everyone have different about the top accounting schoos, so some institutions are known for ranking schools, though, such as Business Week, US News, World Report and Newsweek. based on curriculum, graduation rate, academic resources, student activity, faculty resources, average grades, university connections and the financial status of the school, these publications rank the top 10 accounting schools (and top schools for other fields).

If you are thinking about attending a college to obtain an accounting degree, it’s a good idea to see which schools rank at the top of this field to help determine where you should apply. Of course, the top 10 accounting schools on any of the leading lists might not fulfill your needs regarding budget, location, scheduling or other factors. Based on the criteria listed above, the top 10 accounting schools according to Business Week are:

1. University of Chicago
2. University of Pennsylvania
3. Northwestern University
4. Harvard University
5. University of Michigan
6. Stanford University
7. MIT
8. UC Berkeley
9. Duke University
10. Columbia University

According to the same list, the other top accounting colleges in the nation are Dartmouth, UCLA, Cornell University, NYU, University of Virginia, Carnegie Mellon, UNC, Indiana University, Yale, Texas University, University of Southern California, Georgetown University, Emory University, Purdue, University of Maryland, Notre Dame, Washington University, Rochester, Michigan State and Vanderbilt. The OnLine Education Data Base also put together a list of the top 10 accounting colleges online based on acceptance rate, financial aid, graduation rate, years accredited, student-to-faculty ratio, scholarly citations, retention rate and peer citations. These top online colleges are:

1. 1. Upper Iowa University
   2. LeTourneau University
   3. Liberty University
   4. Nova Southeastern University
   5. California University of Pennsylvania
   6. Grand Canyon University
   7. Regent University
   8. Champlain College
   9. Westwood College
   10. Tiffin University

Whether you want to study across the country or study online, it’s important to know what the top 10 accounting schools are. This will help narrow down your options and find the school that’s right for you.

However, I should say there are many magizen or website ranking school, and make a list. sometime it just mix your mind and not helpful. I can not say those information offered is 100% correct, but one thing I can tell you is that your hard working is the most imporant part of your life.

It’s important to understand the difference between cash and accrual accounting — and the difference it makes when computing the bottom line.

For accounting purposes, the best method, regardless of the type of business (except possibly that of a doctor) is the accrual-based accounting method. Cash-based accounting can distort the true operations of your business, and incorrectly reflect income.

Cash-based accounting recognizes income when money is received. Accrual-based accounting recognizes income when goods are shipped or services are rendered. Under the cash method, an expense is recognized when it’s paid. Under the accrual method, an expense is recognized when the business is obligated to pay it.

So, for example, if in a given period you collect little or no receivables and you pay lots of bills, under the cash-accounting method, you have expense without income — you’ve lost money. On the other hand, if you collect a lot of money and don’t pay your bills, you have big income. That’s a major distortion of what actually occurred. Accrual-based accounting doesn’t care whether you’ve collected or paid your bills. Income (received or not) is matched to an expense (paid or not), resulting in a proper match of revenue, with the expense generated to produce the revenue. This provides a truer picture of operations.

For a wider veiw of this topic, can find some infotmaion about  Accounting Basics and Understanding Accounting Methods.

It’s possible to use one method for tax purposes and the other for accounting purposes. However, as usual with tax issues, nothing is that simple. Consult with a professional tax advisor for the best tax method for you. But for accounting purposes, always use the accrual-based method.

From one-person entities to major corporations, bookkeeping is a significant part of any business endeavor. While it is typically not one of the more glamorous jobs, bookkeeping is at the heart of a company’s success, and errors can cost the company significantly. Below are 10 of the most common errors that you want to avoid.

1. Not saving receipts of less than $75. While such receipts may not be required by the IRS, they provide backup documentation for the many deductions you may claim. It is very simple to have a folder for such receipts, which can prove valuable at tax time.
2. Doing it yourself. No matter how much they hate it, many small business owners insist upon handling the books themselves. Having a competent bookkeeper coming in to handle the books can be extremely beneficial in that they have the skills to do the job quickly and efficiently and will provide a second pair of eyes to find errors and make suggestions.
3. Forgetting to track reimbursable expenses. Small business owners often pay for expenses out of pocket or with their own personal credit card then make the mistakes of failing to track these expenses. They then fail to submit the expenses to the company for reimbursement.
4. Not properly classifying employees. The proliferation of independent contractors, consultants, and freelancers has made it difficult to determine who is on staff and who is not. This results in misfiling when it comes to filing taxes since there are different rules and regulations for employees and non-employees.
5. Lack of communication. Having someone handling bookkeeping is only effective if they are filled in and kept up to date on all financial transactions. A frequent mistake is paying someone a bonus and not reporting it or buying supplies and not providing the bookkeeper with the information or receipts.
6. Not reconciling the books with the bank statement each month. One of the fundamental aspects of bookkeeping is reconciling the books and bank statements every month. Nonetheless, there are businesses that do not do this and others where errors are made by not doing it properly. Again, this is a good reason for hiring an experienced bookkeeper.
7. No backup. The paperless office does not exist in the real world, where audits do still exist. A paper trail, documentation or verification in the form of backup documents should be available, especially if all files are on the computer system, which could be prone to technical problems.
8. Not deducting sales tax. A common mistake in retail businesses is not deducting the sales tax from the total sales. This results in a higher total sales amount and does not lower the amount of taxes due.
9. Petty cash nonchalance. A system should be set up whereby a set amount of money is in petty cash and each time money is taken out for any purpose, a petty cash slip is filled out. When the fund is exhausted, the slips will total the original amount and a check can be written to cash to set up the full amount again. Many offices are nonchalant about using the petty cash fund without keeping accurate records.
10. Miscategorization or overcategorization. There are fairly standard categories for expenses. However, often expenses are entered into the wrong categories or too many categories are created. Use general bookkeeping guidelines for standard categorization and create as few new categories as possible. Try to follow generally accepted accounting practices.

