Land the Top Associate Degree in Accounting Jobs

The associate’s accounting degree program isn’t sufficient to prepare students to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. However, students can use this education as a stepping stone to securing the industry’s standard professional designation. Graduates with an associate’s degree in accounting will learn:

GAAP principals

The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are standards set forth by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  These commonly-followed procedures for financial reporting and accounting processes include how to:

• Report financial information.
• Make decisions about accounting data.
• Manage accounting records.

Record-keeping skills

Associate degree programs provide graduates with an eye for detail with the necessary record-keeping skills needed in many different industries. You’ll accurately manage financial records and keep track of the history of a person’s or organization’s financial activities.

Business law and industry ethics

Through your educational program, you’ll gain an understanding of basic business law and ethical behavior in the accounting field. Subjects such as common legal issues, accounting standards, and how to think critically are all part of the core curriculum.

Students can choose from two common degree programs, including:

• Associate of Science (AS) in Accounting
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Accounting

Educational terms for budding accountants vary, such as:

• Accelerated one-year programs.
• Typical two-year programs.
• Part-time options, such as night classes.

Flexible alternatives for higher education

An increasing number of students are offered flexible study formats for obtaining an associate degree in accounting, such as online courses. This format appeals to a wide range of candidates’ needs and is available with:

• Part-time schedules
• 100% online programs.
• Traditional, on-campus studies.
• Hybrid online and in-person courses.

Many developing accountants find online and hybrid programs appealing because it allows you to continue working while advancing your education. When considering which associate degree in accounting program is right for you, take into account:

• Your unique learning style.
• Whether the content will qualify you for the accounting jobs you want.
• If there is room for more advanced study in the field.

Common admission requirements

Associate’s degree programs in the accounting field typically require incoming students to have:

• A GED or high school diploma.
• A GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Working knowledge of high school level mathematics, such as algebra.
• Students may also take the ACT or SAT.

In order to get accounting jobs with an associate’s degree, you will learn the basics  of accounting principles, starting with a solid foundation of core subjects including:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Business
• Taxation
• Mathematics

Many educational institutions also focus heavily on the software or technology currently used in the field, plus well-developed written and oral communication skills. Most accounting associate degree programs require between 60 and 65 credit hours before graduation. Courses and curriculum vary by school, but most programs include classes such as:

• Accounting 101
• Accounting Information Systems
• Business Income Taxes
• Business Law
• Cost Accounting
• Integrated Accounting Applications
• Introduction to Business Logic and Ethics
• Payroll Accounting
• Principles of Finance
• Principles of Macro- and Microeconomics

There are many jobs for finance majors, and many recent graduates jump right into entry-level positions in the workforce before going on to obtain more advanced degrees. A two-year education may prepare students for positions such as:

Accounting Assistant

Accounting assistants perform their job by applying their knowledge of accounting terminology and using spreadsheets and accounting software systems, such as QuickBooks by the company Intuit. Employees in this job process a wide variety of accounting documents, including:

• Customer invoices.
• Vendor billings.
• Employee reimbursements.
• Cash receipts.
• Bank statements.

Common job duties for an accounting assistant include:

• Entering a variety of financial transactions.
• Preparing documents to disburse funds.
• Making bank deposits.
• Preparing reports, like accounts receivable aging.
• Reviewing information for accuracy.
• Maintaining records, including inventory counts.

Accounts Payable Clerks

Another popular associates degree in accounting job is an accounts payable clerk. These employees help businesses stay on top of its outgoing bills and manage vendor invoices for their company. An organization’s bills and expenses may include:

• Rent and utility payments.
• Invoices for products and inventory.
• Technical or other professional services.
• Employee expenses.

Some of the specific job duties associated with a position in accounts payable include:

• Updating and maintaining a record of all expenditures.
• Sending out payments for vendor invoices.
• Ensuring that all payments are made on time and within company policies.
• Resolving payment disputes on behalf of the company.
• Managing the petty cash account.

