Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting

Accounting involves examining an organization’s financial data and ensuring that it complies with tax regulations. If you have an interest in numbers and strong organizational skills, a bachelor’s degree in accounting can prepare you for a career in this high-demand field.

An accounting program introduces you to foundational topics such as auditing, taxation, and financial record-keeping. Accounting is fundamental to most types of business, and accountants can find work in almost any industry.

Discover more about bachelor’s degrees in accounting, including online accounting program options, admissions requirements, and popular career paths.

Thanks to proposed new requirements for CPAs, more states are introducing an alternative CPA pathway that requires earning only 120 credits and two years of professional experience.

The typical four-year bachelor’s degree in accounting features 120 credits and is designed to prepare you for various business and finance careers. These programs include general education courses and electives, but the bulk of the program comes from core accounting, business, and finance courses.

Your accounting-specific training may include courses in accounting principles, tax law, and financial reporting. You could learn cost accounting, auditing, and financial analysis, along with courses in statistics, economics, and management science. You may also get the chance to specialize in a discipline like forensic or managerial accounting.

Most schools welcome transfer credits from other accredited institutions, so you can shorten your program if you have existing credits. You can also build on your bachelor’s degree with a graduate degree in accounting or another related field if you choose.

You may encounter several degree and program options in your search. While you can usually pursue the same positions with any type, the different approaches and focuses in the different programs may influence your eventual career.

Here are some of the different degree types:

Discover accelerated accounting programs:

Online education has changed the higher education landscape. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), more than half of all students take some online courses, and more than one-quarter of all students enroll in online classes exclusively.

With limited on-site and practicum requirements, accounting programs lend themselves well to online learning. An online accounting program will reduce your travel time and costs, and may help fit your studies into your schedule.

When choosing an online program, consider your scheduling and learning needs. An asynchronous online program will let you study on your own time but requires independence, while a synchronous program has set study times and more of a traditional classroom structure. If you want even more engagement with your classes and campus, a hybrid program combines online and on-campus learning.

Every school and program has its own admission process, but most require a high school diploma or a GED certificate. While competitive programs may ask for a 3.0 GPA, most require a 2.0 GPA. You also need to submit letters of recommendation and a resume.

Additional requirements may include SAT scores, though many schools have moved to a test-optional policy. You may also be asked to submit a personal essay. Experience is rarely required, but it can usually help your application.

At the bachelor’s level, accounting programs cover accounting, business, and economic principles. They also include essential math and information courses. Along with electives, some programs conclude with a capstone project.

Here are some common accounting courses.

Tuition prices vary among accounting programs, but they usually require a significant investment. According to the NCES, the average annual undergraduate tuition price was $17,709 between 2022-23.

Many factors influence prices, including location and institution type. For example, out-of-state students typically pay higher tuition rates than in-state students, and public school students usually pay lower rates than private school students.

When comparing education costs, consider how financial aid might affect what you owe. Along with low-interest federal loans and grants, you could also qualify for accounting scholarships and grants from your school, your state, and accounting organizations.

After your bachelor’s degree in accounting, you can enter the workforce in various capacities. For example, you may pursue one of the many business and financial occupations, a sector with a median annual salary of $80,920, according to the BLS. With experience and/or advanced credentials, you might also pursue a higher-paying management career.

Here are some of the careers you could have access to with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Accountants prepare and analyze financial records to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficient use of finances. Their responsibilities include budgeting, preparing tax returns, and auditing financial statements. They primarily work in accounting firms, organizations, and government agencies.

Source: BLS

Auditors work with businesses to examine financial data to ensure proper management and record-keeping. They help companies organize their finances and reduce risks such as fraud or waste. Internal auditors work for the companies they audit, while external auditors work for outside organizations hired to audit businesses.

Source: BLS

Budget analysts handle the budgets and costing for organizations. They monitor spending, manage supply chains, prepare reports, and ensure compliance. They often work in government agencies, corporations, and universities, and they may need a graduate degree for some government positions.

Source: BLS

Compliance officers help businesses meet legal regulations and requirements. They may perform compliance audits, assess existing company practices, and develop new policies for complying with laws. Compliance officers may also investigate violations when they occur and train employees on the best strategies for meeting legal standards.

Source: BLS

Also known as management accountants, cost accountants use financial data to help businesses make decisions about budgeting and inventory costs. Their common duties may include analyzing company spending and projecting revenue and expenses. Cost accounting jobs apply financial data to management practices, requiring skills in both administration and accounting.

Source: BLS

Financial analysts review and evaluate financial data to help individuals and organizations make sound investment and business decisions. Their duties include analyzing markets and trends, preparing reports, and creating forecasts and risk projections. They typically work in banks, insurance agencies, and corporate finance departments, and they may need a financial analyst certification for some roles.

Source: BLS

Forensic accountants analyze financial data to investigate crimes such as embezzlement and credit card fraud. They may trace funds and locate stolen financial assets for recovery, examining records to find evidence of fraud and other white collar crime. Forensic accountants can work for law enforcement agencies or private companies.

Source: Payscale

Payroll accountants focus specifically on their organizations’ payroll practices, making sure employees receive correct and timely compensation. Their duties may include calculating wages, deducting taxes, and addressing payroll disputes when they arise. Payroll accountants may also audit an organization’s financial records to improve payroll efficiency.

Source: BLS

Staff accountants focus on general accounting tasks within an organization, such as preparing financial statements, maintaining ledgers, and ensuring compliance with financial laws and regulations. They may also prepare budgets and assist with internal auditing processes. A staff accountant is a mid-level position that may not require CPA certification.

Source: Payscale

Tax accountants focus specifically on the taxation process, working with individuals or companies to prepare tax returns that meet legal standards. For individuals, tax accountants help prepare annual returns and maximize deductions. In the corporate world, they help businesses make decisions that create financial advantages and reduce tax burden.

Source: BLS, Payscale

Choosing the right program in any discipline requires some introspection and consideration for your own needs and preferences. When comparing accounting programs, you might put some extra thought into the following factors.