, accounting careers can vary widely depending on the audience you are communicating to and for what purpose.

The REG section is also related to the government, though with a focus on regulations. However, this section also emphasizes taxation and tax procedures, so courses in areas like tax research will aid you here. If you’re looking to take your accounting career to the next level, a CPA designation may be what you need. CPA licensure is the gold standard in the profession and can lead to increased earning potential, career mobility, and prestige.

Careers and salaries

Look closely at the school’s curriculum to make sure it features the right array of accounting degree classes and concentrations. Some schools might include a lot of general business classes, while others might stress management and leadership. If you are interested in CPA certification, make sure your chosen program meets all educational requirements and prepares you for the exam. Many programs at the bachelor’s level and above allow students to pursue a concentration.

Accounting Degree Levels

As a certified public accountant, you’ll have the opportunity to work with individuals and businesses in various industries, advising on financial and tax-related matters. You may choose to specialize in a particular area, such as forensic services, taxes, or working within an industry like health care. Alternatively, depending on your career path, you can focus on a wide spectrum of accounting services. A bachelor’s degree is the highest academic level of undergraduate education and is considered to be a degree accountants need to start acquiring the 150 credit hours needed to earn their license. You may also have various work tasks and responsibilities, including auditing, tax, or consulting projects.

Among the reasons you may choose to work in tax accounting are the various tax laws. Every year, the IRS updates the tax code, which provides new challenges for tax accountants. You must stay up-to-date on the latest changes to prepare your clients’ taxes properly. Additionally, tax accountants must be able to navigate the complex web of tax laws to find the best way to minimize their clients’ taxes and provide tax advice. Specific characteristics we considered within each category include accreditation, nonprofit status, average price per year, financial aid offerings, Pell Grant recipient graduation rate and graduation rate. Degree-seekers engage with a curriculum exploring courses such as microeconomic principles, business statistics, internal reporting and brief calculus.

How to Find the Right Online Accounting Degree for You

Accounting degree requirements vary according to the type of accounting career you want to consider. Some areas of accounting may also be more competitive than others, so preparing for this career requires careful planning at each step of the journey. Different types of accounting exist because businesses have different financial needs. For example, public companies are required by law to use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), while private companies may use any accounting method that suits their needs. As an accountant, you can specialize in different areas of accounting, each with its unique accounting career path, certification requirements, and average salary.

The goal is to help these individuals make decisions about how to run the company in a way that will maximize profitability. Accounting is the process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to provide useful information when making business decisions and complying with laws and regulations. We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved score of 83.3% or higher. ASU received institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

To find out what students are saying, browse through student reviews on the school’s website or check with college review websites or forums. As with any degree program, it’s important to choose the right one for you. Consider following these strategies when looking for an online accounting program. One of the best perks of an online degree is the geographical advantage.

Types of Accounting Degrees

Accounting graduates are more likely to find employment as accountants, auditors, or tax advisors. There are important differences in the coursework of these degree programs, including their complexity and requirements. Knowing what classes to expect in each can help you make a more informed decision about your educational future. This guide will give you an overview of the courses covered in WGU’s bachelor’s and master’s in accounting degree program.

Be sure to check with the AICPA and your state CPA society for scholarship opportunities! Both are a great resource for students and can provide a pathway to industry professionals. In addition to scholarship opportunities, many state societies also offer free student memberships and networking events.

Adding economics coursework to an accounting degree can improve skills like logical reasoning, statistical modeling, and cost-benefit analysis. An economics concentration also helps graduates pursue careers in corporate finance, international business, and accounting. Many concentrations within accounting can lead to different career paths. While an accounting degree often leads to jobs in accountancy, auditing and taxation, some outside of accounting include financial managers, financial advisors and budget or financial analysts.