How Much Does an Online Accounting Degree Cost?
The cost of an accounting degree online will vary based on the institution as well as any grants, scholarships, or transfer credits for which you qualify. At AIU, our financial aid advisors are available to help answer questions you may have while you fill out your FAFSA and can help explain any funding opportunities you may qualify for well as what to anticipate when planning for tuition. You can also use our tuition and graduation date calculator to get an estimate of how much your total tuition may cost and how long you may need to take classes.
In addition to a number of available grants and scholarships, AIU also offers to evaluate previous college work and allows students to transfer-in up to 75% of qualifying credits toward completion of their degree requirements. Also, if you're returning to school after working in the financial or accounting fields, you may be able to receive prior learning credit for qualifying work experience. These options may help reduce the number of total credits needed in order to complete your degree, which can save you money on tuition in the long run.
How Long Does a Bachelor of Accounting Take?
The total number of credit hours you'll need to complete to earn your bachelor's of accounting degree online will depend on whether you are eligible for transfer credits, or can receive credit for qualifying military or prior work experience. At AIU, our bachelor of accounting degree requires completing 180 total credits. (If you're looking for ways to earn your accounting degree online in less time, make sure to speak with one of our advisors about maximizing your total number of qualifying transfer or prior learning credits.)
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission into our bachelor of accounting program online, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
Have a high school diploma or GED certificate
Meet our requirements for military transfer students
Show evidence of previous enrollment in a college or university with which we have an articulation agreement
If you are interested in learning more about opportunities you qualify for with AIU, apply now or request additional information from one of our advisors.
Potential Accounting Jobs and Careers
There are many different, possible jobs and career paths for those with an accounting degree. Below are some possible positions:
Auditor
In general, auditors are responsible for inspecting financial records to guard against fraud, mismanagement, or accounting errors. They must have a keen eye for detail and be able to piece together complicated series of financial transactions from various sets of records. While there are many varying types of auditing positions, there are several broad types of auditors:1, 2
Internal Auditor – Internal auditors are employed by a company to monitor financial records. In addition to identifying potential instances of fraud and ensuring that all legally required financial documents are filed and maintained accurately, internal auditors may also be responsible for designing new processes to reduce fraud and eliminate financial waste.
External Auditor – External auditors typically work for an outside agency and are brought in to audit a company's financial records. They perform many of the same duties and responsibilities as internal auditors, but often present their findings to investors, upper management, and legal or regulatory agencies.
Information Technology Auditor – IT auditors have a narrower, technical scope and focus on the finance applications and data platforms a company uses to record and manage financial transactions.
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation is available from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Those going into IT auditing can become a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) through the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).2 Pursuing a career in accounting may be beneficial as the projected growth in employment of accountants and auditors in the U.S. is 10% from 2016 through 2026.3
Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
Many public accountants go on to become CPAs once they've met the work experience and ongoing education requirements set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). While different states have different education and experience requirements, the Uniform CPA Exam administered by the AICPA is the same regardless of where you take it.
Certified public accountants may work for a larger accounting firm, start their own small business, or even go on to specialize in a particular area of the field, such as forensic accounting or tax accounting.1, 2
The Association of International CPAs (AICPA) awards CPA licenses to those who have passed the Uniform CPA Exam and have met all prior education and professional experience requirements for their state.2 Employment of accountants and auditors in the U.S. is projected to grow 10% from 2016 through 2026.3
Certified Fraud Examiner
Fraud examiners focus solely on ways to detect and prevent financial fraud. This may involve auditing processes that can help you identify mismanagement or falsified records, or it can include showing other financial and accounting professionals how to watch for red flags and warning signs of fraud. In some cases, responsibilities may even include working with law enforcement and other legal agencies.4
The CFE exam is broken into four parts, and each focuses on a specialized aspect of the fraud prevention field: fraud prevention and deterrence, financial transactions and fraud schemes, fraud investigation, law. The Association for Certified Fraud Examiners administers the CFE certification to members who have passed the CFE exam and meet all academic and professional requirements.4
Taking the First Steps Toward an Online Accounting Degree
While it may feel like a substantial undertaking, remember that you don't have to pursue your accounting degree alone. At AIU we offer:
Career Services and Support – In addition to a dedicated, passionate staff of advisors and professional instructors, our students also have access to a career support center that can help you find internship opportunities and prepare a resume and job application materials.
Alumni Association – Graduates can also take advantage of our alumni association, including a vast professional network of AIU contacts and alumni. So even after you graduate, you'll still have a supportive community of colleagues you can rely on.
Mobile Learning App – One of the advantages of pursuing your degree remotely is the extra convenience and flexibility online classes have to offer. Our AIU Mobile app allows you to access course content, lesson plans, discussion boards, and contact your instructors on your own schedule, 24 hours a day.
An accounting degree may be within your reach. Request information about AIU’s accounting programs today.