Online Accounting Degrees

On this page

Back to top

If you have a knack for crunching numbers and want a career that allows you to use your skills in the field of business, consider Online Accounting Degrees. And if you are looking at really creating a career in accounting then a bachelor’s degree in accounting would be the first step in steeping that up in a very organic way. A bachelor’s in accounting is typically a 4-year degree program that can lead to various business roles, including careers as accountants and auditors. Colleges and universities offer several types of bachelors in accounting, such as a bachelor of science, bachelor of business administration, bachelor of arts, etc. We will discuss them in detail further in this article. In the US is often the undergraduate degree is recognized in the country for subsequent practice as a professional accountant – in that respect, a bachelor’s degree works as a first professional degree to work as a certified accountant subject to subsequently clearing the licensing requirements for the state where students are going to practice accountancy. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a seven percent increase in the job outlook for auditors in the years between 2020-30 which is as good as the average.

Accounting

Best Online Accounting
Degrees Courses

With the times that we are living in, online degrees are a new way of life. With online degrees, professions, working parents, people who would like to recontinue their studies, all can start and restart their studies online. We looked at a lot of criteria and came up with our best online accounting courses as below: .*

If you have potential, at Maryville, they teach students to tap into it. Complement your analytical mindset with a business skillset through an online bachelor’s in Accounting. In as few as 2.5 years, you can learn the essentials of accounting. It is a 100% online course with no residencies required.


Maryville University is a nationally recognized private institution located just 22 miles from downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Maryville offers a comprehensive and innovative education focused on student learning, outcomes, and success. The Chronicle of Higher Education has named Maryville University as the second fastest-growing university. The tuition and graduation rate are as below:

Univ Address Tuition Grad Rate
Maryville University of Saint Louis 650 Maryville University Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri 63141 $27,166 75%

Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page

Find Online Accounting
Degrees Near Me

If you are looking at the best Online bachelor’s in accounting programs near you, you are in luck, below is a list of accounting programs near your location.

What to expect from the Online
Accounting Degrees?

An online accounting course would be no different from an on-campus Bachelor of Accounting degree. The degrees are the same, the opportunities post completion of the degrees are the same, the further master’s programs that students can get enrolled into post completion of a bachelors program are all the same. The only major difference is that the on-campus degree needs to be completed taking on-campus classes, whereas online degrees can be completed taking classes online over the computer. Some online degrees are asynchronous as well where students have the flexibility to take up the course at their own pace and time. And in the times of the pandemic, online courses have sometimes been the go-to programs as on-campus classes were halted. Even after the on-campus coursecourses have resumed now, the popularity of online accounting courses is at an all-time high. Professionals with an online accounting degree can become accountants, financial analysts, financial planners, and more.

Types of Online Accounting
Degrees

A bachelor’s degree in accounting has quite a few facets to it. Depending on the type, of course, students chose to pursue or the elective subjects they prefer to pick an online bachelor’s degree in accounting could differ. Irrespective of the degree types discussed below, all are four-year courses. Below we discuss the different online accounting degree types available for students to pursue:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

A bachelor’s degree in accounting with an emphasis on experimentation, research, and data analysis and depending on the right choice of elective subjects leads to a bachelor’s in science degree in accounting. A B.S in accounting deals more with coming up with new theories and inventions post research and analysis.

This degree is for students who are a bit inclined towards experimentation, research, and analysis.

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting

A bachelor’s degree in accounting with emphasis on the theoretical aspects of accounting and the study of policies that have come upon the foundation of those theories is the classical Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting. This degree is great for students who love the theoretical part of the subject and a touch of historical policies those theories have invoked.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

The BBA in Accounting offers courses in financial and management accounting, tax, audit, finance, economics, and other core business functions such as marketing and operations and information management, satisfying the undergraduate requirements of the accounting designation. This would be ideal for students who would want to step into the world of management with a specialization in accounting. These proponents would end up with the roles of a chief financial officers by the end of their careers.

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting

This five-year double major in Finance & Accounting prepares students exceptionally well in both disciplines. They will earn the 150 credit hours needed for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure, and they will be well prepared to ace the CPA exams.

