2025: Top Online Accounting Schools Offering Bachelor’s, MAcc, MBA Options & More
Choose From the Most Respected Names in Online Accounting Education
Top business schools go all-in to build accounting programs worthy of their names. From bachelor's and MSA degrees with globally-recognized ACBSP accreditation to legacy MBAs with CPA exam-prep courses built in, you’ll find exceptional online options here. All of them accept a limited number of students. Apply now and get your application to the top of the stack.
Online BS in Accountancy
Online AS and BS in Accounting with a focus in Finance or Forensic Accounting
B.S. in Accounting
Certificate, Associate's, and Bachelor's Degree-Completion Program in Accounting
Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Master of Science in Professional Accounting
Master of Accountancy and Analytics
Master of Business Administration- Accounting-Managerial; Master of Business Administration- Accounting-Public; Accounting Certificate
Bachelor's in Accounting - Forensic Accounting; Bachelor in Accounting; Bachelor's in Accounting - Certified Managerial Accounting
Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science in Accounting
PROS
One of the lowest tuition rates in the country for online AS programs in accounting Students develop the tools for success under faculty with real-world experience and expertise Student support includes fully-staffed academic and career advising services Exclusive SNHUConnect online community makes it easy to connect with faculty and fellow students Multiple concentrations in every program allow you to specialize your skillset Students can earn relevant certs including VITA and Wiley Excel for Accountants Zero cost to applyCONS
One of the lowest tuition rates in the country for online AS programs in accounting Students develop the tools for success under faculty with real-world experience and expertise Student support includes fully-staffed academic and career advising services Exclusive SNHUConnect online community makes it easy to connect with faculty - services - and fellow students Multiple concentrations in every program allow you to specialize your skillset even before graduation Students can earn relevant certs while attending including VITA and Wiley Excel for Accountants Zero cost to applyPROS
Transfer credits accepted to jump start your progress Ranked among the best programs in the nation by Public Accounting Report and U.S. News & World Report State-of-the-art curriculum develops accounting acumen along with critical thinking and IT skills Ranked second in the U.S. among all public universities for employability in 2025 BS in Accountancy can be completed as part of an accelerated master’s program for CPA eligibility The W.P. Carey School of Business conducts innovative research with award-winning professors from around the world Learn the latest e-business software
PROS
Offers affordable tuition with students anywhere in the country paying in-state rates A Christian worldview integrated into the course curriculum offers guidance beyond accounting Study advanced analytic concepts relevant to financial accounting MSA program offers three full capstone courses dedicated to covering the Uniform CPA exam BSA completion qualifies students to sit for the Certified Management Accountant exam Covers competencies in multiple accounting domains ranging from ethics and values to information literacy The same knowledgeable faculty staff both the online and on campus programs at GCU
PROS
Self-directed assessments allow you to prove existing knowledge to bypass courses and accelerate degree completion Bachelor's offers graduate-level coursework for an accelerated path to earning a master’s and qualifying for the CPA Develop essential accounting knowledge along with effective communication and problem-solving skills Laddered undergrad options support your advancement through the bachelor’s level Rasmussen’s Empowered Learning® approach uses real-world cases to promote an understanding of accounting in a broader business context
PROS
Contemporary curriculum with coursework actively reviewed by industry leaders and professionals Hands-on approach to learning develops practical skills in financial record management - tax prep - and fiscal advising Faculty members have in-depth experience in a wide range of accounting fields from economics to taxation Built-in capstone project supports you in mastering and demonstrating skills for real-world accounting practice BS and MS programs can contribute to qualifications for the CPA - CIA - or CMA exams Flexible learning system accommodates the scheduling needs of working professionals Purdue Global School of Business and Information Technology Programs hold ACBSP Accreditation
PROS
Graduates have been offered positions at high-powered firms like KPMG and Lockheed Martin Program is registered as a New York State CPA Licensure Qualifying Program Accelerated option available for students who have already completed a bachelor’s in accounting STEM-designated program All coursework and live lectures are made available through a full-service mobile app Dedicated advising services as well as career coaching and guidance assist you both academically and professionally through the program Real-world experience built into the program ensures concept mastery and helps theory stick
