Accounting Careers : Degrees and Education

Accounting is a rewarding and promising career path. According to the United States Department of Labor, accounting jobs are expected to grow 22% from 2008 to 2018, and within that time it is projected that 297,400 jobs will be created. With statistics like that, there is a lot to be said for going into the accounting field. But how does one get started?

A four year degree is strongly recommended for this field. A student can major in accounting, but it is also considered acceptable to major in other fields such as finance or business with a minor in accounting. If you choose to pursue a career as a CPA which is a Certified Public Accountant, an additional year of college is required. At the end of the extra year, the accounting student will take the exam in order to become certified. CPA’s have a wide variety of employment opportunities in the areas of consulting, tax auditing, and financial planning.

A student may obtain a career in this field with a two year degree in accounting as well. The level of education received with a two year degree prepares the student fora career in payroll, bookkeeping, and technical accounting.