What Are the Core Courses of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting?
To earn a bachelor's degree in accounting, you'll typically be required to take core courses in general business, accounting and finance subjects. Continue reading for a description of the curriculum in accounting majors and for career information. Schools offering Accounting degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting Overview
You may be able to complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting or a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a concentration in accounting. Both types of degree programs include general education, business, accounting and elective courses in the curriculum. In addition to learning fundamental accounting principles, you also acquire skills in communicating effectively orally and in writing. This will help you express financial concepts and advice to fellow business and accounting professionals as well as your clients. Computer and technology skills are also taught, and you will learn about business research and analysis. Additional skills that you can develop through a bachelor's degree program in accounting include negotiation, critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and collaboration.
Important Facts About Accounting Education
| Online Availability | Full coursework online |
| Specializations | Valuation, taxes, international, financial planning |
| Key Skills | Math, analysis, organization, detail-oriented |
| Continuing Education | Required to maintain certification |
Core Courses
Core courses in an accounting bachelor's degree program include both general business and accounting-specific coursework. Business classes may include finance, marketing, business management, business communications, business law, business statistics and global studies.
Here is a list of common core accounting courses:
- Financial accounting
- Cost accounting
- Business finance
- Federal income taxes
- Auditing
- Government accounting
- Nonprofit accounting
- International accounting
- Accounting information systems
- Managerial accounting
Career Information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment growth for accountants and auditors will be faster than average from 2014-2024, with an 11% increase in job opportunities, which equates to approximately 142,400 new positions. If you hold a professional accounting designation or an advanced degree, you should have improved job prospects. Also reported by the BLS, the median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $65,940 as of May 2014.
Licensure
A bachelor's degree program in accounting helps prepare you to qualify for earning licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). A CPA license is required if you will be dealing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, although it's a highly recognized professional designation that could help you stand out to employers even if you are working in another area of accounting. Nearly every state requires candidates for the CPA exams (there are four total) to have at least 150 semester hours of education. A bachelor's degree program in accounting provides at least 120 of the required credits. Joint bachelor's-master's degree programs that specifically prepare students for this license are available. You could also complete a master's degree in accounting.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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