What are some of the specializations within this degree program?

The major accounting areas include public accounting, management accounting, government accounting, and internal auditing. Public accountants are perhaps the most well-known type of accountant. Many are known as CPAs, certified public accountants, because the have earned the state CPA credential. Public accountants help all sorts of clients, from businesses to individuals, keep up with the legal aspects of their bookkeeping. Filing taxes, analyzing business decisions with respect to taxes, and making sure that financial records are being kept correctly are some of their common responsibilities. Some CPAs specialize in forensic accounting, a branch of public accounting that looks at financial records to investigate corporate crime.

While public accountants are often self-employed or part of an accounting firm, managerial accountants work within a company to help manage its financial documents and decisions. Managerial accountants are more involved in the day-to-day functioning of business decisions than public accountants; managerial accountants may be responsible for budgeting for future quarters and appropriately handling the business’s assets. Internal auditors perform a similar role inside companies and governments, except that they take on a watch dog aspect in their work, as well. They examine the company’s books and analyze if they are being kept in an ethical fashion, and they take a non-biased look at corporate policies to see if they are efficient and being enacted as planned.

Government accountants have a role similar to public accountants, except that they work in the public sector, for local, state, and federal governments. They help manage the government’s budget and oversee that funds are being spent appropriately. Some may work for the IRS to analyze the public’s tax returns every year and perform audits.

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What degree levels are available?

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor’s Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master’s Degree: 2 years to complete

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What are the educational and certification requirements?

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, auditing, or a similar field is usually the minimum for beginning work as an accountant, although a small subset do learn their skills on the job after finishing an associate’s degree in a related field. Associate’s degrees in accounting or business administration cover basic accounting principles, software used in accounting, financial math, and tax issues.

A four-year degree is the minimum education requirement to take the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant, which is required for accountants filing papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Four-year degrees cover more general education requirements, along with economics, advanced accounting skills, and business law; many allow students to choose a degree concentration in one of several accounting areas. Those hoping to secure upper-level positions in corporations or other competitive jobs can improve their chances by earning a master’s degree in accounting or a master’s in business administration (MBA) degree with significant accounting work. The master’s degree in accounting lasts about two years, and requires students to choose a focus in either financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, or another major field.

Obtaining the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is the first certification most accountants pursue. CPA licensing is done on a state by state basis; the requirements are usually a four-year degree, 30 additional hours of coursework, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Those interested in becoming an accountant should check the state requirements for CPA certification in the states where they wish to practice. Beyond the CPA credential, there are many voluntary certifications in different specific accounting fields. The Certified Management Accounting (CMA) title is available for professionals with an accounting degree and two years of experience in management accounting. The Institute of Internal Auditors offers certification in internal auditing, government auditing, and financial services auditing. The Certified Information Systems Auditor credential is aimed at accountants with experience auditing information and technical systems. Individuals who already have their CPA can obtain advanced credentials in business valuation, information technology, or personal finance from the American Institute of CPAs. (BLS)

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What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?

Many accounting programs are structured to graduate accounting professionals who can aid businesses and individuals in tax matters, investing, and other issues of financial planning. To prepare students for this role, accounting degrees include coursework in a variety of business, finance, and accounting areas. Many programs allow students to focus their degree by completing a concentration in a specific area of accounting, such as financial auditing or taxation.

Classes in a number of business and accounting topics make up the foundation of this degree. Courses like Statistical Methods for Business and Mathematical Models for Accounting discuss the theoretical tools that are useful for building a business's financial future. Along with these concepts, students learn specific accounting techniques, such as Cost Accounting and Financial Accounting, which can be used to keep track of income and expenditures involved in different types of business financial transactions.

Advanced classes build on these more basic courses, and discuss accounting methods that are specialized in a particular accounting area. For example, the Federal Income Tax for Businesses course is more helpful for accountants who will be working, either externally or internally, to audit corporations. A class in Forensic Accounting Techniques is more applicable to future government accountants or those working in the legal sector.

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If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?

The bulk of the coursework in accounting degree programs can be easily transported to the online learning environment. However, some programs require students to come to campus once or twice during the degree program, to attend orientation sessions or intensive seminars. These visits generally last a week or less.

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What are some other degrees that are related to this program?

Several other degrees cover coursework similar to degrees in accounting, although few would be likely to provide enough coursework to sit for the CPA exam. Many accredited master's degree programs in business administration allow students to take a number of accounting classes, along with business fundamentals. Degrees in finance cover many financial planning topics, which are also touched on in the accounting degree. Also closely related is the degree in economics, although these degrees are more geared toward analysts interested in business research. Individuals with a desire to work in the healthcare industry might look into certificates in medical office administration or billing and coding. These programs discuss reimbursement strategies and accounting techniques used in the medical world.

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