Areas of Specialization for Online
Accounting Degrees

Depending on the elective subjects that students choose, students decide on the specialization that they major in. Below we discuss a few of the same:

Area of Specialization Description Institutions availableCareers This Concentration Prepares For
Forensic AccountingForensic accounting utilizes accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to examine the finances of an individual or business. Forensic accounting provides an accounting analysis suitable to be used in legal proceedings. Forensic accountants are trained to look beyond the numbers and deal with the business reality of a situation. Forensic accounting is frequently used in fraud and embezzlement cases to explain the nature of a financial crime in court.”Neumann UniversityForensic Accountant
Tax AccountingA tax accountant will be working in either public accounting or corporate accounting. Public accountants review the financial statements and then assess the tax liability for the corporations. They must follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and rules that are set by the Internal Revenue Service & Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Public accountants, many of whom are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), generally have their businesses or work for public accounting firms. Publicly traded companies are required to have CPAs sign documents they submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including annual and quarterly reports.The University of Texas at DallasTax Accountants
AuditorsExternal auditors check for proper management of an organization’s funds, sources of revenue, and internal controls, such as financial data preparation or managing risks to cybersecurity or the supply chain. They are employed by an outside organization, rather than the one they are auditing. They review clients’ financial statements and inform authorities, investors, and regulators, that the statements have been correctly prepared and reported with no material misstatements.

Internal auditors have duties that are like external auditors, but these workers are employed by the organization they are auditing. They identify ways to improve the processes for finding and eliminating waste, fraud, and other financial risks to the organization. The practice of internal auditing is not regulated, but the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) provides generally accepted standards.
The University of Texas at DallasAuditors
Government AccountingGovernment accountants maintain and examine the records of government agencies and audit private businesses and individuals whose activities are subject to government regulations or taxation. Accountants employed by federal, state, and local governments ensure that revenues are received and spent according to laws and regulations. Their responsibilities include auditing, financial reporting, and management accounting.Maryville University of Saint LouisGovernment Accountant
Management AccountingManagement accountants are also called cost, corporate, industrial, managerial, or private accountants. They combine accounting and financial information to guide business decision-making. They also understand financial and non-financial data and how to integrate information. The information that management accountants prepare is intended for internal use by business managers, not for the public.Saint Mary-of-the-Woods CollegeManagement Accountant

Why should I do an Online
Accounting Degree?

Students might question themselves if a bachelor’s in accounting is worth it.? Well, the answer depends on who is asking the question. If you have a knack for crunching numbers basic numbers, basic math and balancing sheets, then the answer would be a resounding ‘yes’

Students with an online accounting degree have immense opportunities. According to the Department of Labor, the accounting industry is growing at a good pace and is going to add ninety-six thousand new jobs till the year 2030. Also, accounts and auditors have a key role to play in businesses and industry as there are a lot of government compliance, rules, and regulations that need to be taken care of to run businesses, and only accountants and auditors are trained and licensed by the governments to do the job. Hence, getting an online accounting degree is the first step to getting into the industry.

How to get Online Accounting
Degrees?

The prerequisites for an online associate degree in accounting typical would be as below:

  • A high school graduate degree. 
  • Some colleges would need an SAT (scholastic aptitude test) or GED (general education development score) score. Or if someone is transferring in-between schools, then it should be in good academic standing. Which could be a minimum GPA of 2.0 or above.
  • Submit the online application with a cover letter and at least 3 letters of reference. The no. of letter of reference depends on the university. 

Students must submit proof that they have met all the above criteria to be accepted at a college or university.

How long is Online Accounting
Degrees?

Like any bachelor’s degree, an online accounting degree would take 4 years to complete and around 120 credit hours. There would be a few exceptions like an integrated double major in finance and accounting which would take 5 years and 150 credit hours for completion. 

The bachelor’s program can be broken down into core subjects, electives, and majors. There would be some programs wherein some project and intern requirements might be in place. If students are coming into the bachelor’s program after completion of an associate degree in accounting, then there could be some credit exemptions. There could be some universities that would give some credits for relevant work experience as well. Also, for some professionals, there are accelerated programs that would complete the requirements of the program at an accelerated pace. These programs would typically be for students who have great exposure to the subjects and already have completed a program, where common courses would already be covered.

Accreditation for Online
Accounting Degrees

Accreditation is a vetting process wherein an institution has been evaluated by an independent accrediting body and found to meet the high standards of a rigorous education. Thus, accreditation in essence is enforcement of quality. Also, a few aspects of accounting practice require licensing from state/federal bodies. And only those with accredited degrees would get the opportunity to sit for those license examinations. Hence, getting an accredited bachelor’s degree in accounting is a must to practice the craft of accounting. Read more about Accreditation.

