Students who seek long-term career stability pursue online bachelor's in accounting degrees.
Accounting is a popular career field for its straightforward education requirements and stable job prospects. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6% between 2018 and 2028 thanks to increasing globalization and complex regulatory environments.
One of the most direct pathways to break into the industry is to earn a bachelor's in accounting. This degree prepares graduates for professional certification exams and entry-level careers. Many programs offer concentrations for students who plan to pursue specialized careers like forensic, managerial, or tax accounting.
This guide evaluates 25 of the best online degrees for accounting students, providing information about curriculum content, admission requirements, program formatting, and online support services.
Students looking for schools that offer accounting degrees online can earn a bachelor of science in accounting from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The university offers 15 fully online degrees, including a BS in accounting that focuses on auditing and implementation.
This 123-credit bachelor's degree includes 63 core credits and 40 liberal education credits. The curriculum explores topics like cost accounting, principles of management, and income taxation. Required courses include managerial finance, business ethics, accounting systems, and auditing. Students gain communication, technology, and problem-solving skills.
Graduates qualify for positions like financial accountant, financial manager, independent auditor, and personal financial advisor. The program also offers an optional certificate in taxation for students who plan to pursue careers in tax preparation or need to pass the tax return preparer competency test.
The university evaluates applicants based on overall GPA, high school classes, involvement and experiences, and answers to short essay questions. Applicants can optionally submit letters of recommendation. The program accepts applications three times per year.
School Type
Public Nonprofit
Graduation Rate
80%
Percent Receiving Loans
46%
2
University of Maryland University College at Universities at Shady Grove
The University of Maryland offers an accredited, online bachelor's in accounting degree that combines theory and practice, training students to analyze and report on the economic activities of organizations. The program prepares graduates for certified public accountant, certified fraud examiner, and certified internal auditor exams. Learners study topics like financial reports, fraud detection, disclosure analysis, and ethical business practices.
The 120-credit program includes 36 major, 41 general education, and 43 minor or elective credits. Students take major classes like principles of accounting, accounting information systems, auditing theory and practice, and fraud and forensic accounting. The university offers a vertical pathway that lets students receive credit toward a master's degree in accounting and financial management while earning the bachelor's in accounting.
The program's highly qualified faculty boast strong academic credentials and have experience working as certified public accountants, chief operations officers, and financial managers. Distance learners can participate in the university's chapter of the Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business or the Accounting and Finance Community Hub. Graduates can pursue accounting positions in nonprofit, government, and for-profit organizations in diverse industries.
Students can earn an accredited accounting degree online from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The bachelor of business administration in accounting is a degree-completion program that explores accounting, taxation, auditing, and consulting.
The program requires general education, business, accounting, and non-business courses. Students take classes like principles of managerial accounting, financial modeling, business intelligence and analytics, and intermediate financial accounting. Graduates qualify for careers like auditor, controller, financial executive, and tax specialist. Alumni have gone on to work for major public accounting firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young.
Applicants need at least 27 transferable undergraduate credits to qualify for admission. The program prefers applicants with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students can transfer up to 75 credits from a regionally accredited school with a grade of 'C-' or better toward the degree. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Temple University offers an online bachelor's in accounting program through its Fox School of Business. The program allows students to participate in internships and professional development opportunities. The curriculum explores cost analysis and control, auditing techniques, and financial accounting and reporting.
The bachelor of business administration in accounting requires classes in federal taxes on income, intermediate accounting, cost accounting, and accounting information systems. The final semester of the program includes an accounting capstone course.
Accounting majors must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA to graduate. The program accepts up to 75 transfer credits, but students must earn at least 45 of their last 60 credits at Temple. Accounting graduates may pursue Temple's master of accountancy program.
Applicants to Temple's online accounting program must submit high school transcripts, standardized test scores, an application essay, and an explanation of extracurricular activities. Students can also optionally submit two letters of recommendation. The university prefers applicants with at least a 'B' average in their high school coursework and at least a 3.0 GPA in college-prep classes.
