Accelerated online accounting degrees can help you fast-track your way into a stable new career path. They mainly appeal to hardworking students seeking efficient, flexible study opportunities.
Schools often market these programs to nontraditional students, like working professionals. In other cases, they offer accelerated access to high-performing students in conventional programs.
A regularly paced online bachelor's in accounting typically demands about four academic years of full-time study. By definition, accelerated online accounting degrees reduce this timeline. Accelerated program lengths vary, but they offer paths to graduation in three years or less.
Accelerated program course structures support faster-paced learning. Degree completion programs, on the other hand, have course structures designed for students who come in transferable credits or an associate degree. Degree completion programs may or may not offer accelerated pacing.
This program guide explains the features and benefits of accelerated online accounting programs. It also includes a ranked list of top-rated accelerated degrees. Use it to guide your research and explore your learning options.
Popular Online Accounting Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Accounting Accelerated Online Programs
#1 Best Accelerated Accounting Degrees Online 2025
Central Baptist College
- Conway, AR
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
CBU's online BS in accounting uses an interdisciplinary approach combining accounting, finance, and business analytics studies. Students complete 72 accounting major credits, including business management courses based on biblical principles. Other course topics include business statistics, federal income tax auditing, and accounting ethics.
Students who fulfill general education requirements can complete the accounting major in 24 months. CBU offers several start dates throughout the year, allowing students to enroll in the program whenever it fits their schedule. Graduates can go on to complete the CPA or CMA certification exams.
Highlights
- Accelerated eight-week courses
- 100% online, fully asynchronous courses
- 20% tuition discount for employees at partner companies
Considerations
- At $520/credit, one of the most expensive schools on our list
- Application requires a 2.5 high school or 2.0 college GPA
- Business program does not hold specialized accreditation
Out-of-state
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
39%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Best Accelerated Accounting Degrees Online 2025
Herzing University
- St. Louis Park, MN
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Herzing's online BS in accounting highlights both technical accounting and management skills. Students complete a 36-credit business core and a 42-credit accounting major core. Typical course topics include business law, computerized accounting, and operations management. Students can also earn dual credit to apply toward Herzing's MBA program.
All degree candidates end the program with either a capstone project or an internship. In the capstone, students apply business research skills to a real-world accounting issue. The internship builds professional experience in an accounting setting, introducing students to business communication, employee etiquette, and current workplace practices.
Highlights
- Herzing's business programs hold accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
- Rolling admissions with no set application deadlines
- No enrollment fees
Considerations
- At $515/credit, one of the more expensive programs in this ranking
- Application may require entrance and/or placement exams
Percent Online Enrollment
85%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Best Accelerated Accounting Degrees Online 2025
Maryville University
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Maryville's online BS in accounting has a fully remote curriculum with no required campus visits. The program includes courses in accounting theory, forensic accounting, and marketing principles. Candidates also complete a capstone course that applies accounting skills to business strategy.
Maryville offers an Early Access program for students pursuing graduate degrees in business. Qualified candidates can complete up to three courses (12 credits) toward an MS in accounting or an MBA as part of their bachelor's degree. The Early Access program can also help students meet education requirements for the CPA exam.
Highlights
- Accounting program holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- No SAT or ACT scores required for admission
- Can be completed in 2.5 years
Considerations
- Minimum 2.5 GPA required for admission
- At $540/credit, the most expensive college on our list
- No specialized concentration options
Percent Online Enrollment
83%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Best Accelerated Accounting Degrees Online 2025
University of Holy Cross
- New Orleans, LA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
UHC's fast-track online BS in accounting is a degree completion program for students with at least 42 credits toward a bachelor's degree. Qualified candidates can finish the program in as little as 20 months. UHC offers an early entry pathway to fulfill credit requirements for students without prerequisites.
Along with accounting concepts, the program curriculum includes courses in data analytics, business law, and organizational behavior. UHC also allows students to earn academic credit for prior learning, such as job training or work experience.
