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Having your college records available will make research easier.book, books -many books image by drx from Fotolia.com
Obtain a copy of your college transcripts. In later steps, you will need to research and negotiate with several universities regarding how many classes you will need to take. Since this decision may be based on your undergraduate experience, your need to have your transcripts handy. - 2). Research accounting programs at nearby colleges. Use the Internet to conduct research, but feel free to contact representatives of the schools you're interested in. Explain your situation. Describe your background and your experience. Colleges have responded to the demand for accountants in the workforce by creating numerous programs to train new ones. According to AccountingCoach.com, a typical bachelor's degree program may require 30 to 36 credit hours in accounting and an additional 20 to 24 credit hours in other business-related topics--in addition to 60 credits of electives. Assuming that the program doesn't make you take electives and each class is three credits, this might mean you have to take 17 to 20 classes. However, adequate experience may allow you to reduce the number of required classes. If this seems like a lot, inquire about graduate-level programs and what prerequisites you might need.
- 3). Compare programs. Research several university or college programs, as well as online programs. Accounting Coach.com recommends that you ask questions about where a university's graduates are employed, which accounting firms recruit on its campus and the success rate of its students who take the Certified Public Accountant examination. A CPA license isn't required to work as an accountant, but it does make candidates more desirable, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compare these answers, along with your financial means and time commitment before selecting a university. When comparing universities, you should also take into account how many classes you will need to take, because this will help you determine how much the degree is going to cost you.
- 4). Apply to programs. Once you have evaluated your options, apply to several programs to ensure a place.
- 5). Enroll, take classes and graduate. It may seem simple, but you cannot obtain a degree without taking classes.
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