Are you that friend at dinner who loves to crunch the numbers when splitting up the bill? Do you enjoy planning out your own personal budget and financial goals? If you are a smart, organized, and driven person, and you are looking to launch a new career, the field of accounting may be the right next step.
Before you set off to pursue an accounting degree, it’s important to consider your options. If you are looking to jump into your career relatively quickly, or gain your footing in the field, you may want to earn an associate degree in accounting. However, if you are looking to become a certified accountant or firm partner, an advanced degree (such as a bachelor’s) may be the best route.
If you are wondering, “Why would I earn my associate in accounting, instead of a bachelor degree?” you are not alone. Let’s go over some of the many reasons aspiring accounting pros choose the 2-year path.
- A First Step
One of the top reasons to pursue an associate in accounting is to break into the business. With an associate degree in accounting, you will learn the basics of the accounting field and get a handle on what you need to know to become successful. Some of the skills you will acquire through an associate accounting program, such as Goodwin’s accounting program in Connecticut, include:
- Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills via financial data analyses
- Applying technology skills to accounting and business problems
- Organizing, summarizing, and reporting financial data using accounting concepts and principles
- Developing awareness of professional and ethical issues facing the accounting industry
- Creating professional financial reports and analyses for tax clients
- Achieving professional certification in bookkeeping, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel, helping you stand out to prospective employers
- Become a Professional Within the Field
Despite popular belief, not all professions within the accounting industry require a bachelor’s degree. In fact, there are several great career options that you can choose from once you have earned an associate in accounting. Some of the jobs include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Accounting Assistant
- Auditing Clerk
- Bookkeeper
- Payroll Professional
Most of these professionals need to have some postsecondary education, but not a four-year degree. And while some candidates can get hired with just a high school diploma, most employers today are looking to hire those with working knowledge of the aforementioned accounting skills and a college degree in-hand.
- No Need for a 4-Year (Plus) Commitment
If you are looking to jump into a career that you love, you probably want to get started as quickly as possible. As we’ve detailed in a previous blog post, however, it typically takes five years of education to become an accountant. As noted above, however, there are other career opportunities within the accounting field, that often take less time to achieve. This means less of a time investment in school, and less of a financial investment on college courses over the years.
An associate in accounting can generally be completed in two years’ time. However, at a flexible accounting school, classes are available in faster and more convenient formats for students. At Goodwin, for example, students can pursue accelerated accounting classes year round. Accounting classes are offered days, nights, and weekends, as well as in on-campus and hybrid formats. With an associate in accounting, there’s no need to wait to start the job of your dreams!
- A Great Base for Other Options
When you choose to pursue an accounting degree, you are investing in a future filled with possibilities. Perhaps you are considering the accounting field, but would still like to explore your options after school is complete. With an accounting degree, you will attain knowledge and versatile accounting skills that make you a desirable candidate for a number of other positions and industries.
From finance positions to managerial roles at various businesses, an associate degree in accounting will help you stand out among the competition of applicants. After all, some of the courses in an associate in accounting include:
- Introduction to Management
- Business Law and Ethics
- Principles in Finance
- Principles of Economics
Just because you study accounting, does not mean you are required to commit to just one role for your entire career. You may explore other opportunities, and an accounting degree will help you advance and achieve many of the other goals you have for the future.
With an associate in accounting, you will get a foothold in the accounting field and prepare yourself for long-term success. A career-focused school, such as Goodwin College, can help you get there. The Office of Career Services provides students and alumni with assistance is obtaining their dream job. This service is free and is offered for life! From resume building and mock interviews to job search assistance and networking events, the career services team does not stop until you are in a career you love.
Learn more about the accounting program at Goodwin College and find out if it is right for you. Call 1-800-889-3282 or visit us online for more information.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.