Popular Accounting Degree Courses
o Auditing
o Business Law
o Economics
o Ethics in Business
o Financial Accounting
Students pursuing an accounting degree are required to complete various types of courses. While they typically expect to take basic and advanced accounting courses, they’re often surprised to discover the program also includes courses on taxation, basic management skills, financial reports, and the fundamentals of business. Because accounting is a field that offers several areas of specialization, accounting students are advised to choose an accounting program that includes the courses that best meet their interests and long-term career goals. Here are 5 common courses in an accounting degree program.
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Auditing
The Auditing course, which typically consists of presentations, discussions, and lectures, provides students with an introduction to auditing. The course teaches about the practices and principles used by internal auditors and public accountants to examine financial statements and any supporting documentation. The Auditing course has a special focus on assets and liabilities while teaching students the various methods used to collect, summarize, analyze, and interpret the data used in financial statements. Students also learn about the legal and ethical aspects of a business.
Business Law
To be successful in business, an individual or an organization must be familiar with regular laws and business laws, and the Business Law course provides accounting students with an understanding of the fundamentals of business law. In addition to using text, the course also uses actual case studies so students can learn how to apply legal principles in a business transaction. Topics in this course include contracts, courts and court procedures, the nature of law, negotiable instruments, crimes and torts, and business sales. The Business Law course helps students learn about the legal framework of business as well as how laws apply to business transactions.
Economics
Students may take the basic economics course but are usually required to complete the microeconomics and the macroeconomics course as part of the accounting degree program. Students learn about issues like interest rates, unemployment, employment, inflation, determination of output, monetary and fiscal policies, economic growth, supply and demand, price determination, and the impact that families and households have on prices and economy in general. Upon completion of this course, students will have a good understanding of economic issues as well as how consumer choices affect both pricing and supply and demand.
Ethics in Business
Business ethics are important in any business or industry because unethical business practices can cause damage to the business and its employees and can create legal risks. The Ethics in Business course introduces the concepts of morality, values, and cultural beliefs in all business areas. Students learn that business ethics are a huge part of corporate responsibility as well as how they can affect consumer rights. The course also demonstrates how bad decisions made by management can affect not just the business but also an entire community. This course does not have any prerequisites.
Financial Accounting
Financial accounting is an introductory course for any accounting degree program. It introduces the student to the basics of accounting while also focusing on various accounting concepts and constraints. Students learn how to prepare financial statements and financial records as well as how to read and analyze financial statements. Other topics covered include product costing, cost and benefit analysis, and decision making, and performance evaluation. The financial accounting course is a mandatory course for all accounting majors. This course may be used as a stand-alone or may be broken down into managerial accounting and financial accounting.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts accountants would see a 6% job growth between 2018 and 2028. Accounting is a field that will always be popular because accountants will always be in demand. Earning the accounting degree and completing the necessary courses needed will prepare students not just for accounting careers but for careers in areas that interest them the most.
Related Resources:
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- 5 Signs of a Solid Online Accounting Degree Program
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- How is an Accounting Degree Different from a Business Degree?
