Accounting Degrees and Programs

According to InvestorDictionary.com, accountancy is the "process of maintaining, auditing, and processing financial information for business purposes." Accountants create accurate financial reports that are used by managers, regulators, and shareholders. If you are interested in serving a significant need of businesses, a career in accounting might be a good choice. Some professional accounting fields include:

• International accounting
• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Clerical accounting
• Forensic accounting
• Payroll accounting

Accounting Degree Program to Accounting Career

To qualify for most accounting positions, you need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting. Many employers also require masters' degrees in a related field, such as basic accounting or business administration. To become most competitive, you should consider becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA); to become a CPA, you must pass a four-part comprehensive accounting exam and fulfill educational requirements set out by the state you'll work in. In most states, you'll need to fulfill 150 semester hours--30 beyond most bachelor's degree programs--to become a CPA. Some accounting programs offer 5-year bachelor's/master's combined degrees, which could fulfill this requirement. Earning an online degree in accounting is an option that allows for greater flexibility. Your accounting degree programs should include courses in the following:

• Accounting principles
• Taxation laws/regulations
• Accounting computer software
• Accounting theory and ethics

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2009 median salary for accountants/auditors was $60,340, with the top ten percent earning over $104,450. The BLS estimates a great demand for accountants/auditors between 2008 and 2018: a predicted 22 percent increase, which should result in nearly 280,000 jobs.