Earning an Accounting Degree Can Now Be Done Online
Obtaining a college education is a breeze these days. With online courses that provide so much convenience, students are no longer burdened by driving, walking and waking up early to attend classes in a traditional school. Many people are not amenable to pursuing an online degree program because they believe that online degree programs are not as good as traditional ones. They should know that these online courses do offer the same extensive instruction and training that the brick and mortar schools give to students.
One in-demand degree course that can be pursued through an online program is accounting. Accounting deals mostly with numbers, notably in measuring and communicating vital financial information involved in transactions. There are actually various types of accounting and these include auditing, bookkeeping, cost accounting, management accounting, financial accounting, social accounting, forensic accounting as well as public, internal and external accounting.
An online accounting program covers a wide range of topics but generally, these are auditing, accountancy methods and fields, accounting principles, concepts and conventions, individual and corporate taxation as well as accounting tools.
The main objective of an accounting course is to provide students with the proper knowledge of these different aspects of accounting as well as in technical accounting and prepare them for their professional certification exams.
Students have two options for using this online accounting program. They can choose to earn an associate degree in accounting which takes two years to complete or a four-year bachelor’s degree. An advanced program in accounting can be pursued by working professionals who have earned a bachelor’s degree but who wish to earn a master’s degree and advance their career.
Online courses are not only convenient but also very flexible, and are accredited by the proper agencies so students can expect to get their money’s worth. The flexibility these online programs offer is also an added bonus, as it allows students and even working professionals pursuing formal and advanced education to learn at their own pace and time. Besides the fresh high school graduates, professionals working in the banking, financial management, insurance, investing and information technology can also greatly benefit from this program.
A career in accounting is one of the most secure and high-earning jobs that you can get today and continues to be in great demand worldwide. The National Association of Colleges and Employers revealed that in 2005 alone, new accountants with a bachelor’s degree in accounting received record breaking starting salaries. Major accounting firms are also continuously hiring thousands of accounting graduates each year to increase their staff amid a recession.
On the other hand, the certified public accountants (CPAs) have the chance to advance their career by pursuing specialized fields. They can expect to land in lucrative jobs with great signing bonuses and salaries. Authorities in the field of accounting see a good future for aspiring accountants as the existing CPAs approach or reach their age of retirement in the next 10 to 15 years. This then gives new accountants better opportunities to advance their career. In fact, a 2008 survey by Trendlines showed that more than one-third or 36 percent of CPA firms in the U.S. will be increasing their workforce in one year’s time.
About the Author: Potomac College offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. This is an opportunity to learn an advanced program in accounting who wish to earn a master’s degree and advance their career. You can finish your program of studies quickly and receive the career training. Apply now!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=890af9fb-414d-402e-b97b-eba1846e7a8c)
Figuring Out an Accounting Career
What You Can Count On: Job Security
For the 2007 fiscal year, Microsoft reported an annual revenue of $51.2 billion. Behind any company's revenue numbers--big or small--are accountants and financial managers who balance the books. In 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act added further scrutiny to corporate procedures. Between government regulations and the thousands of companies that need to manage finances, the immediate benefit of a career in accounting is a reasonable amount of job security. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts strong growth for accountants and auditors through 2016.
What You Can Take to the Bank: Strong Earnings
Another benefit for an accountant is that the median annual salary for accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services is $57,020. Going further into the financial services industry, you could become a financial manager for a major corporation and earn in the neighborhood of $105,410 a year according to the BLS. You can also work your way up the corporate ladder to financial director, corporate controller, or even chief financial officer (CFO).
What Education You Need: Accounting Degree and Certification
A college degree and certification are almost essential for advancement and a long term career in accounting. A bachelor's degree in accounting or a finance related topic is a solid start, and earning a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential furthers your employability prospects. You can even take it a step-further by earning a specialized certification such as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA), or other credential. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants reports on a survey finding that candidates with a professional certification can earn 10% more than other accountants. A graduate degree can also help you stand out from the crowd.
If keeping track of the nickels and dimes is your passion, then accounting may be what you can count on for a career.
