Accounting and finance degrees are in high demand. You can’t argue with that. Just last year, CNN Money listed accounting as one of the top 5 hottest careers.

College graduates with an accounting degree but not yet a CPA designation might make between $35,000 and $45,000 a year, or up to $50,000 in large cities like New York. After a couple of years they can command a substantial pay hike if they move to large company as an internal staff auditor or to a smaller company as controller. At that point, their salary can jump to anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000.

But do you need a 4 year degree from an ivy-league school to command that kind of cash? Or can you earn a degree in finance or accounting online or through a correspondence program?

EarnMyDegree.com might be able to answer a few questions about online degrees that may entice you to make that career move you’ve been thinking about. The site lists a large number of popular and obscure online degree programs with accounting and finance-related degrees. You can earn an associate’s degree (typically sufficient for a simply bookkeeping job) or you can earn a Bachelor’s degree which can open the door to many accounting positions.

However, many people shy away from online or distance learning, and they have good reason to. The “industry” has been plagued by cheap “diploma mills” which are willing to give anyone a diploma with little or no work… as long as your willing to pay for it.

But if you go into an online learning program such as the University of Phoenix, Kaplan University Online, or the DeVry Institute, with a little knowledge you can find a quality education that fits your lifestyle (and budget). Here are a few tips to consider while doing your research:

Choose an Accredited School: Be sure to check out the US Department of Education’s list of accredited schools to find legitimate programs that other schools and employers will recognize.

Check With Your Future Employers: If you want to work for a “big 4″ accounting firm, then give them a call and ask about being hired with an online degree. Some may prefer a certain program, or ask that you also complete supplemental coursework. Your local CPA firm might not. So be sure to ask your future employer.

Consider Schools You Know and Trust: This doesn’t mean you should attend the school with the most commercials on TV. Ask around. Find some friends who have pursued online education and ask them about their experiences.

Recognize the Warning Signs: Don’t waste your money on an institution that functions as a diploma mill by issuing degrees for money with little or no work required, claims to be accredited when it isn’t, charges either sky-high or very low fees, or fails to provide a physical address.

Reflect on Your Schedule: Most online courses are just as rigorous and time-consuming as traditional on-campus courses, which typically require three to four hours of class time each week in addition to homework.

Know Thyself: Are you disciplined and dedicated enough to pull this off? Because of the many distractions you’re likely to encounter at home and through work, you’ll have to force yourself to study and complete assignments on time.

How’s Your Writing? The nature of online communication means your reading comprehension and your ability to develop your thoughts in writing will be key. Many colleges offer refresher writing courses if you think you need to improve.

Take a Test Drive: The lack of face-to-face contact and conversation with your professor and fellow students just might make you batty. Before committing to a degree track, try taking just one online class first.

Sure, an online degree isn’t for everyone… but it may be exactly what you were looking for. So do your homework and be sure to check out sites like EarnMyDegree.com which provide you with a list of degree possibilities.

The preceding review, written in my unbiased opinion, was a paid review of EarnMyDegree.com.

The following is a paid review of CreditDemystified.com.

CreditDemystified is actually a site sponsored and presented by Countrywide Home Loans. The goal of CreditDemystified, other than to promote Countrywide Home Loan products, is to educate and inform anyone interested in credit or credit-related topics.

Lets break it down:

Looks: As always, a site needs to make a good aesthetic first impression before I spend anytime looking beneath the surface. Call me shallow, but it’s true. When I first visited CreditDemystified, I didn’t really know what to make of it. From the homepage, I counted 4 large Countrywide Home Loan ads shouting “Call Now!” It was only later that I realized that they were not only an advertiser… but that they were the only advertiser. But, other than the huge banner ads asking you to call for a loan quote, the rest of the site is set up just like any other blog – with numerous posts under each of the categories – Improving Your Credit, Credit Learning Center, Credit Quotient Quiz, Credit Scores, Home Loans, and Library.

Amount of Content: If you couldn’t already tell by the number of “topics” that CreditDemystified covers, the site has information on just about everything related to Credit. I was impressed, however, with the way in which the site was organized – so that the amount of information wasn’t overwhelming. The site has not only a “Tag Cloud” on the homepage but the information is organized in an intuitive manner.

Let’s say that you were thinking about buying a car and needed some sort of loan. Simply click on Credit Learning Center and you’re presented with a laundry list of credit types – from Mortgages and Home Loans to Types of Business Loans. Drill down further into Auto Loans (for this example), and you’ll learn about the different types of auto loans and how to shop for one.

I should say that I was a little nervous about Countrywide Home Loan giving advice on how to shop for a loan – since the entire point of the website is to get you to take out a loan… from them. But I was impressed with the unbiased information they presented to users. The advice is practical, if not common sense.

