Top Reasons to Pursue an Online Bachelor's in Accounting

Across industries, accountants provide essential financial, bookkeeping, and business functions. Online accounting programs build understanding of accounting fundamentals. Online learners can gain valuable real-world experience that can lead to a lucrative and rewarding career in accounting.

Many accounting positions require a bachelor's degree, but online options allow you to study accounting on a schedule that meets your needs. By earning an online accounting degree, you maximize your time and potentially reduce costs while developing the same abilities as your on-campus counterparts.

According to the report from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business published in January 2022, "a significant portion of employers and prospective students place online education on par with in-person learning opportunities."

Reasons to Get an Online Accounting Degree

As you explore reasons to get an online accounting bachelor's degree, numerous factors come into consideration. Looking at degree format, flexibility, and cost all help you determine the ultimate value of an online accounting degree.

Additional factors include the overall influence a bachelor's degree has on your future earnings and opportunities for continuing your education.

Below, we break down the reasons to get an online accounting degree. Check out the different sections and decide if an online accounting degree works for you.

1. Study From Home

When you earn a degree online, you can study from home but can take part in classes anywhere in the world. Programs with asynchronous content allow you to watch lectures and complete activities at your convenience.

Synchronous accounting bachelor's degrees have a more structured format, but many of the same perks of studying at home remain. By earning a degree online, you also have opportunities to take part in practical requirements like internships close to home.

In contrast to an entirely online degree, hybrid programs integrate on-campus components. This may include short residencies or on-campus classes, both of which occur at specific times.

2. Learn at Your Own Pace

Learning at your own pace in an online accounting degree offers several benefits. Asynchronous programs give you access to course content without specific meeting times and attendance requirements. This structure may also allow you to take more credit hours per semester and expedite your graduation.

Synchronous programs offer less flexibility to learn at your own pace. Specific meeting times, real-time requirements, and interaction with classmates mean more collaboration and regular communication. Depending on the program, both formats may allow you to work while you earn an online accounting degree.

3. Save Money

An online accounting program allows you to maintain a job while earning a degree, but it can also save you money. Online learning lets you avoid on-campus expenses like accommodations, parking, and some fees.

Many colleges and universities also offer flat-rate tuition for online programs regardless of your state residency.

Consideration whether or not an institution charges by the semester or the credit hour. The former could allow you to take as many credits as you like during a semester, ultimately saving money in the long run.

Use the professional outcomes of the degree to assess the overall affordability of an online accounting degree. The overall salary-to-debt ratio of an accounting career is a key consideration.

4. Boost Earning Potential

If you already have an accounting job or a position in a related field, a bachelor's degree in accounting can help you advance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earned median salaries just over $45,500 in 2021.

These positions do not require a bachelor's degree, but working as an accountant or auditor does. The BLS reported the median salaries for these roles in 2021 were more than $77,000. Clerk positions are projected to see a decline in job growth to 2030, while the BLS projects increases in accountants and auditor positions.

A bachelor's degree in accounting equips you to work across industries. The knowledge and skills you develop while earning an accounting bachelor's degree also prepare you to continue your education.

5. Improve Your Skills

An accounting degree builds essential understanding of accounting principles and practices. Introductory coursework in business, economics, statistics, and finance prepare you to study cost, financial, and managerial accounting.

You also learn about taxation, auditing, and accounting technologies in anticipation of an internship or comparable practical requirement.

If you already work in an accounting or business context, a bachelor's degree hones many of your existing abilities. It also improves your skills, preparing you for future job opportunities.

With a bachelor's degree, you can continue onto a graduate degree in accounting or a related field.

6. Get Ready for More Education

An online accounting degree explores finance, economics, business, and accounting, but it also builds time-management and critical thinking skills. These abilities can serve you well if you continue onto an online accounting graduate degree while working in the field.

Some schools may offer online bachelor's-to-master's degrees in accounting that are not available to on-campus students.

You need an undergraduate degree to pursue a master's in accounting, but a bachelor's degree also prepares you for industry certifications and graduate certificates.

Alongside content, you develop useful online study skills to help prepare for accounting credentials in areas such as public accounting, auditing, and management accounting.

Questions on Why to Get an Accounting Degree Online

Should I take accounting online or in person?

Whether or not you should take accounting online or in person depends on your specific needs and goals. Many online accounting degrees offer benefits such as flexibility, convenience, and affordability over their on-campus counterparts.

Should I work in accounting or do a bachelor's online?

If you want to work in accounting, you may need a bachelor's degree for your role. An online program gives you the opportunity to do a bachelor's degree while working at the same time.

What is the best bachelor's degree for working in accounting?

A bachelor's in accounting serves as the best bachelor's degree to work in accounting.

Is there any age limit for an online accounting bachelor's degree?

To earn an online bachelor's degree, there is no age limit. You do need a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll, but online programs are ideal for life-long learning.

Is an accounting degree online worth it?

Because there are accounting positions across industries, the availability of accounting jobs makes an accounting degree online worth it. Additionally, an accounting degree is worth it if it benefits you personally and professionally.

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