Overview
Professional recognition through certification or other designation provides a distinct advantage in the job market for aspiring accountants. Certification attests to professional competence in a specialized accounting concentration. Accountants can seek credentials from a wide variety of professional societies, and a certificate in accounting will give students a leg up against the competition.
Requirements
People planning a career in accounting should have an aptitude for mathematics and should be able to analyze, compare and interpret facts and figures quickly. They should also be able to interact with clients and managers both verbally and in writing in order to clearly deliver the results of their work. Because of the wide variety of skills that accounting requires, accountants must be good at working with people, business systems and computers. Financial decisions are made on the basis of accounting statements and services, so accountants should have high standards of integrity and be honest in communicating their findings.
Coursework
The accounting certificate curriculum usually consists of 7 required courses (3 core courses and 4 specialization elective courses) for a total of 18–19 semester units. Normal required courses include introduction to financial accounting, introduction to management accounting and a higher level financial accounting course. Other courses required for the certificate program vary based on the chosen specialization. A bachelors degree is required for graduate accounting certificate programs but not necessary for undergraduate accounting certificate programs.
Potential Jobs
After receiving your certificate in accounting, you will be a specialized member of the business community. As a Professional Accounting Services Specialist, you will have the benefits of job security, professional advancement and a good, steady income. As a skilled and competent Accounting Services Specialist, you will be able to pursue bookkeeper or clerk jobs in accounting departments, where you will keep track of financial records and transactions. This degree gives you the opportunity to work in a variety of industries – you’ll always have the opportunity to find employment whether it is as a bookkeeper in a major accounting firm or as a financial advisor in a small, local business.
Salary
After graduating with an undergraduate certificate in accounting, you should be able to earn up to $40,000 a year. A graduate certificate will open up more jobs, increasing your earning potential further.
eCollegeFinder.org helps you find degrees from accredited online colleges to start a new career or improve your current job. Search eCollegeFinder.org today and find the right online degree for you!
Overview
Most masters of education programs through accredited online colleges require students to choose a concentration such as educational counseling, educational administration, academic enrichment, adult education or higher education. Coursework varies depending on specific concentration, but all tracks focus on building effective teaching methods and learning to relate to students. Typically, top online schools require a formal thesis for completion of the masters degree.
Time Commitment
When enrolled full-time, masters programs require 2 years of study. Some schools do offer accelerated programs that can be completed in less than 2 years. Part-time students can expect to finish their education in 3 – 4 years. Some states like Massachusetts and New York require a masters degree to earn professional licensure to teach. In most states, counseling and principal positions also require a masters degree.
Concentrations
Early Childhood Education, Reading Comprehension, Secondary Education, General Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Technology, Special Education, Teaching, Elementary Education and Mathematics Specialization
Salary
With a masters degree, you’ll certainly command more compensation than your peers who hold only their bachelors degree, however, the exact amount fluctuates considerably based on location and experience. Teaching subject and school type – public or private – also affects pay scale. Typically, private schools pay less than public schools, since public schools require teacher certifications that private schools do not. For young, inexperienced teachers who have not yet completed the accreditation process, private schools can provide attractive job options. A graduate with a masters in education can expect a starting salary of between $30,000 and $50,000.
Career Potential
Having a masters degree in education definitely makes a candidate more desirable to employers — especially if the student’s undergraduate degree is not in education. A graduate degree also increases salary and benefit potential, and may expand the number of teaching positions an education degree holder is qualified to fill.
eCollegeFinder.org helps you find degrees from accredited online colleges to start a new career or improve your current job. Search eCollegeFinder.org today and find the right online degree for you!