An associate degree in accounting helps students enter the workforce quickly and with less debt than a bachelor's degree. Graduates can pursue entry-level positions as bookkeepers, accounting clerks, or billing specialists. Discover the top associate programs in accounting plus associated costs, typical courses, and application requirements.
The Top Associate in Accounting Programs
| School |
At a Glance |
By the Numbers |
| 1. Itawamba Community College | Fulton, Mississippi |
- AA in General Studies — Accounting
- 60 credits
- SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER scores required
|
- Tuition: $1,450/term
- Acceptance Rate: 46%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
|
| 2. East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, Mississippi |
- AAS in Accounting Technology
- 60 credits
- Minimum score of 14 on the ACT or 39/writing, 64/reading, and 21/pre-algebra on the ACCUPLACER
|
- Tuition: $165/credit (in state); $265/credit (out of state)
- Admission Rate: 47%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
|
| 3. CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | Pippa Passes, KY |
- AAS in Accounting
- 60 credits
- ACT/SAT optional
|
- Tuition: $210/credit (in state); $320/credit (out of state)
- Admission Rate: 24%
- Graduation Rate: 15%
|
| 4. Northeast Mississippi Community College | Booneville, Mississippi |
- AAS in Accounting Technology
- ACT required
|
- Tuition: $183/credit (in state); $347/credit (out of state)
- Admission Rate: 30%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
|
| 5. CUNY LaGuardia Community College | Long Island City, New York |
- AS in accounting
- 60 credits
- ACT/SAT optional
|
- Tuition: $210/credit (in state); $320/credit (out of state)
- Admission Rate: 28%
- Graduation Rate: 5%
|
Go to full ranking
What to Expect From an Accounting Associate
Accounting associate programs are geared toward students who have just graduated from high school and those who want to start a career in accounting.
Associate degrees in accounting usually require 60-68 credits to complete. Full-time students can finish the degree in two years. Accelerated programs take less time. Additionally, many schools offer in-person and online degree programs for students to choose from.
Associate accounting programs prepare students for entry-level positions in the accounting field. The best associate degrees give students a general education and train them for a variety of accounting jobs, like bookkeeping or tax collection.
The best accounting associate degrees allow students to transfer credits to four-year schools to get a jumpstart on a bachelor’s in accounting. To get this benefit, students should make sure they are enrolled in an accredited associate degree program.
Programmatic Accreditation for Associate in Accounting Programs
Accreditation is an important part of higher education that many students should consider. Accreditation, either national or regional, ensures a school provides a quality education. Students can generally find the school's accreditation status by searching the college's website.
Some professional organizations, such as the AACSB, accredits business programs. Earning an associate in accounting from an accredited program can give graduates an edge in the job market.
Admissions Process
Although the admissions processes for the best accounting programs vary from school to school, there are a few requirements in common.
Students need to make sure they meet the college’s minimum admission requirements before applying. For accounting programs, this usually means being 18 years old or older and having a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED certificate, HiSET, or TASC diploma.
If a student meets a school’s eligibility requirements, they can submit an application. This usually includes:
- An application form: Applications vary between schools, but they usually ask for a student’s information, including contact information, citizenship or residency status, and program of study.
- Transcripts: Students will have to submit their high school transcripts. High schools may charge a small fee for this service.
- An application fee: Most schools require that students pay a small application fee. Students demonstrating financial need may qualify for fee waivers.
While less common, schools with the best two-year degree programs might require that students submit additional information, like essays. If a school asks for an essay, be sure to tailor it to that specific school or program. Schools may also ask international students to submit English proficiency test scores as well.
Top Online Associate Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Popular Accounting Associate Courses
The goal of an associate degree in accounting is to prepare students for entry-level accounting positions in various accounting fields. Many of the top two-year degrees offer these popular accounting courses:
- Principles of Accounting: This course introduces students to general accounting concepts to help them understand the basics of accounting for both individuals and business. In this class, accounting students learn skills like reading ledgers and preparing financial statements.
- Managerial Accounting: This class goes over how accounting relates to managing a business. Students learn skills like evaluating the cost of goods and services, controlling these costs, and using accounting information to make short-term and long-term business decisions.
- Business Law: Since accounting is vital for businesses to function, it’s important for accounting students to understand how the law affects businesses in the United States. In this course, students learn the basics of business law, including contract law, intellectual property, and legal employment.
- Computer Applications In Accounting: To get an accounting job, students need to know how to use complex accounting software. This class teaches students programs like QuickBooks to handle basic accounting tasks like paying employees, logging purchases and sales, and paying bills.
Associate degrees also allow students to take core and elective courses. Core courses are classes that students must take in order to graduate. Electives are classes students get to choose based on their interests. These classes still count toward an accounting associate degree and allow students to explore their interests.
How Much Do Accounting Associate Programs Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of tuition, fees, room, and board for a two-year degree was $22,782 in 2019-2020. It’s important to remember that this is an average, and costs vary between schools.
For instance, the NCES reports that a public two-year college costs an average of $22,138 in 2019-2020. However, a private two-year school costs an average of $53,498 total, which is almost 2.5 times more expensive.
The cost of an accounting associate program can also vary depending on location. An in-state school will often cost less than an out-of-state school, and students who live on campus will have to pay additional room and board fees that can be more expensive than living off-campus.
Additionally, an accounting associate program may require additional resources like accounting software.
Some two-year colleges offer financial assistance to qualifying students, which can help offset the cost of an associate degree. Many programs also offer grants, loans, and fellowships to qualifying students, though some of these awards require students to pay them back.
Despite these additional costs, an associate degree in accounting is still much less expensive than earning a bachelor’s degree, which cost over $100,000 total (including room and board), according to the NCES. Since most four-year programs allow students to transfer credits from two-year colleges, earning an associates in accounting can save students money if they want to earn a bachelor’s degree later on.
Selecting the Right Associate Program
Associate degrees in accounting are widely available. Here are a few things to consider when choosing an accounting program:
- Accreditation
- Program cost
- Admissions requirements
- Student-to-teacher ratio
- Financial aid availability
- Location
- Program length
- Available concentrations or certifications
- Career services
- Credit transferability
Some schools may offer online-only programs, while others hold their classes in-person. Online classes usually offer students more flexibility, which can be important for students who have families or jobs. However, some students may learn better – and be more successful – in an in-person program.
Top Online Associate Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Top Accounting Associate Degrees
Our ranking highlights five of the best associate in accounting programs. These schools offer a mix of affordability, convenience, and strong professional preparation. Read on to learn how we rank colleges and programs.
Common Questions About Best Two-Year Degrees
What’s the difference between an accounting associate and a certificate?
Accounting certificates usually take a few months to a year to complete. While students without degrees can earn certificates, they can also help current professionals or degree holders specialize in one area of accounting.
In contrast, associate degrees take more time, providing students with a more general education and preparing them for many careers within the accounting field. Additionally, the credits students earn during their associate degrees can transfer to a four-year school and count toward a bachelor’s degree.
Is an accounting associate an AA or an AS?
Depending on the program a student is enrolled in, they may earn either an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree once they graduate. Both are good associate degrees that teach the fundamentals of accounting, but an AS degree has a stronger math and science focus.
How long does it take to get an accounting associate?
It generally takes full-time students two years to earn an associate degree in accounting, though accelerated programs may take less time to complete.
How much does an accounting associate program cost?
The NCES reports that the average cost of an associate degree (including fees, room, and board) was $11,391 for 2019-2020 or $22,782 for two years.
