by Gabby Hyman
Online Education Columnist
If you've chosen an online learning program leading to an accounting degree, you've taken a solid step toward your future. The government's prime occupational forecaster, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, predicts that growth in accounting will be brisker than the average for all other jobs over the next decade. Business growth and the resulting need for people to set up and manage books and handle taxes means ample employment for graduates of online accounting degree programs.
If you haven't selected your online school, you'll want to evaluate accounting offerings and specific online learning programs that qualify you to take your place among working accountants. Many accounting and auditor positions require an undergraduate accounting degree. You'll find that many online learning programs cover the necessary skill sets in basic accounting, including debits and credits, accounts payable and receivables, audits, inventories, and forecasting. But which software program should you learn?
Online Degree Programs and Accounting Software
One thing you should know is that even the most-advanced accounting software suites for mid-size and corporation-scale employers are based on elementary home-business programs.
It's all matter of scale and functionality. Among the major accounting programs for corporate platforms are Microsoft Dynamics GP, Sage MAS 90/Sage MAS 200, SAP Business One, and Everest Advanced Edition. But if you're entering an online accounting degree program, the only one you may need to learn is QuickBooks.
The QuickBooks program is a general, small-scaled business accounting program that many independent or single-owner-operated businesses and accounting consultants use on a routine basis. The best news is that employers are looking for accounting graduates with training in skills and theory, rather than in the software that crunches data. Most large companies will train you in advanced accounting software if you already hold an online degree.
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