Select a school that has received accreditation from an institutional accreditor. Accreditation shows that the college or university meets the standards for quality education of the accrediting agency. As an example, the Commission on Secondary Schools, part of a regional accrediting organization, requires accredited institutions to retain qualified staff and faculty, provide academic support to students and review a student's academic performance fairly and consistently.
Accounting curriculums varies according to the school but generally includes the introductory principles of accounting and bookkeeping such as the debit and credit system, accounting terminology, the general ledger and the fundamentals of the accounts receivable and accounts payable sub-ledgers. Students may also learn the payroll process and how to perform month end close.
School costs widely vary depending on the accounting program, institution and whether a student is a state resident. As an example, the accounting certificate program offered at Kellogg Community College of Michigan is a total of $2,000 while the average cost of an associate degree program at a two-year educational institution is $2,700 each year.
Accounting programs offered at vocational schools require less time to complete than four or five year bachelor's degree programs offered at universities. Associate programs typically require 18 to 24 months, while certificates in accounting range between nine months to one year.