Online Accounting Degree

Accounting has been a prosperous career path for ages, recording and keeping track of financial records has been a necessary task for as long as society has supported financial stability. Accounting is meticulous and leaves little room for error as accountants are responsible for a variety of financial tasks, from tax auditing to preparing financial reports for a quarterly review. Accountants are analytical thinkers with a strong comprehension of math and business theory, with most beginning their careers by pursuing an accounting degree to gather the skills needed to pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

In this article we’ll explore online accounting degree programs, as well as discuss the way these degrees can be applied in a professional setting that supports success. By earning an online accounting degree, you can be one step closer to a prosperous and reputable career path.

How Long Does it Take to Get an Online Accounting Degree?

The time it takes to get an accounting degree online will depend on the level of degree being pursued, with most accounting career prospects requiring at minimum a four-year degree in an applicable discipline. Pursuing an accounting degree online can vary in terms of time expectations as it’s mostly dependent on the student’s preferred credit load and whether or not they wish to take the CPA exam to become certified public accountants. Naturally, part-time learners are expected to take a bit longer than those that prefer a streamlined education as they have the benefit of earning this experience on their own time.

The typical online accounting program will provide a curriculum that covers mathematically-focused topics such as statistics, financial recordkeeping, and auditing, as well as other important concepts like ethics, tax law, and international finance. Students are also equipped with the leadership and administrative skills to thrive in a variety of corporate environments and graduate ready to enter their field of choice.

Time span will vary depending on the specific program requirements but most bachelor’s programs take approximately four years to complete. For online learners that embrace a part-time schedule to maintain their current professional lives, this process may take a tad longer but is still worthwhile to maximize career growth and gain additional accounting experience. Students obtaining a bachelor’s degree will be expected to graduate having a working knowledge of auditing, cost accounting, statistics, and more.

The BSBA program at University of Louisville online is the perfect way to gain the essential knowledge and skills needed to pass the CPA exam and confidently enter the business field. Students are able to complete the program from anywhere, at their preferred space with a 100% remote program that still provides interactive and engaged instruction from dedicated faculty members. The BCBA accounting program has a strong focus on business classes in addition to the accountancy courses, with topics like marketing, management, and technology used in modern accountancy systems.

For those looking to further expand their accounting skill set and broaden their professional networks, pursuing an online masters degree in accounting is a worthwhile choice. Many accountants will obtain their masters to strengthen their resume to gain access to additional preparation for the CPA exam. Most online master’s degrees in accounting will highlight core courses for advanced accountancy scenarios involving tax law, ethics, and financial accounting, and at times also provide opportunities for student internships alongside their education.

If you’re seeking to earn an online master’s degree in accounting, the University of Arizona’s AACSB-accredited program may be a great choice. This 100% online program allows students to earn their master’s degree in just 12 months or longer for part-time learners. This program features 12 units of online MBA electives, as well as 18 accounting courses, resulting in graduates having a well-rounded comprehension of both business administration and accountancy concepts.

If an accountant is seeking an advanced position or perhaps wants to pursue academic career prospects, they may choose to earn their PhD in accounting. An accounting doctorate program is the highest level of education an accountant may pursue, and is defined heavily by an accelerated curriculum with a focus on mastering all competencies related to accountancy and business administration. This is a great option for working accountants that may want to earn the skills needed to accelerate into upper financial management.

Walden University’s DBA program in accounting provides graduates with a comprehensive and detailed advanced education of accountancy concepts and business practices. Courses will elaborate on prior topics covered, such as stakeholder relations, globalization, and accountancy ethics. This online DBA program is accredited by the ACBSP and helps students explore additional challenges to prepare for anything that happens in the accounting discipline.

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Potential Careers with Accounting

Accountants are found in virtually every industry, playing a critical role in the financial prosperity for everywhere from massive corporations to small local companies. Having a sense of what industry an accountant would like to specialize in is a great way to narrow down the career opportunities available, but accountants have the advantage of having a very flexible skill set that can help countless businesses thrive. Some example of popular careers chosen by accounting graduates include:

Accountant/CPA

Auditor

Chief Financial Officer

Finance Manager

Financial Advisor

Financial Analyst

VP of Finance

Bookkeeper

Average Salary with Accounting Degree

Job outlook for those with an accounting degree is optimistic, with an expected growth of 11% between 2014 and 2024. The average salary of an accountant will vary widely depending on the specific industry they choose to practice, with corporate level accountants earning a higher salary than say an auditor for a startup company. Let’s explore some of the most common accountant positions and their respective annual salaries from 2019.

Accountant $71,550
Chief Financial Officer $299,000
Bookkeeper $45,000
Financial Analyst $61,500
Auditor $57,800