All the information form CSCPA

A CPA – Certified Public Accountant – is a financial professional who speaks the language of business.  

What does a CPA do?   

CPAs provide the advice and information businesses and people need to make important financial decisions.   They help their clients make sound financial judgments by analyzing and interpreting data, projecting “what if” situations, and explaining and assisting with compliance of complex laws, rules, and regulations.  CPAs help their clients to maximize their profits and make the most of their opportunities.   
 

What skills do I need to become a successful CPA?

• A successful CPA career begins while you’re still in school.  You need to demonstrate superior scholastic achievement and have a well-rounded background in accounting and business education as well as have a good understanding of the humanities and other liberal arts subjects.
• You must have excellent communications skills. A CPA must be able to explain complex financial information in terms that people from different expertise levels can understand.  This means you need to have excellent written, verbal, and electronic communication skills.  Also, in order to communicate well, you need to be a good listener so you can understand what your clients need from you.
• You need to be a problem-solver.  CPAs must be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures.  This often requires that you also be a creative thinker who can use the information you have to make sound judgments and to come up with innovative solutions.  
• You will need to be technologically savvy.  This means you should understand business systems and computers – especially accounting software packages.  Also, CPAs are often interpreters between the business and the IT world, so you must be familiar with current technology.
• Although it is not necessary for you to be a math whiz, you should be comfortable working with numbers.   It is important for CPAs to be accurate with their figures and to have an understanding of the numerical theories that apply to their area of expertise.
• You need good people skills.  Accounting is a service activity and a “people-person” job.  CPAs are highly interactive with their clients and must be able to work with individuals and in a team environment.  You will need to know how to effectively work with people from all backgrounds and expertise levels. 
• You must have high ethical standards, honesty, and integrity. CPAs help people make important life decisions as the information they provide helps individuals and businesses to make informed financial decisions.  Accounting is a trusted profession and you must practice responsible behavior.  

More information about careers as an accountant or auditor can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In Canada we have three types of accredited accountants.  Accredited means “recognized as coming up to an official standard”.  Accreditation means that an accountant has completed years of official courses, passed a comprehensive exam and proven to the society that he/she has sufficient practical work experience to fulfill the requirements for that certification. 

The accredited accounting designations are:  CMA for Certified Management Accountant, CGA for Certified General Accountant and CA for Chartered Accountant. 

Each designation is awarded by an official body set up under an accounting act with the federal government such as the Society of Management Accountants of Alberta.  Each accounting body requires that the accountant take and pass courses in what is known as a core body of knowledge for accounting:  introductory accounting, intermediate accounting, advanced accounting, financial accounting, sometimes cost accounting, statistics, business law, interpersonal relationships. public speaking, case review, taxation, economics, possibly management and marketing and so on. 

Each designation can focus on a particular area such as management accounting or audit or working in industry.

(CPA is an American designation.)

 See CMA-Alberta.com for further details. 

 I see the Certified Management Accountant designation as being especially beneficial when dealing with self-employed business owners.  My training emphasis, beyond the basic body of knowledge, was on management.  Being a part of a management team.  Working with business owners and managers.  Talking to owners and managers.  Being proactive.  Being a part of a decision making process.  Freeing up owners from office tasks so they can focus on selling their skill or product.  

Check out these related websites:

http://cma-alberta.com
http://cica.ca
http://cga-canada.org
http://cma-canada.com
http://RPA-professionalaccountants.org
http://CRA-ARC.gc.ca
http://gov.ab.ca
http://wcb.ab.ca
http://medicine-ht.ab.ca

INTRODUCING THE PROFESSION OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY

Deciding to become a Chartered Accountant means you have chosen the role of a trusted professional, known for technical excellence, integrity, objectivity and a commitment to the public interest.

