Accountants play a crucial part in the daily
business operations of companies of all sizes. Typical accountant duties
include managing ledgers, maintaining balance sheets, completing audits
and analyzing business accounts. Online diploma programs in accounting
are generally not available, but some schools offer online certificate
programs.
Online Accountant Certificate Program Overview
Online undergraduate certificate programs for prospective accountants
are structured to accommodate students who are interested in beginning a
career in accounting. A typical curriculum may include courses in cost
accounting, business valuation and corporate accounting. Most schools
require prospective students to have a high school diploma or GED.
Program Description and Details
Most online accountant certificate programs require students to
complete anywhere from 16-20 credits in accounting courses. Most schools
also allow students to take courses for the certificate both online or
in a classroom.
Students interested in online accounting certificate programs need to
ensure their computers and Internet browsers meet school requirements.
Typically, as long as individuals have a current operating system and
plug-ins to view different types of media, they should be able to take
online accounting courses through most institutions. Commonly used
software for online programs include Flash Player and Adobe Reader.
Online accounting certificate programs teach students about financial
accounting practices and financial principles. Common accounting
courses include:
Cost Accounting Course
This course teaches students how to analyze cost and variance and
make effective business decisions based on the resulting data. The
course also discusses how cost accounting fits into a larger accounting
department.
Corporate Finance Course
Corporate finance courses cover the methods accountants and financial
managers use to make business decisions and investments. Topics may
include the cost of capital, value of stocks and bonds, and risk and
return.
Principles of Business Law Course
Students in a business law course study federal and local laws that
govern business and finance. The course also covers contracts and
limited liability companies, as well as addresses the topic of when to
refer questions to a lawyer.
Business Valuation Course
A business valuation course teaches students to apply financial and
economic theory to investment practices. Students learn practical
methods to determine the cost of capital, free cash flow, total invested
capital and economic profits.
Career Outlook for Accountants
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for accountants in 2009 was around $60,300 (
www.bls.gov).
The BLS also states that career opportunities for accountants and
auditors are expected to grow 22% over the period from 2008 to 2018.
This growth is due to the development of new businesses, as well as
changes to government business regulations and financial laws.
Continuing Education and Certification Opportunities
Many of the courses offered in online accounting certificate programs
can be later applied toward the completion of an undergraduate degree;
according to the BLS, most accounting positions require a bachelor's
degree at minimum. Individuals may also want to consider taking the
Uniform
Certified Public Accountant
(CPA) Examination or the Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
examination. Most states require coursework beyond the bachelor's degree
to sit for the CPA Exam, and post-bachelor's certificate programs in
accounting can provide graduates with the necessary, additional credits.
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