ou've decided you want to pursue a bachelor of accounting degree but are currently working full time. How do you find the time to go back to school without giving up your current salary and benefits? Pursuing an accounting degree online can be a practicable way to move toward your professional goals while also balancing a full-time job and family responsibilities.
While online degrees can provide an extra level of flexibility and convenience, you may not be as familiar with what to expect and what you should look for when choosing an online program.
What to Look for in Online Accounting Degree Programs
If you're pursuing an online bachelor's degree in accounting while you're working full time, it's especially important that the time you devote to coursework also has the potential to move you forward in your career.
Would I benefit from an accelerated accounting degree online?
If you're interested in completing your accounting degree online in less time, you may benefit from looking into accelerated degree programs. Online degree programs may use adaptive learning platforms that are designed to cater course materials and lesson plans to each student's specific needs and knowledge level. Coupled with the opportunity to receive credit for qualifying work experience, adaptive learning technology may help you fulfill your degree requirements a bit faster, so you're not spending valuable time on skills and material you already know.
For those who already have a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, a one-year or accelerated MBA in accounting program may be suitable if you are looking to pursue an advanced degree in a short period of time.
Is this an accredited degree program?
Once you've decided to go back to school, it is important to make sure you're looking into accredited online accounting degree programs. Accreditation indicates that an independent accrediting agency has determined that a program's instruction or curriculum meets academic quality standards required by the field. For example, the business programs at AIU are Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredited. Some employers and professional organizations require that job candidates earn their degree from an accredited degree program. This may be especially important for accountants who plan to take the CPA exam eventually.
Does the program offer a career-focused curriculum?
While a degree program's accreditation may help you make a decision on which school to attend, it's also important to take some time to make sure the courses and curriculum offered translate to real-world skills and experience. Consider whether the program's faculty are industry professionals and if their course offerings reflect the most recent and up-to-date industry developments.
Online Accounting Courses
The courses in online accounting programs are typically divided into general education credits as well as upper and lower-level core classes. General education classes should include non-accounting subjects designed to help develop soft skills like communication and critical thinking and are designed to provide a more well-rounded education. However, they might also include relevant classes like microeconomics and macroeconomics, as well as courses covering some fundamental math skills that core classes will build on later.
Core Accounting Classes
While general education credits may help develop some basic workplace skills, core online accounting classes should be designed to help you prepare for the professional demands and requirements of the field. Depending on the level of a course and where it lies in the degree sequence, a class may introduce and expand your knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), or it may focus on practices specific to one type or area of accounting (like auditing or tax accounting). Early core classes will also likely focus on relevant areas of business law and ethics, and those going into a field like actuarial accounting may need to take one or more statistics-related courses.
The core courses encountered later in the program sequence are designed to introduce more specific types of accounting practices, such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, or cost accounting. Core courses may vary depending on the specialization or area of focus. For example, a course on accounting information systems may cover the different types of commonly used software different industries use to organize and access financial data. Many upper-level core classes may also help you prepare for the CPA exam should you decide to go into certified public accounting.
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.