Accounting Education and Career Guide
September 20, 2024
Why you should pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting
It’s hardly surprising that college enrollment numbers dipped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying a steady decline that had been going on for the decade prior. Students were forced to take a step back and question whether the cost of higher education is really worth it. Over time, this has spurred many conversations around where college degrees fit into modern education.
But despite these recent declines in enrollment, new data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicates that college enrollment is starting to bounce back. They estimate that total undergraduate enrollment is projected to increase by 9% between 2021 and 2031.
First-time college students and working adults alike that are thinking of earning a college degree may want to consider a bachelor’s degree in accounting. These versatile programs could benefit your career in many ways, like leading to industry certifications and possibly increasing your earning potential. Plus, financial professionals are necessary in every single industry and sector—there really is no limit to where a bachelor’s in accounting could take you.
In this Article
Accounting bachelor’s degree overview
Bachelor’s degrees in accounting are undergraduate programs typically consisting of at least 120 credits, or four years of full-time study. At most schools, students must take a certain number of general education courses in areas such as English, mathematics, natural and biological sciences, social sciences and more in addition to the required classes for accounting majors.
Since accounting and finance are considered a business discipline, many accounting majors must also take some business administration courses to round out their degree.
"Accounting is known as ‘the language of business’ because no matter what industry you are in, the ability to effectively manage and communicate financial information for decision-making is a necessity for success."
“Accounting is known as ‘the language of business’ because no matter what industry you are in, the ability to effectively manage and communicate financial information for decision-making is a necessity for success,” said Dr. Tanae Acolatse, Program Manager for the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program at Colorado State University (CSU) Global.
What you’ll learn
Each accounting bachelor’s degree curriculum is unique, but most programs typically require students to take classes in the following areas:
Throughout many of these courses, you should expect to use one of the tried-and-true programs which has stood the test of time in the finance world: Microsoft Excel.
“The key skill to have is Microsoft Excel. You have to have that in the accounting field to be successful, at least up to intermediate,” Acolatse said.
Diverse career paths for accounting graduates
An accounting degree can, unsurprisingly, lead to a career as an accountant, but that’s not all they’re good for. A bachelor’s degree in accounting can give you the financial literacy skills needed to establish yourself in many different industries, roles and niches.
Besides working as an accountant, Acolatse said that other job titles that may be available to you include things like:
“You have choices,” Acolatse said. “Accounting provides several pathways to career success in management, financial accounting, auditing, tax, forensic accounting, nonprofit, consulting and entrepreneurship, among others.”
As for where you can work, you have even more options.
“It doesn't matter where you are, you have to have an accounting person. They can pursue public accounting—which some people gravitate towards because it's affiliated with the [Certified Public Accountant]—but there are others. You have corporate accounting, government agencies which include the city and state offices, nonprofits and other organizations.”
Flexible online learning options
Many colleges and universities now offer bachelor’s degrees in accounting online. This can be a fantastic option for whom going to school at a brick-and-mortar institution isn’t feasible due to work or geographic constraints. It can also be great for those that simply prefer the flexibility of online learning or who want to save some money, since online degrees tend to cost less.
“I think the pandemic really changed our environment to the point that when everybody shifted online, they realized it was a place that people could actually learn,” Acolatse said. “In the future, I think that we are going to see continued growth in online education, especially since more schools moved to online learning since the pandemic.”
Acolatse said that online degrees can also be advantageous since many accounting jobs today can now be done remotely. By earning your degree online, you are already preparing yourself for the remote work environment.
“Another trend that is happening is the focus on lifelong learning and continuous professional development,” Acolatse said. “Online learning is very flexible. Everybody has access to it. You don't have to worry about moving somewhere to get a good education. Online higher education is getting the benefit for that. And because it's more accessible and flexible, people can get a great education online which is necessary for them to grow and also be successful in the workplace.”
How else can a bachelor's in accounting help advance my career?
Another benefit to earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting is that it can help prepare students for valuable industry certifications. Certifications—professional credentials awarded by organizations to those who satisfy the eligibility criteria—are a way for financial professionals to validate and demonstrate their particular skill set. When you have a certification, it can help separate you from the competition. Plus, many of the organizations that issue financial certifications report that certified professionals make more on average than their uncertified peers.
With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you can pursue professional certifications, which mostly require a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite to obtain a license. For example, the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or other accounting certifications can enhance career opportunities, leading to increasing your earning potential.
Some other certifications that accounting graduates may pursue include:
You may even be able to take some certification exams before you finish your degree.
“Graduates of the CSU Global Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree program can pursue a variety of careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations. As an endorsed program by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), students are prepared to take the CMA exam and can do so before they graduate,” Acolatse said.
Can a bachelor’s in accounting increase my salary?
The short answer: it’s certainly possible.
Despite the reasonable criticisms of the cost of college, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that people with a higher education level to tend to make more on average. For example, the median usual weekly earnings for all workers over 25 years old was $1,170 in 2023, but that figure jumps to $1,493 for people who have a bachelor’s degree. While that may not apply to every person, the logic is simple: When you have a higher degree, you are usually more qualified for higher-paying jobs.
On top of that, accounting itself is an in-demand field.
“Companies must have accountants to maintain their financial records and reporting and to remain fiscally compliant. Thus, there is a high demand for accounting services,” Acolatse said. “In the most recent Robert Half report, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate for accountants and auditors was 1.6% during the second quarter of 2024. Similar patterns were found in other positions like financial analyst (1.7%) and compliance officer (1.0%). These statistics show that accounting is a well sought-after field, with unemployment levels much lower than the national average.”
Median annual salary for finance professionals
If you’re curious to know how much you could make with a bachelor’s in accounting, consider the median annual salaries for accountants as well as other finance professionals according to the BLS:
Parting words
A bachelor’s degree in accounting can lay an excellent foundation for a career in accounting and finance. From auditors to analysts, it can give you the knowledge and skills needed to break into many different career paths or set you up for graduate education later. Plus, with online degree options becoming ever more popular, there are even more options to get a bachelor’s degree on your time and schedule. Hit our Find Schools button to find accounting bachelor’s programs today.
With professional insights from:
Lead Program Manager/Program Manager of BS in Accounting, Colorado State University Global