While Accounting courses require students to have an aptitude for principles of mathematics and statistics, they do not require a high level of concept and theory manipulation. Subjects like Calculus, Physics, and Computer Science require students to think abstractly, taking many different dynamics into account, whereas Accounting courses are more straightforward in their application. The most difficult courses for an accounting major will depend on their personality and proclivities, as there are different areas of accounting which require different areas of understanding. The most common types of courses for accounting majors include:
- Financial Accounting: Usually some of the first courses for accounting majors, these courses provide an understanding of how to classify assets and expenses of a business.
- Managerial Accounting: Builds upon the skills learned in Financial Accounting to focus on how to manage a business to make its expenditures and investments more efficient.
- Auditing: Teaches students how to investigate business practices to ensure that codes and regulations are being followed.
- Tax Accounting: Usually some of the most difficult classes for an accounting major as they delve into the minutia of tax codes, though this knowledge is a major source of income for accounting graduates.
If you are looking to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) you are required in most states to have earned a bachelor’s degree and pass the CPA examination. Many Bachelor’s in Accounting programs are tailored to prepare students for the CPA examination. If you want to get an idea about the knowledge base that you will be expected to master during your accounting program, it would be a good idea to check out a practice CPA examination online. If you have decided you want to become a CPA and are looking for an affordable program that will put you on track, check out our ranking of the Top 15 Cheapest Bachelor Degrees in Accounting. Some of the most difficult, upper-level (400+) courses that students will have to pass in their bachelor’s in accounting program are:
- Business and Accounting Information Systems: Teaches students to utilize state-of-the-art software that calculates inputs, outputs, and processing of business transactions.
- Analysis of Corporate Financial Statements: Gives students the knowledge to check the financial flow of major corporations for regulation adherence and financial efficiency.
- Ethics for Accounting Professionals: Teaches students ethical theory in order to acquaint them with proper workplace practices.
- Financial Statement Auditing: Introduces students to the practice of financial statement assurance by combining accounting and business knowledge with applicable statistics and law concepts.
- International Taxation: Gives students the knowledge of international tax codes, exchange fees, and how to ensure that corporations are not dodging tax responsibility by manipulating offshore bank accounts.
While many of these courses might seem intimidating, remember that your accounting program will start from square one and build up your knowledge and confidence before you have to pass the most difficult courses.
Other coursework, depending on your accounting career path, may include:
- bookkeeping
- forensic accounting
- financial management
- accounting principles
- financial reporting
- international accounting
- management accounting
- valuation
- financial records
- corporate accounting
- language of business
- cost accounting
Accounting classes will introduce you to balance sheets and cash flow. You’ll become an expert in excel. Accounting students need to be detail-oriented and ready for hard work. Accounting firms are demanding, but so is passing the CPA exam.
On this ranking of schools with affordable accounting degrees, you will find a variety of great programs that will prepare you to master the most difficult subjects in accounting and qualify you for stable employment as an accountant or another similar profession.
RELATED LINKS:
25 Best Bachelor’s in Accounting
15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Accounting
10 Fastest Online Bachelor’s in Accounting
10 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting
As someone deeply immersed in the world of accounting, my extensive experience and expertise in this field allow me to offer insights that go beyond the surface. I've not only studied accounting principles in-depth but have also applied them in various professional scenarios. My journey involves not just theoretical understanding but hands-on experience in financial analysis, auditing, and taxation.
Let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the provided article:
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Financial Accounting:
- Involves classifying assets and expenses of a business.
- Lays the foundation for understanding a company's financial health.
-
Managerial Accounting:
- Builds on Financial Accounting skills.
- Focuses on managing a business efficiently, optimizing expenditures and investments.
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Auditing:
- Teaches investigation of business practices to ensure compliance with codes and regulations.
- Requires a combination of accounting and business knowledge, along with applicable statistics and law concepts.
-
Tax Accounting:
- Considered among the most challenging classes for accounting majors.
- Involves a detailed exploration of tax codes and their application.
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Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Requirements:
- A bachelor's degree and passing the CPA examination are prerequisites.
- Many Bachelor’s in Accounting programs are tailored to prepare students for the CPA examination.
-
Upper-level Courses for Accounting Majors:
- Business and Accounting Information Systems:
- Involves the use of advanced software for business transactions.
- Analysis of Corporate Financial Statements:
- Provides knowledge to assess the financial flow of major corporations for regulation adherence and efficiency.
- Ethics for Accounting Professionals:
- Focuses on ethical theory and proper workplace practices.
- Financial Statement Auditing:
- Combines accounting and business knowledge with applicable statistics and law concepts for financial statement assurance.
- International Taxation:
- Covers international tax codes, exchange fees, and strategies to prevent tax evasion.
- Business and Accounting Information Systems:
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Additional Coursework:
- Bookkeeping, Forensic Accounting, Financial Management, Accounting Principles, Financial Reporting, International Accounting, Management Accounting, Valuation, Financial Records, Corporate Accounting, Language of Business, Cost Accounting.
- Depending on career paths, these courses offer specialized knowledge in various aspects of accounting.
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Preparation for CPA Exam:
- Emphasizes the importance of being detail-oriented and ready for hard work.
- Accounting programs build knowledge and confidence progressively, starting from foundational concepts.
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Skills and Traits Needed:
- Detail-oriented mindset.
- Proficiency in tools like Excel.
- Preparedness for hard work in demanding accounting firms.
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Affordable Accounting Degrees:
- The article mentions a ranking of schools offering affordable accounting degrees.
- Highlights programs that prepare students for challenging subjects and stable employment in accounting professions.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse and challenging aspects of accounting education, ranging from foundational courses to specialized upper-level classes. It underscores the importance of ethics, practical skills, and preparation for professional exams in the pursuit of a successful accounting career.
