For most people, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting is about landing a CPA job at a large tax firm. But there are a number of other doors that an Bachelor’s in Accounting can open.
The Bachelor’s in Accounting
Those who earn a Bachelor’s in Accounting have a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of the accounting job. This understanding doubles that of the Associate’s in Accounting and includes more specialized knowledge of job services like financial data analysis, reporting and interpretation, forensic auditing, budget management, accounting information system software, as well as more general job responsibilities such as office management and executive communications.
Common Jobs and Career Options
Most Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting take approximately four years or 120 credit hours to complete at a local or online college or university. Credit hours earned over the course of completing a Bachelor’s degree be articulated towards enrollment in a Master’s degree program at graduate-degree-granting institutions. They can also be articulated towards accounting certifications that qualify examinees for jobs like the following:
- Accountant
- Senior Accountant
- Accounting Manager
- Financial Controller
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Tax Examiner, Collector, or Revenue Agent
- Internal Auditor
Certifications, Areas of Expertise, and Accrediting Bodies
A Bachelor’s in Accounting can also be articulated towards eligibility for certifications that are offered by numerous accrediting bodies via examination. These bodies certify that those who pass their exams have appropriate qualifications to practice accounting in one or more of twelve areas of expertise:
- Public Accounting
- Corporate Accounting
- Governmental Accounting
- Banking and Financial Service Accounting
- Personal Finance Accounting
- Audit, Fraud and Risk Management Accounting
- Operations Management Accounting
- Tax Accounting
- Information Technology Accounting
- Credit Accounting
- Payroll Accounting
The following certifications are some of the most popular for those who hold a Bachelor’s of Accounting
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
For accounting professionals interested in jobs with businesses across a broad spectrum of the accounting profession. The CPA is ideal for learners with a Bachelor’s in Accounting that has prepared them to pass this exam and practice as well-rounded public accountants.
- Area of Expertise: Public Accounting
- Accrediting Body: National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
The Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
For accounting professionals interested in jobs as financial planners across a broad spectrum of the accounting profession. The CFP is ideal for learners with a Bachelor’s in Accounting that has prepared them to pass this exam and practice as specialized financial planners.
- Area of Expertise: Personal Financial Management Accounting
- Accrediting Body: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board)
The Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
For accounting professionals interested in jobs as fraud examiners specializing in the prevention, detection, and deterrence of fraudulent accounting practices. The CFE is ideal for learners with a Bachelor’s in Accounting that has prepared them to pass this exam and practice as specialized fraud examiners.
- Area of Expertise: Audit, Fraud and Risk Management Accounting
- Accrediting Body: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
The Accredited Business Accountant (ABA)
For accounting professionals interested in jobs at medium-to-small sized businesses that specialize in financial accounting, reporting, statement preparation, taxation, business consulting, business law, and business ethics. The ABA is deal for learners with a Bachelor’s in Accounting that has prepared them for consulting with individuals and their families.
- Area of Expertise: Public Accounting
- Accrediting Body: Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT)
The Tax Advisor (ATA)
For accounting professionals interested in jobs and who have some experience in handling sophisticated tax planning issues, such as those encountered with owning a business or being a highly compensated employee of a large organization or corporations, as well as retirement plans and estate tax planning. The ATA is ideal for learners with a Bachelor’s in Accounting that has prepared them to perform tax returns for individuals, business entities, fiduciaries, trusts, and estates while maintaining a high standard of professional ethics.
- Area of Expertise: Tax Accounting
- Accrediting Body: Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT)
The Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP)
For accounting professionals interested in jobs who have some experience and a thorough understanding of the existing tax code and the preparation of individual tax returns. The ATP is deal for learners with an Bachelor’s in Accounting that has prepared them to solve a laundry list of 1040 problems while adhering to a set of business ethics.
- Area of Expertise: Tax Accounting
- Accrediting Body: Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT)
Resources
The Highest Paying Accounting Jobs
The 10 Best Accounting Bachelor’s Degrees Online
The 10 Most Affordable Accounting Degrees Online