Electronic business (E-business) is a business specialty in which an individual helps an organization to conduct its business activities via the Internet. (It is important to note that E-business is not typically considered to be an accounting career, but is instead a subfield of business in which accounting is extremely important, and one in which a degree from accounting school is a great foundation to build on.) E-business professionals with an accounting concentration conduct audits; draft reports and financial statements for an organization’s Internet activities; establish and maintain databases; and file the organization’s taxes (if the organization is completely Internet-based) or help other entities file taxes for the organization’s Internet activities (if the organization has sales from both a website and a physical location).

• Additionally, E-business professionals identify problems with the software or the websites that an organization uses to conduct its financial transactions; identify areas in which an organization might be able to streamline its Internet activities to eliminate waste and/or lower costs; record an organization’s electronic transactions; track an organization’s inventory; track an organization’s Internet sales; and perform other similar tasks needed. Individuals who specialize in e-business may work in almost any industry, and there are a number of positions people in the field of E-business can fill.
• Some of the more common positions for an accounting professional in e-business include accountant, business analyst, chief financial officer, E-business consultant, head of E-commerce (short for Electronic Commerce), E-business manager, financial officer, and internal auditor.

The specific degree that an individual must have in order to obtain an E-business position in accounting can vary greatly from position to position. Many employers require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business with an E-business certificate, a Bachelor’s Degree in E-business or E-commerce, a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems, a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in E-business, or another similar degree from an accredited accounting school. Some employers may also require an individual to obtain a Certified E-business Consultant (CEC) certificate, a Project Manager E-business (PME) certificate, or another similar certificate. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License may be required for some positions.