An online bachelor's degree in accounting prepares graduates to oversee an organization's financial health. Accountants analyze, prepare, and organize financial records. A bachelor's in accounting can lead to lucrative professional opportunities and career advancement, as all businesses require high-quality financial management. Furthermore, entry-level positions at most companies require a bachelor's degree at minimum.
Aspiring accountants enter a growing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the national demand for accountants should increase by 10% through 2026. Potential careers in the field include managerial accounting, public accounting, and government accounting. Prospective students should research their local job market to determine the most in-demand opportunities.
A bachelor of accounting online provides optimal flexibility. Online programs often use accelerated course formats that continue through the summer, helping students earn their degree sooner. Multiple start dates also allow distance learners to enroll year round. While some online courses require live, synchronous attendance, others offer asynchronous coursework which allows students to complete assignments at their own convenience.
The Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Accounting Degree Programs
Affordable Online Bachelor's in Accounting Degree Program Ranking Guidelines:
We selected the online accounting programs based on the quality of the program, the types of online classes for accounting offered, the faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation, including the school's reputation for effectively providing quality online degree programs.
The Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Accounting Degree Programs
Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Western Governors University |
Salt Lake, UT Apply Now | ||
2 |
Colorado State University-Global Campus |
Greenwood Village, CO Apply Now | ||
3 |
University of Hawaii-West Oahu |
Kapolei, HI Apply Now | ||
4 |
Florida Atlantic University |
Boca Raton, FL Apply Now | ||
5 |
Texas Woman's University |
Denton, TX Apply Now | ||
6 |
Athens State University |
Athens, AL Apply Now | ||
7 |
Thomas Edison State University |
Trenton, NJ Apply Now | ||
8 |
University of Michigan-Flint |
Flint, MI Apply Now | ||
9 |
Southern Oregon University |
Ashland, OR Apply Now | ||
10 |
Bellevue University |
Bellevue, NE Apply Now | ||
11 |
Excelsior College |
Albany, NY Apply Now | ||
12 |
Eastern Florida State College |
Cocoa, FL Apply Now | ||
13 |
Peirce College |
Philadelphia, PA Apply Now | ||
14 |
Dickinson State University |
Dickinson, ND Apply Now | ||
15 |
Cameron University |
Lawton, OK Apply Now | ||
15 |
Northwestern Oklahoma State University |
Alva, OK Apply Now | ||
17 |
Golden Gate University-San Francisco |
San Francisco, CA Apply Now | ||
18 |
Columbus State University |
Columbus, GA Apply Now | ||
19 |
Ottawa University-Online |
Ottawa, KS Apply Now | ||
20 |
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus |
Portales, NM Apply Now | ||
21 |
SUNY College at Plattsburgh |
Plattsburgh, NY Apply Now | ||
22 |
West Virginia State University |
Institute, WV Apply Now | ||
23 |
Clayton State University |
Morrow, GA Apply Now | ||
23 |
Texas State University |
San Marcos, TX Apply Now | ||
25 |
Metropolitan State University of Denver |
Denver, CO Apply Now |
End of list, bravo!
The Advantages of an Accounting Education
While earning an associate degree in accounting may seem attractive due to its relatively lower commitment and cost, an online bachelor's degree in accounting offers a better return on the student's investment. An associate degree covers basic principles of the field and entry-level statistics, which leads to paraprofessional roles, such as accounting clerk or bookkeeper. These roles only focus on daily financial transactions. Furthermore, the BLS projects that demand for paraprofessional accounting roles should decrease by 1% by 2026.
An online bachelor's degree in accounting provides more job security. Bachelor's programs explore advanced topics in financial statement analysis. Developing a broader skill set allows professionals to take on more responsibility. Advanced and in-demand skills also lead to promotion opportunities that associate degree-holders cannot access.
Average Salary by Degree Level
Degree Level | Average Salary |
---|---|
Associate Degree in Accounting | $50,000 |
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting | $69,000 |
Source: PayScale
Accounting Degree Salary Information
Organizations value accountants who can improve financial efficiency and guarantee accuracy. Graduates with an accounting bachelor's degree online gain access to multiple career opportunities in the public, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. Additionally, the field allows professionals to focus on financial or managerial accounting. The best accountants possess elite organizational skills, pay close attention to detail, value privacy, and communicate effectively.
Below, you can find information about five common career paths for graduates with a bachelor's in accounting.
- Auditors
- Auditors ensure the accuracy of business records. These professionals either work for an organization or work independently as consultants. Auditors may need to collaborate with teams or work individually. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in accounting to qualify for this role.
