Best Affordable Online Accounting Degrees
Top Programs
Benefits of an Online Accounting Degree
There are several benefits to studying accounting online.
Strong Career Opportunities - A Bachelor's degree in accounting equips you with specialized expertise in finance, taxation, and business strategy, essential for guiding corporations and individuals in significant financial decisions. This skill set transcends industries, offering lucrative career opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors earned a median annual salary of $78,000 in 2022.
Save money - Cut costs by minimizing commuting expenses, room and board fees, and on-campus charges.
Flexibility: Online accounting programs offer flexibility, allowing students to balance their studies with work, family, or other commitments. This can be advantageous for individuals who need to maintain a job while pursuing their degree.
Convenience: Studying online eliminates the need to commute to campus, saving time and money on transportation costs. Additionally, online programs often offer asynchronous learning, allowing students to access course materials and complete assignments at their own pace.
Accreditation: It's essential to ensure that the online accounting program you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting body. Accreditation ensures that the program meets high standards of quality and rigor, making your degree more valuable to employers.
Self-Motivation: Online learning requires self-discipline and motivation to stay on track with coursework and deadlines. Students who thrive in independent learning environments may excel in online accounting programs.
How Much Will an Online Accounting Degree Cost?
As per NCES data, full-time students at four-year public institutions paid an average annual tuition of $14,700, while those attending private schools faced a higher cost of $28,400. Nonetheless, actual expenses can significantly differ among schools due to various factors, with approximately half of the surveyed colleges and universities charging below the average.
The total cost of an online accounting degree will depend on the specific program and individual circumstances. It's essential for prospective students to carefully research the total cost of attendance for each program they are considering and to explore financial aid options to help offset the cost of tuition and fees.
What Are the Online Accounting Courses I Will Take?
The specific online accounting courses you will take depend on the program and level of your accounting degree. However, common courses typically include:
Financial Accounting: Covers fundamental principles and concepts of financial accounting, including the preparation and analysis of financial statements such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
Managerial Accounting: Focuses on internal reporting and decision-making, including cost behavior, budgeting, variance analysis, performance measurement, and strategic planning.
Auditing: Explores auditing standards, procedures, and techniques used to assess the reliability and integrity of financial information. Topics may include risk assessment, internal controls, audit evidence, and reporting standards.
Taxation: Examines federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations affecting individuals and businesses. Topics may include income taxation, deductions, credits, tax planning strategies, and tax compliance.
Accounting Information Systems: Introduces concepts and principles of accounting information systems (AIS), including database management, internal controls, system design, implementation, and cybersecurity.
Intermediate Accounting: Builds on the principles learned in financial accounting, covering more advanced topics such as revenue recognition, inventory valuation, long-term assets, liabilities, and equity.
Cost Accounting: Focuses on the measurement, analysis, and control of costs to support managerial decision-making. Topics may include job costing, process costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, and activity-based costing.
Business Law and Ethics: Addresses legal and ethical issues relevant to accounting professionals, including contracts, business organizations, corporate governance, professional standards, and ethical decision-making.
Advanced Accounting: Explores complex accounting topics such as consolidations, partnerships, multinational operations, governmental accounting, and nonprofit accounting.
Capstone or Internship: Culminates the program with a capstone project, thesis, or internship experience that allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.
