Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Dr. Francis Ikeokwu
Not all healthcare careers lead to patient care. If you have a passion for numbers, hospitals and other medical facilities need controllers, auditors and senior accounting directors to oversee the financial side. These positions require the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation and a master’s degree.
Why do these organizations want a CPA? It’s a widely-recognized and respected professional standard that demonstrates you’re knowledgeable and dedicated to the accounting profession. To earn this designation, you must graduate with a master’s degree, which prepares you to take the CPA licensure exam.
Why become a CPA? There are plenty of reasons, ranging from opportunities to salary. If you’re already working for an organization, then passing the CPA exam may mean a bonus for you. More importantly, it could mean advancement within the organization. Over the course of a career, CPAs will make, on average, $1M more than a non-certified professional will. Public accounting is a steady and stable career choice. Having the CPA designation behind your name makes you an even more attractive candidate for any position you seek.
At Hodges University, we are offering the Masters in Accountancy degree program, and classes start in the fall. You can graduate in 14 months and it’s offered 100 percent online. This allows you to continue working while earning your degree. Your professors, myself included, bring practical and real-world experience to every class, so that you build upon your foundational skills. We have a true passion for all that is accounting. Your classes are eight weeks each, and areas of study and application include forensic accounting, international accounting, government and non-profit accounting, tax practice and representation, advanced managerial accounting, and advanced independent auditing. You’ll also get real-world experience with an internship.
There is a need, especially in Florida, for CPAs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Florida is in the top five of states in the country that needs CPAs. The average annual salary is $76,320, but a quick look on job sites shows that many of those organizations are offering even higher wages.
Take your experience to the next level with a Master’s in Accountancy. The benefits are many, and you can graduate and be prepared to take the CPA exam in just 14 months.
Hodges Univeristy
239-938-7744 | Hodges.edu
