Begin Online for your Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Accounting

It has never been easier to get your degree in accounting than it is today with the convenience of Online education, nor have the services of a professional accountant ever been more needed. The collapse of Enron and other major first drew world wide attention to business accounting practices, and 21st century media is quick to pounce on any business story where even the slightest irregularity in the numbers is suspected. Thus, businesses are increasingly inclined to ensure that they have only the sharpest and most focused accountants handling their books.
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An accountant degree will involve college courses in the fundamentals of business economics, ERP systems, general ledger and accounting systems along with education in financial analysis, auditing and computer applications related to accounting. Once you have the degree, whether you stop at the bachelor level or go on for the master’s degree, you will have opportunities to work at corporations of all sizes, or you could choose to become a public accountant or even a free-lance accountant.

Accounting schools offer both online degree programs and traditional classroom environments. Either route will provide the same quality education, the primary difference being that an online program allows you to get your degree from home without leaving your current job. Furthermore, if your employer can see that your degree will benefit his business, he or she may be willing to pay the tuition for the college courses.

The following list contains just a few of the many possibilities for a degreed accountant.

• Actuary
  
  
• Bookkeeping or auditing clerk
  
  
• Budget analyst
  
  
• Compensation or benefits professional
  
  
• Financial consultant
  
  
• Financial management
  
  
• Financial services agent
  
  
• Governmental auditor
  
  
• Loan counselor or consultant
  
  
• Financial adviser
  
  
• Teller
  
  
• Public accountant

Just as no business is successful today without up-to-date technology, so is one doomed to an early demise without accurate and efficient accounting methods and resources. The government does not look kindly on a business that cannot accurately account for its assets, cash flow and indebtedness. If you are capable of attending to detail, completing work in a timely fashion, and if you have a strong sense of ethics and an aptitude for numbers, this career may well be the perfect one for you.

Reports on salaries for finance professionals vary widely, depending on the source used for the report. However, according to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, starting salaries are expected to increase an average of 4.3 percent in 2008. Smaller firms are expected to have the highest pay increase with public accountants, financial analysts and general accountants projected to receive the highest gains. Entry level personnel can expect from $38,000 to $47,000 while senior level general accountants at large firms may receive starting salaries from $53,000 to $71,000 annually. Of course, factors such as location, size of the firm, and experience and education of the professional all play a part in the salary offering.

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