Hence, one must ensure that their degrees are regionally accredited online associate degree programs and recognized by the industry and fraternity they are getting into, and more importantly, to be eligible for US federal student aid students must ensure that the institution one is enrolling in is accredited by one of the federally recognized accreditation bodies.

Accelerated Online
Accounting Degrees

Accelerated accounting degree programs are for students who have delved into multiple degree types and visibility into multiple common courses and credits. These students can get as much as seventy-five percent of the credits covered for certain accounting degree programs. These kinds of degree programs are called accelerated degrees. Students complete these degrees at a very fast pace because most of the credits are already covered due to degrees in other subjects. In some accelerated degree programs, students can complete a bachelor’s degree in just twenty-two months instead of the forty-eight months required for regular degree programs.

Colorado State University Global –  Bachelor In Accounting

Southern New Hampshire University – Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance

Rasmussen College – Bachelor’s in Accounting

Western Governors University –  B.S.B.A in  Accounting

Free Courses for Online
Accounting Degrees

Below we discuss a few free courses that students might be interested in:

Accounting, Business, and Society: The Multi-faceted Role of Accounting: This course has been divided into 3 modules:

  • Accounting and Business: This module covers, what accounting is and how it contributes to the health and growth of a business and, in turn, society. Furthermore, it will cover the various forms of business setups and how limited liability companies become the mainstream business concerns for corporate governance practices.
  • The Accounting Profession and Roles of Accountants: The second module covers the institutional and regulatory frameworks of accounting professionals, that give accountants creditability in their work, and bring the professionalism that they command. In addition, it will cover the mainstream practices of accounting namely Financial Reporting and Auditing.

Accounting Analytics: This course is divided into four modules as below:

  • Ratios and Forecasting: This course will help students to do a ratio analysis of a company to identify the sources of its competitive advantage (or red flags of potential trouble), and then use that information to forecast its future financial statements.
  • Earnings Management: This course will enable students to know how to spot earnings management and get a more accurate picture of earnings so that they will be able to catch some bad guys in finance reporting!
  • Big Data and Prediction Models: By the end of this module, students will have a very strong tool kit that will help them try to detect financial statements that may have been manipulated by managers. This module will use big data approaches to try to detect earnings management.
  • Linking Non-financial Metrics to Financial Performance: By the end of this module, students will know how predictive analytics can be used to determine what they should be measuring, how to weigh very, very different performance measures when trying to analyze potential financial results, how to make trade-offs between short-term and long-term objectives, and how to set performance targets for optimal financial performance.

How to Pay for Online
Accounting Degrees?

Depending on where students take up their accounting degree, the cost of a bachelor’s program varies from around eight thousand in a public university to thirty-five thousand in a private university. Students can look at the prices depending on universities and then decide on the program they would want to get into. But the smartest way to fund your education would be a scholarship. For further reference, students can refer to this link here for scholarships.

It might happen that someone does not qualify for a scholarship, for such candidates if they are working professionals, they can check with their employers to reimburse the tuition fee. The other way of funding your associate in accountancy is to apply for a student loan. Students can also check if they are eligible for federal student aid. Here is a link to the application for FAFSA Application. 

FAQs about Online Accounting
Degrees

Is a bachelor’s degree in accounting worth it?

A. The short answer is a resounding yes. If you want to work in accounting, finance, or business, getting a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting is a great investment in your career.

What does a Certified Public Accountant do?

Average salary of a Certified Public Accountant

Can I take the CPA exam without a degree?

How much does each CPA Exam cost?

How Do You Become a Forensic Accountant?

What does a Bachelor of accounting do?

What Does an External Auditor Do?

What Is a Credit Manager?

Career Opportunities and Salaries
after Online Accounting Degrees

A career in accounting could be very rewarding if students have the right acumen to understand finances and organizations. With the right skills, students can handle the roles of accountants to top executive roles. Below we discuss a few roles that accountants can play in this field.