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief financial officers manage the monetary operations of organizations. This role also includes overseeing teams of accounting professionals and ensuring the organization complies with regulations. These professionals need strong research, computer, organizational, and communication skills.
- Management Accountant
- Management accountants provide financial information that supports other management staff in their decision making. The best candidates understand how to effectively communicate financial data to key stakeholders. Job duties include budgeting, cost analysis, and strategic planning. These positions require a bachelor's degree and professional certification.
- Tax Accountant
- Tax accountants provide tax documents for organizations and individuals. This role requires professionals to stay abreast of current tax laws. Other duties include advising clients about ways to minimize liability, changes in regulations, and new laws. Employers hire candidates who hold a bachelor's degree at minimum.
- Certified Public Accountant
- CPAs manage auditing, taxation, and accounting processes for organizations and individuals. These professionals can work for organizations in any industry or provide external consultant services. CPAs also conduct private audits to ensure organizations remain in compliance. Employers require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree in accounting and CPA certification.
Salary by Experience Level for Accounting Careers
Careers | Entry Level (0-12 Months) |
Early Career (1-4 Years) |
Midcareer (5-9 Years) |
Experienced (10-19 Years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Auditors | $51,000 | $54,000 | $63,000 | $70,000 |
Chief Financial Officer | $93,000 | $98,000 | $114,000 | $137,000 |
Management Accountant | $50,000 | $56,000 | $66,000 | $67,000 |
Tax Accountant | $51,000 | $55,000 | $63,000 | $64,000 |
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | $52,000 | $57,000 | $69,000 | $81,000 |
Source: PayScale
Choosing an Online Accounting Degree Program
Online learning includes multiple delivery methods. Some programs use hybrid or synchronous formats, which require in-person or real-time attendance. Others deliver all coursework asynchronously, or without any set class times. Asynchronous programs often provide better fits to students who want to keep their jobs while earning their degrees. Additionally, distance learners can typically pursue more cost effective options by identifying local colleges or universities that offer in-state tuition.
- Program Cost: Students may qualify for grants or scholarships, which can offset school costs. However, students who cannot pay the remainder must often take loans. Identifying acceptable program costs helps learners maximize the return on their investment. Students should consider their earning potential after graduation to determine how much they can pay for their bachelor's degree.
- Transfer Policies: While students often plan to complete their program at one school, circumstances may arise that require a transfer. Therefore, students should examine course content to determine how easily they could transfer to another school.
- School Size and Type: Distance learners should invest time identifying what sort of environment helps them learn best. For instance, small class sizes allow students to build relationships with instructors, while large universities promote networking. Similarly, private institutions may offer different course options than state schools.
- Program Length: On average, a bachelor's degree requires four years for completion. However, online programs offer multiple formats to meet diverse learning needs. For instance, working professionals may want to consider part-time attendance instead of full-time attendance. Some colleges also offer accelerated options, which include condensed courses and allow students to graduate sooner.
- On-Campus Requirements: Some online programs may require that students attend an in-person orientation. Others include hybrid courses, which require periodic on-campus meetings. While digital proctoring services exist, distance learners may also need to take exams at an approved facility or on campus. Programs may also require field experiences or internships.
Accreditation for Online Accounting Degrees
At the schoolwide level, colleges and universities can pursue regional accreditation. While national accreditation covers more territory, regionally accrediting agencies focus on developing standards for specific areas of the country and retain the highest recognition. Regional accreditation demonstrates that a university and its programs have passed an examination from an independent evaluator.
While the U.S. Department of education creates and enforces educational policy, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation stands as the largest postsecondary membership organization. It oversees 3000 institutions and 60 accrediting bodies.
The six regional accrediting agencies supported by CHEA include the following:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (CHEA)
Students should also consider specific programmatic/national accreditation, which indicates that a program's coursework provides the fundamental knowledge and skills that graduates need to succeed as accountants. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB) accredits both business and accounting programs.
Accounting Concentrations
Accounting professionals can perform multiple functions within a firm. To prepare, accounting majors can explore concentrations that provide a competitive advantage in the job market. Students should determine their preferred career path to identify which specialty area meets their professional goals.
The list below includes five potential options.
