Types of Accounting Degrees

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If you’ve got a penchant for math or finance, accounting could be just the career for you. From rewarding positions in forensic accounting to fast-paced and demanding jobs in internal auditing, accountants have quite a variety of career opportunities and are vital to the success of every business. Find info including job descriptions, salary statistics, career outlook, educational requirements, and more.

Working as an Accountant

Accountants drive the financial department of a business. From Fortune 500 companies to small local shops, accountants keep records organized and up-to-date. Beyond the business world, accountants can be found working for individuals and estates on a one-on-one basis. If you’re an organized person with a talent for math and finance, you could enjoy working as an accountant.

Accountants choose from the following specializations when earning accounting degrees:

• Public accounting
• Management accounting
• Government accounting
• Internal auditing

An accountant’s daily career duties vary based on the specialization they pick. If you love to work with people or want to focus on an interesting field like forensic accounting, you might prefer to work as a public accountant. Working as a government accountant could mean a lucrative career with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). (See IRS Agent Salary)

Strong Job Outlook for Accountants

Employment opportunities for accountants are expected to be strong in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for accountants is expected to jump 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, as an estimated 226,000 new jobs enter the field. Growing business, changing financial laws, and an increased need for financial accountability are expected to drive the growing field.

Federal legislation like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is expected to keep the accounting field growing, particularly for government and management accountants. Those who are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and hold accounting degrees are expected to see the greatest job prospects.

Accountant and Auditor Salary Information

Revenues in the financial industry depend highly on your choice of career and educational level. The BLS reports that accountants and auditors earned mean annual wages of $65,840 in 2008. That same year, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earned $33,800. Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents earned $53,090, while personal financial advisors earned $92,970.

Accountants and those in related careers typically enjoy benefits like health insurance, paid vacation, and a retirement plan. Senior accountants may even keep a company car and an expense account. Public and government accountants may find extra work during tax time, and new legislation could greatly increase the work demand for accountants who work in the private sector.

Accounting Degrees and Certificates

Your goals as an accountant determine your educational path. For example, to work as an accounting or auditing clerk, only some formal training is required, like an associate’s degree in accounting. Full-fledged accountants typically earn a bachelor’s degree, and many go on to complete additional CPA training. Personal financial advisors often pair their accounting bachelor’s degree with an MBA degree or a masters degree in finance. As a general rule, qualifying for higher salaries in the accounting industry requires more education.

Whether you’re looking for a stable career with real growth potential, or searching for the kind of job that lets you work from home or start your own business, accounting degrees offer real possibilities. Accounting careers aren’t for everyone, though; the career can be stressful, and requires a high level of technical knowledge. If you’re up to the challenge, an accounting degree gives you the skills you need.

Amelia Gray
Amelia Gray is a freelance business writer with years of experience in the field. She is teaches business writing at a major, online university.

Find Accounting Schools Near You

Find the right school today.