Auburn University offers an online degree in accounting designed for students seeking a second bachelor's degree to meet the education requirements for the certified public accountant exam. The bachelor of science in business administration in accountancy requires 30 credits and allows students to work full time while earning the degree.
The curriculum includes classes like intermediate accounting, accounting information systems, auditing and assurance services, and income tax. Online students watch recorded videos of Auburn's on-campus accounting lectures. A third-party proctoring website administers accounting exams.
Requirements for admission include a bachelor's degree in business from a program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or an AACSB-accredited MBA. Applicants must also have completed nine business foundation prerequisite classes on specific topics, like microeconomics, macroeconomics, principles of finance, and principles of marketing. Auburn's accounting BSBA is accredited by the AACSB.
Washington State University's Carson College of Business offers an online accounting degree that explorese accounting practices, accounting information systems, and business ethics. The program offers four start dates per year.
The program prepares graduates for careers as certified public accountants, auditors, company controllers, and finance experts. Typical employers for graduates include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and national accounting firms.
Applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED and submit ACT or SAT scores and transcripts. Students age 25 or older do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores but must include a resume and short essay in their application packages.
The University of Memphis offers 30 online undergraduate programs in business, computing, the health professions, and the humanities. The school offers an online accounting degree program from the Fogelman College of Business and Economics — the only business college in the Memphis area accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). All online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency.
The university's online bachelor of business administration in accounting helps students develop communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and technology skills. The 120-credit degree includes core classes like intermediate accounting, federal income tax, audit and assurance services, and cost accounting. Students also complete general education and business core coursework.
Distance learners have access to library resources, career development services, academic advising, and technology support. Applicants must submit transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a nonrefundable application fee. Distance learners may qualify for financial aid opportunities like scholarships, grants, and loans.
Distance learners seeking flexible, online degrees in accounting can pursue a bachelor of business administration in accounting from the University of South Dakota. Designed for working adults, the program examines major accounting principles and practices.
The 120-credit curriculum includes classes on information systems for data analytics, business finance, business policy and strategy, and the legal environment of business. Students who meet eligibility requirements can earn a BBA and an MBA simultaneously with the fast-track option. Online students have access to library services, disability services, a writing center, and veteran resources.
Applicants need at least 45 transfer credits and a minimum 2.5 GPA. They must also complete the pre-major business core, including principles of accounting I and II, principles of microeconomics, and business statistics. USD generally accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited universities. Students can also receive academic credit by passing College Level Examination Program subject examinations.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a flexible, fully online degree in accounting from its Collat School of Business. The bachelor of science in accounting is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and endorsed by the Institute of Management Accountants.
Accounting students take asynchronous, technology-driven classes like accounting information systems, financial accounting, income taxation, and internal auditing. The curriculum also explores topics like management processes, marketing, operations management, and business communications. Students culminate the degree with a professional development experiential learning course and an accounting capstone.
The program prepares graduates to sit for the certified public accountant, certified internal auditor, certified fraud examiner, and certified management accountant exams. Potential careers for graduates include staff accountant, financial manager, budget analyst, and tax reviewer. Applicants must submit transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.
bachelor's in business studies with an accounting and internal auditing concentration prepares students for careers spent preventing fraud, evaluating financial statements, and improving organizations' financial operations. The program offers five start dates per year.
The 120-credit degree-completion program accepts 56-64 transfer credits. Students may receive transfer credits for life, academic, or work experience. Accounting majors take classes like contemporary business practice, internal auditing, financial accounting, and forensic accounting. The program also explores cost accounting, financial management, and marketing.
Applicants need at least 56 transfer credits and a minimum 2.75 GPA. Prospective students with lower GPAs can submit an essay explaining why they think they will succeed in the program. Required application materials include a current professional resume and official transcripts.
The completely online degree in accounting from Maryville University features a curriculum developed with the help of industry leaders. Students develop business and accounting skills, preparing for careers as accountants, auditors, budget analysts, and financial advisors.
