Online Accounting Degree Programs
Online accounting degree programs can prepare you for a lucrative and interesting career in finance.
Accountants were once known primarily as bookkeepers – but bookkeeping is just one of the valued skills of an accountant. There are many diverse and challenging positions for graduates of online accounting programs in the business world as well as the private sector.
As technology continues to permeate every aspect of our lives, accountants are finding it necessary to incorporate tech skills into everything they do. Online accounting programs have expanded and diversified offerings in response to the need for highly-trained and knowledgeable accountants who are also computer savvy.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the demand for accountants is high. If you are looking for an interesting career that has excellent prospects in a variety of settings, you may want to consider an online degree in accounting.
Four Types of Accountants
“Accountant” is a broad term for several different accounting specialties. There are four main types of accountants, but literally hundreds of different capacities and contexts to work in. Duties vary widely depending on which accounting field you are in.
Public Accountant- A public accountant, most often a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) performs a wide range of duties, depending on who they work for and in what capacity. Auditing, performing tax services, accounting and other financial services are among the duties of an accountant. Some are consultants and advisors to individuals or corporations. Forensic accountants work in several different settings investigating the possibility of fraud such as securities fraud, embezzlement and money laundering. Many public accountants have their own businesses or work in public accounting firms.
Management Accountant- Called by many names indicating specialties such as cost, industrial, and managerial accountants. Private or corporate accountants record and analyze finance records for corporations and private companies. They perform a variety of tasks including cost and asset management, budgeting, performance evaluations, and strategic planning and development. Management accountants prepare financial reports for stock and shareholders, and regulatory and tax authorities.
Government Accountant- Government accountants work for government agencies within the Federal, State and local governments. The government accountant must ensure records are kept in accordance with laws and regulations and that fiscal operations of agencies are conducted accurately and legally. Some work as Internal Revenue Service agents.
Internal Auditor- Internal auditors work within a company or organization to monitor internal controls, checking for mismanagement, fraud and waste. They also review and evaluate the efficiency of company operations and make sure they are complying with government regulations and company policy. Internal auditors often monitor data and network systems that store information. There are specialty titles under this type of accountant, such as information technology auditor, compliance auditor and environmental auditor.
Becoming an Accountant
Preparing to be an accountant will take a college degree. Most accountants also acquire specialty certificates by testing for competency in a certain aspect of accounting. Finding an accredited online accounting program may be the quickest and most convenient route to an accounting job.
An associate’s degree, or A.S. in Accounting, will enable you to perform basic accounting and bookkeeping tasks. There are 2-year accounting programs online that will get you into an entry level position in some companies. If you want to be a public, managerial or government accountant, you will need to graduate from a 4-year accounting program.
There are several bachelor’s degrees online ranging from basic accounting, a B.A. or B.S. in Accounting, to specialty areas within accounting, such as a B.S. in Accounting Technology and B.S. of Business Administration in Accounting. Most employers including the government require a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in college and work experience. The more specialized your degree is, the more likely you are to land a job in the specific field you want. The majority of states and the U.S. government now require 150 credit hours to complete a bachelor’s degree in accounting instead of the normal 124 to 130 as in other disciplines.
Many employers now want job candidates to present with a master’s degree and some form of on the job training, such as an internship experience. There are many master level accounting degrees online that will give you an advantage in the job market. Again, like the bachelor degree titles above, you will find various degrees based on area of concentration or specialty. Because technology supports all financial accounting activities, preparation in computer science is also essential.
Most accountants opt to take certifying exams, which further enhance their employability. Lack of CPA certification will prohibit an accountant from reporting to the SEC, or Securities and Exchange Commission. There are several other certifying exams that show competency in specialty areas and make you more valuable to employers.
Finding an Online Accounting Degree Program
If you have been working as a bookkeeper or lower level accountant you already have an idea of what being an accountant entails. If you have never worked in the field, and think you might want to find out more, the Internet has many sites that will give you enough detailed information to get you started.
Some tips for choosing an online accounting program: Determine what your goals are. Choose a specialty area if you have a preference. Decide if you want to go for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or if you want to start with a (transferable) associate’s degree. Think about cost and compare schools, as they will vary, and high cost does not guarantee high quality. Make sure the schools you are interested in are accredited by one of the six accrediting agencies authorized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you need help deciding, you may want to meet with a job coach or vocational counselor.
Going back to school will seem like a big project, and it is. But remember- the rewards are also big. Good luck!
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