If you have an interest in pursuing an accounting degree online, the question you are probably asking yourself is “what does it take to complete an accounting degree online?” Before jumping into a process such as getting an accounting degree, it is a good idea to fully understand the time commitment and requirements you will have to complete to get your degree.
An accounting degree is meant to prepare you for a job in the accounting world or to be a CPA. This field is extremely detail oriented and you must be interested in helping people with their financial well being. You can earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting at many online universities. You are required to take the CPA exam to be a CPA, and most of the online universities actually give you the credit hours required to be able to sit for the exam.
Time Commitment
The first important component is time. Most online accounting degree programs allow you to complete your coursework quicker than in a typical college (which usually requires a 4 year commitment). To find out the specific time requirements, you will need to get information from the online universities to be sure, but depending on your availability, many dedicated professionals can get their degree done in less than 2 years. Some specific programs are approximately 120 credit hours, which often can be completed at your convenience.
Prerequisites
Besides the time commitment, there are several other prerequisites to complete an online accounting degree. The main one is access to a computer and internet access. Without this, you will be unable to pursue an online degree. Many of the universities utilize video classes and blogging opportunities to help complete your degree, so your computer is your number one asset in pursuing an online degree in accounting. Although many of the programs say there are no educational prerequisites, you should either have your high school diploma or GED prior to getting started. You do not typically have to have any prior accounting courses, although if you have taking courses before, many of the online accreditation programs allow you to transfer those credits.
Passion for the Field of Study
The last requirement to complete an accounting degree online is your passion and commitment to your goal. This is an extremely detail oriented, demanding career which takes a lot of time. If you are not interested in taxes, financial planning, auditing, and the other topics CPA’s and accountants encounter, this may not be the right field for you. It is very important to fully understand the field of study you are getting into prior to getting started, so do your research and decide if accounting is your passion. You will spend many hours studying and hard at work to get this degree, so you must have the excitement to gain a job in this field of work before taking on this goal.
Overall, for an individual to pursue an online accounting degree, as long as you have the drive to succeed and the technology required to complete your degree, you should be well on your way to a successful career in the area of accounting. To find out more information on what does it take to complete an accounting degree online, you should consult with one of the many universities directly to fully understand their requirements.
Accounting Schools Online Your guide to online accounting courses
Do You Have What it Takes to Complete an Accounting Degree Online?
May 12, 2009 — admin
Best Universities for Accounting Degrees Online
May 5, 2009 — adminIf you are interested in becoming an accountant, one of the first things you may need to look into are the best universities for accounting degrees online.
Many people know they are interested in getting involved in the accounting field, but may have previously thought it was impossible. Maybe the time commitment of a regular college has gotten in your way because you are employed full time, or it could be the fact that you have children who you must care for that take up much of your time. Either way, the growing numbers of universities online where you can pursue an accounting degree have made it easier for accountants to get the necessary degree while fitting college into their hectic daily lives.
If you’ve decided to pursue your goal of an accounting degree, the most important decision you are going to have to make is which university to go to. There are many websites on the internet that list online accounting degree programs, so by doing your research in advance you can educate yourself on what fits your personality best. The following three suggestions are just a few of the many universities that offer accounting degrees online for your convenience.
1. The University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix is the most advertised and suggested online degree program you will find when researching the best universities for an accounting degree online. The University of Phoenix also offers campuses all over the country that regular students and their online students can have access to. Their website is very helpful and determining what you will need to do to complete your degree in accounting. The program at Phoenix is actually a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on accounting.
2. DeVry University
DeVry University is also highly publicized and their website is quite informative. They also offer local campuses (over 80 across the country) to assist their clients to pursue their degree online, but also to keep in contact with the professors or use their facilities if necessary. This is another highly recommended accounting school and their website includes many testimonials from happy students.
3. Kaplan University
Although slightly smaller with only 8 regional campuses, the variety of programs Kaplan offers is broad. They also brag about their advisory services which help to make the students feel at home and get the most of their experience, whether online, in classes, or a combination of the two. This school prides themselves on real world, hands on knowledge and teachings, not what most universities teach that you may never utilize in your accounting career.
Although these are three of the most popular universities, there are hundreds of online colleges and local colleges that have set up online universities to assist people with time management demands. Whether you choose one of the 3 popular options for the best universities for accounting degrees online, or one of the many other options you may dig up in your research on the internet, pursuing a degree online is a smart and convenient way to get your degree.