Financial literacy and expertise are always valuable skills, and they will continue to be as the world’s economies continue to change and increase in complexity. A Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (B.B.A.) offers the opportunity to improve your finances and provides you with fiduciary skills needed for professional roles.
In the online Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting program from Avila University, students learn to draw insights and build data sets to make informed decisions. The program focuses on intermediate accounting, cost accounting, auditing and accounting information systems, preparing graduates to pursue various professional opportunities. Courses such as Accounting Information Systems prepare graduates for the demands of properly and securely recording and maintaining transaction records.
Here’s a look at some of the common job options for graduates of Avila University’s B.B.A. in Accounting program:
Accounts Payable
Accounts payable jobs can be found at virtually any company, as most operations have a department responsible for handling business expenses with creditors and suppliers. It’s a business-management position with a strong transferable skill set. Coursera outlines a list of typical responsibilities for accounts payable workers, including reviewing invoices for accuracy and clearance, matching invoices to their proper purchase orders, paying bills and keeping accurate records. Attention to detail is paramount for people working in accounts payable. These jobs also often require reconciling accounts, setting up supplier relationships and creating financial statements, among other responsibilities.
Many workers with ambitions in financial reporting begin in accounts payable, given the adaptability of these skills. Future career options often include administrative assistant, bookkeeper, accounting, purchasing agent and more. Salaries for accounts payable specialists are not listed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but Coursera cites the median annual pay for similar occupations like bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks at $45,560 as of 2021.
Accounts Receivable Administrator
Another financial reporting role is accounts receivable administrator. These professionals deal with funds owed to a company for invoiced products or services. Glassdoor outlines a list of responsibilities for typical accounts receivable administrators, including support for internal and external audits, account reconciliations, collection attempts and evaluation of ongoing operations for potential improvements.
Future job growth opportunities lie primarily in rising within accounts receivable departments, as well as collections management or accounting. According to Glassdoor, the estimated average annual salary for accounts receivable administrators is $44,344 as of September 2021.
Bookkeeper
Bookkeeping is an essential function of any business. Bookkeepers map and track a company’s financial transitions and maintain a detailed record, including purchases, sales and investments, among other activities. While bookkeeping is similar to accounting, workers in the accounting department collect and monitor data for the sake of creating insight. Bookkeepers record transactions to create a meticulous, accurate portrait of the operation’s finances. For many bookkeepers, however, a role in the accounting department is the next logical step for growing their careers.
According to the BLS, the median salary for a bookkeeper in 2021 was $45,560.
Budget Analyst
Budget analysts engage with budgets and finances in a more active way. Budget analysts are responsible for creating proposed budgets and conducting cost-benefit analysis, which often means proposing cuts or auditing company practices to streamline operations and spending. These analysts need to have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to investigate additional funding sources. Making budget reviews and financial reports and communicating those budget findings to management is also an important part of a budget analyst’s responsibilities, per Indeed.
Given their deep understanding of financial operations, budget analysts can work in virtually any industry, typically as financial consultants or accountants within a company or as independent contractors. Indeed lists the average 2023 salary for a budget analyst at $80,940.
Graduates of a B.B.A. program have several entry-level career prospects in business, given their breadth of skills. They can have confidence in their professional abilities and job outlook, making Avila University’s program an attractive option.
Learn more about Avila University’s online B.B.A. with a concentration in Accounting program.
