Becoming an Accountant: A Guide to Starting Your Career

When thinking about a career path, many students want to know what industries are in high-demand. If you are one of these students, you might want to consider a job in accounting since money is the driving force of the American economy and unlike many jobs, accounting is a profession that is considered safe during recessions. According to Forbes, accounting was considered one of the best jobs in 2013.

In 2010, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Occupational Handbook stated that there were more than 1.2 million accounting jobs in the U.S with a projected growth of 16% by 2012. Every type of business, from the public and private sector to government regulations, need accountants to handle its finances. Since there is such a demand for accountants, accountants seldom have to worry about job security. This shows confidence in the profession and means if an accountant is looking for other ways to enhance his or her career, or just interested in working in another industry, they have no problem looking elsewhere since they know their profession is in high-demand.

If you are thinking about a career in accounting, look no further than Florida National University (FNU). Founded in 1982, FNU has two campus locations, in Miami and Hialeah, and is a regionally accredited university. Earning an accounting degree at FNU provides students with a wide array of knowledge within the accounting field, and we are here to guide you towards a career in accounting.

Jobs You Can Get with A Degree in Accounting

Think of any company you know. Chances are the company has an employee who manages the finances. Depending on how a company is structured, the job can vary, but certain job titles range from the following:

  • Accounting Manager
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Receivable Clerk
  • Accountant/Accounting Assistant
  • Bookkeeping
  • CFO
  • Office Manager
  • Payroll Clerk
  • Staff Accountant

 

In the accounting sector, there are four primary jobs: public accountants, government accountants, internal auditors, and management accountants. Though each has specific job descriptions, most of the duties include auditing the accounting systems and procedures, preparing taxes, complying with laws and regulations and discovering ways to reduce company costs while improving the profit margins.

What You Need to Know About the Accounting Programs at FNU

Our accounting programs do not just focus on the accounting curriculum, it also teaches business and tax law, micro and macroeconomics, banking and finance, corporate finance and more. At FNU, we offer an Associate of Science in Accounting (AS), an Associate of Arts in Accounting (AA) and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BS). Now let’s take a closer look at each accounting program offered at FNU:

  1. Associate of Science in Accounting

FNU’s Associate of Science in Accounting degree program prepares students for an entry-level accounting position as an accountant, bookkeeping, and general accounting clerk. This program is focused on the technical aspect of computing numbers.

This program includes 23 credit hours of education/liberal arts courses including Principles of Accounting l, Principles of Business Management and Principles of Microeconomics, Business Law Income, Tax Accounting, and Principles of Marketing. An Associate of Science Degree is award upon graduation with a minimum of 60 credits.

  1. Associates of Arts in Accounting

The Associate of Arts in Accounting prepares students for jobs that are considered entry-level in accounting like bookkeeping and a general account clerk. This program includes 39 credit hours that is made up of general liberal arts and education courses. A minimum of 60 credits is required to be considered for graduation.

  1. Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Upon graduating from one of the associates in accounting programs, students have the option to continue their accounting education by earning their bachelor’s degree in accounting. With a bachelor’s degree, you will have the foundation needed to pursue advanced-level areas of employment, from the government sector, business sector or even nonprofit sector. You will also continue your education towards becoming a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Financial Planner. Courses in the BA accounting program include Business Communications, Auditing, Corporate Finance and more. FNU awards a bachelor’s degree after a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Enroll in an FNU Accounting Program Today

At FNU, we are dedicated to our students’ success. That is why we offer a wide array of educational programs for our students that can be completed in a short period. Our 16-week semesters are broken down into two, 8-week terms. We also offer some scholarships.

We know how busy our students are. That is why we offer most of our programs entirely online. FNU’s online accounting programs provide the flexibility to set your schedule. If you are interested in enrolling in one of FNU’s accounting programs, you can view our entire catalog online. Or, make an appointment with one of our academic advisors today to discuss which accounting program is best for you.