Students who enroll in the capstone program are expected to be proficient with all of their accounting concepts by the end of the two year program. The coursework is generally on a part-time basis, and it takes place in an on-campus classroom setting with faculty supervision. In order to earn the capstone certification, students must complete the coursework and pass a written exam. A student who completes the capstone program and earns his or her degree can then become a certified accountant.
The course work includes many activities, both in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Students will need to study under the guidance of a professional teacher, which may come from a variety of different backgrounds. There will also be field trips to local business establishments, as well as internships in accounting firms. Graduates are also expected to present a report to the board at the end of their two years.
Many students find that their classes can be stressful, because they do not have much time to prepare. As a result, many students find that they do not study as hard as they could. Because of this, students may fall behind on their books, which makes it necessary to take classes at the beginning of the semester to catch up. If the student falls behind in the class, he or she will have to take a refresher course. The Capstone Accounting course is not difficult for most students to complete, but a student needs to work at it and study hard, or it may prove to be a long term problem.
The Capstone course is an accredited course, but it is still important to keep in mind that the capstone certification does not provide a guarantee of future success. It only serves as a stepping-off point to the graduate. Students are encouraged to keep up with their studies, but they should not let this stop them from working on other aspects of their lives and careers.
If a student does decide to get a financial aid, he or she may be able to qualify for more funding than he or she would have been able to obtain through an independent study program. Some students find that they do not need the funding to complete the requirements of the capstone degree program. Other students may decide to combine their courses in order to earn their two associate’s degrees or even though they will not earn a bachelor’s degree along with the capstone degree. This can make it more affordable, but it can also lead to more financial strain.
Accounting majors who choose to go on to be licensed as accountants can choose to specialize in one area of the field or to earn both an accounting and finance degree. The finance degree may include a focus on public sector accounting, such as taxation, insurance or corporate finance.
Those students who choose to earn the master’s degree with the finance degree must maintain a certain level of finance and accounting knowledge. Graduates will still be required to take courses in both areas and pass the capstone accounting exam to become a certified accountant, which is why it is imperative that a student maintains a basic understanding of finance and accounting in order to complete the program successfully.
