Online Accounting Degree Programs

An online accounting degree program prepares you to enter the lucrative, rewarding field of accounting.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Accountants and Auditors, it is estimated that 226,000 new jobs will arise in the accounting field over the next decade, making the field of accounting a smart career choice for your future.

Types of Online Accounting Programs

There are several different types of online accounting degree programs to choose from, depending on your career goals. Some schools offer an associate's accounting degree online program (also known as online AA program) to teach the basics of accounting and prepare you for an entry-level job in bookkeeping. You can also pursue an undergraduate accounting bachelors degree online to qualify for middle-level accountant positions or an accounting certificate if you want to upgrade your skills and earn a credential. Graduate students may decide to pursue an MBA with an accounting concentration or a masters of accounting degree by distance learning. Once you complete an accounting online degree program, you may also want to obtain professional CPA certification by taking a specialized state test.

Characteristics of a great Accountant:

Individuals with the following characteristics would be well-suited for pursuing an accounting degree online:

• Enjoy working with numbers
• Have the ability to communicate clearly with a variety of people about both good and bad news
• Work well under pressure and have the ability to meet or beat deadlines
• Pay careful attention to detail
• Are interested in staying up-to-date with changing laws and regulations related to accounting
• Feel confident using various computer software programs to prepare financial documents.

Specialized Accounting Fields

An online accounting degree also gives you the opportunity to specialize and become a management or corporate accountant, public accountant, forensic accountant, public sector accountant, consultant, or tax accountant.

• Management or corporate accountants work for one company to ensure their ongoing financial stability.
• Public accountants handle numerous accounting services for various clients, both corporate and individual, and often become CPAs.
• Forensic accountants use accounting, auditing and investigative skills to review financial and business evidence and may be called upon as expert witnesses in court.
• Public sector accountants work in a government position and handle a variety of financial matters.
• Consultants work as freelance accountants, handling accounting duties and offering financial feedback for both corporate and individual clients.
• Tax accountants take care of filing taxes for both corporate and individual clients.

Accounting Career Salaries

Accountants enjoy excellent salaries as evidenced by the following statistics: According to Robert Half International, a staffing services firm in the areas of accounting and finance, as reported to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Accountants and Auditors, accountants with up to one year of experience enjoy salaries between $31,500 and $48,250 annually; accountants with 1-3 years of experience earn between $36,000 and $60,000; and senior accountants and auditors earn between $43,250 and $79,250. Within just 5 years of earning your online accounting degree, you can earn an impressive salary as an accountant.

What to Look for in an Accounting Degree Online Program

The flexibility of an online accounting degree program is unbeatable, especially if you are currently juggling work and family responsibilities. However, it is essential that you attend an accredited accounting online school in order to ensure that your courses carry weight, whether you decide to enter the field immediately upon your graduation, or pursue higher learning. Also, make sure your school of choice offers an accredited accounting program that fulfills all of your state's current regulations.

Earning an online accounting degree puts you on on the financial fast track to success by making numbers work for you.

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