The analytical and critical thinking skills you develop as you earn your degree apply to a variety of industries and roles within them. Doctorate degree (PhD) programs may take up to seven years to complete, but students can finish them in four to five years. You can choose between a PhD in accounting or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in accounting.

A career path as a financial analyst involves evaluating financial data, preparing reports, and providing insights to help businesses make informed investment decisions. Main responsibilities include analysing financial statements, market trends, and economic conditions to forecast future performance and recommend strategies. To secure a job as a financial accountant, one typically needs a bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting, proficiency in accounting software, and strong analytical skills. Additionally, obtaining certifications such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) can enhance job prospects. Tax preparers help individuals and businesses put together federal and state tax returns. In the financial analyst role, you’ll help individuals and companies make financial decisions, primarily about investments.

Bachelor’s

1. Each level of education could unlock additional jobs in the fields of accounting and finance.
2. Additional requirements may include professional work experience and standardised test scores like the GMAT or GRE.
3. A bachelor’s degree in accounting meets the educational requirement for careers like accountant and auditor.

It’s a surprisingly versatile major that can lead to jobs in private and public organizations across many industries. Logan Allec is a CPA and the founder of tax relief company Choice Tax Relief, where he represents individuals and businesses who owe significant back taxes to the IRS or their state. He is also an expert in discreetly helping those who have gotten behind on their tax filings get back in compliance. An avid content creator, Logan publishes weekly videos to his YouTube channel to inform and educate everyday Americans who have found themselves in tax trouble on how they can get a fresh start. Before launching Choice Tax Relief, Logan managed complex tax engagements for publicly traded companies and high-net-worth clientele at a «Big 4» accounting firm.

Tax Examiner or Collector, or Revenue Agent

Accounting careers that require a bachelor’s degree at a minimum can be worth it. While bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) degrees in accounting have similar core courses, they differ in electives and training focus. A BA typically provides humanities training, focusing on areas like communications or psychology, while a BS focuses more on practical application courses, like business, marketing, or finance. BS degrees sometimes require more credits, which helps students more easily meet the 150-credit requirement for the CPA certification. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants earned a median annual salary of over $71,000 in 2019 — more than $30,000 above the national average. This page explores educational requirements, degree options, and career paths for accountants.

Types of accounting degrees

If you’re ready to earn your master’s degree, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business offers an online Master’s of Accounting (iMSA). With this accounting degree, you can enter the accounting field or advance your existing career. Organizations of all types and sizes rely on the work of accounting professionals to create budgets, maintain financial records, record transactions, and more.

Although all types of accounting degrees can lead to an accounting career, higher levels of education can prepare learners for more advanced roles and certifications. The need for accountants and auditors for businesses throughout the nation is rising, with an estimated 135,000 new positions created every year through 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [1]. Entrepreneurs and corporate businesses in all fields, as well as the nonprofit industry, state and federal governments, schools, and accounting firms, need these finance professionals. For example, accountants who achieve partner positions at large accounting firms often earn six to seven figures annually, including profit shares, bonuses and benefits. Additionally, many chief financial officers (CFOs) at publicly traded companies begin their careers as auditors; as chief executives, CFOs earn a median annual salary of $206,680, per the BLS.

Accounting degree classes: What coursework can you expect to take?

With a management accounting specialization, graduates can qualify for management accountant, cost accountant, and accounting manager careers. The concentration can also help learners prepare for credentials like certified management accountant. With an environmental accounting concentration for their degree, graduates can pursue careers as sustainability analysts, environmental accountants, and conservation fiscal specialists.

Accounting degrees come in various forms, with undergraduate titles such as Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) or bachelor’s in accounting. In the US, the Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcy, BAcc, or what is the distinction between debtor and creditor BAccty) is often the primary undergraduate degree recognised for professional accounting practice. This includes collecting employee tax documents and timesheets, calculating wages, entering data into payroll software, and distributing paychecks. In addition, you may be responsible for preparing payment statements, processing payroll taxes, and preparing reports for the company’s accountant. He is passionate about technology in education, college and career readiness and school improvement through data-driven practices.

This specialized path of study trains graduates to evaluate corporate merger plans, recommend acquisition strategies, and shepherd organizations through an acquisition. These skills help prepare professionals for careers in mergers and acquisitions, financial management, and risk analysis. With a financial accounting specialization, graduates can qualify for auditor, financial accountant, and budget analyst jobs.

They also provide critical financial insights and advice to support decision-making and strategic planning. To become a tax accountant, one would need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, while many employers prefer candidates who also has a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification. A career as a tax accountant involves specialising in tax planning, preparation, and compliance for individuals, businesses, or organisations.

Other common titles include the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in accounting and the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in accounting (also abbreviated as BS/ACC). Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below. Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for Accounting.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.

You can expect to complete a range of core courses during your first two years before moving into your major coursework. The average total cost of a bachelor’s degree, including books, supplies, and living expenses, is $38,270, according to the Education Data Initiative [1]. While accounting majors often take several financial accounting courses as part of their degree, this concentration offers greater depth into the analytical and reporting knowledge for financial accountant roles. Professionals who add a finance concentration to their accounting degree can qualify for roles like financial analyst, personal financial advisor, and financial accountant. Specialist roles what does capitalizing assets mean chron com within accounting, such as financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, and advisory services, offer diverse career paths.