Some possible jobs within this career area are:
The career you want will dictate the degree you need. Depending on your choice, you might need a graduate degree in business or you could advance your career with a career specific certification. Common degrees available to business majors include:
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
- Career-Specific Certifications
The expansion of the global economy and the importance that our national economy plays in our daily lives has a direct impact on the future of business majors. There are dozens of business-related fields, and many of them are in constant need of skilled and trained workers. Many of these fields place a high importance on returning to school and getting extra training.
You could complete a routine certification a year, or get your Bachelor’s Degree in four years. MBA programs or other international business programs can take an additional three years.
How to Become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
When most people think about an accountant, they think of tax preparation. But an accounting career is much more than just making sure Uncle Sam is happy with your clients on April 15th. When you become an accountant, you have a wide range of career choices ahead of you – you could work for state or federal agencies, international accounting firms or global corporations. You could also set up your own firm and provide personal financial planning or business management services.
What is the Difference Between Becoming an Accountant and Becoming a CPA?
While all certified public accountants (CPAs) are accountants, all accountants are not CPAs. To become a CPA, you need to meet state and licensing requirements that include specific education, examination and experience, as well as Continuing Professional Educational (CPE) courses throughout the years to stay on top of the latest developments in the accounting and financial fields.
Skills You Need
If you’re considering becoming an accountant or becoming a CPA, you’ll want to possess a great attention to detail in addition to solid analytical skills. Naturally, since you’ll be working with numbers all day, you’ll also need to have exceptional math and computer skills.
Additionally, to become an accountant, you’ll need to earn an accounting degree from an accredited college or university. This is required before you can earn a CPA certification if you choose to pursue that path.
One of the keys to beginning a successful accounting career is to learn the tools of the trade – accounting software such as QuickBooks and other applications.
What are Accountant Salaries?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that accountant salaries throughout the country range from $37,690 to $104,450 depending on geography and experience level. (Salary data retrieved 3/29/11)
Beginning Your Accounting Career
One of the best ways to begin your accounting career and get you feet wet is to work as an intern or a part-time employee in an accounting firm while you are still studying for your degree. After graduation, it is common for accounting firms to hire their interns for entry-level accounting positions. To get the education you need to become an accountant, find a degree program now!