The Top Finance And Accounting MBA Online Programs

An understanding of finance and accounting is essential to any business or non-profit institution, and good financial management is central to the growth of such organizations. A campus-based or online Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting prepares students to take on the role of financial manager or accountant. Students completing an accredited online MBA in finance and accounting program have the option to work as financial managers right away or to take a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam to become public accountants.

The best finance and accounting MBA online courses train students in the essentials of business development and financial management, as well as more specialized topics such as investment management. Through case studies as well as real-world examples, students learn how to analyze balance sheets, gauge the financial health of a company and manage the accounts of major corporations. Graduates of online MBA finance and accounting programs should have a firm understanding of the financial intricacies of any major business or organization.

How can I tell if an online MBA finance and accounting degree is right for me?

Students interested in management, finance and investment strategies will find an online Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting beneficial.

Other common characteristics in many online MBA finance and accounting students are:

• A capability for analyzing data or information
• A knack for processing information
• A capability for communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• An aptitude for getting information
• A skill for making decisions and solving problems

How long does it take to earn an MBA online finance and accounting degree?

Earning a finance and accounting MBA degree online is comparable to earning any other similar degree. To earn this degree it normally takes 2 years of full-time schooling. However, part-time or accelerated programs are offered by some business schools to allow students to earn the course in a more convenient manner.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA finance and accounting schools online?

Before enrolling in online MBA finance and accounting programs, business schools normally require students to have an undergraduate degree. An undergraduate degree in areas including actuarial science, CPA, business administration, and finance may be preferred by some schools that have an MBA finance and accounting online program.

Many online MBA in finance and accounting programs also base admission on the following criteria:

• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)
• Academic transcripts
• Essays
• Work experience

What courses will I take in finance and accounting MBA programs online?

The best schools in online finance and accounting MBA rankings include both general MBA courses and specialized classes in finance and accounting. In the first year of a top finance and accounting MBA online program, students receive a thorough grounding in business concepts through courses like corporate strategy, management, accounting and business law. Some online finance and accounting MBA schools may have a global focus and include a course on enterprise management in a global environment.

The second year of an MBA online finance and accounting program is more hands-on, as students apply the concepts learned in the first part. Courses are more focused in finance and accounting and may include investment management, strategic cost management, advanced managerial accounting and financial management policy. Most courses taken in the second part of an MBA finance and accounting online program include case studies or hands-on experience in the business world in the form of internships.

Students enrolled in online finance and accounting MBA programs often do internships in order to supplement their education. Such an internship can be important in that it not only gives students an opportunity to practically apply the business and finance and accounting skills they are gaining in an actual business setting, but it can also serve as an introduction into a particular business or company.

What are the best online MBA in finance and accounting books I should consider reading?

Books that might prove to be helpful for students interested in finance and accounting MBA careers are:

1. Finance and Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers: All the Basics You Need to Know (William G. Droms; Jay O. Wright) – This relatively short paperback is a good introduction to general finance and accounting fundamentals.

2. The Accounting Game: Basic Accounting Fresh from the Lemonade Stand (Judith Orloff; Darrell Mullis) – This book is a fun, big picture overview of accounting principles organized around the operation of a neighborhood lemonade stand.

3. Accounting Made Simple: Accounting Explained in 100 Pages or Less (Mike Piper) – This short primer is a good place to start for new finance and accounting students.

4. Financial Statements: A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Creating Financial Reports (Thomas R. Ittelson) – Ittelson goes into detail on one of the key skills taught in finance and accounting MBA schools online without being too complicated.

5. Accounting Comes Alive – The Color Accounting Parable (Mark Robilliard; Peter Frampton) – Combining a compelling narrative with colorful diagrams and visual aids, the authors of this book make the concepts of accounting come alive.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue finance and accounting MBA jobs?

Graduates of finance and accounting MBA programs have a wide range of job prospects in many fields of business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2010 there were 527,100 financial management jobs and 1,216,900 accounting jobs in the U.S. Upon graduation, students can expect to earn a finance and accounting MBA salary in such positions as:

• Accountant or Auditor – $61,690
• Financial Manager – $103,910
• Chief Financial Officer – $101,250
• Financial Analyst – $74,350

According to data from the BLS on the field of accounting, the projected job growth over the next decade is 16%, while growth for financial managers is estimated at 9%. This is because as businesses grow they have an increasing need for financial experts such as accountants and financial managers.

Employers often favor students who have graduated from AACSB accredited finance and accounting MBA programs because accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business can be an indication that a business school gives students a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Finance And Accounting MBA degree?

• Ashford University
• Grand Canyon University
• Northeastern University
• Strayer University
• Saint Leo University Online