Best Online Accounting Associate Degree Programs

Based in Wesson, Mississippi, Co-Lin offers an online associate of business in accounting. Students complete 63 credits entirely online, laying the foundation for transfer to a four-year program.

Students complete accounting courses such as principles of accounting, along with business-focused courses. Notable business requirements include an introduction to international business, principles of microeconomics, the legal environment of business, and business statistics.

Applicants do not need to take the SAT or ACT to apply, but need to complete the school's placement exams for math and English. The school requires applicants to submit official high school or GED transcripts.

Co-Lin is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

A Christian university located in Marion, IWU offers an online associate of science in accounting. Students receive foundational training in accountancy along with the opportunity to explore the field through a Christian lens.

The 60-credit program includes introductory accounting courses such as accounting principles, payroll accounting and taxation, and using spreadsheets in accounting. Learners also take basic business courses like the legal environment of business and basic economics, although the main focus remains on the accounting field.

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or proof of GED completion to qualify for admission. IWU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and its business school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Based in Appleton, Wisconsin, FVTC offers an online associate of applied science in accounting. Students complete 63 credits entirely online on either a full-time or part-time schedule.

Students take 44 credits of technical studies, focusing on accounting principles and common tools. Notable courses include QuickBooks accounting, introduction to Microsoft Office Suite, beginning and intermediate spreadsheets, and advanced payroll. Business courses such as business law and business communications provide students with an introduction to working for a company.

Applicants must possess a minimum high school GPA of 2.75 or a minimum GED score of 165 to qualify for admission. The program also requires students to complete placement exams prior to enrollment. Students may submit their SAT or ACT scores instead of sitting for placement exams.

FVTC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Based in Kinston, North Carolina, LCC offers an online associate of applied science in accounting. Students complete 66 credits, taking a mix of business, finance, and ethics courses.

Students take three required subject area courses: federal income taxes, payroll accounting, and intermediate accounting. Students then complete business and accounting core coursework. Business requirements include an introduction to business and personal finance. Accounting requirements include principles of financial accounting, principles of managerial accounting, and ethics in accounting. Students must also complete a field experience with an approved employer to round out requirements.

LCC is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Located in Rice Lake, Northwood Technical College (formerly WITC) offers an online associate of accounting. Students take 60 credits and study the basics of accounting and finance.

Introductory courses include financial accounting, cost and managerial accounting, and accounting applications using Excel. Students study accounting principles such as cost and managerial accounting, payroll systems, and income tax. The school offers training in QuickBooks, Excel, and Microsoft Access, as well as business law.

Students can apply for prior learning credit through placement exams, work experience, or military service. Applicants need a high school diploma to apply for the accounting major and can use SAT or ACT scores instead of taking placement exams.

NTC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, Northeast offers an online associate of arts in accounting. Students take 60 credits covering the basics of accounting, and they can seek entry-level employment upon graduation.

Recommended core courses include principles of accounting, spreadsheet accounting, business communications, and business law. Students complete classes covering both financial principles and business to prepare for work. They also learn about the fundamentals of spreadsheet technologies and Excel spreadsheet applications.

Students need a high school diploma to apply for the program. The school prefers applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores but can schedule placement exams for students without them. Northeast is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Located in Manchester, SNHU offers an online associate of science in accounting. Graduates may transition seamlessly into an online bachelor's program at SNHU.

Students take foundational training in several aspects of finance and accounting, including managerial accounting and federal taxation. The department also works closely with the business department, offering courses like business law, business systems analysis and design, and an introduction to marketing.

The school accepts applications on a rolling basis with six start dates per year. Applicants need a high school diploma and may transfer up to 45 credits from another college or university into the program. SNHU holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education, and its business school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Located in Dobson, North Carolina, SCC offers an online associate of accounting and finance. Students learn both business and accounting fundamentals thanks to the program's close partnership with the business department.

Students take accounting courses such as principles of financial accounting, principles of managerial accounting, and cost accounting. Business core courses include business law and principles of microeconomics. Students also study basic taxation principles while developing a foundation in business communications.

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent to apply, and they need to take placement exams to get started. Students may use their SAT or ACT scores for placement purposes. SCC is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Based in Fergus Falls, M State offers an online associate of applied science in accounting. Students complete 60 credits and engage in foundational training in accounting systems and technology.

Required courses include a mixture of business and finance basics. Notable classes include managerial accounting, business law, Microsoft Dynamics GP, and QuickBooks. Students can also choose to complete an internship and pursue training in niche subjects like nonprofit accounting. Learners can also take classes in management and marketing, gaining exposure to other aspects of business.

Applicants do not need standardized test scores to apply but may need to take placement exams, depending on their high school performance. M State is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, MPTC offers an online associate of applied science with a concentration in accounting. Students complete 66 credits and cover fundamentals in both accounting and business.

Core accounting requirements include classes like payroll accounting, income tax accounting, and QuickBooks. Learners also gain vital business skills through courses such as business law and data management, analysis, and reporting. A practicum in business and an accounting capstone allow participants to demonstrate skills mastery.

Students with a minimum high school or college GPA of 3.0 do not need to submit standardized test scores or to take placement exams before starting coursework. Applicants who already possess an associate degree may also waive this requirement. MPTC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.