The 128-credit bachelor of science in accounting explores financial reporting, professional ethics, accounting information systems, and forensic accounting. Core courses focus on software and computer hardware concepts, business law, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. New students can start the program during the fall, spring, or summer.
Applicants must hold a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA and submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Students with fewer than 60 transferable credits must submit high school transcripts. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Linfield College offers a flexible, online bachelor's in accounting that features completely online courses taught by dedicated faculty members. Distance learners have access to academic advising, research and library services, and online tutoring. Graduates qualify for careers in government, private, and public accounting.
The program emphasizes accounting theory, budgetary control, cost measurement, and financial reporting. Students take classes like business law, strategic management, principles of economics, and organizational behavior and management. The program recommends that students who plan to sit for the certified public accountant exam take business law II, government and not-for-profit accounting, and four additional accounting classes.
Applicants must submit transcripts and information on their personal backgrounds, academic histories, employment histories, and academic interests. Distance learners may qualify for financial aid opportunities including scholarships, grants, and loans.
One of the top public research universities in Ohio, the University of Toledo offers more than 50 online programs, including a fully online bachelor's in accounting program. The 120-credit, online bachelor of business administration with an accounting concentration offers flexible, asynchronous classes.
Accounting majors take classes in areas like accounting for business decision-making, internal reporting, accounting information systems and controls, and external financial reporting. Distance learners have access to the information technology help desk, UT's eLibrary, and online tutoring from the Ohio eTutoring Collaborative.
Admission requirements include a high school diploma and a minimum 2.8 GPA. Students can receive transfer credit for work, academic, and life experience. Online students may qualify for financial aid opportunities, like scholarships, grants, and loans.
Designed for students who already have some college credit, the online degree in accounting from Old Dominion University lets students finish their bachelor's degrees through a flexible, accelerated format. The 120-credit bachelor's in accounting program gives students technical accounting knowledge in addition to communication, computer, and analytical skills.
The curriculum includes classes like principles of financial accounting, principles of macroeconomics, introductory financial management, and business strategy and policy. Learners also study topics like financial auditing, marketing, legal issues in business, and business analytics. Students take live, regularly scheduled online courses. Graduates can work in roles like accountant, auditor, and account manager.
ODU's early start MBA and MPA programs let students earn graduate credits while completing the bachelor's in accounting. Active-duty military students receive a tuition discount. Distance learners can apply for financial aid opportunities, including loans, scholarships, and grants. ODU's online accounting program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Keiser University offers an online bachelor's in accounting degree with programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The program emphasizes general business, technical accounting, and communication skills. Students learn to use accounting-related software programs and office applications.
The 120-credit BA in accounting requires classes like accounting principles, introduction to marketing, accounting information for business decisions, and principles of taxation. Prerequisites for major courses include statistics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. The program requires students to complete many accounting courses with a grade of 'C' or better to graduate.
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent. A transfer-friendly institution, Keiser accepts up to 90 transfer credits earned with a grade of 'C' or better. Students may also receive credit for relevant life and work experience, military training, and advanced placement test scores.
Founded in 1884, Thomas Jefferson University offers more than 20 online undergraduate and graduate programs. The university's fully online bachelor's degree in accounting examines topics like tax law changes, accounting technology, and government regulations.
The 120-credit program includes general education, professional education, elective, and accounting coursework. Each semester spans 16 weeks, made up of two eight-week courses. Core courses include managerial accounting, accounting theory and practice, federal taxes, and cost accounting. The program prepares graduates for roles like business analyst, certified public accountant, tax specialist, and auditor.
Admission requirements for the online accounting program include a high school diploma or equivalent and official transcripts. All distance learners pay the same per-credit tuition rate, regardless of where they live. Admitted online students can apply for financial aid opportunities by filling out the FAFSA. Jefferson Online accepts transfer credits earned with a grade of 'C-' or better from accredited institutions.
