Guide to getting a bachelor’s degree in accounting

Are you driven, detail-orientated, and a whizz with math? Then an accounting program could be for you. Sure, this is not the most glamorous degree choice: accountancy graduates rarely see their name up in lights, and most wouldn’t want to. They prefer chewing on numbers, safe in the knowledge they run the show from behind-the-scenes.

Accountancy can be a stepping stone to the world of business, finance, or management. While you may be able to squeeze into entry-level accountancy jobs with an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s can help you to move up the ranks, especially if you plan to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam someday.

Accounting graduates often work in an accounting firms, government agencies, or commercial businesses. Others decide to leave all that behind and become self-employed.

Should you get a bachelor’s in accounting?

Accounting requires deductive reasoning and analytical thinking. It tends to suit people who enjoy investigative research or solving puzzles. If you have this skillset and personality, you are more likely to succeed as an accountant, and enjoy your work.

From an economic standpoint, a bachelor’s degree in accounting is a sound choice. Below, see the median performance of a bachelor in accounting holder compared to all bachelor holders. All data is taken 2 years after graduation.

Generally speaking, becoming CPA certified requires 2-years of work experience, making the 2 year threshold an extremely pivotal moment for accounting professionals post-college.

Accounting graduates can also expect their salary growth to hold better than those who studied in related fields, as the chart below shows.

Accounting graduates can expect their salary to rise slowly up to the age of 40, and for it to continue to hold its value in later age. There are many possible reasons for this. One is that accounting professionals possess an almost timeless skillset, so whilst there may be some re-training or updating of skills, older professionals are unlikely to lose their job because for refusing to embrace the Metaverse or TikTok.

How to pick a bachelor’s in accounting program?

Accreditation

It is important to check the credentials of any bachelor’s in accounting before applying to the program. AACSB accreditation is a stamp of quality that is respected by most accountancy employers.

Can you get a bachelor’s of accounting online?

Online learning is a relatively new trend, and accountancy tends to move at a lower speed than other professions, such as marketing and technology. Some accountancy employers may be unaware of the new online programs on offer, although this is likely to change as online learning gets a stronger foothold.

The average cost of an online bachelor’s in accountancy is $15,839, cheaper than on-campus courses which average $18,391. While studying online may save on room and board, on campus students tend to go on to earn more money. The average salary for a graduate who studied on campus is $48,201. This drops to $44,555 for graduates of online programs.

The best bachelor in accounting programs

Below you can find our ratings of the comparative earnings, costs, and payback rates of different accounting programs. Please review our methodology for more information on what metrics we look at, and how we determine comparative value between institutions.

How much does it cost to get a bachelor’s in accounting?

No big surprise that private schools are both the most expensive, and graduates enjoy the highest earnings 2 years out.

For-profit schools also perform relatively well. Note that if you are dead set on getting your degree online, the for-profit segment is your best bet – 71% of for-profit programs are entirely online, compared to 10% and 12% for public and private, respectively.

Financial aid and scholarships for accounting majors

The average undergraduate accounting student leaves school owing $22,145 in student debt. This is equivalent to 45% of the median earnings 2 years out, which is a very healthy ratio. There are a number of ways to minimize school cost, and your eventual debt. Check out scholarships in accounting:

What to expect from your bachelor in accounting program

Entry requirements

These depend on the type of institution offering the program, but having a high-school diploma or a GED is a general prerequisite. There are institutions with lower enrollment requirements and even some with open admission. These are usually low-ranking institutions with lower admission criteria for their programs.

Duration of studies

Earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting generally takes 4 years, or 120 credit hours. It can be completed in 2 years if you already hold an associate’s degree, as you may be able to transfer your credit hours from that program towards your bachelor’s degree. There are also part-time formats available, which can vary in duration.

Internship requirements

Depending on the program you enroll in, you may be required to complete an internship at an approved organization that is related to the accountancy field. Typically internships take place in the summer. Students submit a paper at the outset that outlines their expectations. They then write a second at the end of the internship to reflect on what they have learned. Accountancy internships typically last for between 150 and 250 hours.

Even if your program does not include an internship, it is a good idea to participate in one. Beyond the course credits, an internship can help you to understand the real-life working environment, and what the different accountancy roles involve. You can also make useful contacts that can lead to career opportunities once you graduate.

What type of bachelor’s degrees are there in accounting?

Before we discuss the main undergraduate accounting programs, note that to enter the accountancy field you can also study a related field at bachelor’s level, such as economics. Focusing on accountancy at bachelor’s level can be an advantage, but this specialization can come later, too.

There are 3 main types of bachelor’s in accountancy programs. The first is a bachelor’s of business administration in accounting (BBA). This provides a combination of business and accountancy courses, and their tends to be less emphasis on math in comparison to some other accountancy programs.

The remaining programs are bachelor’s of arts (B.A.) or bachelor’s of science (B.S). The core subjects are similar in both programs, but a B.A. focuses more on other subjects such as history, communication, psychology, or political science.

A B.S. in accounting usually devotes more time to studying subjects related to the major. This means the focus is more on gaining the necessary skills and knowledge needed to work in accounting, which may translate into a deeper understanding of advanced accounting principles.

Choosing one of these courses over the other is unlikely to affect your career. The choice usually comes down to the program that most interests the candidate and the school they prefer to attend.

Type of coursework

Most bachelor’s of accounting programs offer a broad curriculum, with intermediate or advanced courses that focus on specialized topics.

These courses may include:

• Intermediate and advanced financial accounting – Takes a deep dive into collecting, compiling, analyzing, and communicating financial data.
• Intermediate and advanced managerial accounting – Provides advanced understanding of the procedures used to analyze and communicate financial information.
• Accounting software and information systems – Technology is playing an increasingly important role in business. This class covers best practices on how to identify, avoid, and fight against accounting software security threats.
• Economics – Covers how economic principles help accounting professionals analyze various financial situations.
• Auditing – You’ll learn about auditing principles and procedures, with a focus on ethics, laws and regulations, and best practices in the field.
• Taxation – Offers intermediate and advanced knowledge on state and national taxation regulations and practices, including their impact on corporations and other organizations.
• Ethics in accounting and business – Teaches best practices of ethical behavior in accounting and business environments.
• Principles of macro and microeconomics – Students learn how to apply the laws that govern Microeconomics and Macroeconomics in real-life business situations.

Accounting certifications

A great way to advance your career is to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). This is the certification employers most often request when they hire accountants. The CPA exam requires 150 credit hours to complete, 90 more than an associate’s degree, and around 30 more than most bachelor’s programs. That’s why many choose to earn a master’s in accounting, widely considered the highest level of education in accounting.

To get this certification you have to sit for an exam organized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Entry requirements vary from state to state, but most specify that candidates have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years of public accounting experience.

Other accounting certifications include:

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

If you’re a forensic accountant and want to advance your career, you might become a Certified Fraud Examiner. Examinations are held by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and you need to have a bachelor’s degree and become a member of the organization to qualify.

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Internal auditors can upskill to become a certified internal auditor. This requires passing the CIA exam and agreeing to the IIA code of ethics. A bachelor’s degree, professional experience, and IIA membership, are usually required.

Conclusion

To apply for entry-level accountancy positions, an associate’s degree may be enough. That being said, a bachelor’s in accounting provides more options for a career in business, finance, or economics. It is also a required stepping stone to apply for a master’s degree, and later to become a CPA or CMA.