Accountants work in both the public and private sectors, helping individuals and organizations manage their money. To be an accountant, you need an accounting degree.
Accounting degrees are available both in-person and online. Keep reading to discover some of the top online accounting degree programs in the United States.
Top Online Accounting Degrees
Many colleges and universities across the United States offer online accounting degrees. We’ve listed our top picks below in alphabetical order.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in accountancy through its W. P. Carey School of Business.
This highly rated program prepares students to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification.
Students can also earn a Bachelor of Arts in business with a concentration in corporate accounting online, but this does not lead to CPA certification.
2. Brenau University
Brenau University is a private, non-profit university in Gainesville, Georgia. It offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting online.
Students in this program will gain the technical and interpersonal skills needed to be a successful accountant and take courses to prepare for licensure.
The university also offers an online Master of Accounting degree and a one-year accounting certificate to help prepare students for the CPA exam.
3. Colorado State University Global
Colorado State University Global is the online campus of the public Colorado State University system. It offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting.
This program teaches students the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully to an organization from an accounting perspective.
CSU Global also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an accounting specialization and a Master of Professional Accounting.
4. Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University is a public research university based in Boca Raton, Florida. It offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.
Graduates will be prepared for careers in accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, forensics, tax, government, teaching, and advanced graduate or doctoral research.
Interested students can continue their studies at Florida Atlantic University with an online MBA with a concentration in accounting.
5. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public university in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting online.
This curriculum includes courses in financial and managerial accounting, cost accounting, tax, audit, and governmental accounting.
Multiple technology certifications are integrated into the coursework, and students can take advantage of internship opportunities with business and industry sponsors.
6. Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus is the online campus of Pennsylvania State University, a public university in Pennsylvania. It offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting.
Students take business-focused courses in finance, business strategy, business law, marketing, and supply chain management.
Also available are an undergraduate certificate in financial planning, an MBA with an accounting concentration, a Master of Professional Accounting, and a graduate certificate in accounting.
7. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in accounting.
This program teaches core accounting skills with a solid foundation rooted in the liberal arts to help students understand operations and adapt to the changing needs of organizations.
Online students also have the option to earn an Associate of Science in accounting degree or to choose an accounting minor.
8. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, not-for-profit university based in Manchester, New Hampshire. It offers online accounting degrees.
Students can choose from a Bachelor of Science in accounting, with an optional concentration in forensic accounting and fraud examination, or a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance.
Additionally, SNHU offers an Associate of Science in accounting, a Master of Science in accounting, and certificates in accounting online.
9. University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota Crookston is a public college in Crookston, Minnesota. It offers a Bachelor of Science in accounting online.
This program provides students with the theoretical and analytical frameworks required to work effectively in public, private, or governmental accounting.
Students can take certification examinations through our campus to become a CPA, CMA, or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
10. Washington State University Global Campus
Washington State University Global Campus is the online campus of the public Washington State University. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in accounting.
Students in this program receive a strong foundation in management fundamentals, critical thinking, accounting information systems and accounting practices.
Accounting courses are offered in a seven-week format, which allows students to complete two-to-four seven-week courses during a traditional 16-week semester.
FAQs About Online Accounting Degrees
Below, you’ll find the answers to frequently asked questions about online degrees and accounting careers.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Degree in Accounting?
Most bachelor’s degrees in accounting require 120 credits and take about four years of full-time study to complete. Associate degrees and master’s degrees average two years.
How Much Does an Online Degree in Accounting Cost?
The cost of a degree can depend on many factors. On average, a bachelor’s degree costs $17,251 per year, while a graduate degree averages $19,749 per year.
Can I Become a CPA with an Online Accounting Degree?
You can become a CPA with either an on-campus or online accounting degree.
However, requirements vary between states, and some states require additional education beyond a bachelor’s degree before you can sit for the CPA exam.
Find Online Accounting Degrees
Students can find online accounting degrees through several excellent colleges and universities. Check out the programs above today to find the perfect fit for you!
