Certified Public Accounting Degrees

Click to view more featured online accounting programs currently taking applications.

Public accounting is distinct because it focuses on external preparation and attestation of financial information (accounting work performed by individuals outside of the reporting entity). In some accounting professions, certification is needed to verify certain skill sets. One of the most popular is the Certified Public Accounting license. This is commonly abbreviated to and recognized as CPA. Receiving this designation ensures that the individual is prepared for various accounting needs in the public sector.

Holding this license is a requirement for some job opportunities, especially those in the government and nonprofit. This is not limited to simply preparing and filing taxes for organizations. States distribute the CPA license once individuals meet a variety of academic and examination requirements.

+ Find online accounting programs that are currently accepting applicants

CPA State Licensure

Licensure is established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The AICPA was established in 1887 and is headquartered in New York City. This organization is responsible for creating and distributing the Uniform CPA Exam that many states recognize in their accrediting process.

To sit for CPA examination, students must have at least a Bachelor's degree. With many states now requiring 150 total credit hours of education, at least an undergraduate is needed to qualify. At least 30 undergraduate credit hours, or 18 graduate credit hours, are needed in accounting courses.

Some professional experience is needed prior to taking the CPA exam. Individuals must gain at least one year working an accounting position in the public sector. This increases to at least three years for those in a private setting.

Holding certification increases salary potential and opens the door for further job opportunity. Having the licensure validates both education and professional work within various accounting positions. They can also be trusted in working with and filing financial statements and tax documents in a public setting.

+ Find online accounting programs that are currently accepting applicants

What is the Difference Between General Accounting and CPA?

Jobs requiring CPA licensure are not interchangeable with general accounting positions. General accounting is related to tasks directly with the organization. This includes verifying legal activity and developing and preparing taxes that are later filed.

These positions will often require a Bachelor's degree in the field of business or accounting. Some may require little experience in the form of an internship, but no further education. This may change slightly based on the level of accounting or specific tasks, such as working with information systems.

Some tasks require holding a CPA licensure, such as actually filing the taxes from an organization. They perform auditing procedures when necessary to verify this information. Holding licensure eliminates conflicts with the professional filing taxes and the organization itself.

Holding a CPA also opens the door to external accounting opportunities. On a legal basis, CPAs have the ability to work with the state government and various regulators. With added responsibilities, professionals with a CPA also see higher salaries on average than general accountants.

There are many people throughout the U.S. that are involved in the financial field. Whether they are providing planning services to companies or working with common people in the field, the contribution of financial professionals goes well beyond what you might expect as an upcoming student.

One of the most influential fields in the finance area is within public accounting. If you decide to pursue a degree and career in this field, you could find yourself working with a diverse set of clients with various financial needs.

+ Find online accounting programs that are currently accepting applicants

Common Public Accounting Degree Courses

If you decide to pursue a degree program in public accounting, you can learn about how to accurately project your skills to your clients.

The university that you enroll in can have a strong influence on how much you learn and the various topics you learn about throughout your degree program. Our experts wanted to give you a better outlook on what to expect when enrolling in these programs, so they have pulled information pertaining to classes and provided it in a list below. The courses provided are part of real accounting degree programs at universities all over the country.

Through the list below, important topics related to public accounting are covered. On any given day, you could be tasked with analyzing a client’s personal financial records to find areas that need work or preparing a large amount of financial documents for tax season.

The courses provided in these degree programs can help you gain skills in both the analysis and application of financial techniques to support financial growth in the people you serve. Read more in the list below to learn about these topics.

• Financial Reporting: Students enrolled in this course can learn more about the financial reporting techniques required by accounting professionals. This can include a look into income statements, expenditures and yearly balance sheets required for accurate financial processing. Students may also take a look at financial forms relevant to individuals and small businesses as part of their class requirements.
• Tax Methodology: This course can introduce students to topics relevant to tax preparation services. Throughout the duration of this course, students can learn more about the different types of tax forms, such as the 1040, that are currently used for individuals filing taxes. Tax law and common deductions may also be discussed, as well as managing yearly taxes for businesses.
• Strategic Accounting Issues: When dealing with people’s financial wellness, it is important for accounting specialists to have a solid foundation for problem-solving and analysis. This course can provide students with skills necessary for working through common and uncommon issues that may arise during a financial analysis or during financial planning.

What Can A Public Accountant Make Per Year?

Working in public accounting can lead to several different job responsibilities. These responsibilities can come in the form of different roles within an organization or even through private accounting services.

In order to provide you with the most updated information pertaining to the wages of accounting professionals, our team has pulled data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for your review. The information below can help you get an outlook on the types of earnings you could potentially be awarded while employed in this field.

• Accountants – Finance and Insurance: $74,140 on average per year (BLS).
• Accounting – Bookkeeping, Taxes and Payroll Services: $69,410 on average per year (BLS).

Before you even choose a degree program, you should consider what the degree can do for you in the future. In society, people should always consider their financial wellness when planning for their future, since it is important to remain stable with income and provide well for growing families. The amount of money you earn as an accounting professional can depend on the amount of experience you have in the field and the type of work you provide for the public.

Job Responsibilities of Public Accounting Degree Graduates

As a professional public accountant, you could find yourself providing a great array of services to the people that seek your assistance. One of the most profound aspects of becoming a public accountant in comparison to corporate accounting is that professionals in this line of work can assist individuals and families in need of financial assistance.

Professionals can also work with small business owners that may need financial support and recordkeeping services from your organization. If you want to learn more about the various duties of public accounting professionals, read more in the list below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Public Accounting Degrees

Estimated Cost and Length of Degree Program

The costs of a degree and the time you spend completing it can be very influential factors in your decision to pursue a degree. Some colleges provide master’s programs that can be completed in a little over a year, which can be great news for students that are interested in getting to work as quickly as possible.

Also, the monetary costs of tuition can also be larger or smaller depending on where you are searching. The colleges below list their tuition by credit hour, which can provide an easy outlook on how different the prices of your education can be. Check out the colleges below to see the comparison.

• St. Johns University: Online Masters – Accounting – $1,215 per credit hour – 1-2 years for completion
• The University of Miami: Online Masters – Accounting – $2,030 per credit hour – 16-20 months for completion

Earning a degree in accounting can be an exciting experience. If you are considering a move into a degree program, you should take into consideration your needs and desires for an investment. Enrolling in a college degree program can add up in terms of the amount of time it takes to get your degree and the amount of money or financial aid needed to finish. Our team of experts has pulled data from some universities providing Master’s degree in Accounting to help you learn more about what to expect when planning.