Top 10 Best Online Accounting Degree Programs 2015

Accounting is one of the most popular majors, and more and more students are opting for online accounting degrees. Accountants do a lot more than keep track of numbers. They help business clients make decisions about how to manage their affairs in the way that will maximize cash flow while keeping taxes down. If you would like to obtain a degree in this lucrative (and in-demand field), studying online is a great option. It gives you the flexibility to pursue your studies from anywhere you can get an Internet connection. In compiling this list, we took into account program depth and flexibility, university rankings in major publications, as well as cost/value.

Ranking the Top Online Accounting Degree Programs of 2015

#1 Post University

Executive Summary

Post University has been recognized as having the Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs (2013) by U.S. News & World Report.

Featured Programs

Tuition

Undergraduate tuition is $66,000.00.

What’s Unique

The average class size for the BS program in Accounting is 13 students. The normal completion time is seven years.

Courses

Managerial Accounting
Cost Accounting
Intermediate Accounting
Federal Income Taxes
Accounting Information Systems
Auditing
Advanced Accounting

Career Options

Students graduating from Post can start work in accounting firms or apply for positions in manufacturing companies, government departments, hospitals, or corporations.

#2 Saint Leo University

Executive Summary

St. Leo University

Saint Leo University is a private liberal arts university. This Catholic school has been offering online programs since the 1990s.

Tuition

Tuition is $470.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The online BA in Accounting is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Courses

Intermediate Accounting
Accounting Information Systems
Cost Accounting
Advanced Accounting
Auditing
Advanced Auditing
Individual Federal Income Taxes
Financial Statement Analysis

Career Options

Graduates are prepared for entry-level accounting positions in government organizations, as well as businesses and not-for-profit institutions.

#3 Western Governors University

Executive Summary
Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a not-for-profit online school that was founded by 19 U.S. governors. The school has won the 2011 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning.

Tuition

Tuition is set at a flat rate of $2,890.00 per six-month term.

What’s Unique

At WGU, students are evaluated based on how well they complete tests and assignments, not how long they spend sitting in class. They are encouraged to complete as much of their program as possible in each six-month semester as possible.

Courses

Organizational Behavior and Leadership
General Education
Business Law and Ethics
Economics
Marketing and Communication
Accounting
Finance
Project Management

#4 Kaplan University

Executive Summary

Kaplan University

Kaplan University has been offering degree programs for over 75 years. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and has a reputation for reviewing its curriculum regularly to ensure that it is relevant to the current market.

Tuition

Students pay $371.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The University offers two degree tracks for students. The standard track is for students who do not have an Associate’s degree and the Advanced Track is available to students who have already hold and wish to complete their education.

Courses

Intermediate Accounting
Business Law
Bachelor’s Capstone in Accounting

Concentrations

Managerial-Forensic Accountancy
Managerial Accountancy
Public Accountancy
Tax Accountancy

#5 Liberty University

Executive Summary

Liberty University

Liberty University was founded in 1971 and is the largest Christian university in the world. Its tagline is “Training Champions for Christ” and all of its programs are offered with a commitment to these types of values.

Tuition

Tuition is $340.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The program is updated regularly to reflect the latest accounting methods used in the marketplace. Students learn how to deal with situations from a moral and Biblical perspective. At least half (28) hours of the major courses must be taken through Liberty.

Courses

Principles of Accounting
Intermediate Accounting
Cost Accounting
Accounting Information Systems
Taxation
Advanced Accounting
Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting
Auditing
Taxation
Capstone: Accounting
Business Law
International Business
Corporate Finance
Marketing
Human Resource Management
Operations Management

Career Options

Graduates from the online BA in Accounting are prepared for careers in accounting firms, corporate business offices, government departments, and non-profit agencies.

#6 Regis University

Executive Summary
Regis University

Regis University has been recognized as one of the Top Universities in the West for the past 18 years. It has also been recognized as one of the top four precent of schools in the country for Teaching Practices and Student Engagement. It is also in the top 25 percent for student services and technology.

Tuition

Students at Regis pay $435.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

All applicants to the BS in Accounting program must have a high school diploma or GED, as well as a minimum of three years of working experience to be considered.

Career Options

Graduates from this program meet the requirements to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

Courses

Principles of Accounting
Intermediate Accounting
Cost Accounting
Legal Environment of Business
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Marketing Principles
Introduction to Statistics
Income Tax Accounting
Auditing Principles and Procedures
Senior Capstone
Business Law
Ethical Decision Making in Business
Business Finance

#8 Strayer University

Executive Summary
Strayer University

Strayer University was founded in 1892. It was founded by Dr. S. Irving Strayer as a business college and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The School of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Tuition

Strayer’s tuition is $1525 per course.

Courses

Accounting
Intermediate Accounting
Microcomputer Applications for Accountants
Federal Taxation
Advanced Federal Taxation
Advanced Accounting
Auditing
Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting
Undergraduate Accounting Capstone
Principles of Finance
Business Law

#9 Baker College

Executive Summary

Baker College is one of the largest online schools in the U.S. This private institution operates on an not-for-profit basis and is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Tuition

Tuition is $215.00 per credit hour, which is one of the cheapest rates you will find for an online program of this type.

What’s Unique

Students complete a work experience component as part of their program.
Courses

Government and Non-profit Accounting
Individual Taxation
Cost Accounting
Business Entities Taxation
Electronic Spreadsheets
Professional Career Strategies

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this program are eligible to sit for Michigan’s Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination.

#10 Grantham University

Executive Summary
Grantham University

Grantham University is an online university that has been offering degree programs since 1951.

Tuition

Students pay $265.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

Courses are eight weeks in length. New students can start their program frequently. An advisor is assigned to each student and stays with that person throughout his or her stay at the university to answer questions and provide support.

Courses

Cost Accounting
Corporate Taxation
Individual Taxation
Forensic Accounting
Auditing and Assurance

Career Options

Graduates from this program are qualified for junior positions in accounting firms, private businesses, and government departments and agencies.

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This concludes our roundup of the top online accounting degrees.

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