Accounting Education: Three Opportunities To Consider

Accountants make very good money; there is no denying that. If you are considering becoming an accountant, there are a number of ways you can do that. The three most common approaches to getting an accounting education are as follows. 

Tax Prep School

This is a certificate program in entry-level accounting offered by tax prep agencies. They teach you most of the basics in regards to tax prep and basic bookkeeping, as well as accounting laws. It is an entry-level program, but some of it may transfer over into a higher education program if you get a certificate with a company that documents the training and education hours. 

Accounting Certificate from a Vocational School

An accounting certificate is a six-month to one-year program designed to give you a boost in your career of choice. Rather than just handling taxes, you would be able to take on clients who need your help keeping better financial records. You can complete this certification in as short or as long a time frame as you want, and some technical/vocational colleges even offer night courses for people that need to work during the day. You could complete it and be ready to help companies with end-of-year reconciliations if you start the course in the first three months of the year. 

Two-Year Programs

There are accounting schools that offer a two-year program and an Associate's degree for accounting. These schools will teach you absolutely everything you ever wanted or needed to know about accounting. At the end of the two-year program, you will graduate with an Associate's degree in accounting, and you will be able to work for any accounting firm anywhere. You may also be able to open your own accounting firm, if the laws in your state do not require a more advanced degree in the field to open your own firm. 

Enroll Anytime

Any of the programs above allow you to enroll at any time. You do not have to wait for fall semester, nor do you have to wait until a month before tax season. You are more likely to be hired right away upon completion of your chosen program if you time your enrollment just right, so that is something to consider. You will have to pay tuition and buy books for the certificate and degree programs, but no money is required for the free programs with the tax prep companies.

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