Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
Majors Overview March 15, 2014Corporate accounting refers to the recording and management of business information for companies. Bachelor’s degrees in this topic area may not be available, but students can take a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree program in accounting processes or accounting in order to enable them for corporate accounting programs. Students will learn about financial analysis, internal auditing, and budgeting.
B.B.A. Programs in Accounting
Students enrolled in a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) program in Accounting can expect to become adept at preparing and maintaining accurate records of the company’s business transactions. They also gain expertise in creating reports that carry details of the business outlook for company stockholders and executives, in addition to the company’s liabilities and assets.
Coursework may include cost accounting, payroll preparation and tax preparation for businesses; BBA candidates can also gain familiarity with the computer software that accountants usually employ.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma. General coursework in science, English and mathematics, may have to be completed by students before they are allowed to begin accounting coursework.
Coursework
Practical applications, as well as accounting theory, are taught to enrolled students aspiring to become corporate accountants. They are taught about business practices and the application of their skills in a corporate setting. Coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Business taxation
•Cost accounting
•Statistics for business
•Business communications
•Business law
•Financial reporting
•Accounting information technology
Career Choices
After they successfully complete the BBA in accounting degree program, graduates can seek accountant positions in a variety of professional work environments. The responsibilities of corporate accountants include budget analysis and auditing for corporations. BBA holders can also seek employment in other fields such as:
•Banking
•Public accounting
•Personal finance
•Non-profit accounting
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of 13% has been predicted for auditors and accountants during the decade from 2012 to 2022 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). In May 2012, accountants and auditors earned an average annual wage of $63,550; the salaries paid to these professionals ranged between $39,930 and $111,510.
Professional Certification and Continued Education Choices
A bachelor’s degree holder in accounting can choose to pursue continued education by earning a Master of Accounting degree or Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in accounting. Accountants can update their knowledge and skills by enrolling in continuing education courses provided by many professional associations.
The Institute of Management Accountants offers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation that corporate accountants can earn through the passage of a 2-part exam augmented by two years of professional experience. The State Board of Accountancy’s Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is most appropriate for corporate accountants whose professional requirements include interaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most every state needs the completion of at least 150 credit hours of coursework by CPAs before allowing them to take the certification exam.
