Accounting

What is accounting?

Accounting is the profession of recording and monitoring all of the financial transactions of an organization.

What should I look for in an online accounting school?

The best online accounting schools should possess either regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, you can often recognize top online accounting schools based on:

• The school's name and status
• The school's history
• Teacher credentials
• Alumni network

In choosing the best online accounting school for you, you should consider the following factors:

• Admission requirements
• Residency requirements
• Class and teaching style
• Testing methods used
• Course content and presentation
• Program length
• Class size
• Student-teacher interaction
• Technology use
• Tuition and financial aid
• Transferability of credits
• Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online accounting programs are available?

The following levels of accounting degree online programs are available:

• Online Accounting Certificate Programs
• Online Associates in Accounting
• Online Bachelor in Accounting
• Online Masters in Accounting
• Online PhD in Accounting

How long does it take to get an online accounting degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online accounting degree depends on the level of accounting degree being pursued and the pace of the student.

Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

• Online Accounting Certification Programs - 6 months to 1 year
• Online Accounting Associates Degree - 2 years
• Online Accounting Bachelor Degree - 4 years
• Online Accounting Masters - 2 years
• Online Accounting PhD - 2 to 5 years

What are some examples of online accounting courses?

The curriculum of accredited online accounting schools covers general business concepts as well as necessary financial topics. Some of the courses included in online accounting training programs are the following:

• Principles of Economics

  Students will explore the concepts of supply and demand and gain an understanding of the consumer pricing index.

• Business Law

  This course introduces students to the judicial process and the legal responsibilities of a corporation.

• Accounting Ethics and Professional Relations

  In this course students will use reasoning skills to review ethical and moral business situations. Students will also look at the idea of professional conduct.

• Accounting Information Systems

  Students will discover the importance of technology in the accounting profession. Some topics covered will include electronic commerce, decision support systems, and project management tools.

• Corporate Taxation

  This course teaches learners about payroll taxes well as federal, state, and local tax filing requirements for corporations. This class will cover calculation of these taxes as well as timeframe for filing tax returns.

What areas of accounting specialization are available?

Graduates of top online accounting programs may choose from a variety of curriculum specializations. Some of these accounting specializations are as follows:

• Public Accounting
• Tax Accounting
• Cost Accounting
• Financial Accounting
• Purchasing
• Internal Auditing

What can I do with an accounting degree?

A wide variety of accounting jobs are available for graduates of top online accounting degree programs. A few of these accounting career options include:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Staff Accountant
• Purchasing Manager
• Auditor
• Financial Consultant
• Accounting Manager
• Corporate Controller
• Supply Chain Manager
• Inventory Manager

What is an accountant?

An accountant records detailed accounts of all of a corporation's financial transactions and understands the legal obligations of a corporate entity from a financial perspective.

What does an accountant do?

Accountants maintain the financial records for a business or other organization. They are responsible for balancing the general ledger and reconciling all debit and credit transactions. Individuals in the accounting profession must understand tax law and be able to calculate tax liability and submit quarterly and annual tax filings. Accountants may also be responsible for estimating corporate assets and determining asset depreciation as well as creating corporate financial statements.

How much does an accountant earn?

The average accountant earns an annual salary of about $62,000, but the top 10 percent of accountants earn over six figures. Job growth for accountants is expected to increase 22 percent over the next several years. The main contributor to the growth in the accounting profession is the demand for financial accountability for corporations.

How do I become an accountant?

When considering how to become an accountant, one must first consider mathematical skills. The accounting profession requires frequent mathematical calculations and solid understanding of numerical concepts. A person seeking to be accountant should complete an online accounting degree program and pursue applicable internships, major school accounting projects, and work experience. It is also important for an accountant to have an interest in finances and financial tools. Competition will be strong, so candidates with advanced online accounting degrees will have an advantage for the top positions.