DeSales University offers an accelerated, fully online bachelor's degree in accounting with specializations in general accounting and forensic accounting. Students learn how to make managerial business decisions, apply U.S. federal income tax law, and understand the theory and practice of auditing. Full-time distance learners can graduate in four years. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
The 120-credit accounting degree requires classes in financial accounting, managerial accounting, corporate financial reporting, and strategic cost management. Accounting majors also complete general education and elective credits. Courses are taught by respected and highly experienced faculty.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. DeSales accepts up to 75 transfer credits from regionally accredited colleges, but students must complete at least 45 credits at DeSales to earn a degree from the university.
The accelerated, online degree in accounting from Misericordia University can take as little as 2.5 years to complete, depending on transfer credits and course load. Designed for adults with previous college credit and relevant life or work experience, the bachelor's in accounting degree-completion program offers eight start dates per year and holds accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Students take courses in cost accounting, intermediate accounting, principles of accounting, and advanced financial accounting. Each online class lasts 7.5 weeks. In addition to coursework, students complete a six-credit internship, gaining practical experience in the field. Misericordia also helps students find internship opportunities by arranging on-campus interviews with accounting firms.
Accounting majors must earn a minimum 2.15 GPA by the beginning of their junior year and a minimum 2.25 GPA by the beginning of their senior year to remain in the program. Admission requirements include a high school diploma, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and satisfactory SAT or ACT scores.
Students can earn an accounting bachelor's degree online from Regent University, which is a Christian liberal arts institution that offers dozens of online degrees. The accounting program prepares students for careers in auditing, banking, tax planning, and investment analysis. The program also prepares students to sit for the Virginia certified public accountant exam.
The 120-credit program includes classes in financial management, government and not-for-profit accounting, accounting information systems, and managerial accounting. The curriculum also includes general education courses in subjects like English composition, science, and Christianity. Students need a minimum 2.0 GPA to graduate.
Admission requirements for the online accounting program include a high school diploma or equivalent. Both in- and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate. The online accounting program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Seton Hill University offers a fully online BS in accounting that explores topics like corporate finance, auditing, and management. Over the course of a year, online accounting majors take classes for six eight-week sessions and receive 12 weeks of vacation.
Required courses include principles of taxation, Excel and accounting software, financial statement analysis, and principles of microeconomics. Distance learners may qualify for tuition discounts, financial aid, and military benefits. The program prepares students to sit for the certified internal auditor, certified public accountant, and certified management accountant exams.
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent. The university awards up to 30 credits for life experience, including military service, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the Challenge Exam. Seton Hill also participates in the Federal Trade Act Program, which helps dislocated workers pursue an education.
The 120-credit program requires classes in principles of financial accounting, federal income tax, managing finances and business strategy, and corporate finance. Students learn to analyze, record, and communicate financial information for organizations, businesses, and individuals. The program also requires business core, elective, and general education coursework. Each online class lasts seven weeks.
Applicants must submit official transcripts reflecting a minimum 2.0 GPA and an essay describing an influential life experience. Distance learners pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency. Concordia offers tuition discounts for active-duty military students.
Distance learners can earn an online degree in accounting from the Charlton School of Business at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The 120-credit bachelor's in accounting program prepares students for careers in public accounting, auditing, management accounting, and government. Students learn to analyze financial statements, communicate financial information, and use accounting systems. Required classes include accounting information systems, financial statement analysis, government and nonprofit accounting, and financial management of corporations. The program features flexible, asynchronous courses taught by highly qualified accounting faculty.
Distance learners receive access to free online tutoring, academic advising, technology services, and career development support. Students can transfer up to 75 credits from a regionally accredited institution toward the degree.
Founded in 1914, Colorado Christian University offers an online degree in accounting that focuses on regulation, auditing, and financial accounting and reporting. The bachelor's in accountancy program explores topics like accounting systems, tax accounting, and accounting for governmental and nonprofit organizations.
