Accounting Bachelor Degrees

If you want to work as an accountant, then you generally need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting. You can get a general accounting degree at most colleges, and some colleges and universities offer specialized programs in internal auditing and other specific accounting fields as well.

How a Bachelor Degree in Accounting Can Help Your Career

Accounting jobs with the most potential for advancement and higher salaries require you to be a Certified Public Accountant. This credential--which allows you to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission--requires you to have earned a bachelor's degree. Additionally, 46 states require you to have completed 150 semester hours to become a CPA--30 hours more than the additional four-year bachelor accounting degree. A bachelor's accounting degree can help prepare you for the difficult CPA exam. It's a four-part exam, and less than 50 percent of the people who take it pass all four parts on their first try. Fortunately, after you pass one section, you still have 18 months to pass the other three.

Potential Salary for Someone with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting

The median annual salary for an accountant is $60,340, although when you first begin working it may be under the supervision of an accountant with more experience. Accountants working in specialized sectors such as the federal government or security and commodities may have higher average wages--over $80,000 annually, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

Job Outlook After Earning Your Bachelor Degree in Accounting

You should have excellent job prospects after earning your degree, since employment for accountants is expected to increase by 22 percent from 2008-2018. That's over 275,000 new jobs. Some universities offer 5-year programs combining bachelor and master degrees, which can give you more flexibility in your job hunt. Earning your CPA can also help improve your chances for employment.