Highlights
- Generous credit transfer policy accepts up to 66 outside credits
- Small cohort with individualized attention for students
- At $330/credit, the most affordable school on our list
Considerations
- Applicants must be at least 25 years old with 5+ years of work experience
- Applicants must hold at least 12 undergraduate credits
- Required courses include weekly scheduled Zoom meetings
Percent Online Enrollment
68%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best Accelerated Accounting Degrees Online 2025
Methodist University
- Fayetteville, NC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What You Should Know
Methodist University’'s BS or BAS in accounting offers condensed eight-week courses in a fully online format. The BS program enrolls students with no undergraduate experience, while the BAS enrolls transfer students who hold an associate degree in business or accounting. Qualified students can complete the BAS program in two years.
All candidates complete courses including managerial finance, statistics for business and economics, and federal income taxation. The degree program offers an optional concentration in healthcare administration, which prepares graduates for accounting positions in the healthcare field. Students can also complete 100% online minors in business administration or marketing.
Highlights
- No application fees or test scores required
- Business school is ACBSP accredited
- Over 97% of students receive financial aid, including online learners
Considerations
- Accelerated course format only available to associate degree-holders
- 100% online classes require strong organization and self-guided study
Percent Online Enrollment
47%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Accounting.com ranks the best accounting degrees using reputable sources such as the U.S. Department of Education. We build our rankings with four main metrics in mind: academics, cost, reputation, and program availability. We also consider subfactors like retention rate, federal aid amounts, and return on investment to help you find the right program for you.
This ranking is from 2025. Learn more about our process by visiting our school rankings methodology page.
Why Pursue an Online Accelerated Accounting Degree?
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Time and Cost Savings: Accelerated accounting degrees take less time to complete, which means fewer semesters spent in school. If you choose a school that charges tuition on a per-semester rather than per-credit basis, you can potentially save thousands of dollars.
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Flexibility and Convenience: Accounting translates very well to the asynchronous structures that online programs often use. Asynchronous course delivery models allow you to set your own schedule and study at the most convenient times. This, in turn, helps you balance learning with life outside school, making things easier and more convenient.
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Expedited Professional Development: Bachelor's accounting students often plan to seek licensure as a certified public accountant (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA) designations. Accelerated programs can help you reach your professional goals faster, which also improves the long-term returns on your educational investment.
Trade-Offs in Getting Your Online Accounting Bachelor's Faster
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Challenging Workloads: Accelerated online accounting degrees cover the same material as regularly paced programs. They just take less time. Thus, you'll need to work harder to succeed. If you find certain concepts difficult, you'll have less time to work through them if you want to stay on schedule.
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Rigid Program Structures: Due to their fast pacing, accelerated accounting programs often have rigid structures. If you're seeking to balance a full-time job with schooling, or if you might need to move between part-time and full-time learning, you may find accelerated programs too demanding or restrictive.
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Eligibility Restrictions: The demands of accelerated learning aren't for everyone. As such, schools may limit eligibility for accelerated programs to students meeting highly specific profiles. For instance, you may need extensive prerequisites, relevant work experience, or exceptional grades. If you don't make adequate progress in the accelerated program, you may face reassignment to a regularly paced alternative.
What to Expect From a Short Online Accounting Program
Like regularly paced programs, accelerated online accounting degrees usually cover about 120 credits. However, accelerated programs use a variety of tools to move students through those credit requirements more quickly. Examples include:
- Compact term lengths
- Self-paced, asynchronous delivery models
- Customized degree plans
- Competency-based assessments, which allow you to move ahead as soon as you can exhibit proficiency with essential concepts
Accelerated programs vary in length. Some trim the typical graduation timeline from about four years to three. Others support paths to graduation in as little as 12–15 months.
The shorter an online program is, the more demanding its entry requirements tend to be. For example, accelerated degrees with one-year completion timelines may require professional accounting experience, transferable college credits, or both.
If you lack one or more of the necessary qualifications, you may not have access to the shortest possible completion pathway.
How Does an Accelerated Online Accounting Degree Differ From an On-Campus Bachelor's?
In a campus-based program with regular pacing, full-time students usually take five courses per semester or 10 per academic year. Semesters typically continue for about 15 weeks and end with examination periods.
You'll proceed through a structured degree plan as you pass your courses, gradually moving from introductory to intermediate to advanced material.
Accelerated online programs can deviate from these standards. For instance, you may not follow traditional 15-week semesters. Instead, accelerated programs often distill learning into more compact schedules in the range of about 5-8 weeks. Or, you may follow a standard 15-week semester structure, but with an overloaded schedule that exceeds the usual full-time course load.
