Start With An Accounting Degree And Move Into Specialties!

There are always students deciding to enter accounting. Once they start though, they find it's packed with all manner of specialties and titles, many of them quite attractive. That said, what's a good place for them to figure out what direction to take? One answer is to start as an Accredited Business Accountant. Both on campus and online college degree programs can help with this. 

A business accountant specializes in the needs of small-to-mid-size businesses and in financial services to individuals and families. In some states the word "accountant" is not permitted by non-state certified accountants, so they use the term "adviser" or general accountants.

Even so, to earn any sort of accreditation, one must get the approval of the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation. They developed the eight-hour Comprehensive Examination for Accreditation in Accounting. The test checks a graduate's capability in financial accounting, reporting, statement preparation, taxation, business consulting services, law and ethics. He must also have a minimum of three years experience in the field. Two years of education, i.e., an Associate's degree, either online or on campus, can fill in for those two years of experience.

In general, general accountants with up to one year of experience earn between $31,500 and $48,250 a year. After three years of experience, they earned between $36,000 and $60,000. Senior accountants and auditors earned between $43,250-$79,250, while managers do between $51,250-$101,500 and directors between $68,000 and $208,000. The wide range is because business accountants work in a variety of corporate settings. One's level of education, professional credentials, location, and the size of the company will all factor into salary levels.

Another launching platform for young business accountants is the Federal government. The starting annual salary for junior accountants was $28,862 in 2007, although candidates who had a superior academic record might go up to $35,752. Applicants with a master's degree or two years of professional experience usually begin at $43,731. Beginning salaries are slightly higher in selected geographic areas where the prevailing local pay level was higher. Nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions in accounting averaged $78,665 a year in 2007, with auditors averaging $83,322, under Federal government employment.

Accountants usually receive standard benefits for a corporate or governmental setting, including health and medical and life insurance, a 401(k)/retirement plan and paid annual leave. Additional benefits, such as a company car and an expense account, are within the domain of high level senior accountants.

The best way for business accountants to advance is two-fold. The first is to gain experience on the job. The other is to further one's education, such as going on for a Bachelor of Science in Accounting/Finance or even a Masters degrees. It's also not uncommon for accredited business accountants to become CPA's, Certified Internal Auditors or Management Accountants.

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