Best Online Accounting Degree Programs

Accountants manage corporate taxes, oversee finance departments, and serve as financial sleuths for federal investigative agencies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors earned a median annual wage of $77,250 in May 2021. Besides typical accounting, you can use the same skills to serve as a cost estimator, budget analyst, or auditor.

An accounting degree can lead to stable, lucrative careers in respected industries. Universities offer online accounting degrees at the two-year, four-year, graduate, and doctoral levels. At the undergraduate level, accounting majors learn the skills, techniques, and tools required to manage financial information. Graduate students may specialize in a subfield of accounting or do groundbreaking research in the field.

One of the most useful degrees is the MBA in accounting, which blends traditional business education with accounting-specific knowledge and skills. Use this guide to learn more about this degree and other online accounting programs.

Best Accredited Online Bachelor's in Accounting Programs 2023

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

These rankings were compiled by our BestColleges Ranking Team and include sponsored results from our partners. We use publicly available provisional datasets from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to inform the data for these schools. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.

What Can I Expect From an Online Accounting Degree?

Online bachelor's in accounting programs often appeal to students with strong math and analytical skills. However, the field requires communication and organizational skills as well. An online bachelor's degree typically requires learners to complete 120 credits over four years.

Some online accounting programs deliver coursework asynchronously, which allows learners to study during the hours that suit them best. Online students may still need to complete practical components, such as practica or internships. Distance learners can often meet these requirements at approved sites in their communities.

Undergraduate accounting programs usually award bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees. Humanities-focused BA degrees may lead to more interdisciplinary careers, whereas BS degrees focus more on business and accounting management. Some BS programs offer additional credits that can contribute to the requirements needed to become a certified public accountant (CPA).

While degree type may influence their eventual career paths, students can often choose concentrations in areas like management and financial, forensic, and tax accounting. Concentrations can lead to specific employment opportunities and certifications after graduation.

What Are the Online Accounting Courses I Will Take?

What Are Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor's in Accounting Program?

Admission requirements vary by school and program, but prospective students can still get a general idea of what to expect. For example, many schools require students to possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and a strong GPA. The following section details some other common requirements.

Application

The typical undergraduate application requires prospective students to include their personal information and pay a processing fee. Applicants can submit their applications individually through a school website or apply to multiple schools through The Common Application, typically known as the Common App.

Test Scores

Students' college entrance exam scores can indicate their preparedness for higher education. While many schools have suspended test score requirements because of COVID-19, prospective accounting students may still need to submit ACT or SAT scores. When required, strong scores usually lead to higher acceptance rates.

Letters of Recommendation

Most colleges require up to three letters of recommendation from former teachers or employers who can speak to the applicant's program readiness. These letters allow schools to gain professional insight into the student's past experiences and qualifications.

Essays

College application essays give prospective students room to discuss their personal journeys and reasons for applying to a program. Most applications request personal essays, which give the applicant freedom to write on any topic. However, some accounting programs may ask specific questions about the field.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts highlight the applicant's prior studies. Transcripts may help schools identify a student's readiness, prerequisites, and outstanding courses. Transcripts can also lead to transfer credit.

What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor's in Accounting Degree?

Career Outlook

Graduates with bachelor's degrees in accounting can look forward to a promising job outlook. The BLS projects 6% growth for accountants and auditors between 2021 and 2031, roughly on par with the rate for all occupations.

Like many of the most popular college majors, accounting offers great career flexibility. In addition to accounting positions, graduates can pursue various business and finance careers. Possible industries include business management and government.

Financially, accounting graduates often perform well. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for accountants and auditors was $77,250 in May 2021. The highest 10% of earners in the field made more than $128,970.

See where a bachelor's degree in accounting can take you. Learn more about accounting careers.

Career Paths

Financial Manager

Financial managers supervise the financial activities of an organization, looking for ways to improve financial health and meet goals. They may manage budgeting, planning, and legal requirements. They also use financial information to make decisions, manage risk, and seek future opportunities.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $131,710

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts work with organizations to develop and review budgets. They may help consolidate, check for compliance issues, optimize spending, and analyze proposals. They also break down funding requests, provide budget forecasts, and offer alternatives or adjustments.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $79,940

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts help people and organizations improve their financial decisions. They may look at investment opportunities, study spending habits, review performance indicators, or evaluate financial statements to gather information. They then present reports and plans for the future, along with risk assessments and financial strategies.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $95,570

Cost Estimator

These professionals specialize in estimating the costs of projects, including labor, materials, and time. They often work in specific industries and collaborate with engineers and manufacturing managers to create the most accurate estimates.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $65,170

Tax Examiners and Collectors

Tax examiners review tax returns and perform audits to determine the amount of taxes owed by individuals and organizations. They ensure tax returns follow the law and regulations, investigating any issues they identify.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $56,780

Continuing Education

Many graduates with online bachelor's degrees in accounting continue their education for various reasons. Some wish to pursue CPA certification, which requires more credits than the typical bachelor's degree provides. These learners may look at online graduate certificates to complete requirements.

Others may choose to pursue a graduate degree, such as an online master's in forensic accounting or even an online doctoral degree in accounting. Accounting graduates might also move into a business-related program to pursue an online MBA or business certificate.

Common Questions About Bachelor's in Accounting Programs

How hard is a bachelor of accounting program?

An accounting major requires several upper-level math courses, which some students may find difficult. However, if you have met the admissions requirements, you know how to manage your time, and you employ your best study skills, you can succeed in this major.

Is an accounting major harder than a finance major?

The difficulty of each major varies based on personal preferences and strengths. Both accounting and finance require a solid foundation in mathematics and analytical thinking. Accounting, however, may be perceived as more rule-based and technical, while finance can involve a deeper understanding of economic concepts and a broader view of financial markets.

Is a bachelor's degree in accounting enough?

A bachelor's degree in accounting can help you land a job as an accountant, auditor, analyst, or estimator. You may, however, need a master's degree to become a certified public accountant (CPA).

Which major pays more: accounting or finance?

According to Payscale, a bachelor's degree in accounting brings in an average of $82,000 per year while those with a bachelor's in finance earn an average of $72,000 annually.

How We Rank Schools

Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of online programs to produce our annual Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 243 schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.

• Each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution.
• Must offer an online bachelor's degree program in the given subject.
• Must submit an annual report to the National Center for Education Statistics.

To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best online schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors (50%), affordability (25%), and the availability and popularity of online programs (25%).

The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.

BestColleges' Ranking Factors