Associate of Arts in Accounting

If you are interested in an accounting career, earning an Associate of Arts in accounting is one of the quickest ways to gain the necessary skills. Graduates with an AA in accounting qualify for entry level accounting positions in large firms, as well as slightly higher-level jobs in small companies. Associate degree programs in accounting prepare students to work in:
  • basic accounting
  • cost accounting
  • financial statement accounting
  • payroll accounting
  • taxation.

Earning a Degree

You can earn an accounting degree at the associate level in about half the time it would take you to earn a bachelor's degree. Associate degree programs are able to accomplish this by concentrating coursework in specific job-related accounting topics, rather than in the more varied liberal arts focus of a bachelor's program.
 
Most associate degree programs take two years to complete if you carry a full-time schedule. Programs are offered at junior or community colleges, either on campus or online.

Tuition Costs

Associate degree programs generally cost less per credit than bachelor's degree programs, with some local schools charging as little as a few thousand dollars per year for tuition.
 
You can also earn an AA in accounting through online courses, which generally cost less than programs at a college or university. Online courses are paid per class or per credit. For those trying to maintain a full-time job or take care of a family, online programs may be the best option for career advancement.
 
Keep in mind that with an associated in arts, accounting positions will be easier to get and hold down. While the less structured environment of online accounting degree programs may not appeal to you, earning your AA in accounting will help you stay competitive and appeal to potential employers as you search for jobs.

Coursework

The classes required for a typical Associate of Arts in Accounting are designed to teach you skills you will need to work in the accounting field. A typical accounting degree program would include classes specific to accounting, such as:
  • Accounting Ethics
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Reporting
  • Introduction to Finance
  • Survey of Accounting.

You can also expect to cover basic math, writing and business topics that will help you succeed on the job. This coursework includes study in areas such as:

  • basic mathematics
  • contemporary business communication
  • finite mathematics
  • writing.

Job Opportunities

Some entry-level positions available with an associate degree in accounting include:
  • Accounting Assistant
  • Accounts Payable or Receivable Clerk
  • Billing Clerk
  • Bookkeeper
  • Management Trainee
  • Payroll Clerk.
These positions all have room for professional growth and usually have salaries starting between $25,000 and $35,000.
 
Resources
 
All Star Directories, Inc. (2008). Associate Degree in Accounting. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from the AllBusinessSchools.com Web site: http://www.allbusinessschools.com/faqs/
associate-degree-accounting.php.
 
GuideToOnlineSchools.com (2007). Associate in Accounting Degree Online. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from the GuideToOnlineSchools.com Web site: http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/associate_accounting.html.