PROS
No GRE or GMAT required to apply and application fees temporarily waived for Fall 2025 Curriculum based on actual business case scenarios to build relevant skills in all aspects of accounting CPA exam prep courses built into the curriculum Tap into an extensive alumni network and get valuable guidance through GradCAT the Graduate Career Acceleration Team Offers analytics integration to prepare every graduate for the digital environment of today’s business world Eligible candidates may receive a scholarship of up to $10000 toward the MAcc program An on-campus Leadership Development Conference builds strong ties to both peers and instructors
PROS
Small class sizes offer plenty of opportunities for one-on-one support from professors Certificate designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in majors other than accounting Includes the upper-level accounting credits required for CPA exam eligibility Practical coursework covers skills directly relevant to the demands of today’s job market No GRE required for master’s program admission Learn the problem-solving and communication skills required for high-level accounting positions
PROS
Generous credit transfer policy for courses completed at other schools Enjoy the assistance of a designated one-on-one support team Faculty members with years of industry experience Applied learning experiences including practica and internship placements CPA exam preparation built into the curriculum Optional CMA concentration in the bachelor’s program meets the requirement for the CMA credential and eligibility to take the CPA exam Choose from BS or BA option to tailor your general studies courses to fit your goals and interests
PROS
Offers a running start to students coming in with some industry experience Coursework aligned with the CPA exam for North Carolina Among select programs worldwide with ACBSP Separate Accounting Program Accreditation Online students receive academic support and personalized assistance identical to the campus experience Transfer in up to 93 credits from other programs Optional Health Care Administration concentration available Faculty members deliver ethical guidance along with core expertise in accountingCommon Questions About Online Accounting Degree Programs
Predictability, clarity, and stability are the hallmarks of the accounting field.
For the accounting mindset, in particular, the idea of flexible, remote studies may answer some important questions about accessibility and affordability, but raise many others about quality, rigor, and content.
We’ve got just the answers to put your detail-oriented mind to rest.
What Degree Do I Need to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant)?
Certified Public Accountants must have at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify to sit for the CPA exam. However, the total number of required semester credits is 150— 30 credits more than the typical bachelor’s degree program.
This can create some confusion about the standard, because many people choose to earn those additional credits by pursuing a Master of Accounting degree, which typically runs from 30 to 45 credits. However, it’s perfectly possible to accumulate the additional credits through a certificate program or by taking graduate-level coursework but not going on to earn a full degree.
And if you’re preparing for an undergrad program and already know for certain that you want to earn your CPA, you’ll find specialized five-year CPA track bachelor’s programs expressly designed to deliver the 150 semester credits, complete with the precise blend of courses required to be eligible to take the CPA exam in a given state.
You’ll often find five-year CPA track degrees billed as 3 + 2 programs that essentially give three years to undergraduate courses and two to advanced accounting and auditing courses. Most of these result in being awarded both a bachelor’s and Master of Accounting (MAcc) or MS in Accounting.
It’s important to note that regardless of your major, state licensing requirements will include a list of specific courses that you must have taken at some point along the way. The exact distribution of credit-hours across accounting, auditing, business, and ethics courses does vary somewhat from state to state.
What Degree Do I Need to Become a CMA (Certified Management Accountant)?
Becoming a Certified Management Accountant also requires at least a bachelor’s degree. However, the major need not be in accounting or even a related field, and there is no specific coursework that you must take.
That means that any bachelor’s degree in accounting will fulfill the education requirement for a CMA. However, you must still pass the required test and meet additional experience requirements. It’s wise to make sure your bachelor’s includes the appropriate coursework to prepare you for the CMA exam if that’s your path.
The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), which awards the CMA, also accepts certain other common credentials in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. This is not a common path to certification today, but individuals who already have one of these credentials do not need to provide proof of holding a bachelor’s degree:
- Certified Fraud Examiner
- Certified Internal Auditor
- Certified Treasury Professional
- Chartered Financial Analyst
What is The Difference Between a CPA and a CMA?
The primary difference between Certified Management Accountants and Certified Public Accountants lies in their areas of focus.
CPAs specialize in a wide range of accounting services, including tax preparation, auditing, financial analysis, and consulting. The profession is closely regulated, and you must have a CPA in order to provide certain types of common public accounting services.
CMAs are oriented toward the strategic and analytical needs of large organizations. They provide the kind of financial analysis and advice necessary in management accounting to make companies more efficient and compliant with regulatory requirements. Unlike public accounting, the field of management accounting is not closely regulated, so it’s not necessary to have a CMA to fill certain roles. However, most public and private sector employers will prefer a candidate with a CMA over someone without.
Do You Have to Become Certified to Work as an Accountant?
There are many accounting roles that are available to individuals who don’t hold a formal certification as either a CMA or CPA. In both public and managerial accounting, staff accounting positions or detailed specialist roles in areas like AP (accounts payable) or AR (accounts receivable) don’t require licensing.
A CMA is always an optional credential, even for senior accounting management jobs, but preferred by many organizations. Outside of management accounting, however, many accounting firms hire people to perform accounting work under the supervision of a CPA. So you can get your foot in the door with analysis, bookkeeping, and tax prep work before you go on to earn a certification.
What Other Kinds of Jobs Can You Get With a Degree in Accounting?
While public and management accounting are probably the major fields that most accounting graduates go into, there are a wide range of specialist roles that you will be qualified for after earning an accounting degree.
These can include fields such as:
- Auditing
- Cost Accounting
- Forensic Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
- Government Accounting
- Non-profit Accounting
- Project Accounting
Is It Possible to Become a CPA Without a Master’s Degree in Accounting?
Yes, you can become a CPA with only a bachelor’s degree in accounting. However, you will need to come up with an additional 30 credits of coursework to meet the 150 semester credit hour required for the license. Additionally, that coursework must cover certain relevant areas required by your state. For this reason, it’s common for CPAs to earn a Master of Accounting degree to meet the requirements.
What Kind of Jobs Can You Get With an Associate’s Degree in Accounting?
An associate’s degree in accounting opens up many entry-level positions in the field, from bookkeeping to AR/AP clerking jobs. The basic principles and technical details of associate’s-level accounting studies are completely adequate for positions that will be supervised ,,by more qualified accounting professionals in either public or management accounting.
Just as important, an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting or Associate of Science in Accounting can also be used to fulfill the first two years of a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree. Frequently, this is less expensive and less overwhelming than enrolling directly in a bachelor’s program. It also allows you to build important experience and expertise in the field along the way. By the time you are ready to move up to a bachelor’s, you’ll be better prepared and complete your studies faster and with more confidence.
What Do You Learn in an Online Certificate in Accounting Program?
There is no single official set of coursework that comes with an Online Certificate in Accounting. Each separate school is free to offer certificates aimed at any sort of professional purpose in accounting.
However, these are most commonly offered as post-baccalaureate certificates that are designed to provide bachelor’s graduates with the additional 30 credit hours required to qualify to sit for the CPA exam. The coursework is usually aimed at graduates who hold a Bachelor in Business Administration or Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree and assumes that you already have a strong intro to accounting principles.
The classes in certificate programs are often offered at an intermediate level, covering management, ethics, legal aspects, and specialized topics like taxation and financial analysis. Programs specifically designed to prepare graduates for the CPA exam will often say so.
Are Online Accounting Degrees as Good as Traditional On-Campus Accounting Programs?
There is no qualitative difference between online accounting degrees and accounting degrees earned by sitting in a campus classroom today. In fact, many of the degree programs shown here have the same curriculum and same instructors as their on-campus counterparts.
Additionally, there is no indicator on your diploma whether the program was offered online or on campus. Employers do not distinguish between the formats on your resume.