| You have just made an important decision - to | | | | sort out, so be wary of schools using older |
| earn your accounting degree at an online | | | | technology. |
| university. | | | | Personal Academic Advisor Will the school assign a |
| Your next task is to find out which online | | | | personal academic advisor to you? One who will |
| accounting school is the right one for you. This is | | | | take care of the managerial details of your |
| a crucial step in starting your online accounting | | | | enrollment, guide you in the selection of your |
| school education. | | | | subjects, and help you plan your career choices? |
| Refer to this checklist as a guide in making the | | | | If these services are available find out how you |
| right decision. | | | | can take full advantage of them. |
| Appropriately Accredited Accounting Program | | | | Qualified Online Faculty Select an online university |
| Many schools claim to be accredited. But are their | | | | whose faculty members have been trained and |
| accreditations specific to your educational needs? | | | | are experienced in the use of these technologies. |
| Select an online institution that follows the | | | | Flexible Schedule Look for an online school, which |
| standards set by The American Institute of | | | | allows you to set your learning pace, or one that |
| Certified Public Accountants and/or Fundamentals | | | | offers an accelerated format. |
| of Bookkeeping program. | | | | Limited Number of Students Consider enrolling in |
| Transfer of Credits If you have previously taken | | | | an online university where there are few students |
| some accounting subjects in another school, look | | | | per class. The ideal ratio is 8-13 students to a |
| for an online school that will credit these units. It | | | | teacher. In terms of learning you will get a bigger |
| would be a waste to retake subjects you have | | | | slice of your professor's guidance. |
| previously studied in another school. | | | | Ask the prospective school about their accounting |
| Appropriate Technologies The use of technologies | | | | graduates. How many have graduated? Is there a |
| is a critical component in online learning. Most | | | | testimonial section where you can read these |
| virtual schools use a combination of these | | | | satisfied graduates comments? |
| technologies. | | | | Financing Options Does the school have low |
| • Audio - examples of these include | | | | interest financing plans or scholarships? What |
| audio-conferencing, tapes, and CD ROMs. | | | | lending processes do they participate in? Find out |
| • Video tools such as slides, video tapes, | | | | and ease your tuition fee load. Remember an |
| and video-conferencing. • Computer | | | | education is a major financial investment. |
| aided applications such as e-mail, discussion boards, | | | | It is imperative that you select the online |
| instant messaging programs, and websites. | | | | accounting school that is right for you. This |
| Select the school which uses a combination of | | | | decision will have a direct impact on the quality of |
| proven technologies. Many innovative software | | | | education you will receive, your career, and future |
| programs still have glitches that schools need to | | | | financial prospects. Good luck! |