Accountants are always in demand. Accountants working in virtually every industry create financial records, submit taxes, and review budgets for organizations, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. For affordability reasons, you may want to subscribe to the most affordable Online Accounting Degree.
Affordability is a key factor that many students consider when choosing an online bachelor’s degree in accounting. The students simply do not want to get into debt and have to pay for years of expensive student loans.
In this letter, we will provide you with useful information about the cheapest online financial statement and provide you with the skills needed to earn your online accountancy degree.
Table of contents
Can you do a degree in accounting online?
When you earn a degree in accounting online, students can acquire the necessary qualifications and skills to start a career on their own schedule.
This list gives you the opportunity to learn more about affordable online accounting schools. The schools are classified according to the return on investment for the student and are all accredited regionally or nationally.
As distance learning becomes more popular, prospective students can choose from a variety of inexpensive online accounting programs.
How much does an accountant earn with an online degree?
Obtaining an online degree in accounting is a great way to enter the profession and find a lucrative job. After completing a bachelor’s degree in accounting, many graduates make careers as accountants, budget analysts, and personal financial advisors.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for an accountant in 2015 was $67,190, with higher wages reaching hundreds of thousands. That makes it a pretty dependable way to earn a living.
According to PayScale, accountants earn above-average salaries, and newcomers earn more than $50,000 annually. Salaries increase with work experience and education levels, and accountants with ten years’ experience earn around $70,000 a year.
What drives this salary even further is that you can earn your accounting records in the cheapest, most convenient way, and get your degree online. The online acquisition of a degree in accounting can help increase your earnings potential.
However, many factors can influence the salaries of graduates, including work experience, the industry in which they work, and their graduation level.
How do I earn a degree in accounting online?
You can start with the acquisition of a diploma or certificate in accounting. Many people enter accounting as payroll accountants. Those who enjoy working often earn an online associate’s degree (two years) in accounting.
Is an online accounting degree respected?
The fact is that thousands of people have earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting online. A few decades ago, it was rare to get an online degree. However, applicants who have graduated from a well-known and accredited online college are given more respect.
What Can I Do With Online Degree In Accounting?
Many graduates have a career in accounting, accounting, and budget analysis. An online accounting degree also provides valuable training for those who want to become personal financial advisers or financial analysts.
These positions usually require a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field. After completing an online accounting program, some graduates acquire a master’s degree in accounting and become Certified Public Accountants or acquire certified fraud examiners or certified management accountants.
The best bachelor’s degree programs in accounting provide the knowledge and skills required to shine in roles such as the following.
Accountants:
Accountants create financial records for private companies, government agencies, and individuals. They also create accounting systems and analyze financial information. People applying for entry-level accounting are generally required to have a bachelor’s degree.
Auditors:
By auditing financial reports, auditors increase the company’s efficiency, identify problems, and ensure that companies and organizations pay their taxes. Internal auditors review financial transactions within a particular company, while external auditors review other companies. Most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Budget Analyst:
Budget analysts create budget reports, review expenses and organize finances for public and private organizations. They also project financial needs, ensure compliance, and recommend budget plans. Most budget analysts have a bachelor’s degree and work for government agencies, private companies, and nonprofit organizations.
Personal Financial Advisor:
Personal financial advisors help individuals plan their investments, savings, and taxes. They help clients achieve financial goals, help them plan their retirement or save for college, and research financial investments. Most personal financial advisors are self-employed and have a bachelor’s degree.
Financial analyst:
Financial analysts advise companies and individuals on the investment. They analyze the performance of stocks and bonds, project investment changes and manage investment portfolios.
Depending on their position, financial analysts can work for a single company or for many individuals. Most financial analysts work full-time and have at least a bachelor’s degree.
How Much Does An Online Account Degree Cost?
The cheapest online accounting degrees offer lower tuition, many claim less than $10,000 a year. Prospective students must consider the cost of technology in addition to tuition, which can increase overall costs.
Fortunately, there are several ways to keep education costs as low as possible. For example, if you choose a state university, you usually pay lower tuition. Many colleges and universities also offer discounts for distance students.
In addition, online students save on travel and parking costs and often find it easier to work while studying.
Transfer students with previously acquired college credits can further reduce costs by using their transfer credits to meet general education requirements. When researching online accounting programs, it is important to study the guidelines for referral loans from each institution or request a review of the transcripts.