Students take one 5-7-week class at a time. The curriculum includes classes in management accounting for decision-making, advanced and specialized accounting, data analytics in accounting, and financial statement analysis. Students must earn a grade of 'D' or better and a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA in all coursework to graduate.
CCU accepts up to 90 transfer credits and awards scholarships of up to $2,000 to transfer students in the accounting program. The program also accepts up to 75 transfer credits for professional, military, and personal learning experiences. Admission requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent.
Missouri State University offers an online bachelor's in accounting degree that explores accounting information systems, auditing, and data analytics in accounting. The 120-credit program is taught by full-time faculty members from Missouri State's College of Business.
Before formally declaring an accounting major, students must complete 10 prerequisite courses, including introduction to financial accounting and business statistics. The accounting major includes classes in professionalism in accountancy, intermediate accounting, tax accounting, and individual income tax assistance. Students must earn a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA to graduate. Distance learners can access one-on-one tutoring, writing help, and virtual research assistance.
Admission requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent. Missouri State evaluates candidates using a weighted ranking system based on high school GPA, high school class rank, and SAT or ACT scores. The university may admit students who do not meet these requirements if they demonstrate potential for success in some other way. Transfer students must submit transcripts from all previously attended schools.
The accredited, fully online degree in accounting from the College of Business and Analytics at Southern Illinois University explores financial accounting, managerial accounting, and cost accounting. The online bachelor's degree-completion program offers two eight-week blocks of classes each semester and takes full-time students 18-24 months to complete. The affordable online degree offers in-state tuition rates for all distance learners, regardless of where they live.
The bachelor of science in accounting requires classes like introduction to taxation, accounting systems operations, business ethics, and the legal and social environment of business. The program's modular courses include participation from instructors, teaching assistants, and program staff. Online students watch lectures, take proctored exams, and participate in discussion forums. The program prepares learners to take the certified public accountant exam in Illinois.
Applicants need at least 60 transfer credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Distance learners may qualify for financial aid and military discounts. The online accounting bachelor's program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
School Type
Public Nonprofit
Graduation Rate
41%
Percent Receiving Loans
66%
👏
End of list, bravo!
Ranking Methodology
Online Bachelor's in Accounting Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet — TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org's underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article "Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS." Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the school or department's publishing activity, citations, and desirability. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: "Making Sense of College Rankings." For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
What Is an Online Bachelor's in Accounting Degree?
Online degrees for accounting students provide the knowledge and skills needed to earn professional accounting certification, pursue entry-level careers, or enroll in graduate school. Graduates can apply accepted accounting principles to real-world businesses, analyze financial issues and make recommendations, and assess ethical issues appropriately.
Online degrees for accounting students provide the knowledge and skills needed to earn professional accounting certification, pursue entry-level careers, or enroll in graduate school.
The flexibility and expanded access of online programs attract high school graduates, older students attending college for the first time, and working professionals looking to change careers. Learners with associate degrees who want to become certified public accountants are also excellent candidates for an online bachelor's degree.
Graduates who earn an accounting bachelor's degree online gain skills in mathematics, research, communication, and specialized types of accounting.
Choosing an Online Program
Many top universities offer accounting programs online. With so many options, how do you find the right program for your unique needs and goals? Prospective students must consider factors like cost, course formatting, degree requirements, and learning outcomes.
What Else Can I Expect From a Bachelor's in Accounting Program?
Whether earning their accounting degrees online or on campus, students can expect to encounter the same foundational curriculum components: general education, major core, and electives. In an accounting program, courses cover topics like economics, finance, and business law.
Students looking to further specialize their curriculum can often select from concentrations in auditing and forensic accounting; managerial accounting; public accounting; or tax accounting. Each concentration requires courses focused on field-specific knowledge and skills, such as corporate tax accounting, financial statement analysis, or cost accounting. Students may also choose to supplement their degrees with open electives.
Accounting Curriculum
Business Ethics
This course teaches students to apply ethical theory and practice in business contexts. Topics include different ethical systems, cross-cultural variations and similarities, and how organizations develop and implement ethics programs. Courses use case studies to help students recognize and analyze ethical issues in the workplace.
