Accounting Degree Basics: Courses to Expect and Career Paths

By Rasmussen College Blog Administrators on March 15, 2011

An accounting degree will ready you for an array of different career choices, from accounting clerk to financial planner. Let’s explore some courses to expect and what you can do with this degree.

Courses to Expect with an Accounting Degree

Students working toward a degree will take courses on financial accounting, financial investigation, income tax and more. Here are some courses to expect when pursuing an accounting degree:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Computer Focused Principles
  • Financial Investigation
  • Accounting Capstone
  • Payroll Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Computer Applications and Business Systems Concepts
  • Professional Communication
  • Microsoft Excel™ Training
  • Career Development
  • Financial Markets and Institutions
  • Introduction to Business
  • Principles of Management
  • Business Ethics
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Income Tax

Course Requirements for the Accounting Student

Now that you’ve read an overview of accounting Associate’s courses, let’s take an in-depth look at a few of the courses you can expect to take:

Financial Accounting

Students taking this course will learn about financial accounting principles through theory, practice, and real-world application. An emphasis will be placed on how these principles relate to current business standards.

Financial Investigation

In this course, students will learn about fraud and how it’s detected. Students will explore various aspects of financial statement investigations, including revenue, liabilities, assets and more.

Income Tax

Students in this course will gain knowledge of tax options and requirements for filing returns, both for individuals and small businesses.

Payroll Accounting

Students taking this course will understand various payroll accounting systems, paying of wages and salaries, social security taxes and benefits and federal and state employment insurance and taxes.

Career Opportunities for the Accounting Student

Accounting degree and public accounting degree graduates will be prepared to take on a multitude of different career paths, including:

  • Accounting clerk
  • Financial planner
  • Auditor
  • Bookkeeper
  • Loan officer
  • Financial analyst
  • Bank teller
  • Accounts management trainee

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