An accountant who works with individuals and small businesses helps people understand where their money goes and keeps their finances organized throughout the year. You record income and expenses, prepare financial statements, complete payroll, and make sure taxes are filed correctly using accounting software instead of paper ledgers. You also explain financial reports in plain language so business owners can make better decisions about hiring, buying equipment, or growing their companies. Many accountants regularly work with QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Excel, payroll systems, tax preparation software, and secure cloud document portals. During tax season the workload becomes busier, but the rest of the year is often spent helping clients solve financial problems before they become expensive mistakes. In 2026 and beyond, accountants continue to combine financial knowledge with modern software, automation tools, and data analysis while serving as trusted advisors for their clients.
The most common path is earning a bachelor's degree in Accounting, completing coursework in financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, auditing, business law, and information systems, and becoming proficient with Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks Online, payroll software, tax preparation software, and cloud-based accounting systems. Many accountants begin working immediately after graduation in public accounting firms or small businesses while gaining experience preparing tax returns, financial statements, payroll, reconciliations, and client reports. Those who later choose to become Certified Public Accountants (CPA) complete the additional education requirements required by their state and pass the CPA examination, although many successful personal and small-business accountants are not CPAs.
| School | Location | Distance from ZIP Code 61615 |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | Peoria, Illinois | 4.8 miles |
| Eureka College | Eureka, Illinois | 19.2 miles |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, Illinois | 36.0 miles |
| Illinois State University | Normal, Illinois | 38.0 miles |
| Monmouth College | Monmouth, Illinois | 53.8 miles |
| Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois | 59.4 miles |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, Illinois | 68.9 miles |
| University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield, Illinois | 70.2 miles |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, Iowa | 70.9 miles |
| Millikin University | Decatur, Illinois | 73.3 miles |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville, Illinois | 79.9 miles |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, Illinois | 86.5 miles |
| Northern Illinois University | DeKalb, Illinois | 91.2 miles |
| University of St. Francis | Joliet, Illinois | 93.0 miles |
| Aurora University | Aurora, Illinois | 94.7 miles |
Employers in 2026 look for graduates who can immediately work with Excel, QuickBooks Online, cloud accounting platforms, payroll systems, bank reconciliations, financial statements, and tax preparation software instead of requiring months of basic training. Completing internships with CPA firms, bookkeeping companies, or small businesses allows you to prepare actual financial reports, reconcile accounts, process payroll, and assist with tax returns before graduation. Building a portfolio that includes sample financial statements, budgeting projects, Excel models, tax preparation exercises, and QuickBooks practice files demonstrates that you can perform real accounting work rather than simply pass accounting classes. Strong communication also matters because personal and small-business accountants regularly explain financial information to clients who have little accounting knowledge.