Occupation Job DescriptionMedian Annual Salary Job Growth (up to 2030)
Management accountantsManagement accountants are also called cost, corporate, industrial, managerial, or private accountants. They combine accounting and financial information to guide business decision-making. They also understand financial and non-financial data and how to integrate information. The information that management accountants prepare is intended for internal use by business managers, not for the public.$73,5607%
Cost EstimatorsCost estimators collect and analyze data to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to manufacture a product, construct a building, or provide a service. They generally specialize in a particular product or industry.
Construction cost estimators prepare estimates for building, road, and other construction projects. They may calculate the total cost of constructing a bridge or commercial shopping center, or they may calculate the cost of just one part, such as the foundation. They identify costs of elements such as raw materials and labor, and they may set a timeline for how long they expect the project to take. Although many work directly for construction firms, some work for contractors and engineering firms.
Manufacturing cost estimators calculate the expense of developing, producing or redesigning a company’s goods or services. For example, an estimator working for a home appliance manufacturer may determine a new dishwasher’s production costs, aiding managers in making decisions about its assembly.
$66,6101%
Financial ManagersFinancial managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization. They create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization. Financial managers spend much of their time analyzing data and advising senior managers on ways to maximize profits. They often work on teams, acting as advisors to top executives.
Financial managers must know about the topics, tax laws, and regulations that are specific to their organization or industry. For example, government financial managers must be experts on appropriations and budgeting processes; healthcare financial managers must understand billing, reimbursement, and other business matters related to healthcare.
$134,18017%
Management AnalystsManagement analysts, often called management consultants, recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues. Management analysts often specialize in certain areas, such as inventory control or reorganizing corporate structures for efficiency. Some focus on a specific industry, such as healthcare or telecommunications. In government, management analysts usually specialize by type of agency.$87,66014%

Certifications and Licensing for
Online Accounting Degrees

After completing their accounting degrees, registered accountants have state-based licensing requirements to practice their craft. And to be certified accountants, students need to fulfill the prerequisite degree requirements before they can take up the licensing exams. We discuss a few of the licensing requirements below. 

The Chartered Financial Analyst program is a postgraduate professional certification offered internationally by the American-based CFA Institute to investment and financial professionals.

Established in 1941, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is an international professional association with global headquarters in Lake Mary, Florida, USA. The IIA is the internal audit profession’s global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate, and principal educator. Generally, members work in internal auditing, risk management, governance, internal control, information technology audit, education, and security.

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Together with more than 90,000 members, the ACFE is reducing business fraud worldwide and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession.

Additional Resources for Online
Accounting Degrees

An online bachelor’s degree in accountancy is a gateway to an industry with huge potential. But to further their careers and keep being relevant in a fast-paced industry, professionals need the leverage the potential of the industry by joining and becoming members of a professional organization in their chosen state of practice. Apart from being a body that assists in developing and distributing knowledge, professional accounting associations keep their members informed about the newest developments and innovations. We discuss a few such organizational bodies below:

OrganizationDescription
Massachusetts Society of CPAsThe Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, a 501 (c) 6 organization, is the state’s premier professional organization with more than 11,000 members in public accounting, industry, business, government, and education. Through its advocacy, continuing professional education, peer review, membership, communications, and academic and career development departments, the Society provides services that allow its members to learn, connect and prosper in the accounting profession.
The California Society of Certified Public AccountantsThe California Society of Certified Public Accountants is the largest statewide professional association of certified public accountants in the United States with more than 42,000 members. CalCPA efforts cause CalCPA members to be viewed as leaders in professional competency and integrity by clients, employers, the public, and government officials.
The Florida Institute of Certified Public AccountantsThe Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the premier professional organization representing Florida’s Certified Public Accountants. It serves the diverse needs of its members; enhances their competency and professionalism; supports professional standards; promotes the value of our members and advocates on behalf of the profession.
Washington State Society of Certified Public AccountantsThe Washington Society of CPAs is a professional community of CPAs and financial professionals who work in business and industry, education, government, not-for-profit organizations, and public accounting. With more than 6,500 members, the WSCPA is the only organization in the State of Washington dedicated to serving the professional needs of CPAs, educating consumers about CPAs and the services they provide, and encouraging students to study accounting and enter the profession. WSCPA members are CPAs and financial professionals, students, and retirees.
Colorado Board of AccountancyThe Colorado Board of Accountancy regulates certified public accountants (CPAs). CPAs perform a variety of accounting services and will often have the CPA designation after their name. The Board does not regulate accountants, public accountants, tax preparers, or enrolled agents. Accountants and public accountants are not regulated by any federal or state agency, however, there are professional associations who may be able to assist you. Tax preparers and enrolled agents are regulated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
New Jersey Society of CPAsFounded in 1898, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) is the largest professional organization serving the needs of Garden State CPAs and aspiring CPAs. With a membership of more than 13,000, the NJCPA represents the majority of New Jersey CPAs in public practice, business & industry, government, and education. We support our members through a variety of education, networking, leadership, and volunteer initiatives.

Disclaimer:

The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners.