What to Look for in an Accounting Degree

If you are considering a career in accounting services, chances are you have started to explore what it will take to get an accounting degree. Although there are two-year accounting degrees available at local community and technical colleges, in most cases you will want to go after a 4-year bachelor’s degree in accounting. In most cases, you will double your earning potential by getting the 4-year degree instead of an associate degree.


College Accreditation

When considering a college, it is important to make sure they have the proper accreditations. Check to make sure they are accredited by the Association to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business. If you find that the college does not have this accreditation, you will want to check to make sure it is recognized by the board of accountancy in your state.

Other Important Factors to Look For

Another thing to look at is the college’s pass rate for students who have taken the CPA exam. This can be a good measurement to help you judge the effectiveness of the school’s accounting program. Not only will this be a good indication that you may pass the exam as a result of taking the same program, but schools that have an excellent accounting program are often the first choice for CPA firms looking to recruit. If you find that the college has a high CPA exam pass rate, plus big name accounting firms regularly show up for school recruiting events, then you have probably found a good school. The success of the college’s career placement service for accounting students is also a good clue as to the caliber of the accounting program. If the college you choose has an excellent program and a good career placement track record, chances are you will stand a good chance of receiving a job offer when you graduate with your degree.

An Accounting Degree to Compete in Today’s Tough Job Market

Money makes the world go round, and you can get onboard with an accounting degree.  If you’re struggling to make ends meet and wonder how you can improve your current financial situation, you may be considering an accounting degree to help you achieve your longterm goals of financial independence.  Let’s take a look at your options.

Accounting Distance Learning

If you’re juggling a home, family, current job and looking for career advancement, you’ll probably want to consider your options to study at home. Many community colleges, four year colleges, and private colleges offer classes through distance learning.

Accounting Schools

Start looking in your home state, so you can pay the least amount of tuition possible. Make an appointment for a counseling session and pre-admission testing at your local junior college. Plan to take your general education classes through distance learning, and set a goal of a class a semester, including summer. This may seem like it will take forever, but by applying steady effort you will achieve your goal, so don’t despair.

Associate Degree in Accounting

Better late than never, many students that are re-entering the workforce, or entering the workforce for the first time at an advanced age are turning to an Associate Degree in Accounting.  This helps line up an entry level job with the military (as a civilian consultant), with local county government, state government, local small businesses, or as a confidence booster when starting a small business.

Bachelor Degree in Accounting

Many students, once completing their AA in Accounting will transfer their units and pursue a bachelor degree in accounting.  This prepares them for advancement from their current entry level positions, and into a technical or supervisory role.  The average wages for a student that has earned their bachelor degree in accounting vs an associate of arts (AA) degree in accounting is significant.  If you’ve already been going to school for many years and have a variety of units from several colleges, you can consider a degree completion program to consolidate your units, and work toward graduation.

Good lck with your Accounting Degree and job search!