Auditing
An undergraduate auditing course introduces students to assurance services and the professional and ethical standards required of auditors. By examining audit programs and procedures, students gain skills in audit design, testing methods, and communication strategies for discussing results. Coursework emphasizes risk mitigation and compliance.
Taxation
Students in this course learn the procedures used to interpret tax information for individuals. Coursework explores the basic concepts of federal income taxation, including gross income, exemptions, deductions, and credits. Undergraduate accounting degrees may also offer courses in corporate taxation, focusing on requirements and procedures for businesses.
Accounting Professional Organizations
In the world of finance and accounting, professional organizations offer opportunities for certification, networking, and career development. It is never too early to start making connections and planning for the future, especially when many organizations offer student memberships at a reduced cost.
For more than 75 years, NSA has served accountants and tax practitioners working in small practices. The association provides continuing professional education, networking opportunities, and advocacy for practice rights. Students receive a discounted membership rate and can earn scholarships through the NSA Foundation.
AICPA provides national representation for certified public accountants and develops industry rules and standards. Students can apply for free membership and scholarship opportunities. They also receive access to an online mentoring program and education and career resources.
The largest community of accountants working in academia, the AAA strives to shape the future of the profession through teaching, research, and networking. Membership benefits include access to a digital library of all AAA publications and access to an online career center. Students pay a reduced rate for membership dues.
Accounting Jobs
A bachelor's in accounting gives students a strong foundation in finance principles, computer applications, and economics. Public accounting may be the most obvious career path for graduates, but an online degree in accounting is equally applicable to many jobs serving businesses, governments, and individual clients.
Undergraduate accounting programs are also an excellent choice for students who plan to attend graduate school before pursuing advanced positions in finance or economics.
Here are three of the most popular careers for accounting graduates. Some careers require additional education or certification.
Certified Public Accountants
Certified public accountants (CPAs) complete financial tasks for individual, corporate, and government clients. These tasks include bookkeeping and accounting, auditing, tax preparation, and consulting. Accountants generally work independently while completing tasks, but they must communicate effectively with clients to explain their findings.
CPAs may operate their own businesses or work for public accounting firms. To become a CPA, candidates must earn at least a bachelor's degree in accounting and complete a national certification exam from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. CPAs must have keen analytical, organizational, and mathematics skills to excel.
Financial managers — also known as controllers, treasurers, and finance officers -- safeguard the financial health of an organization. These professionals monitor legal compliance, prepare statements and reports, direct investment activities, and help craft long-term financial goals. They often work on management teams and act as advisors to top executives.
Employers typically look for financial managers with a bachelor's degree and several years of relevant experience in business or finance. Many financial managers begin their careers as accountants or financial analysts before seeking advancement. This position requires excellent analytical, communication, and mathematics skills.
Businesses, universities, and governments rely on budget analysts to help organize their finances and develop realistic budgets. Tasks include monitoring organizational spending, analyzing costs and benefits, reviewing funding requests, estimating future financial needs, and making recommendations to managers.
Education requirements vary by employer, but many budget analyst positions require a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or statistics. Budget analysts should have excellent communication, mathematics, and writing skills.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Bachelor's in Accounting?
Earning an accounting degree online typically takes four years of full-time study. Students with significant transfer credits or an associate degree can graduate faster.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor's in Accounting?
An online accounting degree program prepares graduates for careers as certified public accountants, budget analysts, financial managers, and financial advisors.
How Much Do You Make in Accounting?
Salary potential varies depending on experience, employer, and position. According to the BLS, accountants earn a median income of $71,550 per year.
What Is Accounting?
Accounting involves the identification, measurement, and communication of economic and financial information to clients. Accountants may specialize in areas like taxation or auditing.
What Is a Bachelor's in Accounting?
A bachelor's in accounting is a comprehensive undergraduate program that prepares students for entry-level employment, industry certification, and graduate study in finance.
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