Which Are the Best Accounting Schools Online with Accredited Degree Programs

by Alex Morgan · April 4, 2023

Looking for an accredited online accounting program? Let’s help you find the best one.

Online accounting certificates can make life easier for those working full-time and wanting to continue their studies. While there are plenty of options, a lot of people still struggle to find the right option for them.

According to U.S. News, an online accounting degree costs around $40,000. However, this doesn’t tell half the story because an online degree saves the student from heaps of other hassles, such as travel, strict class timings, etc.

Today, we’re exploring the best accounting schools online that offer accredited degree programs. Besides that, we’ll also explore their benefits and the process of becoming an online accountant. So, let’s get started.

What is an Accredited Degree Program?

An accredited degree is a bachelor’s or major program that is recognized on the national level. This recognition is granted by local educational authorities, which accredit the online degree according to standards set by the education commission/bureau.

In the U.S.A, this accreditation is granted by the U.S. Department of Education, which provides the accredited status through local/federal agencies overseeing specific education areas. Nowadays, the standard of accreditation depends on a few things, such as:

- Prerequisites, which include a high-school diploma or the equivalent of 13 years of education;

- Degree field in a recognizable industry, i.e., accounting;

- Certification/graduation programs, which include undergraduate, graduate, and certification programs;

- And the possibility of a career resulting from the degree.

However, accreditation programs work differently, too. There are programs that have special significance, and they may or may not be recognized in some states. That’s why you need to know whether the program is regionally accredited or nationally.

And there are three main accreditation categories, which are:

- Regionally accredited;

- Nationally accredited;

- And specialized/program-based accreditation.

Therefore, it is imperative that you find out if the program you are enrolling in is accredited—as it can determine whether or not you’ll score a job later or not. For instance, if you are getting a regionally-recognized and accredited accounting degree online, then you might not find many jobs out of state.

So, the idea is to find a nationally accredited degree program through the best online schools for accounting certificates.

Is it Important to Get into an Online Accounting School Near Me?

The short answer to this is no, it’s not important. However, some students prefer to apply for accounting schools that offer both online and on campus options. The need to have this flexibility is because sometimes you need a classroom environment or refer to experts who are in the field in your state. Attending accounting schools in your state, not only allows you to learn the policies, laws and mandates for practicing accounting there but also lets you be updated about local market and demand for accountants. In this context, it is useful to find and attend an online accounting school in your state.

Top 10 Online Accounting Schools Across Various States

Now let’s talk about some of the best accounting schools in the U.S.A. today. We’ll talk about associate accounting degrees online and the best online schools for accounting masters or bachelor. So, let’s begin.

1. Northeastern University – Boston, MA

Northeastern University in Boston is one of the best options for Massachusetts residents, as it’s considered one of the top accredited universities in the Bay State. It has many great online programs, and the one for accounting is called:

Online BS in Finance and Accounting Management

This online B.S. in accounting is perhaps the best option for all of the United States, but ideal for residents near or around Boston. This degree is ideal because its curriculum includes Mathematics, Principle Accounting, Economics, Management Finance, etc. Therefore, it’s a complete package and one of the best options for those who are hopeful for C.P.A. certification.

2. Pennsylvania State University – Global Campus – University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State, or Penn State’s Global Campus, is one of the best online schools for accounting certificates. It sits in the heart of University Park, Pennsylvania, and the program you are looking for is called:

- Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting covers all the essential areas of finance and accounting. It’s apparent in this curriculum, which includes courses such as Federal Taxation I, II, and II. As well as Auditing, Intermediate Financial Accounting, Business Strategy, and Basic Management concepts. Therefore, it’s an ideal option for all students across the U.S. but particularly ideal for P.A. populaces.

3. Brescia University – Owensboro, KY

Brescia University is home to some of the most lucrative online accredited programs. It has many great options, and what makes it one of the best online schools for accounting bachelor is its B.S. program, which is called:

- Bachelor of Science in Accounting Online Program

It’s a complete and all-around degree that covers all the necessary areas of accounting through an intriguing curriculum. It includes courses such as Intermediate Accounting I and II, as well as Principles of Accounting, Independent Study, Advanced Accounting, Auditing, Federal Entity & Individual Taxation, etc. Therefore, it’s an ideal option for Kentucky natives or those who are nearby.

4. Elizabethtown College – Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown College sits in pretty Elizabethtown, PA. This college is known to offer a majority of its programs in online forms, and one of them is its accounting degree.

- Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

The online Bachelor’s in Accounting is a 125-credit degree, another great option if you want to become a C.P.A. This bachelor’s degree curriculum is filled with amazing courses: Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting I and II, Accounting Information Systems, Quantitative Techniques for Business, Business Ethics, Finance, and Law. Therefore, it’s a complete package and will cost you around $565 per credit.

5. Florida Atlantic University – Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University is one of the premier universities in the Sunshine State. Much like other options on this list, it has a list of great online curriculums, and one of them is the online accounting program, which is:

- Online B.B.A. (OBBA) – Accounting

The OBBA stands for Online B.B.A., which is a totally-online four-year program. It has many great courses, including Intermediate Accounting Theory, Cost Accounting, Accounting Application of Data Analytics, and Accounting Information Systems. These courses make this curriculum one of the best to pursue in Florida and all over the U.S. However, any out-of-state student will have to pay accordingly.

6. Regis University–Denver, CO

Regis University is a Jesuit Institution in Denver, Colorado, and it offers an amazing array of online courses. One of those courses is their accounting online school program, which is also considered the cheapest accredited online accounting degree. It’s called:

- Online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

This program is faster-paced than other programs, as it’s an accelerated bachelor’s. This means flexible classes and finishing the degree much quicker than other universities. The program features great courses, which include Principles or Accounting I and II, and it also features Cost Accounting, Intermediate Accounting I, II, and II, as well as Business Law, Finance, and Advanced Auditing.

7. Florida Tech Online – Florida

Florida Tech Online is another great option for people looking for an accredited online university in the Sunshine State. This is a 100% online university, and that’s why it stands out among other options. The accounting program offered here is:

- B.A. In Accounting

The Bachelor of Arts in Accounting is a remarkable course and ideal for those who are looking to become textbook accountants. In other words, this is a traditional accounting bachelor with all the modern perks.

This is apparent from the course’s curriculum, which includes Business Computer Skills, Master eLearning, Global Business Perspectives, Intermediate Accounting 1 and 2, Principles of Accounting 1 and 2, as well as Auditing, Cost Accounting, and Individual/Entity Federal Income Taxes.

8. Arizona State University Online (A.S.U. Online) – Tempe, Arizona

A.S.U. is one of the largest universities in terms of enrolled students, and part of that is thanks to its extensive online program. This online business program has all the key bachelor’s and master’s offered by the university, including its online accredited accountancy program in Arizona. It’s called:

- Online Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

This BS in Accountancy is an incredible program, as it encompasses all of the key essentials of accounting in modern-day organizations. It comprises a remarkable curriculum, including Macroeconomics Principles, Internal and External Reporting, Mathematics for Business Analysis, Brief Calculus, etc.

These courses make it an ideal program to help someone become a C.P.A., forensic accountant, analyst, and so on. And that’s why it’s the best option for Arizona residents.

9. Troy Online – Troy, Alabama

Troy University is one of the leading universities in Alabama, and Troy Online is their online degree program. Under this program, they offer various degrees in each industry, and perhaps the best one is for accountant hopefuls. It’s called:

- Business Accounting and Finance – Global Business

This accounting program is ideal because of its unique courses. The curriculum features all the key courses to help one become a C.P.A. It includes Managerial/Cost Accounting I and II, Financial Reporting and Analysis, as well as Business Programming, Business Data Mining I, and II, etc.

10. The University of Memphis – Memphis, TN

The University of Memphis is a remarkable institution that offers many great programs. For the past few years, it has dived into the online degree trends and offers some of the most incredible programs, including its accredited online accountancy degree in Memphis, Tennessee:

- Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Accounting

This degree is ideal for anyone looking to become a certified accountant with the help of an accredited degree from a renowned college. The curriculum is well-planned, and it features Career Development for Accountants, Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting, Federal Income Tax, and Accounting Systems.

Why Become an Accountant? Employment Rate, Average Salary, and Other Factors

Becoming an accountant isn’t a process; it’s a journey. Moreover, it’s a journey that requires you to change constantly and become aware and adapt to new norms in the field of accounting. While some principles never change, you should be accustomed to shifting trends.

Therefore, you need to make sure you focus on all the essentials of becoming an accounting. So, what does it entail? Here are three main phases of becoming an accountant:

- Finding which school is best for accounting and enrolling in that school;

- Get an online accounting certificate, bachelors or master’s degree;

- Lastly, preparing and passing the C.P.A. examination.

Therefore, it’s imperative that you find the right school for yourself. And, since many people work full-time, it’s important that they find an accredited associate accounting degree online. This includes teenagers, post-high-school students, or people who just wish to take up studies again.

But where does the love for accounting stem from? Who are the people who wish to become an accountant among all professions? That’s where the average salary, employment rate, and a few other key factors come into play. These factors include:

- Accountants are always required in abundance

- Every company in any industry requires at least one accountant

- Job opportunities around the globe

- Just need to be good with basic mathematics

- Educational opportunities everywhere

- High likelihood or promotions and raises

- And easy to advance in career generally.

The abundance of job opportunities is where a lot of people decide to pursue this career, as it has a steady employment rate across the world—particularly in the United States. According to B.L.S. experts, accountants’ growth rate is around 6% until 2031.

Whereas U.S. News and World Report estimate around 82,000 new jobs by the year 2031. These tell us that there’ll be plenty of opportunities for accountants in the coming years. And, considering that there are around 1.32 million active accountants in the United States as of now, the number will be well pass 1.4 million by the time 2031 comes around.

Besides that, there are around 88 active accounting services in the United States. This includes accounting firms and experts, forensic accountants, analysts, etc. But is it a safe bet to make? IBISWorld claims the accounting services industry has a 0.1% decline rate in the United States—the lowest of any major industry. This indicates the potential longevity of a career in accounting.

So, how much can you expect to earn? According to B.L.S., here’s the average pay for accountants in various industries:

- Finance And Insurance – $79,000

- Management (Companies and Enterprises) – $78,000

- Government Sector (Federal and Regional) – $77,000

- Misc. Accounting Services – $77,000

While these averages may vary from state to state, one can assume they’ll be on the safer side in terms of gross pay in a year.

Conclusion

Getting an accredited online accounting degree is only one step toward becoming an accountant. Albeit it’s only one step, it’s the biggest and most important one you’ll take. Therefore, it’s important that you focus on taking up the right degree option for you among the 10 across various states in the United States. If these states are not your preference, you might consider online accounting schools in Texas. Therefore, pick a well-accredited university from these options—preferably the one nearest to you or online.

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