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What is Accounting?

What Is an Accounting Degree?

An accounting degree is an undergraduate program that teaches the fundamentals of accounting and finance. A traditional or online bachelor's degree in accounting is the first step to a profession in the business or finance fields, as well as a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Accountants work in virtually every industry and can hold a variety of different jobs in corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and small businesses. Their work consists of creating financial reports, reviewing income and expenses for companies, preparing taxes, and ensuring compliance with government regulations.

WGU’s online bachelor’s accounting degree program is designed so students will stand out from the competition with their knowledge of GAAP, ledgers, journal entries, and more. This degree empowers students to help organizations meet standards and obey laws, benefiting individuals, companies, and entire communities.

Business
COMPARE

Accounting – B.S. Business Administration

Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?...

Have a knack for numbers or fine-tuning finances?

  • Time: 62% of graduates finish within 24 months
  • Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
  • Courses: 41 courses in this program

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Financial Statements
  • Communication
  • Detail Oriented
  • Research

Take your first step toward CPA certification and learn how to use GAAP, ledgers, and journals.

Business
COMPARE

Accounting – M.S.

Become better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private...

Become better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private accounting positions:

  • Time: 62% of grads finish within 19 months.
  • Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
  • Courses: 10-11 total courses in this program

This program offers 4 unique specializations for students to choose from, allowing you to gain specific experience and skills that will help you in your career. Choose from concentrations in taxation, auditing, management accounting, and financial reporting to boost your résumé.

Skills for your résumé that this program will prepare you for: 

  • Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Tax Planning
  • Financial Management
  • Communication
  • Data Analysis
  • This MAcc program is designed to prepare you for the CPA exam and also the CMA or CIA exams.

Can You Earn an Accounting Degree Online?

Yes. There are many great options for students who want to pursue an online bachelor's accounting program. Online bachelor's degree s offer students accounting courses in taxation, auditing, accounting information systems, financial and managerial accounting, along with other business fundamentals. If you are interested in pursuing an accounting degree online, it's important to verify that the program is accredited and well-respected. WGU's online bachelor's accounting program is ACBSP accredited, a designation showing that it rigorous and will be respected by your employer, and has prepared thousands of students to pass the CPA exam and to pursue careers in accounting, finance, and business.

Does an online accounting degree meet certification requirements?

The right online accounting program prepares you with all the requirements needed to start a successful accounting career. In order to secure an accounting job or sit for the CPA exam, you'll need to have an accredited bachelor's degree. When researching online accounting degrees, be sure that you choose a program under an accredited institution, such as WGU.

What Types of Accounting Degrees Are There?

3 Kinds

Students can earn associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degrees in accounting. The first degree you must earn to become a professional accountant is a bachelor’s degree. Graduate degree options include a master's in accounting, an MBA with an emphasis in accounting, a Ph.D. in accounting, and a DBA with a concentration in accounting.

How Much Does an MBA Cost?

$20,234

According to recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of college is $20,234 per year. Depending on where a student elects to earn their degree, total fees can range considerably. Public community colleges had the lowest costs, at $8,928 per year, while private universities cost a whopping $35,074 annually. At WGU, students only pay $3,575 per six-month term while earning their accounting degree. Moreover, graduates of our accounting graduates report an average salary increase of $15,053 after completing their degree.

Is WGU Accounting Respected?

Yes

The online bachelor's accounting program is ACBSP accredited, a designation that's widely respected by employers. On average, WGU graduates experience an increase in salary post-graduation. Two years following graduation, professionals earn $18,200 more per year than pre-enrollment, and $25,900 more four years following graduation. WGU students can rest assured that their degree will earn them employment and greater salaries.

How Long Does an Accounting Degree Take

4 Years

In general, it takes about four years or 120 credits to complete an online accounting degree. However, with a competency-based education model, like what is offered at WGU, students can graduate more quickly by passing assessments using their existing skills and knowledge. This allows students to accelerate their education and take control over their own success, giving them confidence in their education and later their career. On average, students who earn their bachelor’s degree from WGU finish in just two and a half years.

