Best Online Schools for Accounting
Every organization needs careful financial management to pay employees, settle debts, and follow regulations. Accountants and finance experts handle these aspects of running a business.
Enrolling into an accredited accounting degree program online can kick-start your career in accounting or finance. Our list ranks the best schools for accounting and details career paths and common courses.
10 Best Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs Online
How We Chose These Schools
At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability so every type of student can find the best fit for them.
This ranking is from 2024. Learn more about how our formula works on our ranking methodology page.
What to Expect From an Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Program
Online accounting degree programs provide the skills and knowledge necessary to work in the business and finance world. Accounting programs at the bachelor’s level typically cover a wide range of business and finance topics, along with accounting specifics like financial, cost, and forensic accounting.
To graduate, you’ll usually need to complete around 120 credits over four years. Many of these programs focus on preparing you to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. As an online student, you take the same types of core courses as you would on-campus: general education, accounting basics, and electives. Major classes cover economics, finance, and business law.
If you’re interested in a specific area of accounting, you may be able to pursue a concentration as part of your degree. Many online schools for accounting offer specializations such as auditing, forensic, managerial, public, or tax accounting. Each specialization requires specific courses.
Accounting Courses You Can Expect to Take
- Business Ethics: This course teaches students how to apply ethical theories in business. It covers various ethical systems, their cultural differences, and how companies implement ethics programs. Learners analyze case studies to identify and tackle ethical issues at work.
- Auditing: This course introduces assurance services and the standards auditors must meet. Students learn to design audits, test methods, and discuss results. This class focuses on reducing risks and ensuring compliance.
- Taxation: Taxation courses teach students to interpret personal tax information. They cover federal income tax basics such as gross income, exemptions, deductions, and credits. Those pursuing an accounting degree may also study corporate taxation, focusing on business requirements and procedures.
Accounting Degree Accreditation
Accreditation is a process that ensures excellence in curriculum, faculty quality, and job preparation. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is the gold standard for online accredited accounting degree programs.
Attending an AACSB-accredited school signals to employers and licensing boards that you’ve received a high-quality education in the field of accounting.
What Can You Do With an Accounting Degree?
A bachelor’s degree in accounting can be versatile and prepare you for many different roles. While public accounting might be the most obvious career path for graduates, an accounting degree can also lead to job opportunities with businesses, governments, and individuals.
Below are three of the most popular careers for those with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Note that some careers may require additional education or certification.
Certified Public Accountants
- Median Salary (2024): $81,680
- Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): 6%
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.
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.
Financial Managers
- Median Salary (2024): $161,700
- Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): 17%
Financial managers—also known as controllers, treasurers, and finance officers—safeguard an organization’s financial health. These professionals monitor legal compliance, prepare statements and reports, direct investment activities, and help craft long-term financial goals.
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.
Budget Analyst
- Median Salary (2024): $87,930
- Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): 4%
Businesses, universities, and governments rely on budget analysts to help organize their finances and develop realistic budgets. Tasks include estimating future financial needs, analyzing costs and benefits, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Accounting Degree Programs
How much does an online accounting bachelor’s degree cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, an online bachelor’s in business degree cost an average of $7,547 in tuition and fees in 2020. Average accounting tuition and fees are unavailable. Keep in mind that online schools for accounting can vary widely in cost depending on factors such as the institution, location, and program length.
Do you need a degree to become an accountant?
Generally speaking, yes. You need a bachelor’s degree in accounting to become an accountant. You can pursue some accounting roles after completing an associate program, but most employers seek candidates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in accounting. CPAs need 150 total credits to qualify for certification, making a bachelor’s program an ideal way to earn your first 120 credits.
Do you get a BA or BS in accounting?
For accounting, schools more commonly offer bachelor of science (BS) degrees, though some feature bachelor of arts (BA) programs in the subject.
Both types of degrees can prepare you to become an accountant — BA programs generally provide a broader liberal arts curriculum with more electives, while BS degrees cover more business, technology, and science classes.
How long does it take to get an online accounting degree?
The time it takes to earn an online accounting degree varies based on several factors, but a bachelor’s degree in accounting typically takes four years.
This timeline can be abbreviated with accelerated enrollment and transfer-friendly policies, however. Part-time enrollment can extend this timeline to five or more years.
Is a two-year accounting degree worth it?
A two-year accounting degree allows you to explore the field without having to commit to a four-year program. Some online schools for accounting allow you to transfer associate credits into a bachelor’s program, which may then count toward CPA licensure. If you plan to become a CPA, a bachelor’s degree in accounting likely offers a better pathway than a two-year program.