How to Get an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

You can get an online bachelor’s degree in accounting at most accredited four-year colleges and universities. Many traditional colleges and universities offer fully online bachelor’s degrees in accounting.

You may also be able to earn your bachelor’s degree in accounting from a fully online college. The best online bachelor’s degrees in accounting will prepare you to work as an accountant, auditor, financial advisor, and much more.

You can also earn an online degree in accounting at the associate and master’s levels.

Online Coursework for Online Accounting Programs

If you have plans of earning an accounting degree online, expect to complete general education classes first before you actually get into accounting-specific subjects. And then your first accounting courses normally include an introductory topics that cover many accounting principles.

Accounting subjects typically cover the most crucial responsibilities related to working in the field. Specifically, you will explore the following topics:

• Types of business transactions
• Annual accounting cycles
• Accounting principles
• Managerial accounting
• Financial reporting

A online bachelor in Accounting also includes courses in income tax accounting, accounting ethics, business finance, and auditing survey. Certain online degree programs in his field also feature classes that offer elective classes on other important topics like fraud auditing or nonprofit accounting.

However, remember that a bachelor’s degree in accounting will vary, as this will depend on whether you pursue a BS or a BA. The BA curriculum focuses more on liberal arts, while the BS is more specialized and has accounting-specific classes, especially in the third and fourth years.

Online Accounting Degree Specializations

There are some online accounting programs that allow students to concentrate on a specific area of accounting, with further customization through electives and minors. Enrolling in a particular concentration is a great option for prospective accountants who know which area of the accounting profession they wish to pursue.

Accounting students should have a GED or hold a high school diploma. Some programs may require your ACT or SAT scores, although different institutions have different minimum score requirements.

Some programs also accept college credits you have earned from your previous school if you meet the required grades.

Bachelors’ Degree in Accounting Licensing Requirements

Whether you enroll online or on-campus, as an accounting graduate, you need to pursue the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license.

To become a CPA, you need to complete the three major “E’s’” in the field:

• Education
• Examination
• Experience

Aside from the CPA exam, most states also require you to have a specified amount of education and professional experience to get a license. In fact, even after you pass the CPA exam, some graduates will need at least another year of professional accounting experience before being granted the CPA license.

Some states grant students the Certified Public Accountant license after they complete at least 120 credits of the bachelor’s degree in Accountancy. But there are some that need thirty more. Generally, a master’s degree is not a requirement to be granted a CPA license.

Careers for Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Professionals

What’s in store for online bachelor’s in online Accounting program students and graduates, you might ask?

Business schools, whether they offer traditional or online programs, are expected to equip Accounting majors with the technical skills and soft skills needed to build successful careers

The degree is meant to prepare you so that as a professional you will be ready to manage financial statements, provide auditing and assurance services, conduct accounting research and financial statement analysis, and practice sound financial management for the overall financial health of a business or organization.

These require more than just accounting acumen. Attention to detail and critical thinking skills are a must, too!

Let’s explore three of the most well-paying jobs for graduates of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Program:

Working While Earning an Accounting Degree

A large portion of US undergraduates juggle full time or part time work with their academic pursuits. In fact, 2017 report from the Department of Education showed that 60% of college students have part-time jobs.

Balancing an accounting program and work responsibilities is possible as long as you have impeccable time management skills! But thankfully, with more and more schools offering online bachelor’s degrees in accounting, balancing work and school has become easier.

You can choose the best online bachelor’s degree in accounting by focusing on key factors like cost, format, location, accreditation, and student services.

And for a full list of top schools, including schools with online accounting degrees, take a look at the Best Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2022.

We also have comprehensive study guides and research tools to help you succeed in your online bachelor’s degree program including:

• Dynamic People Search, where you can find influential accounting professionals to research, study, or even contact.
• Study Guides and Study Starters, including our look at the controversies surrounding accounting issues like Social Security and Foreign Aid.

Our Favorite Online Bachelor’s accounting Degrees

Take a look at the complete list of the best online bachelor’s degrees in accounting.

For a dynamic, real-time listing of the most influential accounting schools in the world, use our Custom College Ranking.

Now that you know the nuts and bolts of how to get an online bachelor’s degree in accounting, is getting this degree in accounting worth it? Definitely! Find out why.