An accounting degree can prepare a person for a career with many options for growth and advancement ranging from a bookkeeper with a two-year associate's degree to a specialized accountant with a master's degree requiring specific courses and successful licensing. With appropriate education and successful testing, one can be certified in various areas of expertise including a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified Management Accountant), or an auditor. Accountants and/or auditors may choose employment in jobs that scrutinize, evaluate, and assess the internal operation and financial accountability of a company to the public for the gain or loss of stockholders or patrons or the daily profitability or loss within the company's operation system and structure, always seeking better methods for the company's profitability. An accounting degree coupled with emphasis in tax law and CPA certification can prepare one for self-employment as a tax preparer for individuals in the public sector, if desired, or tax auditing. .
Since many areas of life, from the cradle to the grave, have a need for various levels of accounting skills from the bookkeeper to the highly specialized and certified accountant, an accounting degree presents a large career field with continuous opportunity for optional education and employment advancement including salary increases.
Depending upon a student's preferred employment path, education requirements and emphasis can vary slightly within the accountant's degree program. Bestaccountingschools.net sub-divides the accounting profession into four different specialties: public accountants, management accountants, government accountants, and internal auditors. A four-year bachelor's degree generally requires a student majoring in accounting to complete a minimum of 30+ credits in accounting courses, 20+ credits in business courses, and 60+ credits in other general "core " education courses.