To understand the skills, abilities, and proficiency level you must achieve to become a CA, refer to:

• The UFE Candidates’ Competency Map: Understanding the Professional Competencies Evaluated on the UFE.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO BECOME A CA STUDENT: 

• Education: You must have completed:
  • a university degree with specific business course credits
  • the professional program in your province or territory
• This level of education will provide you with the sound base of knowledge you will need to develop the skills and the values necessary to demonstrate competence. Check with your Provincial Institute/Ordre for course/program specifics.
• Experience: You must have work experience gained in a CA Training Office under the supervision of experienced CAs.  CA Training Offices include CA Firms, leading corporations and government organizations that have recognized CA Training Programs in place. This training is essential in helping you develop the skills, the attributes and the values of a competent CA.

  Applying to become a CA student: You can apply directly to these CA Training Offices or meet with their representatives when they recruit on your university campus. For more details contact your Provincial Institute/Ordre.

• Evaluation and Assessment are central to determining the competence of CA students. Consequently, you will be assessed continually throughout your development – in your university programs, in the professional education programs, and on the job. All CA candidates must sit the Uniform Evaluation (UFE). The UFE is the most important element in the continual process of developing, assessing, and judging the level of your knowledge, skills and professional values against those required by a CA. This three-day evaluation gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your professional competency by responding to simulated business challenges of the kinds likely to be faced by newly qualified CAs. 

Education, Experience, and Evaluation – these three elements ensure that, when you earn your CA designation, you will have acquired all the competencies that the marketplace demands from a Chartered Accountant.

The three professional designations for Canadian accountants are CA, CMA & CGA. Learning who regulates them and how they differ will help you choose one.

here are three types of recognized professional accountants in Canada. These are accountants with a designation who belong to a self-regulating professional body. The three designations are:

• Chartered accountant (CA)
• Certified general accountant (CGA)
• Certified management accountant (CMA)

Each is regulated by a different professional accounting body and requires a different combination of education and experience. No designation is better than another but each enables its members to perform different types of work and has its own rules of conduct.

Chartered Accountants (CAs) in Canada

The CA designation in Canada is regulated by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA).Chartered Accountants require a combination or education, experience and evaluation. Education is a university degree with specific business course credits and the professional program for the province or territory. Work experience requires three years employment with a recognised CA Training Office and evaluation is through the three day Uniform Evaluation (UFE) which all candidates must pass to enter the profession.

Chartered Accountants in Canada work in four main areas of public practice, government industry and education. Around 40% of CAs work in public practice where they provide advice in areas like audits, business valuation, small business tax, personal financial planning and receivership. CAs are required in all levels of government and those in industry may be Treasurers or head of Finance or Controllers. Those in education teach future business leaders.

Certified General Accountants in Canada (CGAs)

The CGA designation is regulated by the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, founded in 1908. Students in the CGA program need to obtain a bachelor’s degree first and certification as a CGA requires a mix of education, examinations and practical experience. A newly certified CGA requires 130 competencies over the areas of professionalism, leadership and professional knowledge.

Certified General Accountants in Canada work in industry, commerce, finance, government, public practice, the not-for-profit sector, and any other area that requires accounting and financial management skills. Their expertise ranges across finance, taxation, business strategy, auditing, management and business leadership and their clients range from major companies and government to entrepreneurs.

Certified Management Accountants in Canada (CMAs)

The CMA designation is regulated by CMA Canada which has a partnership structure consisting of the CMA provincial, regional and national jurisdictions working together. The CMA accreditation process requires a sound academic business education, which is tested through a rigorous national Entrance Examination. The next step is the Strategic Leadership Program (SLP) which is a leading-edge professional development program, and relevant practical experience.

Certified Management Accountants in Canada often work as financial and strategic management professionals and can be found in a wide range of business functions, including sales and marketing, information technology, human resources, finance, and operations. They have a holistic view of business with a strong market focus.

i were asked by zongtong to talk about my life. i have no idea aboud how to say.
I am an International study who study in Canada. I have been Canada since 2006. this year is my second year. now i am student in TRU, a university localed in Kmaloop BC. this is a small town, but have more than a hundred history. the people live here is so nice. like mu host family. they are so nice and teach me a lot things. My majoy is Accounting. sometimes, my friends asked me why i choose this majoy. in fact, just my brother tell that is good. no more other reason.
what else I need to say? Ok, my habit. I like playing computer, watching movie and travling. I like watching comic, like bleach, naruto，one piece, luck star and gunda. also i like watching some English soap operas, like prison break, Friends, hero, 4400 etc. But I specially like about the law. Boston Legal，Shark，Justice both of the is great. if you like English soap operas, i think you will not miss one of them.
also i like travling, I like tavring by airplant. if you like my blog, you will know sometimes i will post some news about airline. one of my goal for 2008 is fly 35000 miles with Aeroplan. I want to get gold *alince. for it, i have got a US Visa. so next year, i will become flyer. but my family told me, i had better stay at Kamloops, because next i will have bad luck~~~ they worried about me. actually, i feel i already have a bad luck now, when i see my creditcard’s bill. who used my credit card for shopping? 300 CAD! my godness.
ok, I have talk about myself lost. so minidx and VR, do you like talk about something about your life? i think that should be nice.