Applicants looking for low-cost online accounting courses should also look for opportunities for financial support, such as Federal grants, scholarships from private organizations and working arrangements.
Financial support can help prospective students afford one of the best online financial institutions.
Take a look at our list of the most affordable online accounting degrees. If you’re looking for other affordable courses, check out our ranking of the most affordable online schools. These schools have been rated with their respective tuition fees and accreditation agency which include Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS), CC Accounting Company (CC), WASC Senior College and University Commission ( WASC), Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City (SCUC Accounting firm), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE Defense Finance And Accounting firm), North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS), The Home Loan Company (THLC) and North Carolina Central University (NCCU student accounting department)
Fort Hays State University
Tuition Fee per Credit: $207.24
Accreditation: NCACS/THLC
Fort Hays State University is a medium-sized state university managed by the Kansas Board of Regents. Fort Hays has a growing reputation for offering remarkably affordable online degrees.
They do not disappoint with their 124-credit hours’ online bachelor’s degree in business administration-accounting, the most affordable bachelor’s degree in accounting that College Choice could find.
After completing their studies, students are ready to meet all requirements for entry-level positions in government, finance, auditing, cost accounting, and tax accounting.
While the Bachelor’s degree in accounting at the FHSU means you are well on your way to meeting the CPA exam and licensing course and credit requirements, students should adhere to the specific requirements of their state to ensure that the Fort Hays program is suitable for you.
Accreditation: NCACS / THLC
Belhaven University is a small Presbyterian Humanities College in Jackson, Mississippi. It offers an online Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with 124 credits, which is designed to prepare students for careers in the areas of public administration, taxation, public administration, corporate governance, and charitable accounting.
Belhaven was regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Since Belhaven is a Christian liberal arts college, its core curriculum includes courses in the Old and New Testament as well as courses such as The Christian Interpretation of Life.
This makes Belhaven an attractive option for those who want to prepare for their job as an accountant while maintaining their Christian faith.
The Belhaven program covers all courses required to enter the Mississippi state CPA exam. However, licensing may require additional credits.
Baker College
Tuition Fee per Credit: $240.00
Accreditation: SACS / CC
Baker College is a private, nonprofit Career College in Flint, Michigan. Among her numerous online offerings is an online Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting with 183 credit points.
The degree should prepare students for careers in public, business administration, and government accounting. Baker’s Lifetime Employment Services program helps all Baker students find employment after completing their studies.
Students who graduate from Baker can then qualify for exams as a Chartered Accountant in the State of Michigan. Recent licensing requirements in this state, however, require applicants to complete 225 credit hours to be licensed.
While completing the exam may be sufficient, it may be necessary to officially license additional study credits as a CPA. Baker was regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Western Governors University
Tuition Fee per credit card: $241.00
Accreditation: NCCU
The WGU was established in 1997 at the behest of the Western Governors Association to reach those who do not need traditional educational resources. It is a private, nonprofit online university with an online student population of approximately 70,000 people. They offer a 121 credit Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.
The WGU has two six-month semesters in which students have to enroll in 12-13 competency units (roughly equivalent to semester units). Instead of the traditional exams, the courses are taken by students who demonstrate the ability to master certain essential skills and build a personal portfolio.
Courses include spreadsheets, quantitative analysis for companies, business accounting, and accounting information systems. The Western Governors University has been accredited regionally by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Western International University
Tuition Fee per Credit: $250.00
Accreditation: WASC/SCUC
Western International University is a private, nonprofit online university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. It belongs to the Apollo Education Group, a company that also owns and operates the University of Phoenix.
Western International, or West, offers a Bachelor of Science degree in 120 credits, whose curriculum meets the recommendations of the National Association of State Boards of Accounting.
Unlike other universities that work by semester or quarter, West offers rolling undergraduate students the opportunity to register for courses at the beginning of each month.
This scheme allows students to complete their bachelor’s degree in about 3.5 years, rather than the usual four years. The Western International University has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Central Methodist University
Tuition Fee per Credit: $250.00
Accreditation: MSCHE
Central Methodist University is a small liberal arts college in Fayette, Missouri. They have an online Bachelor of Accountancy degree of 124 points, designed for applications in a variety of fields including healthcare, law, actuarial, communications, and even fine arts.
