Featured Schools For Accounting Degrees

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting prepares you to measure and report the financial events of an individual or entity. Additionally, it provides you with the ability to understand the elements of the audit process, analyze financial statements, and apply accounting information to management-level decisions. A bachelor's degree is required to write licensing exams in the US.

Also available are Bachelor of Science in management accounting degrees. These can provide you with broad business skills and specialized knowledge in financial accounting, reporting, operations, and other critical areas, but may not be applicable to tax accounting, auditing or used towards CPA credentials.

An associate's degree in accounting prepares students for entry-level jobs in accounting such as accounting assistant, bookkeeper, or management trainee. It can be a step towards national accreditation exams in accountancy. As a graduate you may qualify to work as a tax preparer, auditing clerk, or accounting assistant.

An Accounting and Finance Certificate will open up entry-level career opportunities with the myriad of organizations that require accurate financial record-keeping, effective cash management, and investment strategy. Consider the option of working as an entry-level accountant in business administration, operations, or a financial operations department.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Master's Degree in Accounting. Based on the common career path of accounting professionals, obtaining this level of education is usually done in conjunction with working towards CPA credentials. A Master's Degree is the fifth year of education in accounting, and obtaining a CPA is done after 5 year's of education. Designation as a certified management accountant (CMA), and chartered financial analyst (CFA) are other "next steps" after a Master's Degree.

What about an MBA?

An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is not required for career advancements in accounting, but it is preferred and can even be a requirement for positions like financial analysts where a broader range of knowledge may be required. Other related job titles include business analyst, associate consultant, and research associates.