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An Accredited Online Accounting Degree Can Help You Succeed

One of the top degree programs that’s applicable to almost any industry in the job sector is accounting. It could be said that accounting serves as the foundation to the success or failure of a business. Whether that business is selling a commodity or service, a transfer of funds is usually involved in exchange, and that must always be accounted for.

Additionally, a business needs finances to operate—and these finances must also be accounted for. For entrepreneurs, these finances can sometimes be taken care of by the owner, and maybe even for smaller businesses. However, as these companies grow, a higher amount of funds will continue to come in.

Depending on how many employees a company has and how many supplies are needed, a considerable amount of expenses will be spent to keep the company going.

All of these expenses need to be accounted for. This is the purpose of the accounting department—to keep track of these volatile accounts. The accountant needs to verify the data, generate reports, analyze, perform audits, and present all of this information in financial reporting records.

The larger the business grows, the more complicated these accounts can be. That’s why someone who has an understanding of the accounting industry in general might have a better chance of landing a career after graduation. But first, you need to find the right educational institution that offers the ideal accounting program for you.

Accounting Programs for the Extremely Busy Lifestyle

If you’re already juggling an innumerable amount of responsibilities, but know that you can definitely benefit from earning an accounting degree, perhaps the best solution for you is to find an accounting program that is offered online. Some colleges will give you the option of taking a certain percentage of online courses and the rest need to be earned on campus. While that might work for some students, Florida National University (FNU), a regionally accredited institution in South Florida, offers these three accounting programs that can be earned 100% online.

  1. Associate of Science in Accounting (AS)

FNU’s Associate of Science degree program in Accounting is designed to prepare students for an entry-level position in the field of accounting. It also lays the groundwork for continuing education. Students will undergo a thorough study of general accounting procedures, business principles, as well as automated accounting procedures. The associate’s program offers a component of 18 credit hours of liberal arts courses in Humanities, Behavioral/Social Sciences and Natural Science.

The Associate of Science accounting degree is more focused on the technical part of computing numbers. The Associates of Science program goes further in depth with electives that are complementary toward the business and tax industry. The main thing you’ll notice in this degree program is that you’ll need to complete more math and science credit hours—hence, the name of the degree!

  1. Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BS)

With the associate’s program, students have the option of pursuing a career or continuing on to earn their bachelor’s degree. In the bachelor’s program, you’ll be required to complete a certain number of credit hours of liberal art courses as well as the math and sciences. Here you’ll earn a well-rounded education in the accounting industry while expanding your knowledge in the liberal art sector, making you the ideal job candidate. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you’ll have a solid foundation of accounting to pursue advanced-level areas of employment whether it’s in the business, government, or non-profit sector.

The bachelor’s degree will also prepare students for entry-level positions while laying the groundwork for continuing towards a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Financial Planner.

Earning an Accounting Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution

With so many higher learning institutions to select from, it’s becoming more important to enroll in a college that stands above the rest. One way to choose a good college is to make sure that the school is regionally accredited.

What makes a regional accredited college exemplary is the quality of courses offered in its degree programs. Getting accredited is like having a seal of approval amongst academic scholars and peers from accredited institutions within that particular region. If the college you’re considering is not accredited, then it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be given a thorough training of the accounting industry. This could put you at a disadvantage when it comes to applying for a job. Employers will take notice of which school you graduated from to get your training. If it’s not an accredited institution, then you might be overlooked for someone who has attended one.

Advance Your Existing Accounting Career

Employers will typically consider a candidate within the company before hiring externally. So, if you’re already working in the accounting field, earning an accounting degree could help your career. You may have a better chance of advancing your current position.

Types of Accounting Jobs You Can Apply For

Within an accounting department, there are different types of jobs depending on how the company is structured. Here is a short list of careers you may be able to apply for with an accounting degree:

  • Accountant/Accounting Assistant or Clerk
  • Accounting Manager
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Receivable Clerk
  • Bookkeeping
  • Payroll Clerk
  • Staff Accountant

FNU: Offering Academic Opportunities for Advancement

Whether you are looking to pursue a career, change careers, or advance the one you already have, FNU’s online accounting programs offers you the flexibility to study at your own pace. If you are interested in possibly enrolling in one of our accounting programs, view our online curriculum here. Schedule an appointment with one of our academic advisors to discuss your options. Our main campus is in Hialeah, Florida, and we also have a campus in Miami. You can start the enrollment process by contacting us online today.