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Managerial Accounting:
A concentration in managerial accounting prepares graduates to produce data for internal management, which includes evaluating budgets, assessing financial performance, and reviewing data for errors. Programs emphasize operational metrics analyzation, financial planning, cost analysis, and corporate investment decision making.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Certified Management Accountant, Corporate Controller, Accounting Manager, Financial Analyst
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Public Accounting:
A public accounting concentration explores auditing, consulting, and tax laws. Coursework also includes ethics, business law, economics, and strategic accounting issues. This path prepares graduates for CPA certification.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Certified Public Accountant, Tax Accountant
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Auditing:
A specialization in auditing focuses on advanced skills required to identify, detect, and avoid fraudulent activity in an organization's accounting. Professionals may conduct financial audits or efficiency audits. Coursework examines current issues in advanced auditing, audit risk, and corporate governance.- Careers this concentration prepares for: External Auditor, Compliance Auditor, Government Accountant
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Forensic Accounting:
Students completing a concentration in forensic accounting learn how to investigate fraud and embezzlement. Programs emphasize law enforcement and analytical theories. Students also develop excellent writing skills to generate detailed reports that may appear in court cases.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Forensic Accountant, Certified Public Accountant
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Business Administration:
Students may combine an online bachelor's degree in accounting with a business administration concentration. This pathway examines customer service, principles of marketing, management techniques, and business law. Students also learn how to manage employees ethically.- Careers this concentration prepares for: Cost Estimator, Certified Public Accountant
How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Accounting?
The average bachelor's degree in accounting requires at least 120 credits. However, program lengths vary depending on students' availability and time commitment. For instance, a traditional semester-based program allows students to earn an online bachelor's degree in accounting in four years with full-time attendance. On the other hand, part-time students can take up to twice as long. While many programs offer courses in the fall and spring semesters, students may take courses in the summer to earn their degree sooner.
Online programs offer additional options. For instance, some programs offer multiple start dates throughout the year. This flexibility allows students to begin coursework immediately. Instead of 16-week semesters, some online programs offer four- or eight-week accelerated courses, which allow students to graduate more quickly. These programs often continue through the summer without extended breaks.
Courses in an Online Bachelor's in Accounting Program
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Professional Ethics for Accountants
In this course, students explore the importance of ethics in the accounting industry. Learners examine how ethics can lead to decision making. Learning outcomes include recognizing unethical behavior, analyzing legal issues, and applying interpersonal skills. The course uses case studies to provide students with hands-on ethical dilemmas. -
Cost Accounting
Cost accounting examines systems and accumulation procedures. Students learn to use data to make effective decisions and evaluate performance. This course also explores how cost-volume-profit analysis furthers organizational goals and planning. -
Auditing Principles and Procedures
This course focuses on developing data collection, analytical, and summarization skills. Students also learn how to examine financial statements and data. Learning outcomes include understanding audit objectives, applying analytical tools and procedures, demonstrating effective internal control methods, and making ethical decisions.
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Accounting Information Systems
In this course, learners examine how accounting information systems function in organizations. Students learn about internal control protocols and the basic components of expense and revenue cycles. Learning outcomes include understanding risk assessments and the importance of information technology in accounting. Students also focus on developing critical-thinking and effective decision-making skills. -
Economic Principles
This course introduces an economics-based approach to business challenges. Students gain analytical tools, economic concepts, and theories that help them understand how to allocate resources. This course also teaches students about the value of trade for all stakeholders and concepts of competitive supply and demand.
Paying for Your Online Accounting Bachelor's Degree Program
It's important to consider the cost of an online bachelor's degree in accounting before enrolling. Degree-seekers have several options to offset the cost of their degrees. First, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. This form enables students to apply for financial aid from the federal government, including student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Learners can also apply for private scholarships, many of which are available specifically for those earning a bachelor of accounting online.
Scholarships for Accounting Students
IMA Memorial Education Fund Scholarships
Who Can Apply: The Institute of Management Accountants offers these scholarships to students who are currently studying accounting at a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must be IMA members with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Selection is based on academic merit, recommendation letters, and a written statement.
Amount: $1,000-$2,000
Who Can Apply: The National Society of Accountants offers financial assistance for learners who are studying accounting part time or full time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university. Applicants must already be enrolled in an accounting program and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Selection is based on academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need.
Amount: $1,000-$2,200
Striving for Greatness Accounting and Finance Scholarship
Who Can Apply: PM Business Advisors offers this scholarship to individuals studying accounting full time who plan to sit for the CPA exam within three years. Applicants need a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA and must demonstrate leadership skills.
Amount: $2,500
NABA National Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: The National Association of Black Accountants offers funding to support active NABA student members who are studying accounting full time at a U.S. college or university. Applicants must be freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or first-year seniors and have a minimum overall 3.3 GPA and a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major.
Amount: $1,000-$5,000
AICPA Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The American Institute of CPAs offers this award to students who are transferring from a two-year institution to a four-year institution to complete their accounting degrees. Applicants must plan to work as CPAs. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership skills, and potential for a future career as an accountant.
Amount: $5,000