If you like working with numbers and money, a career in accounting could be just the thing. While you are going to need to have some schooling before you can get a job in the field, you have some options as to the type of school and level of education required. To help you get started, here is a bit of information on the education you will need for your new career.

Accounting Certificate

If you want to work as a bookkeeper for a small business, you can get a certificate in accounting. You may also be able to get a job in a specific accounting department, such as accounts receivable or payroll, in a large corporation with a certificate. There are technical schools that offer them, or you could go to a community college or a state university to take the classes you need and receive the certificate. If you attend an accounting school full-time, you should be able to complete all the required work in a year to eighteen months. This is a good option to help you understand the different types of accounting and get your foot in the door. Of course, this may be all the education you need to get the job you want.

Bachelor's Degree

 A bachelor's degree will require 4 years worth of education. Some community colleges offer this degree, and most universities have whole departments for accounting programs. You will learn more than basic bookkeeping and may take upper-level courses that will involve financial planning, budgeting, and business strategies. Many larger companies will require at least a bachelor's degree to work in their finance department. 

Master's Degree

If you want to become a Certified Public Accountant, you will need to have some courses beyond a bachelor's degree to pass the CPA exam. In general, there are two paths for the master's degree. You may choose to become a master of accountancy or a master of business administration. You will need to take an additional two years of schooling after your bachelor's degree. 

Luckily, most of the classes required for a career in accounting can be taken online. If you are going for a bachelor's degree, you will probably need to go on campus for any lab science classes required and perhaps a few of the upper-division classes will require you to show up for class. Anything you can take online you will be able to do when you have time during the week. This means you can work full-time while completing your education.