A business accounting degree, also called a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting or an accounting BBA, can open the door to an array of careers in accounting and business. If you’re interested in business and you enjoy working with numbers, a degree in accounting might be right for you.
Let’s explore the benefits of earning a business and accounting degree, the diverse accounting careers you can pursue, and how Baker College’s BBA in Accounting program prepares graduates to pursue a successful accounting career path.
Why Choose a BBA in Accounting?
A Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting differs from a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts degree in accounting by offering a distinct focus on business. Some key benefits of an accounting BBA include:
Gain Broader Business Expertise
A business accounting degree allows students to build foundational knowledge in core accounting principles while also developing business acumen through the following courses:
- Business strategy
- Economics
- Management
- Marketing
With hands-on coursework, students can quickly grow their accounting skills, knowledge, and overall expertise.
Stand Out from Traditional Accounting Majors
Unlike other types of accounting degrees, the BBA emphasizes applied business skills in leadership, operations, and communication. BBA graduates are prepared not only for sound financial management but also for understanding financial strategy. Employers appreciate their ability to grasp business operations and goals, making them valuable contributors across multiple departments (as opposed to just financial reporting).
Prepare for the CPA Exam and Advanced Certifications
One way to advance your career in accounting is by pursuing professional certifications, such as your certified public accountant (CPA) licensure.
To sit for the CPA examination, graduates must complete a certain number of credit hours (distributed across specific coursework). Baker College’s BBA in Accounting includes the necessary coursework and credit hours required to begin preparing for the CPA exam in Michigan. Additionally, students can pair our BBA with the 4+1 BBA/MBA degree program to reach the 150-hour requirement more quickly.
Strong Career Flexibility and Advancement
A BBA in accounting prepares students for traditional roles like staff accountant or tax preparer, while also paving the way to broader career options in financial analysis, auditing, or consulting. With some experience under your belt, this type of degree could even prepare you for a future in executive leadership or business ownership.
Accounting Careers You Can Pursue After Graduation
An accounting BBA opens the door to roles across multiple levels of experience and specialization. Let’s take a closer look at the accounting career paths you can pursue after earning your degree.
Entry-Level Positions
Entry-level positions are ideal for individuals with limited relevant work experience, such as recent graduates or those just starting out in the accounting, finance, or business fields. Some entry-level positions for accounting BBA graduates include:
- Staff Accountant – These financial professionals handle accounting tasks, including managing general ledger entries, assisting with month-end closings, reconciling accounts, helping with audits, and supporting financial statement preparation.
- Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk – These professionals are responsible for managing the money flowing into and out of a business. They are responsible for preparing, sending, processing, and tracking invoices and payments, in addition to managing bills and vendor payments.
- Bookkeeper – Bookkeepers adhere to a set of accounting standards and principles while maintaining accurate, thorough, and compliant records of financial transactions. They may also reconcile bank statements and generate financial reports.
- Tax Associate – Tax associates typically work under the supervision of a CPA to prepare and file tax returns for individuals or businesses.
- Payroll Assistant – Payroll assistants ensure the timely and accurate processing of employee paychecks, benefit deductions, and tax withholdings.
Mid-Level and Specialized Accounting Roles
Business and accounting degree graduates can apply for more advanced, specialized mid-level accounting roles after they’ve gained a few years of relevant work experience or obtained additional certifications. Some mid-level accounting positions include:
- Financial Analyst – Financial analysts gather and interpret data to generate reports, identify trends, and forecast outcomes to help guide business decisions.
- Cost Accountant – Cost accountants specialize in tracking, categorizing, and analyzing business expenses. They aim to control and reduce costs, helping to improve budget efficiency and maximize profits across departments.
- Internal Auditor – Internal auditors are responsible for creating, implementing, evaluating, and improving internal controls designed to mitigate risk and maintain regulatory compliance.
- Tax Analyst – Tax analysts focus on taxes. More specifically, they develop tax-based strategies to minimize a business’s tax burden and potential tax liabilities while also helping ensure compliance with tax laws.
- Budget Analyst – Budget analysts develop and oversee budgets for entire organizations and/or individual departments within larger organizations. They make sure that a company’s financial strategy is aligned with strategic planning, short-term benchmarks, and long-term goals.
Advanced and Leadership Roles
Earning a BBA in accounting can serve as a stepping stone to advanced leadership accounting roles. These types of positions often require CPA licensure, a master’s degree, and/or significant professional experience in a relevant field. Some advanced accounting positions include:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – CPAs provide advanced tax, audit, and consulting services to businesses and individuals. They often work in public accounting firms, financial institutions, and in-house accounting teams.
- Controller – Controllers organize and oversee a business’s accounting department. They design secure, compliant bookkeeping and accounting systems while overseeing all bookkeeping and accounting staff. They also collaborate on budgeting and financial planning.
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – The financial counterpart to a company’s chief executive officer, the CFO is responsible for the financial vision and strategy of an organization. This may include investor relationship management, financial forecasting, and risk assessment.
- Forensic Accountant – Forensic accountants often work for legal teams, government agencies, and even law enforcement. They investigate financial discrepancies, fraud, and money-related legal disputes.
- Accounting Manager – Accounting managers supervise a team of bookkeepers and accountants. Their responsibilities may include reviewing financial statements, ensuring accuracy, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
How Baker’s BBA Accounting Program Prepares You
Baker’s BBA accounting program is specially designed to prepare students for professional careers in accounting and business. Our courses, which are taught by practicing accountants with real-world experience, cover essential topics such as:
- Financial and managerial accounting
- Tax accounting
- Auditing and compliance
- Accounting systems
- Ethics
Available to online and on-campus students, our program is fully accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). After completing 150 credit hours, graduates fulfill Michigan’s requirements to sit for the CPA exam. For those looking to accelerate their education, we provide a fast-track option – students can earn a Master of Business Administration through the 4+1 BBA/MBA in Accounting for advanced career training.
Real-World Accounting Skills You’ll Master
Through our comprehensive business and accounting coursework, students master the following accounting skills:
Technical Proficiency
By learning the nuts and bolts of bookkeeping and accounting, students graduate fully equipped to handle tasks like transaction recording, financial reporting, and tax preparation. They also learn how to maintain auditing standards.
Analytical Ability
Our courses challenge students to develop their critical and analytical thinking skills. For example, students practice interpreting data, identifying trends, and forming strategic insights based on their knowledge and experience.
Professional Communication
Throughout our business and accounting courses, students continuously develop their written and verbal communication skills. This includes learning to write clear reports and conduct business presentations with a professional, composed demeanor.
Ethical Judgment
Not only do students study ethical, legal, and cultural standards, but they also learn to apply them in real-world scenarios. This applies both to the field of accounting and to global business environments.
Accounting Software Literacy
In the modern world, organizations and businesses rely heavily on advanced bookkeeping and accounting tools. Our students acquire digital literacy, becoming familiar with commonly used technologies, accounting software systems, and analytics tools. As a result, they can step into their careers ready to leverage the power of technology.
Start Your Accounting Degree at Baker College
If a career in accounting or business is compelling to you, then the first step is earning your Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Our accounting BBA program at Baker College includes comprehensive coursework covering a wide array of business, accounting, and related general education topics — all of which help prepare our students for bright futures in the field.To learn more about our IACBE-accredited BBA in Accounting program and the difference between studying online or in person on our campus, we invite you to reach out to our admissions office today.