If you see yourself as a top-earning business professional, it’s important that you start your career off right by choosing one of the top business majors for online students. By developing versatile general business skills and in-demand specialized knowledge, you can improve your worth to a potential employer and set yourself up for success.

 1. Accounting

One of the top business majors for online students is accounting. While today’s accountants are still number-crunchers to some degree, they are increasingly taking on a more interesting – and valuable – role as business advisors. Online accounting majors take courses such as principles of accounting and auditing, internal auditing, taxation, business law and business communications, according to U.S. News & World Report. This education and career path is particularly lucrative for accountants who go on to earn the certified public accountant (CPA) credential.

 2. Business Administration

If you’re interested in the administrative side of business, then a major in business administration is an excellent choice for your education. You will take a broad variety of business courses in subjects like management strategy, marketing, finance, business communication, human resources and organizational behavior. The versatile management skills you attain can translate to just about any job role, no matter the industry, according to U.S. News & World Report.

3. Finance

Finance is another of the top business majors for online students. Finance specialists occupy a variety of roles helping individuals and organizations make smart decisions about financial planning and investments. Common courses include financial analysis, international finance, principles of accounting, risk management, investments, corporate finance and portfolio management and insurance, according to U.S. News & World Report.

4. Marketing

How do companies decide what products or services to offer, what to charge for them and how to sell them? They do it through marketing, another one of the top business majors for online students. Marketing majors take courses that help them to understand consumer behavior, including the items and services consumers are likely to buy and the most effective ways to sell to their target audience. Marketing majors typically take courses in consumer behavior, marketing research, strategic marketing, marketing management, advertising, sales, data analysis and general business, according to U.S. News & World Report.

 5. Organizational Leadership

If you’ve already got a leader’s personality, why not expand your natural skills by majoring in organizational leadership? You will learn essential skills like decision-making, communication and planning, according to U.S. News & World Report. Your coursework may include classes in conflict resolution, organizational behavior, work attitudes and motivation, ethics and communication strategies.

There are plenty of paths to a career in the world of business, but studying subjects like accounting, business administration, finance, marketing and organizational leadership can help you build a strong educational foundation. Precisely which major is right for you depends on your strengths and interests as well as what business role you aspire to hold. Choosing one of the top business majors for online students can only help you.