In September of 2006, Harris Interactive conducted an online survey of 2,747 adults about what was most stressful in daily life. 74% of respondents claimed that they had concerns about money and the rising cost of living and everyday items. Adults care about their money, but do we know how to care for our money?
Why should I take an accounting course online?
- You invest.
If you participate in any personal investing, including IRA, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) or other retirement plans where you invest in stocks, an Accounting course is a great way to be a wise investor and know how to be more aggressive in your investing. An accounting course online will teach you how to read a balance sheet, and help you understand a company’s financial information. Public companies disclose their financial information to the Securities & Exchanges Commission (SEC) quarterly (10-Q) and annually (10-K); by reviewing these documents and understanding the provided information, they can give you a fair idea about a company’s financial health.
- You own a business.
Small businesses owners must be able to keep track of every minute detail in order to stay afloat and succeed. An accounting course online or two can give you the tools and skills to help keep track of all that important payroll, invoicing, bill paying and inventory information!
- You are a freelancer.
You may only be managing yourself, but an accounting course online may help you keep track of the minutiae. An Accounting course may help you sort and stay on top of contracts, petty cash, expenses, multiple tax forms, et cetera.
- You think you want a degree in Accounting.
Take a look at the rest of our Online Education blogs section, and you will quickly see how much it takes to dedicate yourself to a degree program. Ensure that Accounting is really the academic discipline you want to pursue. Get your feet wet before jumping in and take a few courses to start. It will give you a better idea of what to expect in an online accounting degree program.
What kind of accounting courses can I take?
Click to review all of our online accounting course listings.
• Accounting
• Computerized Financial Accounting
• Introduction to Accounting for Business
• Financial Accounting I
• Professional Tax Preparation Program
What about accounting degree programs online?
- If you’ve already earned an undergraduate degree, but are not interested in an advanced degree in Accounting, there are online Undergraduate Certificates in Accounting available.
- If you are an Accounting professional, but are not interested in pursing a Master’s degree in Accounting, check out an online Graduate Certificate in Accounting.
- If you want to pursue an entry-level position in the field of Accounting, an online Diploma in Accounting is a great program to get what you need to start out in an Accounting career.
Are there any Accounting specializations?
- Financial Analysis
There is a consistent need for accountants who are able to provide an assessment of financial data, detect market trends and irregularities, as well as making projections and estimations of costs and earnings. Financial Analysis Accountants contribute to a company’s decision-making process in order to improve the bottom line.
- Forensic Accounting
Accountants can specialize in forensics, whose focus is to observe and deter financial fraud and other prohibited financial activity. When a case is presented to the court, it is the duty of a Forensic Accountant to evaluate and analyze the financial information of an individual or company. It is not uncommon for Forensic Accountants to testify in court.
- Internal Auditors
Auditors may ensure and substantiate the precision of their firm’s reported financial data including the assessment of company legal and governmental compliance and internal operations. This position is gaining importance, as the auditing professional must have integrity and accuracy in order to prevent fraud.
- International Accounting
Non-U.S. companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges (NYSE, Nasdaq, etc.) need experts who are familiar with compliance requirements as outlined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) other financial regulations determined by the United States (especially in relation to international mergers and acquisitions).
How is the job market for Accountants?
Accountants and auditors have very good job prospects, and the demand for their expertise will grow at a rate greater than the average rate of growth for other jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accounting professionals can more job openings than professionals to fill those positions. Demand will increase 18 to 26% until the year 2014, when the statistics are recalculated. According to Payscale, Accountants and Auditor make anywhere from $44,000 to $52,000 a year. Currently, university seats are filling up with students but there simply are not enough graduates to satisfy the demand for open positions. Employers are boosting salary offers and adding additional perks. Boost your earning potential with an Accounting credential and benefit from this growing industry. Carpe diem.