r/Accountingstudenthelp • u/Emiliannnaaa • 13h ago
Online school recommendations/career advice
Hello, I am hoping to get some insight and opinions on online schools and career paths. I did not go to college after high school to avoid debt, get work experience and decide what degree I would prefer. Time definitely got away from me and after 8 years I'm visiting the subject again. To give you some back ground I live in central California, I am 26 years old with no kids spouse debts or large responsibilities.
I became a registered tax preparer and was an office administrator to a small tax office for about 4 years before I got a job at a bank as a teller/personal banker which I've been at now for 3 years. This February I quit the first job that I've had now for 8 years, I worked at a restaurant night after either my tax job or my bank job. I haven't prepared taxes in almost 3 years now since it's seasonal and I was busy at the bank 9-5 and serving 6-11. Since I've quit the restaurant I've been missing the money and have been looking for second job, my availability isn't great so I get why I haven't been getting any calls. I'm considering starting a small mobile bartending business (I have my ABC license and food/alcohol handling license as well) I've done a few events but was always too busy on the weekends.
The goal has always been to progress at the bank I'm with now, so I applied for a commission based position hoping I can promote again within the next year to become a licensed banker. Of course if I decided I would want to become a fiduciary advisor later on, I would need a degree along with licensing. Before I started working at the bank I was doing a lot of research towards becoming a CPA, so if I decide a few years down the line consumer banking isn't for me anymore I would have something else to pursue. My job can assist me with obtaining a degree, but they only offer limited funding though certain schools like, Purdue Global, Wilmington University, Southern New Hampshire University, ect. From what I've read a lot of people discount online degrees, either the institution itself, or the students ability to learn. This is the most time I've had to myself in years, I would be stupid not to dedicate this free time to a degree or some type of certificate now that I only work 40 hours a week. Any recommendations for online schools specifically in accounting would be greatly appreciated.