Bachelor’s Degrees

Do you have an affinity for numbers and problem solving? If so, you may consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Read on to find out what it entails and why you may want to obtain an accounting degree.

Before taking the plunge and choosing a bachelor’s degree in any field, it’s helpful to have an idea of what you may be getting into.

Much like accounting as a career, the education path that will lead you to a future position as a practicing accountant is fairly cut and dry. You’ll have to complete a predetermined number of semester hours, whether you’re looking to stop at a bachelor’s degree or move on to a graduate program and/or CPA licensure.

No matter where your particular path takes you, your accounting career will begin the same way--with a bachelor’s degree.


What is a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting?

Getting a bachelor’s degree is the first step in the career path you’ll be following if you plan to practice accounting in the future.

You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree at minimum to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam, which can boost both your salary and your job security. Many employers prefer their accountants and finance consultants to have completed advanced graduate studies in the field, and the bachelor’s degree is the cornerstone on which you’ll build your education.


A bachelor’s degree in accounting consists of 120 semester hours, some of which are spent taking specialized accounting and business courses. At the end of their degree, students are expected to have a working knowledge of the following subjects:

  • Auditing

  • Managerial accounting

  • Cost accounting

  • Financial accounting

  • Accounting information systems

A bachelor’s degree in accounting also requires a certain number of credit hours in non-accounting classes. It may be helpful to choose courses that will set you apart from the competition, such as English, computer science, or marketing.


For students who are still in high school, it’s important to prepare for the challenging classes you’ll have to pass by taking honors and/or college level courses whenever possible. Higher-level mathematics classes are especially important when it comes to giving you a leg up on your bachelor’s degree.


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Why Would I Want a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting?


Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is undeniably hard work. However, due to the specialization of the job and the responsibilities it comes with, it’s essential to complete your degree before you can be hired at even an entry-level accounting position within a firm.

Life as an accountant consists of more than just crunching numbers all day long. With an accounting degree, you’ll have the opportunity to play a huge role in a business or firm by keeping finances straight and books in order. You’ll have the background you’ll need to advise in matters of business or finance. You’ll have job security and the knowledge that no matter what, financial records will always need to be kept and taxes will have to be filed.


As technology progresses, so does the job description of many accountants. We now have access to software that can handle many of the tasks that traditionally went to the accountants on a company’s payroll. The job of an accountant widely consists of financial management instead of just running numbers and keeping books. Consulting and analysis are normal parts of the job, and a bachelor’s degree will make sure you’re equipped with the tools of the trade when you need them.


Career Outlook


The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that jobs in the accounting and finance sector will increase by ten percent by 2026. This bodes especially well for those who are still in the education stage of the career process.

A bachelor’s degree in accounting can open the door to obtaining jobs in a number of industries, including:

  • Public accounting

  • Education and school systems

  • Healthcare administration

  • Government

  • International trade industries

  • Private companies and firms

Whichever industry you land in, you’ll be qualified for hire in an accounting or finance job. Some of the positions that an accounting degree may qualify you for include:

  • Accountant

  • Actuary

  • Auditor

  • Analyst (budget and finance)

  • Bookkeeper

  • Credit examiner

  • Financial consultant

  • Forensic accountant

  • Payroll administrator

  • Risk assessment advisor

  • Tax advisor

  • Treasurer of an organization

Upon completion of your bachelor’s degree, you may be well on the career track to become a CPA. You’ll need an additional 30 semester hours under your belt before you’re eligible to sit for the exam, but obtaining a bachelor’s degree is the first big step in the right direction. Check with your state’s Accountancy Board for specifics on bachelor’s degree requirements.


Salary expectations


If you start working as an accountant immediately after completing your degree, you’ll find that entry level pay averages around $40,000 to $50,000 per year. The first five to ten years brings additional pay with experience, but doesn’t increase steadily after that.