Quality: If you’re looking for specific things you can do to improve your credit score after a bankruptcy… keep looking. But if you are interested in finding overall ways to improve your own credit score… this is the perfect place to start! Start by taking the Credit Quotient Quiz (I got a perfect 10!). You’ll get an idea of how much (or little) you know about credit. As a result, you’ll know where to start looking for more information. For example, did you know that you can get a free credit report from each of the three reporting agencies each year? Or do you know the definition of the word “Principal?” (I’ll give you a hint… it isn’t the man you visited during Elementary school)

One of the most interesting parts of the site is its Library. The library of CreditDemystified.com is unique in that it offers a number of PDF informational “guides” on popular credit topics. These guides would be perfect to email to a friend or family member who might be thinking of buying a house, or having credit problems. The library also includes a few podcasts on life-changing events that might alter your credit situation. However, I wish the site had built this section out a bit further – with more interesting podcasts and other PDF guides, it does provide a firm foundation for further study.

The following is a paid review for MungoMoney.co.uk.

Mungo Money is a UK-based financial website with the goal to “help you find the best UK credit cards, low rate loans and high interest savings accounts available on the UK high street.” They do all this by reviewing the latest credit cards, loans and savings accounts each week and featuring the best financial products online.

As you know, I try and split up my reviews of other financial websites into a number of different categories, to help you see the positive and negative aspects of such sites. I feel that a good-quality financial website has a balance of quality information, ease of use, is aesthetically pleasing, and stays current so that you stay informed.

Let’s start with the superficial: looks. Let’s face it, if the site doesn’t look good, you’re not going to want to stick around to find out what it has to say. Mungo Money is one of the better-looking sites out there – with plenty of white space and bright colors. It tastes like a Web 2.0, but at the same time it has a hint of a splog. In my opinion, the site should highlight categories and articles instead of hitting users with credit card ‘ads’ right away.

As far as content goes, I wasn’t expecting too much in terms of helping users gain a better understanding of credit, credit cards, or other personal finance-related topics. To find what I would call the “meat” of the site, you have to look at the sidebar for the link to their “Talk” section. This section is basically a blog with a few articles regarding money in some form or fashion. They don’t really revolve around one topic, such as debt, but cover everything from entrepreneurship to credit card designs. The posts seem to be fairly infrequent, but some have some worthwhile content, such as their article on “What everyone should know about balance-transfer credit cards.”

But the main push of the website isn’t finance-related information, it’s a listing of credit cards available in the UK with their associated interest rates, fees, and incentive programs. The homepage even gives you a short list of their favorite credit cards depending on what you’re looking for – easy access, low rate, loyalty program, etc.

So if you’re in the market for a credit card in the UK, then I would hop on over and at least give their list a look. It’s a good way to see in one glance, what credit cards are out there to meet your needs. If you’re looking for other credit-related information though… I’d go elsewhere.

Sponsored Post:

I was recently commissioned to review Debt Consolidation News and thought I would share my thought about the site in a little different format that normal:

Design:
I wasn’t really going to talk about design, but with more and more money-related websites popping up everyday, design is becoming more important to me. If I’m going to stay longer than 30 seconds at a site, it has to be intuitive to navigate and easy on the eyes. Debt Consolidation News is definitely not the worst finance-related website I’ve seen, but it’s also not the most original either. The blog appears crisp and clean with plenty of whitespace and no overwhelming ads, but at the same time it leans towards the plain side with its generic-looking blog template and use of only black and blue.

Amount of Content:
Don’t let the simple design fool you; Debt Consolidation News has a TON of information regarding credit card debt, debt management, student loans, and many other debt-related categories. Although the blog has only been around since June 2006, it’s packed full of lengthy articles and coverage related to debt management and debt consolidation. I was actually surprised when I first visited the site at the amount of content it had.

Subject Matter:
As mentioned above, Debt Consolidation News is focused mainly on the elimination of debt, the avoidance of debt, and how to build up healthy credit. The blog doesn’t have a huge number of categories, but if you are looking for specific and often-updated information on debt-related topics, this might be a blog for you to add to your RSS feed.

Content Quality:
This is one area that I always struggle with. Personally, I try to write a balance between posts that are 100% original, and those that are inspired by some other blog or news story. Debt Consolidation News seems to have the same approach. Some of the posts contain intros to original content, and some do a very good job of providing informative and on-topic posts that include plenty of links to other sources for more detailed information. However, the posts are not simply link exchanges – the links actually provide more in-depth information – something that is rare these days.

Favorite Posts:
My personal favorites include:

• Any of the carnivals: these are a great way to be exposed to a number of different articles in just a few lines. You’re bound to see something you like or something that sparks your interest.
• 17 Hidden Tricks Lenders Use, and How to Avoid Them
• Financial Tips for Students

Summary:
So in summary, if you’re looking for a blog specifically focused on debt management and debt relief, then I would recommend you add Debt Consolidation News to your RSS reader… I did.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m an impulsive buyer. I’ll go out of my way to save $.50 on cereal at the grocery store, but I don’t have any problem shelling out $250 for a new iPod. Although being married has done a lot to curb my impulsive buying habits, there are still some things that I purchase on impulse.

