Spotlight: DeVry University: Accounting

Accounting Degrees

• Associate
• Bachelor's
• Master's

“DeVry instructors have high expectations, but they work with you in every way to help you reach your goals.”- Maria Pittman, MBA 2006

When you think of today's hottest jobs, accounting might not be the first one that springs to mind.

But it should be.

According to CNN Money, accounting is one of the top five open positions in the U.S. today. Thanks to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hiring in this field has increased 61% as employers seek talented accountants to help them comply with demanding financial regulations. In fact, the National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that accounting companies made more employment offers to 2005-06 grads than any other employer or industry.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 18% job growth and excellent prospects for accountants in the years to come, as well as a healthy median salary of $54,630. (The top 10% took home just under six figures in 2006.) Furthermore, new sectors like environmental and forensic accounting make the field more interesting than ever. If you have a good head for problem solving and are looking for a hot job in a fast-growing field, accounting could be the choice for you.

So how do you get started?

Start Your Accounting Education at DeVry University

With a nationwide network of 90+ locations and a highly respected online degree system, DeVry University, its Keller Graduate School of Management and the Becker CPA Review offer a variety of educational solutions for people looking for careers in accounting. Whether you are seeking an associate degree, are transferring credits from a community college to complete your bachelor's degree or are transferring from another field, DeVry University has the appropriate educational program necessary to move your career forward in accounting. Options include:

- Associate Degree in Accounting. Constant innovations in technology have drastically changed the duties and skills required of entry-level accountants like bookkeepers and financial clerks. Kick-start your accounting career with this fast-paced, technically focused program. You'll learn about optical scanners, point-of-sale terminals, ATMs and use of local area data transfer networks.

- Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. This broad-based course of study combines business fundamentals with accounting coursework necessary to pursue a career in accounting. As with many other major universities, a business degree with a concentration in accounting can prepare you to become a CPA or develop the specific skills necessary to become a forensic accountant, financial analyst, IT specialist, international accountant or tax consultant in the public or private sector.

- Bachelor's Degree in Technical Management with a technical specialty in accounting. This program, designed to integrate transfer credits and facilitate a focus on completion of your bachelor's degree, can help prepare you for an accounting-focused career. Courses can include a range of accounting, finance and managerial topics that have been developed with the guidance of industry leaders to ensure that they meet the requirements of today's hiring managers.

Continue your Education at Keller Graduate School of Management

- Master's Degree in Accounting and Financial Management. In today's global marketplace, accountants and financial managers are taking on a range of new roles. In this innovative master's degree program, you'll get a great foundation in accounting and can transition into a top-tier career full of new challenges and opportunities. These could involve environmental accounting, fraud and compliance services, forensic or environmental accounting and more.

- Keller MBA + Becker CPA Review. Looking for a professional edge? Consider earning your MBA while preparing for your CPA credential. Keller's MBA+CPA solution enables you to simultaneously earn two of the most coveted and lucrative professional credentials available. Keller's MBA coursework could count toward the 150-credit-hour CPA licensing requirement, and your CPA Exam prep courses integrate the Becker CPA Review methodology.

- Graduate Certificate in Accounting. The most successful accountants contribute directly to their companies' growth by turning information into action and helping senior management develop accurate financial forecasts. If you seek to add financial knowledge to your career experience, you can earn our respected accounting certificate without committing to the entire master's degree program.

The DeVry-Keller-Becker Fast Track in Accounting

DeVry offers a unique fast track opportunity for people interested in accounting careers. DeVry University, in concert with Keller Graduate School of Management and Becker CPA Review can provide all the education necessary for an accounting career, from beginning to end. Aspiring accountants begin at DeVry University, earning their bachelor's degrees, and continue through Keller and Becker. Students can then earn accounting-focused master's degrees and prepare to sit for the CPA exam.

"I'd definitely recommend the Keller-Becker program to friends," says one alumnus. "It was worth every penny of my student loans."

In just five years, you could go from high school or an entirely different career to sitting for the CPA exam. This accelerated program is two years shorter than the typical route, saving you as much as $10,000 on tuition and enabling you to get into the workforce and starting to earn income sooner. The powerful combination of an accredited university with a widely respected graduate program that integrates the leading CPA Review courses offers you the ultimate advantage in launching your accounting career.

Why Choose DeVry, Keller & Becker?

As today's companies fight to compete globally, they need highly skilled accountants to oversee financial reporting, make accurate financial projections and comply with evolving professional and international standards. DeVry, Keller and Becker are committed to helping their graduates succeed in the workforce. In fact, for February, June and October '07, undergraduates in all DeVry programs combined, 92% of graduates in the active job market system-wide were employed in their chosen field within 6 months of graduation. Students who have completed the Becker Review pass the CPA exam at twice the rate of those who haven't.

Accelerated programs (associate degrees in 18 months, bachelor's degrees in three years, and the DeVry-Keller-Becker Fast Track path) enable students to move their careers forward as quickly as possible.

"On the whole, this has been a really challenging experience," says Maria Pittman, a 2006 MBA graduate. "DeVry instructors have high expectations, but they work with you in every way to help you reach your goals."

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA); www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. The combination of rigorous coursework, industry-experienced faculty and highly flexible learning options empower students to study and succeed on their own terms. On-campus and online courses help students balance the demands of work, life and school and prepare students to realize their career goals.

*In New York, DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management operate as DeVry College of New York.