Breaking into accounting at age 50-need career advice

HI,
I am currently school for accounting. I am in a rural area of West Virginia, and though I took my first two years at a local college, I am finishing up online with Liberty University.

I am uncertain where to take this next. Still taking classes online, I presently am working construction as an electrician. Average income is around $50-$60K per year. I don't want to take a big cut in pay when I transition from one career to another, but I am not sure if that will be avoidable.

The other thing I am wondering about is maximizing my next few years. I am cash flowing school, paying as I go. I don't know if it would be better to finish my education before I try to seek employment, or try to seek employment while attending school to get experience ( I do have my associate's in accountng). At the present rate I am going, I have been able to take about 27 credit hours per year, and still have around 40 hours to go for my bachelors, and 30 beyond that to sit for my CPA.

Being from a rural area, opportunities for accountants are more available in cities about an hour from here. What I REALLY would love to do is public accounting, specializing in taxes and consulting for the small business person.

Not really being in contact with accountants outside of the 2 or 3 I had as instructors in school, I feel like I am navigating in the dark here.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,