Accounts Receivable Administrator

If you’re looking for accounting jobs with an associate degree that are pivotal to any company’s success, consider accounts receivable administrator. This position secures revenue by verifying and posting receipts and resolving discrepancies. Accounts receivable administrators accomplish their objectives by performing tasks like:

• Preparing customer invoices.
• Posting payments to customer accounts.
• Preparing reports on delinquent accounts.
• Reconciling deposits and cash receipts.
• Analyzing the accuracy of the company’s billing system.

Administrative Assistant

Administrative assistants play essential roles in many company departments, including accounting and finance. These accounting jobs for associate degree candidates are ideal for launching your career from the ground floor up. This role’s job duties vary greatly by organization type and industry. However, there are several main duties that everyone in this position can expect, such as the following primary tasks and responsibilities:

• Perform basic accounting functions, such as preparing deposits.
• Support accountants and other financial staff by running financial reports.
• Assist with budget planning.
• Preparing tax forms.
• Maintaining financial databases and spreadsheets.

Most accounting administrative assistants also manage a variety of clerical duties and other tasks that contribute to a well-run accounting department, including:

• Answering telephones.
• Greeting customers.
• Making appointments.
• Filing paperwork.
• Receiving and sorting mail.

Auditing Clerk

Opportunities for careers with associate’s degree in accounting include an auditing clerk. These staff members work closely with bookkeepers to cross-check a company’s financial records for accuracy. As an entry-level auditor, you’ll use your skills and detail-oriented mindset to spot errors and discrepancies in your employer’s financial records. Just like a role as an administrative assistant, your particular responsibilities may vary, although the typical duties include:

• Verifying records and financial statements created by other workers.
• Reviewing financial data for accuracy.
• Correcting errors within accounting records.
• Ensuring figures are properly coded.

Bookkeeper

One of the most common associate’s degree in accounting careers is that of the bookkeeper, especially if you choose to work for a small business. Your job description in this vital role as an accounting jack-of-all-trades generally includes:

• Recording income and expenses.
• Posting transactions to various accounts.
• Processing payments and adjustments.
• Reconciling bank statements and other reports.
• Overseeing a company’s financial data and compliance.
• Maintaining accurate daily and monthly financial reporting.

Some companies hire bookkeepers to assist with basic human resource duties like:

• Preparing new hire documents.
• Submitting workers’ compensation filings.
• Monitoring personnel policies, procedures, and practices.
• Maintaining employee benefits programs.

Payroll Clerk

Payroll clerks are some of the most admired people in accounting — for obvious reasons. When you’re looking for your paycheck, they’re the people to see. It’s one of those niche associate’s degree in accounting jobs that require specialized training to perform payroll processing duties such as:

• Collecting timesheet data from employees.
• Calculating wages for salaried and hourly staff members.
• Issuing paychecks with earnings and deductions.
• Answering employees’ questions about their pay.
• Calculating commissions and bonuses.
• Filing tax forms for common deductions.
• Investigating discrepancies.
• Keeping payroll records up-to-date.
• Preparing periodic payroll reports.

Tax Preparer

A tax preparer is one of the jobs you can get with an associate’s degree in accounting. In this position, you can work for a company or an accounting firm that specializes in filing income tax returns for individual clients. As a qualified tax professional, you’re likely to:

• Meet with clients during the tax season.
• Thoroughly review and organize financial records.
• Complete all required local, state, and federal tax forms.
• Ensure that filings follow applicable regulations.

As a tax preparer, your responsibilities may include:

• Setting up meetings with clients.
• Explaining the tax preparation process.
• Handling communication between clients and tax authorities.
• Auditing forms for completeness and accuracy.
• Providing clients with future tax planning approaches.
• Maximizing the best possible outcome for the client.

After obtaining your associate degree in accounting, jobs in this field will be plentiful. Graduates like you can either start working entry-level positions, or you can further your educational opportunities and pursue a bachelor’s. Either way, you’ve built a good foundation for success.