Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in California (A-N)
Bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California provide the means for undergrads to enter the financial services sector of the world’s sixth-largest economy.
Generating a GSP of $2.51 trillion, the “Golden State” needs accountants for massive finance, trade, real estate, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. California stands on the Pacific Coast with 54 Fortune 500 companies, such as Google and Netflix. Accounting grads can also gain experience at 6,362 licensed CPA agencies from Siskiyou to Imperial County, including offices for all “Big Four” accounting firms. The BLS ranks California as America’s #1 state for accountants and auditors with 147,320 positions. San Rafael and San Jose are also the country’s top-paying metros for accounting with mean salaries at $116,530 and $101,070 respectively.
The following is the first installment of accounting schools in California (A-N).
Featured Programs
Argosy University
College of Arts and Sciences
Sold to the Los Angeles Dream Center Foundation in 2017, Argosy University is a private, for-profit doctoral-granting system led by President Craig D. Swenson, PhD, to educate more than 24,800 non-traditional learners at 18 U.S. locations, including five in California. Crowned America’s 87th “Best Online College” on Niche, Argosy was ranked in the top 5 percent nationally for business education by College Factual. The College of Arts and Sciences maintains an average 25:1 student-faculty ratio for bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California.
B.S. in Business Administration: Accounting Concentration
Delivered at the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and San Francisco Bay Area campuses or wholly online, Argosy’s B.S. in Business Administration is a 47-month, competency-based program with seven concentrations, including Accounting. Presently charging $556 per credit, the curriculum builds courses like data-driven decision making, capital budgeting, auditing, taxation, and cost management for CPA preparation. The open-admission process solely requires a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
3401 Centre Lake Drive, Suite 200
Ontario, CA 91761
(909) 472-0800
pmccoleman@argosy.edu
Program Link
5230 Pacific Concourse, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 531-9690
kvirzi@argosy.edu
Program Link
601 South Lewis Street
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 620-3700
dgalvan@argosy.edu
Program Link
1615 Murray Canyon Road, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 321-3000
twells@argosy.edu
Program Link
1005 Atlantic Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 217-4700
hmomon@argosy.edu
Program Link
Ashford University
Forbes School of Business & Technology
Approved by College Choices for Adults, Ashford University is the largest private, for-profit online learning system owned by Bridgepoint Education since 2005 that’s serving around 48,800 students and employing over 3,500 staff from its urban headquarters in San Diego. Applauded as America’s 90th “Best Test Optional College” on Niche, Ashford was ranked in the top 1 percent nationally for online business education by College Factual. The Forbes School houses one of the IACBE-accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California.
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
Estimated to cost $56,390 total, the Bachelor of Arts in Accounting is a flexible Ashford program consisting of accelerated, five-week online courses to learn the fundamental financial procedures for tracking corporate transactions. The 42-credit major gives eight specializations, such as Entrepreneurship, Finance, Information Systems, International Management, and Public Administration. Offering free Microsoft Office 365 and 24/7 tech support, the degree can transfer up to 90 credits. There’s also a B.A. in Consumer and Family Financial Services.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
8620 Spectrum Center Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123
(866) 711-1700
contactus@ashford.edu
Program Link
Azusa Pacific University
Leung School of Accounting
Led by President Jon R. Wallace, Azusa Pacific University is a private, nonprofit Wesleyan-Holiness CCCU member that’s placed “God First since 1899” to educate more than 6,500 undergrad Cougars upon its 105-acre suburban campus in the San Gabriel Valley. Ranked the 183rd best national university by the U.S. News, APU is graded B+ for value as America’s 45th “Most Conservative College” on Niche. The Leung School of Accounting delivers one of the Christ-centered bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California with 85 percent retention.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
APU’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting utilizes a Christian framework to deliver IACBE-accredited training for Leung undergrads to create, analyze, and verify true financial reports across sectors. The 67-unit major integrates on-site courses like quantitative analysis and federal taxation with resume-building internships nationwide. Some add the 18-unit Certificate of Advanced Management online. Boasting a 93 percent placement rate with an average starting salary of $41,341, B.S. graduates have excelled at BDO, Deloitte, KSJG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and more.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
901 E. Alosta Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702
(626) 969-3434
career@apu.edu
Program Link
Biola University
Crowell School of Business
Endowed for $105.4 million, Biola University is a private, nonprofit evangelical Christian school founded by Lyman Stewart in 1908 that’s now matriculating over 5,300 scholars in 40 fields from a 96-acre suburban campus in La Mirada just 16 miles from Los Angeles. Chosen as America’s 16th “Safest College” on Niche, Biola is ranked the 164th best national university and 117th top high school counselor pick by the USNWR. The Crowell School of Business offers eight undergrad options, including another of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California.
