According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there are four major fields of accounting: public accounting, management accounting, government accounting, and internal auditing.
Accounting courses prospective accountants can expect to take include federal tax law, auditing, and accounting systems. Other courses for the bachelor’s degree include classes in economics, business administration, and mathematics.
Most bachelor’s degrees, including accounting, require about 120 credit hours and take four or more years to complete. Half of the credits will typically be in the accounting major.
According to the California Sate University Long Beach, a degree in accounting can help prepare students for jobs in many kinds of businesses and pursue careers in finance and the government.
Any accountant that files reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). CPAs receive their license from their State Board of Accountancy.