Online Accounting Classes and Degrees

If you are good with numbers and would enjoy the important task of helping a business run efficiently, a career as an accountant may be for you.

And you’ve picked a career with strong job growth - according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 18 percent between 2006-2016. This is much faster than the average growth for other occupations.

In these times of layoffs and job insecurity, it’s important to pick a career which has strong growth potential, and accounting certainly fits that category.

However, it can be very challenging going to school and working at the same time.

Fortunately, accounting degrees can be obtained one hundred percent online! Whether you are planning to pursue an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree in accounting, there are online options available for you.

Certified Public Accountants are the most highly qualified and the most highly in demand. Not all accountants are Certified Public Accountants; in order for someone to become a Certified Public Accountant (also referred to as a CPA), they must pass a series of tests given by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

It is worth it to get the extra certification, because it comes with a higher salary and it provides a wider variety of career opportunities than a standard accounting degree.

And fortunately, all of the training needed to become a certified public accountant can be obtained online, which makes it very easy to pursue a degree as a CPA while working and supporting yourself and your family.

You can get this degree at your own pace, without the stress and hassles and the expense of commuting to college every day.

There are a number of other subspecialties for accountants as well, and you may find that you prefer one of those to becoming a Certified Public Accountant.

Accountants can specialize in bookkeeping, auditing, tax preparation, analyzing company budgets, and many other subspecialties.

Accountants can also work in the law enforcement field or work for lawyers, if they specialize in forensic accounting, which is an area of accounting that deals with examining financial records for evidence of wrongdoing and dishonesty.

Accountants can work for large firms or small firms, or can work as consultants and set their own schedule and choose which clients they will work with.

The salary range that an accountant can command varies hugely, depending on who they are working for, what their specialty is, and how many years of job experience they have. Beginning accountants may start in a range of $31,500 to $48,250 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but senior accountants are more likely to earn up to $80,000 a year. Accountants employed by the Federal Government averaged $78,665 a year in 2007.

Some schools include DeVry University, University of Phoenix, and Florid.

Disclaimer: The information published here is intended as news and for general knowledge only. It is not a substitute for professional advice or services. You should always seek the help of a professional for any specific financial questions or needs, and consult your professional planner before beginning or changing any financial plan. .