Do you have an associates degree in accounting but aren’t sure what your salary should be? Don’t worry, I’ll tell you. It’s impossible to know an exact number – there are just too many variables when it comes to your individual experience, background, and education. But I’ll go into more detail on that after I lay out the typical starting salary ranges for those with an associates degree focusing on accountancy as a career field.
If you’re looking for an accountant job with a degree, you should expect to make between $40,000 and $50,000 per year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for accountants with an associates degree is $47,000.
Salary for accountant with associates degree
Is an associates degree in accounting worth it? Explore salaries, job outlook, and industry growth rates to see if an accounting degree is the right choice for you.
Let’s take a closer look as to why enrolling in an associate’s accounting degree online may be the right decision for you. Every company, non-profit organization, and government agency needs accountants.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who earn an associate’s degree earn an average salary of $56,590 per year. Plus, when you earn your associate’s degree in accounting online, you can enjoy the flexibility of completing your studies from the comfort of your own home!
With the option to earn your bachelor’s, you may further increase your earning potential. So, earning an associate’s degree is worth it for many students.
There are quite a few reasons why earning an associate’s in accounting may be beneficial. Your employability should be strengthened, and you stand to become more attractive to prospect to employers looking to hire accounting-literate individuals.
Another welcome benefit of having an associate’s degree in accounting is the increase in earning potential. Having an associate’s degree in accounting may mean more than a hundred dollars more per week compared to those working with just a high school diploma.
Another advantage of earning this degree is that it typically only takes two years to complete, which ultimately means that you should be saving both time and money when compared to pursuing a 4 year degree.
Also, even when you’re enrolled, you can likely still hold a job because the schools that offer these courses tend to be flexible with their schedules.
Finally, one of the most important advantages of studying to earn your associate’s degree in accounting is that the credits should count toward a bachelor’s degree. So, if in the future you decide to get your bachelor’s degree in accounting, you may be able to shave off a year or two of studying.
Associate Degree in Accounting Jobs
Most associate degree in accounting jobs are likely to be entry-level. These same jobs may provide you with the means to work for companies that you wouldn’t otherwise be qualified to work for.
Some of the jobs in the accounting field include:
Accounting Assistant – Common responsibilities for accounting assistants include some office duties, such as answering phones and direct client interaction. Bookkeeping, payroll, invoice collection, and other similar accounting duties are common duties as well.
Accounting Receivable Clerk – Accounting receivable clerks track their companies’ income with regard to payments received from sales. They may prepare and send invoices out to their organizations’ clients. They may also be handle deposits.
Bookkeeping or Auditing Clerk – Bookkeeping/auditing clerks manage financial records. They review the accuracy of cash flow, assets, and liabilities, bank statements, and transactions and report on their findings.
Payroll Clerk – Payroll clerks are responsible for calculating and disbursing employee salaries. They have to keep accurate documentation of all transactions.
An associates in accounting usually provides the potential for good upward mobility in the accounting field beyond these starting positions.
Associates in Accounting Salary
Since the job titles that accountants hold with this associate’s degree are paraprofessional and career-focused, it stands to reason that there is a potential to earn more down the road with more experience and further education.
Please keep in mind that some employers look for a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to be considered for a few of these positions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some careers in the accounting field include:
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Purchasing Manager | $125,940 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $98,890 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $73,560 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist | $67,190 |
| Buyer or Purchasing Agent | $66,690 |
| Brokerage Clerk | $55,270 |
| Payroll Bookkeeper | $47,020 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk | $42,410 |
| Underwriting Assistant | $42,050 |
| Financial Clerk | $40,540 |
Some companies may prefer you to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting when applying for these jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning your bachelor’s, master’s, or even PhD in Accounting and accumulating work experience can help increase your salary.
Further Education – How to Move Up in the Accounting Profession
After you get your associate’s degree in accounting, your next logical step may be to earn your bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Many companies have job vacancies open for accountants, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for accountants is projected to keep on increasing. According to their figures, the demand for bachelor’s in accounting degree holders is expected to increase by 4% over the next decade.
Armed with this degree, you may also be eligible to switch to more growth-oriented lucrative careers.
With your associate’s degree, you may be able to earn your bachelor’s degree in about half the time it would take you had you enrolled in a 4 year degree right from the get-go. And, since most of the school’s schedules are flexible and accommodating for working students, you should be able to work around your schedule.
Recommended Certification for Accountants
You can become a Certified Public Accountant or CPA after you pass the state CPA exam. All accountancy state boards require their candidate to hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy to qualify to take the CPA exam.
Also, take note that each state board acts independently of the other, meaning there is no universal CPA license. Essentially, if you want to practice within the borders of a specific state, then you need to be sanctioned by the state board of that particular state.
The CPA title should greatly boost your income potential and your employability. As a CPA, you may be able to open your own practice or consult for business clients.
Companies and financial firms also seek Certified Public Accountants to create financial plans, audit their financial records, or even manage their financial department.
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants may also be a useful resource.
