Originally there were no schools for accounting. Accounting was learned through an apprenticeship, much like becoming a blacksmith. Fortunately nowadays that is not the case. There are plenty of opportunities to receive excellent training in accounting. This article will give you an idea of what it is like to go to school for accounting training and it will also list some of the top accounting universities.

While in accounting school you will learn double-entry accounting. This is the method that accountants use to track economic information. This information is then used by managers and other people to make important decisions. An accountant’s job is to make sure information is recorded accurately and in acceptance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

During school you will take several financial accounting classes that teach you GAAP. These classes are really the core of modern day accounting. There are accountants who specialize in other areas, but every accountant has to understand basic financial accounting. In order to learn the journal entries and other financial accounting concepts you will go through comprehensive examples and situation-specific examples.

A comprehensive problem may consist of you making all the journal entries for a fictitious business for a year or two. Situation specific problems will be like story problems where all of the necessary facts are laid out for you and you have to make the correct journal entry. Something enjoyable about your early financial accounting classes is that there is always a right answer. However, as you move on to the intermediate and upper-level classes and the problems become more complex you will see that there is some art in accounting. The skills learned in these upper-level classes are invaluable as you learn to make informed decisions in ambiguous circumstances (a skill that employers are willing to pay for).

While you go to school for accounting you will also be taking several managerial accounting classes. These classes focus on tracking key metrics and other data that will aide management in guiding the overall corporation. This type of accounting is exciting in that the only rule is to provide the best information for management. People interested in consulting often enjoy managerial accounting.

While you’re earning your degree in accounting you will also take a tax class or two. While most people equate accountants with taxes, the truth is not every accountant knows a lot about tax. Some schools only require one or two tax classes to graduate. However, most schools will also allow you to get an emphasis in tax if this is the route that you desire, in which case you would be taking multiple tax classes.

Auditing classes are also very normal at accounting schools. These classes are geared towards the accountants who want to work for one of the Big 4 public accounting firms. During these classes you will learn all about materiality, whether a company is a going-concern, and how an audit plan should be implemented.

Finally while at school for accounting you will take accounting information systems classes. These classes will teach you how to use accounting technology. In addition, they will teach you how to manage risk and understand how internal controls should work within a company.

Accounting school is a great experience and it can lead to a profitable career. Average accounting salaries at the entry-level positions are around $50,000. And after you make partner in an accounting firm, the average is around $500,000 a year.

During school you will take several different types of accounting classes. You will be challenged by the workload and you will gain invaluable decision making skills. If these classes sound exciting, then going to school for accounting may be a good fit for you.