Whether you’re looking to advance your career or switch to a new one in accounting and finance, accounting degrees online can provide the skills and credibility needed to reach your goals. This guide explores accredited accounting degree programs online, from associate to master’s levels. So, read on to find the program that matches your ambitions and fits your schedule.
Key Features of Top Online Accounting Programs
Here are the key features of top online accounting programs:
- Accreditation by recognized bodies: An online accounting program must be accredited by a reputed accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education. This ensures the quality, affordability, and transferability of the program. Some top accreditors in the US are AACSB and ACCSC.
- Comprehensive curriculum: Leading programs offer a robust curriculum covering major accounting topics like financial, managerial, auditing, and taxation. Students learn accounting principles, methods, and standards and how to apply them in practical scenarios. The curriculum is updated regularly to keep up with the latest trends.
- Expert faculty: Online accounting degree programs hire faculty with extensive subject knowledge and years of experience in accounting roles. This helps them provide practical insights and skill-based learning. Faculty also have advanced accounting degrees online to ensure a high standard of teaching.
- Student support: Online accounting students get support through multiple channels like online portals, email/chat helplines, and toll-free numbers. Tutoring, mentoring, career guidance, and other services are available to help students overcome challenges and complete their degrees. Moreover, an accounting science degree prepares students for data-focused roles in the field of accounting through teaching courses that blend accounting principles with data analytics skills.
- Networking opportunities: Top schools organize virtual networking events, conferences, and internship/job fairs. Students can connect with recruiters and working professionals, learn about workplace demands, and expand their professional network from the start. This boosts career prospects after graduation.
Online Accounting Degree Programs
- Financial accounting – This program teaches you how to prepare and analyze financial statements for companies. You learn about assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses and how to produce balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. These skills help companies report on their financial health.
- Tax preparation – In this program, you learn how to prepare tax returns for individuals and businesses. It covers tax laws, deductions, tax credits, and legally minimizing tax liability. These skills are helpful if you want to become a tax accountant or work for a tax preparation company.
- Auditing – This accounting program focuses on auditing financial statements and processes to check for accuracy and compliance with laws and standards. You evaluate a company’s internal controls, risk, data, and statements. It develops skills to become an auditor for accounting firms or government agencies.
- Management accounting – Unlike financial accounting, management accounting produces financial data used internally by managers to inform business decisions. You learn budgeting, costing, pricing analysis, metrics, and forecasting methods to help management operate efficiently.
- Bookkeeping – This is an introductory accounting program where you learn how to produce and maintain accurate financial records and transactions for a business. It develops core money tracking skills like double-entry accounting, invoicing, payroll, payments, and daily financial updates, which are useful for bookkeeping roles.
- Financial Analysis – You advise organizations on financial decisions and strategy by interpreting and evaluating financial data in this program. You model scenarios, valuations, metrics, ratios, risk, investment performance and opportunities. These analytical skills suit financial analyst and advisor roles.
- Forensic accounting – Using accounting and investigative skills, this program trains you to detect and prevent financial fraud and white-collar crimes. You learn how to gather and analyze financial records and communicate findings in legal proceedings, which is useful if you want to become a forensic accountant.
The Bottom Line
Accounting degrees online offer a flexible and affordable path to gain accounting skills. Top programs provide accredited curriculum, expert faculty, student support, networking opportunities, and skills tailored to various accounting career paths like financial, tax, auditing, and more.
FAQs
1. Which bodies accredit the best online accounting programs?
AACSB and ACCSC are top accrediting agencies for online accounting programs.
2. What accounting skills can I learn online?
Key accounting skills taught online include financial reporting, taxation, auditing, budgeting, costing, financial analysis, and fraud investigation.
3. How do online programs help with networking and jobs?
Leading schools organize virtual career fairs, conferences, and recruiter meetings to aid in networking and job prospects.
4. What level of accounting degrees can I do online?
You can do associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate accounting programs online.
5. What is the learning experience like?
The program provides an engaging blend of lectures, practical lessons, and student-instructor interactions. Students can attend live-streamed sessions with experts and network with industry professionals.