About the Author: Kelli Smith is the senior editor for www.Edu411.org. Edu411.org lists colleges and career institutes that offer Accounting programs and CPA training. Schools listed offer free information packages and admissions consultation.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=b3875910-59b0-49bb-951f-864220a8c8ef)
Accounting Programs
There was a time when small businesses, especially mom and pop stores could get away without maintaining accounts of any sort. In fact, the sole reason why they were classified as mom and pop stores were because the business was run in an ad hoc manner. But with increasing number of people opting for small businesses and the entrepreneurial initiatives being fostered by governments worldwide, these businesses to have come to represent a large part of the gross domestic produce of countries worldwide. This is where the need for complete accountings programs surfaced and which is why, it has become a big issues for all businesses.
There are various accounting programs structured to cater to the needs of all kinds of businesses. While the smaller stores use standalone accounting programs and smaller, single user license versions of the more popular accounting programs; the larger stores need to use a comprehensive suite of accounting programs. Be that as it may, the fact remains that all businesses, large or small, need to use accounting programs of some sort in order to streamline their operations and to comply with governmental regulations.
One of the simplest accounting programs available in the market today is Microsoft Money. While most computers bought in the United States of America come pre loaded with this accounting program, it is applicable only for personal finance calculations or maybe small business needs. But as accounting programs go, it is fairly well designed to cater to the needs of smaller businesses. Which explains its popularity in terms of number of users who use it as their primary accounting program.
A slightly more evolved accounting program is something that has come to be branded and sold as Tally. Like the name reveals, this is an accounting program that caters to the needs of smaller businesses, where the accounting operation is primarily a function that tallies stock (either available or sold) with the cash available in the machines at the counter. That's not all. An accounting program like Tally comes with a customizable interface making it scalable for a variety of business operations. So smaller businesses even in the services sector are able to use it to streamline their processes.
Today, the wide array of accounting programs available in the market make it easier for businesses not only to organize themselves, but also to comply with local, national and global requirements. Every business thus can adopt and deploy the best practices that make globalization beneficial to one and all.
Source: Free Articles
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=5a982788-7c13-4714-8d10-84e2067d1b6b)
The Nitty-Gritty Of Accounting
Accounting is as ancient as man's attempts to transact with fellow human beings. With the predominance of money measurement in economically useful activities, accounting became the most vital tool. At the center of all accounting principles is the urge to ensure accuracy and consistency. This takes the form of double entry system of accounting. The 15th century Italian mathematician, Frater Luca Pacioli, first extolled about the features of the system.
Double entry method offers a convenient and accurate format for recording transactions. Put simply, all transactions have two aspects. Therefore, omissions or numerical errors would automatically stand out. Thus, it acts as a self-correcting mechanism.
The basic aspects of accounting relate to correct classification of transactions. There are four major accounting heads: assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. At any given point of time, the firm's assets should equal its liabilities. This is the accounting equation. If they do not match, there is an apparent error in the accounting process.
The enterprise's assets represent the productive resources used by it. Plant and Machinery, building, stock of raw materials and stores, debtors or accounts receivables, cash and bank balances are some of the assets. Liabilities are the sources that finance the assets. Owner's capital, long-term loans, short-term bills, sundry creditors and other financing are the liabilities.
When revenues exceed expenses, the firm makes a profit and in the reverse it is a loss. Ultimately, profit or loss reflects in the financial position or the values of assets and liabilities on the given date. An increase in assets or decrease in liabilities means profit and decrease in assets or increase in liabilities mean loss.
Profit is the driver in any business enterprise and no wonder entrepreneurs seek to maximize it. More critical than profit is the measure of profitability because the latter reveals the firm's efficiency in utilization of financial resources. Return on Investment is the most common profitability ratio. The claim over profits of a business depends on the organizational type. In ownership or partnership firms, the owner or partners have total claim over the profit. In joint stock companies, the stockholders are entitled only to the dividend as declared by the board of directors.
The work of an accountant is crucial as he reports the performance of the enterprise to the management and the owners. Based on the figures supplied by him, important decisions like capacity expansion, make or buy, retaining or hiving off unprofitable lines of business and employee incentive computation are taken.
Source: Free Articles
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=62fc1714-e681-4df0-8972-c8a2838df36f)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
