Online Accounting Degree Programs

There are many online accounting degree programs out there that are worth considering. But why choose an online accounting degree? What for? Well, I think there are few reasons, like :
If you're like me a stay-at-home-mom, who's still want to pursue a higher degree after you have your bachelor, and don't have much time to attend class session so, online program is an advantage.
Or you'd like to gain your degree from the convenient of your own living room, no classroom interaction required and no traffic jam in the morning and no need to rush among classes.

The online accounting program is also great for business owner, of course you may hire a CPA to count your taxes or do your financial reports, but I think it will be an advantage if you understand the accounting process yourself. It won't hurt to learn accounting, at least you understand the basic, so online program will be suitable for you. You don't have to leave your business, you may learn it from your office and still run the business.

Or, you're a software engineer and want to make an accounting software for small business? You don't have to hire a CPA or hire an accountant, you may learn it yourself. Or, if you are working in accounting part but you feel need more traning, so online program is the best for you.

First, decide what you need and your goals. Do you need accounting degree for living or just to broaden your knowledge of accounting. For example to do your own financial reports for your own business or your own taxation report.

Decide what degree you'd like to have, there are many kind of accounting degree level :
1. Certificate, this certificates only require one year of post secondary education.
2. Associate Degree, is about two years of full time study, this is the first college level degree.
3. Bachelor of Science, requires at least four years of post secondary education. You may work as internal auditor or staff accountant.
4. Master of Science, you need to study one year more after the bachelor degree to obtain this degree. You may choose between Master of Business Administration (MBA) which many of my local people more prefer or Master of Science (MSc) degree.
5. Doctoral Program, or Ph.D. This is the highest degree you may obtain in accounting and takes several years about three or five years. It is all up to the students to finish it.

Choose the online accounting program you need, has the program accredited by a recognized authority or not. Don't spend your money at useless certificates.

Choose the online program that also prepares the  students for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant). The CPA is accepted as an industry standard in the world. So, to do the CPA exam, you have to make sure that your online accounting program has auditing, taxation, managerial control, economic, business law, and computer software subjects. Because if you'd like to do the CPA exam, you have to complete four kind of tests :
1. Auditing and Attestation
2. Business Environment and Concepts
3. Financial Accounting and Reporting
4. Regulation

Choose the online program that provide many contact information. They're not objection to meet you personally, you may contact them by phone, fax, yahoo messenger, etc and not solely by e-mail.  This is important I think to decide whether or not the program is legitimate and not just a fraud site.

You have to consider whether the online program  provide transfer. For example, If you begin with online accounting program and suddenly you wish to transfer to an on-campus program or else. The online college that support that is really good one.

Beside the convenience studying within your own house, with your own schedules, another advantage of online study is the time saving. You may acquire the certificate in the shortest time. 
 
The cost of online accounting is much more affordable compared to the cost of attending a regular college. Well, at least you don't have to pay for accommodation, boarding, transportation, and books. I am not saying that you don't need books at all, but the amount is not big.

I think if you take your online accounting degree from reputable online colleges or courses, you will have the same opportunity as the traditional accounting degree. Like in Columbia Business School. And with the fluctuations in the economy, increased technological competence, fast-paced lifestyles, geographic dispersion, and the need for workers to possess new skill sets and credentialing, the demand for online degrees has grown over the past decade.

You may think your career plan first before choose the online degree program. Some employers still prefer traditional degree than online degree. I'm not sure how in the western countries, but in my country most of employers here are more prefer accountant from traditional degree.

Just don't give up seeking the job. Specially if you have accounting degree in your hand. As long as there is a business, the need of accountant is increase. My suggestion is choose the tax accounting program. Learn the tax regulation in your own country and make yourself really good in it. Though it's only seasonal job, but the demand of tax accountant is really high. You will have countless jobs. From clients who needs your assistance to fill their tax form to clients who need to find a way to save on taxes ^_^ etc.

But all the online degree program needs discipline. Self-discipline to do the work that is required and complete assignments on time. You have to be the type of student who is able to work independently.