Although the degree does not have the required 150 credits to pass the CPA exam, it can help students earn their CPA.
Beyond the CPA exams, courses on topics such as fraud screening and exams help students prepare for admission as Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE). Other courses in Management and Operations Management can help you become a Certified Managerial Accountant.
Finally, extensive financial education can prepare students for work in financial planning and actuarial science. The Central Methodist University was regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Bemidji State University
Tuition Fee per Credit: $257.35
Accreditation: NCACS / THLC
Bemidji State University is a small public university in Bemidji, Minnesota. Her bachelor’s degree in accounting requires only 71 credits and is aimed at students who have either earned an associate’s degree in accounting or (for residents of Minnesota) have completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).
For those who have completed the required courses in other ways, admission to the program must be reviewed by the department. Students can graduate in just two years or, for a busy professional, graduate in only one class per semester.
For the two-year graduation option, students must register for 12 credit hours in the spring and fall semesters and one or two classes in the summer semester.
The completion of the study requires a senior seminar and courses on subjects as diverse as marketing, business law, auditing, and strategic management. Bemidji State was regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University Of Northwest Ohio
Tuition Fee per Credit: $270.00
Accreditation: NCACS / THLC
The University of Northwestern Ohio is a small, private, nonprofit school in Lima, Ohio. They offer three different bachelor-level online accounting degrees. The first is the five-year Bachelor of Science in Accounting (CPA Track) with 225 credit hours.
As the name implies, this degree is designed to meet Ohio’s CPA exam requirements, which means that the credit burden is higher than a typical bachelor’s degree.
The second offer is the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting of the UNO. As mentioned in the introduction, forensic accountants specialize in detecting and prosecuting financial crimes.
This 180 credit degree prepares students for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Exam. Her last degree program is the Bachelor of Science in Accounting, which prepares students for accounting careers but does not qualify for the CPA exam.
The University of Northwestern Ohio has been regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
American Public University System
Tuition Fee per Credit: $270.00
Accreditation: NCCU
The American Public University System, which includes two separate schools (American Public University and American Military University), is a private, for-profit, online university system headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia.
The Company, which owns APUS, is a publicly-traded company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. All APUS programs have been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The American Public University System prepares all syllabi involving industry experts to ensure that the course content provides the most sought-after skills and knowledge.
In addition, APUS ‘BS in Accounting has met the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for Specialized Accounting Accreditation. Students in the states of Florida and Texas should be aware that the course content in the APUS undergraduate degree in accounting is insufficient to attend CPA exams in these states.
Athens State University
Tuition Fee per Credit: $274.00
Accreditation: NCCU
Athens State University is a small public university in Athens, Alabama. There are two different bachelor’s degrees in accounting: one with and one without a minor.
The Degree + Minor option is best for those who wish to complete their economics or management accountancy studies but do not want to take the CPA exam because the degree does not have the required credits for the examinations,
For example, those who seek a Master’s degree in Human Resources greatly benefit from the Bachelor of Accounting with a minor in Human Resources Management, as a background in Accounting greatly facilitates entry into leadership positions in Human Resources.
The Bachelor of Science of the State of Athens in Accounting without minor is better suited for those who want to become CPAs. In order to participate in the CPA exams in the state of Alabama, students must have earned 150 credits in academic achievement.
Since only 124 credits are required for this degree, students in Alabama must either have a master’s degree or move on to complete additional coursework.
The Athens State University was regionally accredited by the Commission for Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Most Affordable Online Accounting degree | FAQS
As a rule, a bachelor’s degree requires four years of full-time study. Students with transfer credits or those who choose an accelerated program may be able to graduate in less time.
Yes; online accounting degrees from accredited institutions meet the same academic and professional standards as on-campus programs. In most cases, online students receive the same degree as students who complete the program in person.
Online bachelor’s degree programs in accounting make it easy for professionals, potential students with family commitments, and motivated learners to succeed. Web-based degrees offer flexibility and accessibility, making them ideal for many learners.
References
- Top 25 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees
- Most Affordable Online Colleges for Accounting Degrees
- Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degrees
- 30 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degrees
- 10 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degrees
- Most Affordable Online Accounting Programs – Accounting.com