Some programs also use alternative models, focusing course content on highly specific concepts and allowing students to move on as soon as they master those concepts.
Schools often refer to these structures as competency-based or proficiency-based learning. They essentially allow you to take the equivalent of a final exam as soon as you're ready and earn credit for the course as soon as you pass.
The following table summarizes the major structural differences between traditional campus-based and accelerated online accounting degrees:
Comparing Online Accelerated and On-Campus Bachelor's in Accounting Degrees
| Factor |
Online Accelerated Program |
On-Campus Program |
| Admission Requirements |
Special or additional admission requirements, such as academic prerequisites, relevant professional experience, or exceptional academic achievement may apply |
Programs are open to high school graduates who meet the necessary GPA and SAT/ACT requirements |
| Term/Semester Length |
As short as 5–8 weeks |
Usually 15 weeks |
| Program Length |
1–3 years |
Four years |
| Credit Requirements |
About 120 credits |
About 120 credits |
Sources: University of Holy Cross, University of Maine, University of North Dakota, Illinois College
Compact term lengths, shorter program timelines, and the potential for elevated admission requirements all separate accelerated programs from standard programs.
While accelerated learning offers many advantages, many students find it demanding. You'll need focus and commitment to succeed.
Delivery Formats for Accelerated Online Accounting Degrees
Accelerated online accounting degrees usually feature 100% online structures. However, some schools offer accelerated campus-based programs, opening up hybrid learning opportunities for students living locally.
- Fully online degrees maximize convenience and flexibility while optimizing costs.
- Hybrid programs might appeal to you if you're seeking the social and networking aspects of the traditional campus experience.
Online courses follow either synchronous or asynchronous schedules.
- Synchronous classes meet at set times and involve live lectures and interactions.
- Asynchronous classes deliver course content via pre-recorded lectures. You engage with the material on your own schedule, and your peer and faculty interactions often do not occur in real time.
Synchronous learning allows live engagement with your cohorts and instructors, which can add value to your learning experience. But it offers less flexibility than asynchronicity.
To maintain the accelerated pace, you'll need to follow a tight learning schedule that assumes ongoing full-time enrollment. However, schools often recognize that students may need to move between accelerated and regular learning rates at varying times.
As such, you may have the flexibility to shift into a regularly paced program, either temporarily or permanently. You might also have the option to take classes at an accelerated pace but on a part-time schedule. In either case, you'll likely need to work on a customized degree plan with an academic advisor.
How Much Do Online Accelerated Bachelor's Programs Cost?
Accelerated online programs often work out to be one of the most affordable paths to a bachelor's accounting degree. Some schools extend tuition discounts to learners in their accelerated programs, while others apply lower per-credit or per-course rates to online classes.
Ultimately, though, schools set tuition policies and rates individually. Your accelerated online accounting degree could cost the same on a per-credit basis as a traditional campus-based program, or it could cost less.
The universally relevant financial advantage of accelerated learning relates to the degree completion timeline. Accelerated programs support faster workforce entry, helping you get credentialed and earning a full-time salary more quickly. This feature alone tends to give accelerated programs a superior cost-benefit profile.
You'll still qualify for federal financial aid if you need it. Major examples include scholarships, fellowships, study grants, and loans. The links below offer further information about popular sources of aid.
Common Questions About Accelerated Accounting Degrees Online
Accelerated accounting degrees online offer the most efficient path to graduation. By definition, they reduce the usual four-year timeline by at least one year. If you have the necessary professional and/or academic background, you can graduate even faster.
Yes, some accelerated accounting degrees online have completion timelines as short as 12 months. However, conditions apply. To graduate in one year, you'll likely need transferable college credits and professional accounting experience. You'll also need to optimize your graduation timeline with intensive full-time study.
Accelerated programs support faster workforce entry and built-in savings opportunities, which students often find advantageous. However, these benefits come with trade-offs that may include fast, demanding pacing and heavy course loads. These features create challenges, which you'll need to consider alongside the potential benefits.
A standard two-year degree usually leads to an associate-level credential, which may qualify you for entry-level work and position you for further study. However, you'll likely have lower earning power and you won't meet the academic requirements for CPA or CMA licensure.
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