Accounting, B.S.
Fully ACBSP accredited since 1997, the Accounting B.S. offers Biola Eagles a four-year, 125-credit curriculum for developing the technical expertise needed to oversee organizations’ budgeting, financial reporting, and taxation needs. Delivered by PhD-level professors trained at Claremont, Stanford, UC-Los Angeles, and more, the curriculum spans courses from business writing to accounting information systems. Majors could also declare the Financial Planning Minor, join the Biola Accounting Society, participate in the Startup Competition, or study abroad from London to Tokyo.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
13800 Biola Avenue
La Mirada, CA 90639
(562) 944-0351 ext. 5176
gary.lindblad@biola.edu
Program Link
California Baptist University
Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business
Belonging to the PacWest Conference, California Baptist University is a private, nonprofit Christian liberal arts institution carrying a $41 million endowment to serve over 9,150 Lancers face-to-face and online from 160 suburban acres in Riverside, Forbes’ #8 coolest city. Congratulated for America’s 16th “Best College Dorms” on Niche, CBU is ranked the 37th best regional university and 21st most veteran-friendly school by the U.S. News. The Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business confers one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California for $547 per unit.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Selectively admitting 65 percent of applicants, CBU’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting helps undergrads gather the business strategies to organize finances with integrity from a Christ-centered, Biblical approach. Available in Riverside or online, the 69-unit, upper-division major can be completed in 36 months with courses like government accounting and financial policy. Students may also join the Accounting Society, complete the two-week summer program at Oxford, intern at KPMG, and take the Becker CPA Review.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
8432 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, CA 92504
(951) 343-4574
dwashington@calbaptist.edu
Program Link
California State University, Fullerton
Mihaylo College of Business and Economics
Organized as Orange County State College in 1959 by Dr. William B. Langsdorf, California State University Fullerton is a public, Hispanic-serving research institution of the Big West that’s educating around 34,400 undergrad Titans on 236 urban acres near the Pacific Coast. Appointed America’s 93rd “Best Big College” on Niche, CSU Fullerton is ranked the 202nd best national university and 110th top public school by the U.S. News. The Mihaylo College offers bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California and the 133rd best part-time MBA.
B.A. in Business Administration with Accounting Concentration
Retaining 89 percent of freshmen, the B.A. in Business Administration is an AACSB-accredited, 120-unit program customized with 11 concentrations, including Accounting, to bolster diverse students’ leadership acumen. There are also Joint Emphases in Accounting/Finance or Accounting/Information Systems. Majors may participate in the Faculty Mentoring Program, receive Regain Academic Success services, declare Honors, study abroad at Aalen University, and join the ALPFA Student Chapter. CSU Fullerton has California’s 18th highest average CPA exam score at 71.9.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
800 N. State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92831
(657) 278-2225
accountingdept@fullerton.edu
Program Link
Concordia University Irvine
School of Business
Attracting over 4,250 Eagles, Concordia University Irvine is endowed for $230 million within the 10-campus system of private, nonprofit liberal arts schools operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to enlighten minds on 70 suburban acres in Orange County. Graded A- for value as America’s 74th “Most Conservative College” on Niche, CUI is ranked the 41st best Western university and 23rd best for vets school by the U.S. News. The School of Business charges a net price of $25,694 yearly for emphases from finance to sport management.
