Why Earn a Degree in Accounting?

A Bachelor of Science in Accounting is a very useful degree for those looking to transfer their skills into a career. If you're wondering what you can do with a degree in accounting, the simple answer is you can become an accountant. However, this degree program will also teach you a lot of other useful skills and prepare you for other careers outside of accounting.

Gain an In-Depth Understanding of Accounting

As an accounting major, you will learn the core foundations of accounting principles and procedures. The coursework in this program includes a focus on accounting theories necessary for preparing financial statements and for decision-making. You will explore auditing standards and procedures, as well as ethical issues auditors face. In addition, you will also study the theories and practices of preparing income taxes for corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts and individuals. You will examine the principles of cost accounting, including job order systems, process costing, activity-based costing and budgeting.

Pursue an In-Demand Career

As the economy fluctuates, more accountants are needed to prepare and examine financial records. Whether the economy is growing or shrinking, accountants will still be needed. With that, most employers require a candidate to hold a bachelor’s in accounting, so it is also a pretty selective field, making it more in-demand. Therefore, the future is bright for those who choose to earn an accounting degree. There are a lot of different routes you can take in accounting.

Earn a Versatile Degree

An accounting degree is versatile, as it can be applied to many different settings. Every business has to track their finances, which gives accounting majors a wide variety of options when it comes to choosing where to work. Typical accounting degree jobs include:

• Public accountant
• Corporate accountant
• Forensic accountant
• Financial analyst
• Tax preparer
• Auditor

Gain Useful Skills

Without realizing it, we use accounting just about every day whether we mean to or not. For example, something as simple as buying a meal from a restaurant involves accounting for both you and the restaurant. You can also use the skills you learn in your accounting program in other careers. In your degree program, whether it be an online or on-campus accounting program, you will learn time management skills and develop a good work ethic.

Organization and Discipline

Majoring in accounting will teach you self-discipline and financial organization. Your accounting knowledge will help you effectively manage your home and personal budget. You will learn how to better organize your money so that you can achieve financial goals. Furthermore, you will also learn to discipline yourself to prevent overspending.

Managerial Skills

Getting a degree in accounting will also increase your managerial skills. You will learn how to oversee assets with accounting and budgeting best practices that will equip you to become a successful manager of finances. Furthermore, once you launch your accounting career and prove your strong work ethic and valuable knowledge, you'll be prime to move into a managerial position. If you decide to continue your education and pursue a master's degree in accounting or other certifications, it demonstrates to employers that you take your career seriously and are a leading candidate to move into a leadership position.

The Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University offers leading-edge degrees that address the demands of contemporary business environments. To learn about GCU’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree or other business degrees, click the Request More Information button at the top of this page.