If you are an impulsive buyer as well, or wish that you could be, then The Impulsive Buy is the blog for you! I came across this little gem the other day and find the blog a humorous and informative source for reviews of those little items you see everyday and ask yourself, “Who would ever buy that?” So if you’re looking for a review of Kona Creme Coffee gum or Cocaine energy drink check out The Impulsive Buy. (My only complaint of the site is it’s use of language – so if you find such language offensive you may not want to check out the link)

Sponsored Post:
Although I’m a blogger, and participate in the largely undefined “blogosphere,” I rarely ever blog about, well, blogging. But a new service has been gaining some hype – and popularity – that I find interesting. Interesting because the service breaks the ground of traditional marketing techniques by paying for something that is actually worth its weight in gold. Instead of spending millions on flashy TV ads or clever billboards, ReviewMe.com offers to advertisers something no TV ad or billboard can… your opinion.

Consumer opinions – your thoughts on how the service at Best Buy was or how well your iPod works – drive consumers almost as strongly as traditional advertising. Although ReviewMe is not the first service to pay you for your opinion, it’s the first that seems to have created a system that works. Why does it work? Because it strikes a unique balance between the needs of advertisers and bloggers and through it all seems to produce a bone fide opinion.

This unique form of opinion purchasing stems from the fact that ReviewMe doesn’t care about what your opinion is… it just cares that you have one. In the past, services like this paid specifically for a good review (for obvious reasons) but this model often resulted in opinions that were flat out lies. ReviewMe allows you to get paid for your opinions – good or bad. In fact, on the site’s FAQ they state:

We do not allow advertisers to require a positive review. The vast majority of reviews are measuredly positive, although many do contain constructive criticism. We view this as a bonus: how else can you quickly and cheaply get feedback on a product or service from influencers?

I’ll be the first to admit that receiving money for your opinion influences your opinion in the positive… but ReviewMe.com has come the closest to providing honest-to-goodness reviews – and paying you for it.

So, seeing that I am intrigued by this form of advertising, I’ve decided to give the service a spin. If ReviewMe offers me the opportunity to review a product or service that is personal-finance related… and pay me for it… then I will take that opportunity. You’ll know that these reviews differ from my other reviews because the review will start with “Sponsored Post.” So if you don’t want to hear my paid opinion… you can quickly skip that post.

billQ is a new web-based application that gives you an easy way to keep track of your bills. With billQ, you can make sure you always know exactly what you have to pay, and when you have to pay it.

I spent a little bit of time yesterday playing around with this new web application and my first impression is that billQ is a beautiful application but only serves a certain user niche. This small niche that I’m taking about is the group that is intimidated by the complexity of Quicken or Microsoft Money, but wants to do something to help keep them on top of bills. However, that’s all that billQ does. It doesn’t help you budget or track expenses so I couldn’t recommend this as a solution for anyone wishing to keep better tabs on their finances. But if all you’re doing is trying to avoid late fees then this product is perfect for you!

qBill is well designed and very simple to use – I was up and running in about 30 seconds. The application is very straightforward and requires almost no explanation which is great for the target user base. If you’re trying to combat laziness or forgetfulness the last thing you want to do is create a program that’s difficult to use and leaves you disinterested after only a few minutes.

To set up you bills all you have to do is click “Add New Bill” and enter the payee, the amount, the bill’s schedule (weekly, monthly, etc.) as well as any other notes you wish to add. Once your bills are added you can view them easily on the home page where the amounts are displayed very prominently in a sort of “to-do” list which is one feature I really liked. You can scan down your list of bills and in just 3 seconds have a good idea of what bills still need to be paid. When you do pay a bill all you need to do is click the “Pill Paid” checkbox and the bill disappears instantly until next month. I love how everything can be done on one screen and doesn’t require any refreshing or editing! This programs gets two thumbs up from me for ease of use.

The other major feature of this application is the ability to apply and track bills assigned to a group. For example, I set up a mock bill for rent and divided the amount due between a few “roommates.” As each roommate pays all you need to do is click once and you can get a great picture of who still owes you for this month’s rent.

As you can see, I really like billQ and think it does an excellent job of doing exactly what it says. That said, I personally like to sign up for automatic withdrawal/charge with any vendor because I can a) get the credit card rewards and b) not have to worry about the bill being paid on time. I still receive statements from most vendors before the bill is due so that I can dispute any charges before they are actually made – but if I forget to check that statement it is still paid on time – eliminating any late fees. But if all you’re worried about at this point is getting that cell phone bill paid on time then I would recommend you start using billQ. It’s great interface combined with the ability to be reminded of upcoming bills via email or SMS makes this a great financial web app.