If you decide to pursue a graduate degree or certification (such as a CPA license), you can expect to earn five to 15 percent more than accountants with just a bachelor’s degree.


School Curriculum


After declaring your accounting major, you and your advisor will work together to create a plan that will make your bachelor’s degree attainable.


Your course load will consist not only of accounting classes, but also additional courses designed to round out your bachelor’s degree. Here’s what you can expect to take.

  1. Core courses

Every bachelor’s degree requires a certain number of core classes to ensure a well-rounded education. These provide a background in subjects that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your major, but promote diversity and critical thinking as well as other applicable skills you’ll likely need in your career.

Examples of these subjects include:

  • Writing and English composition

  • Fine arts and humanities

  • Social sciences

  • Science and technology

  • History

These classes will allow you to receive a broader education than you would receive if you were only focusing on accounting.

The core curriculum will also include a number of elective credits (depending on the specific requirements of your school). You can choose topics of personal interest, or courses that may benefit you in your chosen career.

  1. Business core courses

Since so much of your work as an accountant will involve finance and business, your bachelor’s degree will include a focus on classes that provide a solid background in business practices and principles. Here are some examples of the classes you’ll need to fulfill this requirement:

  • Business Law

  • Managerial Accounting

  • Financial Accounting

  • Introduction to Marketing

  • Principles of Finance

  • Business Statistics

These courses will give you the basis of a strong comprehension of business and finance topics. You’ll be able to comfortably perform financial analysis and provide valuable insight to future employers upon completion.

  1. Accounting major courses

To complete your degree, you’ll need to have accumulated a certain number of credits in your chosen field. You can expect these courses to be more difficult than core classes, and significantly more comprehensive. Examples of these include:

  • Federal Taxation

  • Intermediate and Advanced Accounting

  • Auditing Principles

  • Payroll Accounting

  • Financial Statement Auditing

  • Advanced Business Law

The classes you need to achieve your bachelor’s degree will vary based on your school, so be sure to check with your advisor to find out exactly what requirements you’ll be expected to meet.

When you’re finished with your degree, you should be able to:

  • Prepare tax returns based on a thorough knowledge of current taxation laws

  • Understand the laws and regulations surrounding financial accounting and reporting

  • Audit financial statements and ensure that the proper legal avenues are being followed

  • Create financial records and statements according to local and federal regulations

  • Analyze and explain financial trends and happenings to company stakeholders who may lack comprehensive knowledge of finance

  • Apply proper professional ethics in the finance and accounting field at all times

Though some employers prefer a graduate degree or additional licensing, these credentials should be enough to get you through the door in many accounting firms and get started on your career in finance.


  1. Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Gone are the days of accounting as a monotonous cubicle job. The long-standing stereotype of accountants as boring office drones, wielding calculators and pocket protectors, couldn’t be further from the truth.


Today, accountants are problem solvers and strategists. If you pursue a career as an accountant, you can expect to spend much of your time performing financial and taxation consulting. You’ll need to constantly be able to use sharp critical thinking skills, and no detail should slip past your radar. Numbers shouldn’t be the only thing on your mind--you’ll also need to hone excellent communication skills.


When considering a degree in accounting, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Am I a good problem solver?

  • Am I detail oriented?

  • Can I break down and explain complicated concepts to people?

  • Am I a logical decision maker?

  • Am I a planner by nature?

  • Am I good at extrapolating data from patterns and records?

  • Do I enjoy working with numbers?

If the answer to most of these questions is “yes”, accounting might be a good fit to match your personality type. People who are well-suited to FAME careers (finance, accounting, management, economics) tend to be logical thinkers who are willing to play by the rulebook. They have above average organizational skills, and are extremely conscious of ethics and integrity.

Many accountants have a Myers-Briggs personality type of ESTJ (extrovert, sensing, thinking, judging). These personalities tend to be logical, clinical thinkers who are well suited to a career in accounting or finance.


