A Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Accountancy or Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree program is usually a part of a business school. As such, part of the curriculum of an undergraduate accounting degree program is typically dedicated to learning the fundamentals of a variety of subjects within the field of business. Business coursework often includes introductory classes in marketing, economics, human resources, basic finance, supply chain management and other more specialized topics. Studies in management are common, including classes such as operations management, financial management and management skills. Other business courses are more general in focus, such as business policy, business strategy, business ethics, business law and statistical methods in business.
A Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Accountancy or Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree program is usually a part of a business school. As such, part of the curriculum of an undergraduate accounting degree program is typically dedicated to learning the fundamentals of a variety of subjects within the field of business.
This knowledge can help accounting professionals find their way into niche roles that interest them. A master’s degree can also prepare graduates for leadership roles, as some employers prefer or even require candidates for promotions to have an advanced degree.
Master’s degrees are so popular among accounting students that many schools now offer an accelerated program that awards both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree after five years of total studies, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Until you really start exploring the field of accounting, you may think that all accountants do the same work. In reality, there are many different fields within accounting, and accounting majors tend to take coursework that covers the foundation of a variety of accounting specializations and tasks. The concepts learned in a principles of accounting course are applicable to each type of accounting class. Those concepts often include the use of ledgers and accounting standards, the meaning of assets and liabilities, basic financial statements and bank reconciliation methods.
Accounting students complete the same college- or university-wide general education requirements as students in other majors as well as a breadth of coursework in core business subjects and major classes in the many fields of financial reporting.
Students holding a bachelor's degree in accounting are prepared for entry-level positions in government, industry, corporate and public accounting, while a master's degree program can prepare graduates for management positions.
What Is the Core Curriculum of an Accounting Degree? Accounting is frequently offered at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. It may be offered as a major or as a concentration option through degree programs in business administration. Graduates from an accounting program are typically prepared for business and management careers ...
Graduates from an accounting program are typically prepared for business and management careers that require an understanding of finance. Read on for information about the core curriculum in undergraduate and graduate programs, and for career information. View Schools.
Licensure and Certification. You may become licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Holding this designation is required if you will be doing accounting business with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Even if you don't work with the SEC, holding the CPA license can be advantageous in the job market.
The accounting profession requires a great deal of ethical and legal considerations, as well as a very in-depth, working understanding of how to properly report expenses, account for costs, and state corporate earnings.
Accountants are destined for work in the business sector, and that means they need to understand how this part of the economy works so that they have a chance at succeeding over the long-term. As most accounting programs are based in a university’s business school, students will be required to take a broad core of classes that teach economics, finance, management, communication, and quantitative analysis. These skills will give accountants the framework they need to advance into managerial roles or to pursue graduate-level education in Master’s of Business Administration or master’s degree in accounting at some point in the future.
The GAAP discussed in the financial accounting classes require enforcement, and that’s where both auditing and forensic services come in. Whether students take a class in internal auditing, which basically involves self-evaluation of a company’s accounting practices, or forensics, which focuses on external investigations, they’ll learn how to uncover irregularities and report them as needed. This class will give students more advanced insight into the accounting profession and its more advanced guidelines for ethical work. They’ll be equipped with the basic skills they need to pursue either of these interests further, perhaps in elective coursework or in graduate programs.
Financial Reporting Classes. Students will typically begin their studies in accounting with up to six credits in financial accounting and corporate reporting. These classes are designed to give students basic insight into what the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are and how they impact everyday accounting work.
A large number of accountants work in tax-related industries, whether it’s to help a single corporation comply with state and federal tax laws or to help individuals file their annual tax returns. Almost all accounting programs require at least three credits in tax policy, which will introduce the structure of the federal tax system and how accountants can help with deductions, exemptions, credits, appeals, and many other facets. Some taxation courses will also teach the fundamentals of state tax policy, specific to the state where a given university is based. Others will leave this information out.
These may include general classes such as a survey of accounting practices along with more focused courses on auditing, income tax systems, financial theory and managerial cost accounting.
In some cases there are general education classes that a college requires all of its full-time students to take, such as English, history or religion. Some accounting students may also wish to study computer science or social science as a means of augmenting a background in accounting for specific types of accounting careers.
Accountants analyze financial data for businesses, individuals and nonprofit organizations. They prepare reports that help clients make good financial decisions and track economic progress. To become an accountant, a student must attend an accredited college or university and pass courses in a variety of subject areas.
The Auditing course, which typically consists of presentations, discussions, and lectures, provides students with an introduction to auditing. The course teaches about the practices and principles used by internal auditors and public accountants to examine financial statements and any supporting documentation.
To be successful in business, an individual or an organization must be familiar with regular laws and business laws, and the Business Law course provides accounting students with an understanding of the fundamentals of business law.
Students may take the basic economics course but are usually required to complete the microeconomics and the macroeconomics course as part of the accounting degree program.
Business ethics are important in any business or industry because unethical business practices can cause damage to the business and its employees and can create legal risks. The Ethics in Business course introduces the concepts of morality, values, and cultural beliefs in all business areas.
Financial accounting is an introductory course for any accounting degree program. It introduces the student to the basics of accounting while also focusing on various accounting concepts and constraints. Students learn how to prepare financial statements and financial records as well as how to read and analyze financial statements.
Bookkeeping is a method of recording the daily transactions of a business or organization. It is concerned with accuracy, and is vital to the business, but bookkeeping is ultimately a data entry position. It is worth noting that all accounting depends on accurate bookkeeping.
A forensic accountant works with criminal investigators to find evidence of white collar crimes. Cases may include those dealing with securities fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion and any other sort of illegal financial activities. They must know the laws that govern the crimes they investigate and be knowledgeable of how to collect and handle evidence in a proper manner so that it can be admissible in court.
Also known as a comptroller, the controller is a management-level accountant whose job it is to manage other accountants. At this level, a controller is responsible for setting in place the policies and procedures for how the company’s accounting is to be handled. In a very large corporation, a controller might oversee a division or department and its accountants. For instance, a controller might oversee a particular product line within a company that sells many different items. Controllers make reports to the Chief Financial Officer who oversees all of the accountants.
Still – knowing what accreditation agencies your state’s Board of Accountancy recognizes doesn’t always make finding a qualifying undergraduate or graduate program any easier.
Alabama A&M University College of Business & Public Affairs Department of Accounting and Finance Bachelor of Science in Accounting Minor in Accounting Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Alaska Career College Business Administration and Accounting Technology Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Technology Accredited By: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Arizona State University W.P.
Arkansas Baptist College Business Division Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools & Colleges
Advanced College Certificate Programs Certificate in Computerized Accounting (online) Accredited By: Council on Occupational Education
Aims Community College Business Division Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Certificate in Accounting/Bookkeeping Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools & Colleges
If you want to teach accounting in a college setting, obviously you need to have experience as an accountant yourself so you can pass on the knowledge and experience you’ve obtained. If you are just starting down the educational path, that means first becoming an accountant.
Becoming a college professor in accounting will likely require that you take your education to the next level by going on for a graduate degree. For most potential accounting teachers, this means a choice between getting either a PhD in accounting or getting a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree.