There is no industry on earth that earns a profit that has no need of accountants. These professionals are the stitches that hold the fabric of business profit together. Earning a bachelor’s degree in this area is an incredibly prudent career move, as there are always positions available for talented, honest, and well-educated accountants. These twenty online schools will give you the necessary tools to approach your new life as a professional accountant and will lead you toward a job, a master’s degree, and certification. There are options available for all types of learners, as well as affordable degrees for those who are trying to save money while earning a fantastic degree! Find a perfect match with Online-Bachelor-Degrees.com!
In the research and development of this ranking, the research/writers utilize strict guidelines in the selection of online schools and accounting programs. The criteria for this particular catalog included:
- A fully online program or a hybrid format with very few campus visits;
- Retention rates no lower than 50%;
- A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with relevant coursework that addresses current trends and issues;
- Experiential learning opportunities that establish promising networking connections;
- A website and learning platform that is easy to use and technologically up-to-date;
- Notability among prominent journalistic and academic resources;
- And professors who hold terminal degrees and/or bring relevant professional experience in the field of Accounting to the online classroom.
For more information, please visit our Methodology Page.
PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS
Online AACSB–accredited B.S. in Accounting
Program Standouts:
The goal of the Penn State World Campus online bachelor’s degree in accounting is to prepare distance education students for applicable certification examinations. Penn State World Campus is well-known for its education of online students, and such powerful journalistic entities have noted its success as U.S. News and World Report. Alongside excellent accounting courses, students will undergo topics in business strategy, marketing, business law, and supply chain management. This gives students a well-rounded understanding of the business profession as a whole so that they can approach their accounting professions with more knowledge and experience. All of the professors who instruct this degree hold doctoral degrees in accounting and business and bring worlds of experience to the virtual classroom that will open up students to the many benefits of the profession.
Coursework Sample:
- Federal Taxation
- Governmental and Not-for Profit Accounting
- Social, Legal, and Ethical Environment of Business
Campus Location: University Park, PA
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 54%
Graduation Rate: 28%
LEARN MORE ABOUT PENN STATE WORLD CAMPUS’ ONLINE ACCOUNTING BACHELOR’S DEGREE
SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY
Online B.A. in Accounting
Program Standouts:
At Saint Leo University, online accounting students receive one-on-one attention from instructors, advisors, and mentors who carefully guide them through their program and help them identify their professional goals. With so many areas in which to enter, students need to identify areas of accounting that interest them the most, and Saint Leo does just that. Students have internship opportunities at the Big 5 accounting firms and have networking opportunities with excerpts from around the world through this online school’s resources. Some of the organizations with which graduates now work include Ernst and Young, North Carolina State University, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The main goal of the program is certification and individual specialization.
Coursework Sample:
- Accounting Information Systems
- Cost Accounting
- Financial Statement Analysis
Campus Location: St. Leo, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 31%
LEARN MORE ABOUT SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ACCOUNTING DEGREE
THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY
Online BSBA – Accounting
Program Standouts:
At Thomas Edison State University, there are multiple online degrees in accounting, including its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting program. The school provides avenues through which students can integrate their coursework to earn certification and a master’s degree much more quickly through the CPA and Master’s Track. In such a case, graduates will have spent more time in school but will exit TESU with much more prestige, education, knowledge, and skill to apply to the real-world. The BSBA in accounting educates students in the basic principles of finance and business, and there are excellent opportunities to refine the curriculum with concentration in business ethics, as well.
Coursework Sample:
- Managerial Accounting
- Computer Concepts and Applications
- Principles of Finance
Campus Location: Trenton, NJ
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 42%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THOMAS EDISON STATE UNVERSITY’S ONLINE BUSINESS ACCOUNTING PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
Online BBA – Accounting Focus
Program Standouts:
The University of Memphis’ online Bachelor in Business Administration in Accounting includes a focus on global accountancy. In this way, students have an outlet into international accounting organizations and employment opportunities. This degree develops strong skills in organization, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication with both clients and team members, and making decisions surrounding global issues. Graduates of this degree program are well-prepared to sit for the Certified Public Accountants examination and go on to fill many different roles as professional accountants. The broadness of the curriculum also gives alumni a strong foundation for entering into a master’s degree of their choice.
Coursework Sample:
- Fundamentals of Accounting I and II
- Foundation/Information Systems
- Financial Management
Campus Location: Memphis, TN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 75%
Graduation Rate: 57%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS’ ONLINE BBA IN ACCOUNTING DEGREE
MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
BS in Accounting Online
Program Standouts:
One exciting aspect of the Missouri State University’s online B.S. degree in accounting is that it provides a broader range of coursework in its curriculum than many other schools on this ranking, such as the Debtor/Creditor Rights and Remedies course. The program does require some transfer credits as it is a degree completion program. MSU also has an accelerated masters of accountancy degree program for students who want to extend their education to a graduate degree. However, the main focus of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting is to prepare students to work in the profession. Graduates work in all kinds of areas of the business, and students can further refine their online coursework in communication or criminology to give their degree more of an edge in the job market.
Coursework Sample:
- Accounting and Management Information Systems
- Operations Management
- Debtor/Creditor Rights and Remedies
Campus Location: Springfield, MO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 55%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BS IN ACCOUNTING PROGRAM
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
Online BBA in Accounting
Program Standouts:
The Florida Atlantic University online Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting is an excellent entry into the job market, particularly into areas of business and government. As a BBA degree, this curriculum induces numerous topics in leadership, marketing, and finance, which is actually an advantage to most students because it gives them options later on, as well as a deeper understanding of the discipline as a whole. The School of Accounting provides excellent resources for accounting students, and FAU is only one of 48 schools in the world to be a part of the Institutionalization of Internal Auditors Internal Audit Education Partnership. There are over 1,200 students in the School of Accounting alone, and there are more than enough resources to provide for each and every one of them.
Coursework Sample:
- Cost Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
- Auditing and Assurance Services
Campus Location: Boca Raton, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Acceptance Rate: 59.8%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 46%
LEARN MORE ABOUT FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BBA IN ACCOUNTING
PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL
Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Program
Program Standouts:
Students at Purdue University Global get to choose between four exciting areas of accounting that will take them in vastly different areas of the profession. The Auditing/Forensic Accountancy specialization, for example, helps students develop the skills and knowledge to recognize and prevent fraud against both individual clients and entire organizations. This program is an affordable online accounting degree with a tuition rate of $371 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students. Throughout the year, there are multiple start dates throughout the year, which offers an enormous amount of flexibility for working and adult learners. Purdue University Global is the online component of the highly respected Purdue University and provides online students all of the same prestigious recourses and opportunities available to on-campus learners.
Concentration Options:
- Auditing/Forensic Accountancy
- Managerial Accountancy
- Public Accountancy
- Tax Accountancy
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Acceptance Rate: unavailable
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 25%
LEARN MORE ABOUT PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL’S ONLINE ACCOUNTING BACHELOR’S DEGREE
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
BS in Accounting Bachelor’s Programs Online
Program Standouts:
This online Bachelor in Accounting is delivered by one of the most popular distance education institutions in the country. Western Governors University receives constant recognition for its accomplishments in academia, and the online accounting program is “timely, relevant, and practical.” Students can expect courses that cover a vast array of business and accounting principles, from leadership and management to quantitative analysis for business to finance. WGU is also unique for its approach to tuition, which is billed over 6-month terms, during which time students are free to complete as many credits as they can. That fact alone makes this one of the most flexible online schools because students can choose at any time where they want to accelerate or slow their pace of learning.
Coursework Sample:
- Principles of Accounting
- Cost and Managerial Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
Campus Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 89%
Graduation Rate: 38%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Online B.A. in Accounting Degree Program
Program Standouts:
This online school’s bachelor degree in accounting is a broad-based curriculum with concentration in Compensation and Benefits, Cost Accounting, and Auditing. It is one fo the only schools on this ranking that is accredited by the IACBE, which gives it an international perspective. The goal of the program is to prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities in any kind of environment, including but not limited to private and public sectors. Students are well-prepared to successfully pass either the Certified Professional Accountant or the Certified Management Accountant examinations. Graduates can incorporate procedures and principles of public and internal accounting and are ready to make a difference in exciting work environments or go on to a master’s degree.
Coursework Sample:
- Global Business Perspectives
- Auditing
- Finance for Managers
Campus Location: Melbourne, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 55%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY’S ONLINE BA IN ACCOUNTING
REGENT UNIVERSITY
Online BS in Accounting
Program Standouts:
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Regent University is a perfect fit for students who are seeking out the finest online Christian universities in the United States. This school provides an excellent curriculum in accounting that prepares students for the Certified Professional Accountant examination, all of which is grounded in the principles and teachings of Christ. In this way, students have a more soundly ethical approach to the discipline and can make decisions according to their upbringing. It is also an accelerated online accounting program with courses that are delivered over eight-week terms. Regent University is absolutely adored by past and current students who were proud to learn in a community of peers and instructors with the same mores, principles, and professional goals.
Coursework Sample:
- International Business
- Strategic Management
- Financial Management
Campus Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 60.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT REGENT UNIVERSITY’S B.S. IN ACCOUNTING ONLINE DEGREE
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS
Online Bachelor’s in Accounting
Program Standouts:
This online schools is well-known for its distance education degrees, and the online Bachelor in Accounting is an outstanding program that provides a comprehensive approach to the discipline. Students learn how to address organizational management issues and the curriculum includes excellent elective courses through which students can further specialize their degree. The two concentration options will take students into two areas of the field, either into more corporate and business related accounting or into fundraising, non-profit, and government agencies. Colorado State University-Global Campus has been recognized many times for its achievement in online education, and this particular program is considered one of the best of its kind in the nation!
Campus Location: Aurora, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Concentration Options:
- Business Administration
- Fundraising
Acceptance Rate: unavailable
Retention Rate: 63%
Graduation Rate: 78%
LEARN MORE ABOUT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-GLOBAL CAMPUS’ ONLINE ACCOUNTING BACHELOR’S DEGREE
REGIS UNIVERSITY
Program Standouts:
This accelerated online accounting bachelor’s degree program from Regis University can be completed throughout 8 or 16-week terms, depending on their learning styles. Students have the additional option of completing a bachelor’s to master’s degree simultaneously with Regis University and can graduate with even more prestige and applicable skill. Courses are excellent for refining skills as an individual, in a team, and as a leader. Graduates have the knowledge and understanding to work in any one of these capacities and at small practices, large firms, private businesses, and more. The online program is available as a minor, as well, for students who would prefer to earn a business degree in another area while getting an education in accounting.
Campus Location: Denver, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Coursework Sample:
- Accounting Information Systems
- Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 45%
LEARN MORE ABOUT REGIS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ACCOUNTING B.S. DEGREE PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
Online BS in Accounting
Program Standouts:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s online bachelor’s degree in accounting is an excellent choice for students who are looking to complete numerous certification examinations. The curriculum provides a solid foundation for the CPA, CIA, CFE, CISA, and CMA exams, and the all of the instructors are well-decorated industry experts. UAB gives students access to a huge array of different fields in accounting, such as banks, nonprofit, government agencies, and private companies. This is also one of the only programs to receive recognition form the Institute of Management Accountants, which has recognized it as one of the best programs for the Certified Management Accountant exam. UAB has also been named by The Princeton Review as one of the top ten most diverse schools in America.
Coursework Sample:
- Management Processes and Behavior
- Financial Accounting I and II
- Income Taxation I and II
Campus Location: Birmingham, AL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 55%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM’S BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING ONLINE
BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
Online Accounting B.S.
Program Standouts:
Bellevue University’s online Bachelor of Accounting is an excellent entry into the profession. It allow students access into the profession directly upon graduating, or into a master’s degree in accounting, such as the one available at BU. The focus of the program is in applying accounting concepts to finance, marketing, and management issues and creating effective solutions. Students learn to develop, execute, and communicate ideas to clients and peers, and there is an internship opportunity for students who can contribute extra time to the degree. For those who are interest, there is a Business Finance specialization available, as well as a minor option in Tax Accountancy. Graduates from Bellevue have gone on to work in public practices, financial institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Coursework Sample:
- Advanced Accounting Problems
- Financial Auditing
- Cost Accounting
Campus Location: Bellevue, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - International Accreditation Council for Business Education
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 69%
LEARN MORE ABOUT BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ACCOUNTING BACHELOR’S DEGREE
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting
Program Standouts:
Liberty University has an accelerated online accounting bachelor’s degree and is grounded in biblical stewardship. Students are educated in business and accounting throughout eight-week terms, and the coursework prepares students to sit for the Certified Public Accountant Certification examination. The classes are instructed by industry experts who shape the curriculum to reflect experiences in and understanding of the discipline. It is a broad approach to accounting with no specific focus to the degree—students learn all of the most crucial principles, from analysis to law. Liberty University is one online school among many that has stood out over many consecutive years as one of the most fabulous institutions of distance education in the country. Students can count on excellent resources and educational experiences from such a preeminent university.
Coursework Sample:
- Accounting Ethics
- Taxation I
- Governmental and Not-for-profit Accounting
Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Acceptance Rate: 24%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 52%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING ONLINE
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
Online BSBA – Accounting
Program Standouts:
This online school provides an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting program. It is a degree completion program through which students must complete thirty credit hours to graduate and transfer over general education credits. The program is an excellent choice for any student because it lays the groundwork necessary to achieve positions of employment or enter into prestigious master’s programs in business and accounting. In fact, Old Dominion University provides an opportunity to earn advanced credits for either an MBA or an MPA through the Early Start Programs. ODU is partnered with many colleges and universities throughout the Southeastern United States and beyond to make transferring credits from another educational institution as easy as possible. It is a very affordable online accounting bachelor’s degree with an out-of-state tuition rate of $407 per credit hour.
Coursework Sample:
- Accounting Information Systems
- Managerial Accounting
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
Campus Location: Norfolk, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 60%
LEARN MORE ABOUT OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY’S BSBA IN ACCOUNTING PROGRAM ONLINE
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
BS in Accounting Online
Program Standouts:
California Baptist University is an excellent online school, and the Bachelors Degree in Accounting has received rewards and other recognition for its academic quality. The goal of this marvelous program is to train students for positions in public accounting, managerial accounting, corporate accounting, and government or non-profit accounting. The curriculum also approaches principles in business law, finance, economics, marketing, and more to create a very general yet effective degree. It is excellent preparation for the Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant examination. Faculty members hold terminal degrees in their accounting and business specialties and bring invaluable experience to the online accounting program.
Coursework Sample:
- Management with Biblical Foundation
- Government and Non-Profit Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
Campus Location: Riverside, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 67%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ACCOUNTING BACHELORS DEGREE
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
BBA Online – Accounting
Program Standouts:
At Washington State University, the online Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting students engage in management fundamentals, accounting practices, and accounting information systems. The coursework emphasizes critical areas of business and finance to prepare students to work for Fortune 500 companies, the Big 5 accounting firms, and international organizations. The curriculum includes an excellent balance of both theoretical and practical approaches to the discipline to create well-rounded graduates with skills across a vast array of accounting skills. WSU’s is considered one of the most exceptional programs in accounting in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and students can count on access to outstanding resources, professors, and academic mentors.
Coursework Sample:
- Accounting and Culture
- Cost Accounting
- Accounting Systems and Auditing
Campus Location: Pullman, WA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Acceptance Rate: 72%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 67%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN ACCOUNTING
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
Online Accounting Bachelor’s Degree
Program Standouts:
From the acclaimed Isenberg School of Management comes this outstanding online accounting bachelor’s degree that has all of the advantages of one of the best business schools in the nation. The curriculum at this online school focuses on the development of a broad range of skills in accounting that allows graduates to become bank examiners, financial executives, tax specialists, auditors, and other such high-paying titles. UMA provides exciting opportunities for online students to advance their understanding through experiential learning programs and professional organizations, such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, wherein students build strong networking connections and gain invaluable tips. Students also have opportunities to connect with recruiters from some of the largest firms in the country, such as Grant Thornton and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Coursework Sample:
- Financial Reporting
- Information Systems
- managerial Accounting
Campus Location: Amherst, MA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 75%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST’S ONLINE BACHELORS DEGREE PROGRAM IN ACCOUNTING
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TWIN CITIES
Online B.S. in Accounting Degee Program
Program Standouts:
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities provides online bachelor of accounting students with a small virtual classroom experience that allows direct access to professors and classmates. The coursework contains fundamental topics in business and finance with other more concentrated courses in accounting. Students gain an education in both a theoretical and analytical framework, and the curriculum includes strong elective courses in CPA preparation. Upon completion of the online coursework, students are ready to sit for the Certificated Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, or Certified Internal Auditor examinations, and can do so easily through their alma mater, UMN Twin Cities. Students with time and energy can also choose to pursue additional certificate opportunities, such as the Certificate in Taxation, which further enhances the curriculum.
Coursework Sample:
- Principles of Accounting I and II
- Auditing I and II
- Legal Environment in Business
Campus Location: Minneapolis, MN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 93%
Graduation Rate: 78%
LEARN MORE ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TWIN CITIES’ ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I NEED A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE OR A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
If you decide that your main focus is a career in Accounting, you may want to opt for an online Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Why do you ask? Well, the answer will be primarily in the difference between the two accolades. Typically, a BS in Accounting degree will focus solely on accounting, marketing, and other various business coursework; therefore, making it the wisest choice for students who have already are certain about their future in the world of accounting.
However, suppose you would like to “test the waters” a bit… but you know accounting will be your base subject. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree often requires a foreign language, and other electives based on the arts and humanities, as well as curriculum in Accounting. The BA degree requires more elective hours of study and fewer hours pertaining to your major in Accounting. The opposite applies for the BS degree.
HOW DO I KNOW I’M A GOOD FIT FOR THE FIELD OF ACCOUNTING?
That’s a good question to consider because not everyone is cut out to work with numbers. Did you enjoy math in high school? Are you up for a good challenge? If so, accounting is for you. If you’d rather cut corners than seek exactness, then accounting is not for you. Accuracy and preciseness is the key to a successful career in accounting.
Furthermore, other attributes are just as important. First and most importantly, you must have the correct knowledge and training needed to excel in accounting. To best serve your employer or clients, you must know accounting applications and tax laws, stay up-to-date on the latest software and technology used in today’s accounting practices, as well as have the desire to continue your education throughout your career.
In addition, you must be honest, trustworthy, and reliable as you practice a strong suit of ethics when working in accounting. You must be organized, creative, accurate and display a sense of accountability for your actions. Last, as you will often work with others, you must be a team player.
HOW DO I BECOME A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA)? WILL I NEED MORE THAN A BACHELOR’S DEGREE?
The responsibilities of a CPA are many. They often include that of the bookkeeper or accountant; however, it will include additional duties as well, such as working with tax returns and the Internal Revenue Service. The preparation of financial records often requires the authorization of a Certified Public Accountant.
To become a CPA, you will need to earn an online Bachelor of Accounting degree of course. If you desire a master’s degree, that is certainly admirable; however, is not necessarily a requirement to pursue a career as a Certified Public Accountant. With that being said, you will need to be prepared to pass a crucial examination to test your capabilities to reach your career goal.
Passing the Uniform Certified Public Accounting exam (administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) will allow you to practice as a CPA. The test will take about four hours per section to complete. The four sections will focus on Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, along with generalized Regulations Accounting questions with a focus on business law, ethics, and taxation. Re-certification will be required every two years.