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration: Accounting Emphasis
Another of the IACBE-accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California that channels the Christian, ethical perspective of value-added business leadership is CUI’s B.A. in Business Administration: Accounting Emphasis. The 54-unit, upper-division option integrates practical internships with companies like Bank of America, Disneyland Resort, Merrill Lynch, Northwestern Mutual, and Make-A-Wish. Undergrads could also study in Paris, participate in the Business Insights Series, pledge Delta Sigma Pi, and declare the Economics Minor.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 214-3371
tammie.burkhart@cui.edu
Program Link
Humboldt State University
School of Business
Burrowed between the Redwoods on 591 rural acres in Arcata overlooking the North Coast, Humboldt State University is the 23-campus CSU system’s northernmost public, co-educational master’s-level institution with a $27.1 million endowment and 7,900 undergrad Lumberjacks. Distinguished for America’s 200th “Best College Location” on Niche, HSU is ranked the 52nd best Western university and 12th top public school by the U.S. News. The School of Business stands out among bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California for including sustainability issues in IACBE-accredited training.
Business Administration B.S. with Accounting Major
Housed in Siemens Hall, the Business Administration B.S. at Humboldt State utilizes a 23:1 student-faculty ratio to deliver five customized majors, including Accounting to begin the CPA licensing journey. With paid practice through the Smullin Internship, the 120-unit curriculum integrates courses from cost analysis to financial statement auditing in a developmental or accelerated manner. Majors could also work in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, join the IMA Student Chapter, and participate in the Business Concept Contest.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 826-3224
hs807@humboldt.edu
Program Link
National University
School of Business and Management
Featuring 135,000 alumni like Lloyd Bryan Molander Adams and Erick Thohir, National University is a private, nonprofit adult-friendly institution endowed for $558.9 million to operate 28 California and one Nevada campus from San Diego. Graded B+ for value as America’s 28th “Best Online College” on Niche, National was ranked 13th nationally on the Online Education Database (OEDb). The School of Business and Management is recognized by the U.S. News for the 89th best online business education, including one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California.
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
Currently charging $416 per credit, the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy is conducted online with two live evening sessions weekly to give National undergrads basic understanding of IFRS standards for ethical, accurate practice. The 180-unit curriculum offers the Concentration in Accounting Professional Skills for CPA prep. There’s also a B.S./MBA Transition program for taking graduate courses as seniors. Students engage in IACBE-accredited courses like business law, marketing, taxation, auditing, nonprofit accounting, and more.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
11255 N. Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858)-642-8663
slightner@nu.edu
Program Link
Notre Dame de Namur University
School of Business & Management
Led by President Judith Maxwell Greig, Notre Dame de Namur University is California’s third-oldest private, nonprofit Catholic ACCU member devoted to “Pray and Work” that’s enrolling around 1,900 Argonauts from 50 suburban acres in Belmont upon the San Francisco Bay. Picked as America’s 392nd “Safest College” on Niche, NDNU is ranked the 44th best Western university and 17th top value by the U.S. News. The School of Business & Management retains 76 percent of freshmen in three ACBSP-accredited daytime and two evening bachelor’s programs.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Unlocking a median graduate salary of $51,300, NDNU’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting starts the CPA process like many bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California but with smaller classes thanks to the 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The traditional, 124-unit curriculum involves courses in business valuation, international accounting, organizational behavior, commercial law, and more. Majors may also take a 150-hour internship, participate in Accounting Club, join Delta Mu Delta, and help conduct the Belmont Homeowner Survey.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
1500 Ralston Avenue
Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 508-3637
tmartin@ndnu.edu
Program Link
College Factual positioned accounting as the United States’ #7 most popular major, especially among detail-oriented, clever mathematicians with an eye for numerical figures. Although the BLS predicts 10-year accounting job growth at 11 percent, competition will be heated with 60,000+ graduates each year. Attending a business school that has undergone accreditation by the AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE is best to ensure your degree will earn employers’ respect. Finishing one of these 10 bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California could add up to long-term, lucrative career success.
Our list of Bachelor’s in Accounting degree programs in California continues here: Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in California (O-Z)