Online Tax Degree Programs

Online tax degree programs and tax accounting degree programs provide students with comprehensive training in tax policies and procedures, taxation legislation, as well as accounting and business operations.

Tax accounting is accounting for taxation purposes, and in the United States, tax accounting is governed by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Tax accounting is similar to traditional accounting. In regular accounting, the system is designed for data to be used for decision-making is provided while for tax accounting it is used for providing information for company tax returns and developing operating documents. Taxation degree programs are offered at the associate, bachelor and master degree levels. Graduates work in various positions in accounting firms, corporations and government. Two-year business programs provide training in basic accounting principles, bookkeeping, information systems, auditing, as well as state and federal tax laws. While there few bachelor degree programs specifically in tax accounting, programs leading to degrees in accounting or business administration with an accounting major often include tax accounting training. It is also common for students to study for a masters degree in accounting with a focus on tax accounting. Master's degree programs in accounting culminate in Master of Accountancy or Master of Science in Accounting degrees.

Online Accounting and Tax Degree Programs

Strayer University

• MS: Accounting: CPA Prep
• MS: Accounting: Taxation
• Executive Graduate Certificate: Accounting: Taxation

Kaplan University

• Advanced Start BSA - Tax Accountancy
• BS in Accounting - Tax Accountancy

Minnesota School of Business

• Associate of Applied Science in Accounting and Tax

Westwood College

• Bachelor Degree - Business Administration: Major in Accounting and Financial Management

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Tax Accounting Education and Training

Tax accounting focuses on preparing personal income and corporate tax returns. Tax accountants also work with organizations to advise them on deferring taxes, mergers and acquisitions, and classifying business expenses. As mentioned above tax accounting training varies by the degree level, which in turn reflects the future career responsibilities.

At the associate degree level tax courses may include:

• Bookkeeping
• Accounting information systems
• Payroll accounting
• Business management
• Cost accounting
• State income taxes
• Federal income taxes
• Business taxation
• Individual income taxation

At the associate degree level taxation courses may include:

• Auditing
• Financial accounting
• Accounting information systems
• Financial reporting
• Income tax accounting
• Federal tax accounting
• Business tax practices
• Managerial accounting

At the masters degree level taxation classes may include:

• Tax research
• Auditing systems
• Financial accounting
• Operations management
• Advanced entity taxation
• Federal income taxation
• State taxation
• Local taxation
• Corporate taxation

Tax Accounting Careers

Depending on the level of training, CPA certification, and years of experience, graduates with a tax degree work in various positions in corporations, business and industry, accounting firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations among many other areas. Some positions include:

• Tax analyst
• Tax examiner
• Tax planner
• Financial analyst
• External or internal auditor
• Managerial accountant
• Tax auditor
• Controller
• Auditor
• Tax advisor or consultant
• Tax return preparer
• Auditing clerk
• Accounts payable and receivable clerk
• Payroll and bookkeeping clerk

Estimated Income and Project Career Growth

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median annual income of accountants and auditors as $59,430 in 2008. The middle 50% earned between $45,900 and $78,210 while the bottom 10% percent earned below $36,720. The top 10% earned over $102,380. The BLS estimates that accountant and auditor positions is expected to grow by 22% between 2008 and 2018.

Increased employment is expected due to expected growth in business as well as heightened emphasis on accounting responsibility in government and corporations. Especially in tax accounting, the development of technology and the expansion of government and business is expected to create complex tax accounting work that require trained, experienced accountants. Online tax degrees therefore continue to be important in the accounting profession.