ACCOUNTING DEGREES AND CONCENTRATIONS

  1.  EXPLORING ACADEMIC PATHS

                Students interested in pursuing this field have varied choices available to them, including scores of accredited online programs, which are well known for providing excellent, flexible accounting education. Additionally, many programs offer the opportunity to specialize in a particular area, such as auditing, taxation, or forensic accounting. Students unsure which type of degree to pursue can review the table below to get a better sense of the prospects available at each level.

  2.  TYPES OF ACCOUNTING DEGREES

                Degrees in accounting are available at associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels via traditional campus-based learning or online options. Each level of degree can lead to specific opportunities for graduates, ranging from entry-level clerk and assistant roles to academic professorships. Students should identify their goals and understand how the completion of each degree will aid them in meeting those aspirations.

  3.  ASSOCIATE DEGREES

               An associate degree in accounting prepares graduates for a variety of positions within the industry and can be completed in 1-2 years depending on the student’s preference of part or full-time education. Though taking half the time required to complete a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree in accounting still covers a wide spectrum of topics relevant to the field, including basic accounting principles, fundamentals of taxation, payroll accounting, and personal finance.
  4.  BACHELOR'S DEGREE 

               Typically offered as a Bachelor of Science, a four-year degree in accounting is a highly specialized program that prepares graduates to work in varied capacities within the accounting industry. This level of education may be ideal for students who are not looking to become certified public accountants (CPA), as the certification requires additional coursework at the graduate level. Graduates of an accounting degree program will have an in-depth and holistic knowledge of the business cycle and the accounting principles governing responsible practices.

  5.  MASTER OF ACCOUNTING

                A Master of Accounting (MAcc) is an ideal program for students looking to become CPAs or aspiring to high-level accounting positions within competitive firms. For students with an existing background in accounting, this degree can typically be completed in one year. Some programs will offer students the option to complete an intensive internship program, providing hands-on experience and opportunities to make valuable contacts within the industry. Students without prior educational experience in accounting will likely need to complete a number of prerequisite courses before beginning the program.

  6.  DOCTORAL DEGREES

                Students seeking to move into academia or research within accounting will need to pursue a PhD, which typically take 4-5 years of full-time study. Most doctoral programs have three components: coursework, research and dissertation, and comprehensive examinations. Eschewing fundamental accounting classes, students move directly into specialized topics dependent on the area of accounting they are seeking to concentrate on in their dissertation.

  7.  CONCENTRATION AREAS

                With so many different careers available to graduates of accounting programs, students often choose to concentrate their knowledge on a specific area, such as auditing, taxation or even forensic accounting. The list below will give potential students a starting point for thinking about areas of particular interest within the field of accounting. Each concentration also includes examples of potential careers post graduation.

  8.  CPA PREPARATION
                  
                To obtain the status of Certified Public Accountant (CPA), students need to complete 150 hours of coursework. While most bachelor’s degrees fall short by 30 hours, candidates are not required to complete a master’s degree to undertake certification, but they will need to complete the extra hours before applying. Undergraduate students should note that these additional hours should be at graduate level. Again, it is best to check the individual state’s requirements before committing to a program.