Associate degrees provide students with a general knowledge of a specific subject area and can often be completed in two years. Students can obtain an associate degree in accounting, but accounting may be too narrow a subject for many colleges to offer it as an associate degree. However, an associate degree in business studies provides you with some background in accounting.
Like associate degrees, minors offer students a chance to learn about a particular field without having to commit to a four-year degree program. Many universities offer minors in accounting, but minors must be obtained while working toward a four-year degree. No student can obtain a minor in accounting unless he is enrolled in a four-year degree program in another specialization. Students can minor in accounting and take many of the same courses that someone with a bachelor's degree in accounting would have taken.
Bachelor's degrees provide students with a specialized knowledge of a specific field and can often be completed in four years. Many universities offer bachelor's degrees in accounting. Students take a minimum number of accounting courses as well as other business courses in order to complete their degree program. At the end of their program, accounting students have enough knowledge to work in an accounting position at most businesses. They may also opt to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and should have taken enough coursework to qualify.
Master's degrees provide students with a highly specialized knowledge of a specific field and generally requires two years of education after a bachelor's degree. The application requirements for universities that offer master's degrees in accounting vary. However, all require a bachelor's degree, usually of business administration (BBA). A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in accounting prepares students for the CPA exam and work in an upper-level management position.
Doctoral degrees in accounting are not necessary for most professions because an MBA produces highly specialized individuals. However, students may obtain a doctoral degree in accounting if they wish to be college professors or hold executive positions, such as those in the government.