Academic Requirements for a Bachelor's Level in Accountancy


A bachelor's degree in many majors consists of a mix of called for and elective courses, and also accountancy is no exemption. While certain degree needs differ by college as well as also program, pupils can expect to finish about 120 credit humans resources, consisting of a general education educational program (i.e. interactions, mathematics and also scientific research, social scientific research study, humanities as well as likewise arts, health in addition to wellness), along with customized programs concerning the book-keeping major.Full-time students can expect to complete a bachelors in bookkeeping in 4 years, though some programs supply enhanced three-year degrees. Those entering into university with an associate degree or transfer financial obligations may furthermore complete their programs in fewer than 4 years.


An educational program infatuated organisation techniques and likewise checking features, with a focus on bookkeeping topics Bachelor of Service Administration in Accountancy (BBA): A curriculum of service courses with a major in accountancy; a lot less comprehensive mathematics requirements.


Can I use bachelor's level credit reports to a masters?


You may be wondering what your list below step is to gain a Bachelor's Degree in Bookkeeping. While there are numerous professions within the bookkeeping location, you have to take care with the line of work choices you make as it will certainly develop your level of earnings. With the ideal education and discovering and training, a Bachelor's Degree in Audit can use you a superb beginning factor for entry-level positionings.


The profession course you pick relies on a variety of components. What kind of job you desire to execute will furthermore be determined by the job training course you pick. The requirement for you to possess a bookkeeping background would absolutely likewise be called for if you are looking to work in a bookkeeping firm or on the monitoring degree. Taking into consideration that the audit career is inexpensive, it is encouraged that you go to an organization that provides both accounting and organisation programs.

A Bachelor's Degree in Accounting is no longer considered to be a requirement for entry-level placements. If you intend to sign up with the profession as a job, a Bachelor's Level in Audit is regularly useful.


An on the internet CPA Level is coming to be significantly preferred as a career program for those with a Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy. You can likewise obtain a program that has actually gone online-at-home, as an expansion of your existing work. There are lots of benefits to operating at residence as a State-licensed accountant. For one, it is far more affordable than a full time class program, along with much more flexibility.


Still others pick to continue their education as well as knowing after they begin a job as well as likewise invest it themselves. This requires a CPA level.


For how long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting?


For active individuals looking for a college or academic degree, on-line education and learning may look like an attractive course that can cater to their way of living. Professionals with full time tasks, for example, might welcome the capacity to squeeze in programs after job or on lunch breaks, while mother and fathers taking care of children timetables can collaborate their discovering around grade school pickups as well as soccer methods. There was no chance I can potentially pay to quit working and maintain my family members and likewise most likely to college.

When you're investigating an online university or graduate program, ask an expert to draw up a degree track for you, recommends Tom Finally, chief running cops policeman of the United States College. The client needs to understand just how much it's going to cost them, as well as also the length of time it's going to take.


Lots of people will certainly stay with the tuition as well as will not see the fees, Ultimately claims. When taking a look at programs, make sure you're calculating the overall cost of participation, representing the number of years a program will certainly take to finish. Do not overlook the cost of required magazines and numerous other discovering products. Employer settlement: It's normal for functioning professionals to complete on-line levels with monetary help from their business, yet some firms wait till trainees obtain their high qualities prior to lowering checks. If a workplace payment program will be an essential part in funding your internet level, check to see if the schools you have an interest in have versatile settlement options.


Internet pupils, like typical pupils, have obtaining alternatives. Information that they supply scholarships, provides, fellowships, or help to range pupils. On-line trainees with monetary demand are additionally gotten federal government grants such as the Pell, which funds about $5,550 a year for the neediest pupils. When you're considering the expenditure, you need to not only be thinking about the real out-of-pocket expenses, nonetheless the possibility expense of pursuing something over another point. By that computation, I think online ed does in fact well. You do have a good deal extra flexibility. Searching for an on-line degree program? Get our complete positions of Top Online Education Programs.