Which is Better, CPA or Master's in Accounting?

Getting a CPA license is a must in certain industries, and in many states, a master’s degree will be required to sit for the CPA. In some states, only a bachelor’s degree and a certain amount of accounting coursework or experience is required. However, in many states and for many companies, a master’s degree may also be a requirement.. Keep in mind, you will need a CPA license to move beyond the manager level in any reputable accounting firm. In finance and business, professionals must earn their CPA license in order to move up to senior finance positions in big companies.

What is the Best Degree for Accounting?

A bachelor’s degree in accounting is the building block for all accounting career paths and it's the starting point to a successful career in public, private, governmental, or non-profit accounting. Graduates from bachelor’s programs are equipped to become staff accountants, tax accountants, auditors, and many other jobs. They’re also eligible to sit for the CPA exam, which will open new, higher-paying job opportunities.

Is an Accounting Degree Worth It?

If you want to work in accounting, finance or business, getting a bachelor's or master's degree in accounting is a great investment in your career.

Trends in accounting indicate that the need for highly qualified accountants is growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, producing about 136,400 openings per year over the course of the decade. The median salary for accountants is $77,250 per year.

Whether you want to start a new career in accounting, move up to management, or become a CPA, WGU has an accredited and affordable degree program that can fulfill your career goals. 

Some unique benefits of getting your degree from WGU include:

Excellent return on investment.
Average a $18,200 raise in pay within two years of completing your accounting degree.1

Graduate faster with less debt. 
70% of our students finish their B.S. in 41 months and M.S. in 23 months while averaging 49% less debt!

Be better prepared for the CPA exam. 
Not only does our master’s in accounting meet the required 150 required credit hours, but WGU grads have a much higher pass rate than the national average.

What Classes Do You Take in College for Accounting?

In WGU’s accounting program, students can expect to earn a very well-rounded degree with courses in accounting, business, business management, general education, IT fundamentals, and human resources. These courses include:

Accounting
Business Core
Business Management
General Education
Human Resources
IT Fundamentals

How Many Years of College for Accounting?

It takes four years to complete an accounting degree from a traditional, in-person college or university. At WGU, it takes students just 2.5 years on average to complete their accounting bachelor’s degree. 

How Much Does it Cost to get an Accounting Degree Online?

The cost of your online accounting degree will vary based on the school you choose—different schools will have different tuition and fee amounts. WGU is one of the most affordable options for an online accounting degree, with tuition costing just $3,575 per six-month term. Tuition is charged per term, not per credit, so you can take as many courses as you're able during your six-month term. That means graduating faster will cost less!

What Can You do With an Accounting Degree?

A degree in accounting qualifies you to work in a wide range of positions related to accounting and finance. The positions you qualify for depend on your level of education. With a bachelor’s degree, you may be most qualified for entry-level positions as a bookkeeper, accounts payable specialist, or assistant payroll administrator. With a master’s degree in accounting and as a certified public accountant, you may find you’re more qualified for leadership positions and senior-level roles. These include accounting manager, auditor, investment banker, and chief financial officer. Some common careers you can pursue with an education in accounting include:

  • Forensic accountant
  • Tax accountant
  • Auditor
  • CPA
  • Controller
  • CFO
  • Financial manager
  • Bookkeeper
  • Payroll accountant
  • Financial advisor
  • Banker
  • Wealth manager
  • Financial analyst
  • Tax attorney

It’s possible to budget for college.

Let us help you with options to pay for your degree.

Programs Begin the 1st of any Month

WGU enrolls new students at the beginning of each month, launching a new term for those students. A term at WGU is 6 months long. What does this mean for you? You can start when you’re ready, rather than rushing (or waiting) for fall or spring enrollment.  So, it’s back-to-school time year-round at WGU!