With each passing year, the job market for careers ebbs and flows depending on the needs of the country. Unlike most other careers though, accounting has been steadily growing for many years now. This is because the world will always need accountants to look over the finances of companies. As long as entrepreneurs are out there to start up new businesses, accountants will always be needed to crunch the numbers. We understand the importance of accountants, and we want to encourage people to diversify their skills and look at online accounting programs. To help guide prospective students through this decision, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best accounting programs out there.
WHY STUDY ACCOUNTING ONLINE?
Unlike some other programs that require constant communication with professors, accounting is interesting in that it’s primarily designed to be done by an individual at their own speed. With that in mind, an online accounting program guides students in financial management without forcing them to travel large distances to complete the same work in a traditional classroom. If you have a desire to earn an accounting degree but don’t have the ability to sacrifice large portions of your day to travel to and from campus, then studying accounting online may be the right solution for you.
IS EARNING AN ONLINE ACCOUNTING DEGREE RIGHT FOR YOU?
An online accounting degree is absolutely perfect for any prospective students that have already begun working for a business and are looking to expand their skills to meet the demands of their industry. Anyone with a busy schedule that is worried that college classes would be too hectic for their lifestyle should know that online classes work a little differently to traditional classes. As such, students can learn at their own pace to acquire their degree, while still maintaining their job. Studying from home is the future of education, so start taking advantage of these wonderful tools today.
TOP ACCOUNTING SCHOOLS LIST
QUICKVIEW
- Alamance Community College
- Bentley University
- Bluefield State College
- Edison State Community College
- Hallmark College of Technology/Hallmark College of Aeronautics
- Hobe Sound Bible College
- Houston Community College
- ICDC College
- Northwest Christian University
- Northwest Iowa Community College
- Red Rocks Community College
- Richmond Community College
- Shorter University
- Snead State Community College
- Stetson University
- Western Technical College
Alamance Community College
http://www.alamancecc.edu/online-and-distance-education-site/online-programs/
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 4,706 | N/A | 15% | 58% |
About This School
Alamance Community College utilizes the Moodle learning management system to deliver its comprehensive online accounting programs directly to its students. Those interested in pursuing an associate’s degree online for accounting will be pleased to know that Alamance Community College primarily offers two different accounting programs: one for financial accounting and one for accounting and income tax. In addition to fully online programs, Alamance Community College also provides students with the opportunity to partake in hybrid classes that involve courses directly on campus. Of course, Alamance Community College also boasts over 90 hours of coursework that can be completed entirely online, as well as over 100 different curriculum courses.
Admissions Advisor
Bentley University
175 Forest St
Waltham, Massachusetts 02452-4705
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 5,647 | 31% | 84% | 95% |
About This School
Bentley University refers to its undergraduate programs as an ‘unparalleled fusion of business and the arts.’ Perhaps this is nowhere more evident than in its online accounting programs. Founded back in 1917, the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance has evolved over the years to incorporate cutting edge technology, with the ultimate goal to provide its students with all of the tools they’ll need for success in their career. In addition to preparing students for their CPA examination, Bentley University also has a master’s program dedicated entirely to accounting, as well as a doctoral program for students interesting in earning their PhD in accountancy. Put simply, Bentley University is a great school for prospective students that wish to study the connections between business, society, and technology.
Admissions Advisor
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 1,935 | 68% | 28% | 53% |
About This School
Through the W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business, Bluefield State College primarily offers its students two comprehensive business programs: a bachelor’s degree program in accounting and a bachelor’s degree program in business information systems. While the business information systems major is useful for students that are interested in a more general look at business and computer science, the accounting program is especially useful for students that are eager to pass the CPA examination in West Virginia. Interestingly, Bluefield State College has the distinction of using both the Moodle and Blackboard learning management systems to deliver course material directly to its students.
Admissions Advisor
Edison State Community College
http://catalog.edisonohio.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=17&poid=2807
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 2,475 | N/A | 26% | 51% |
About This School
Edison Community College uses the Blackboard learning management system to provide students with online alternatives to its traditional coursework. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Edison Community College offers students the ability to earn their degrees in accounting and finance, as well as business and management. In addition, students can choose to take specialized online courses that will earn them certifications in business-related areas like online advertising, becoming an entrepreneur, and integrating social media into an organization. Students will also be pleased to learn that many of these classes are not tied directly to semesters and can be completed in as little as one month.
Admissions Advisor
Hallmark College of Technology/Hallmark College of Aeronautics
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 756 | N/A | 56% | 15% |
About This School
Through its school of business, Hallmark College of Technology has educated over one million students across the globe. With its online coursework, students can pursue their bachelor’s degree in accounting and then move on to a master’s degree in business administration. Through the accounting concentration, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in a specialized business area or simply pursue an accounting certification instead. Hallmark College of Technology has built its worldwide success by providing students with the ability to not only choose from a wide range of programs, but also by giving them the opportunity to do it all from home.
Admissions Advisor
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 75 | N/A | 43% | 63% |
About This School
Hobe Sound Bible College believes that learning is both a privilege and a responsibility. Nowhere is this more evident than in its online accounting classes. With each online class designed to be completed in as little as seven weeks, students will need to exercise responsibility to ensure that move through their program at a speed that is comfortable for them, but also adequate enough to complete all of their accounting program’s requirements.
Admissions Advisor
Houston Community College
http://de.hccs.edu/course-schedule/?appSession=283301568454275
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 58,476 | N/A | 13% | 59% |
About This School
Houston Community College has designed two different accounting programs for its students, depending on their current needs. Students that have little to no experience in accounting can take advantage of the online associate’s degree program offered by Houston Community College, whereas students that are in need of continuing education to advance their career can take an online accounting certification program. Both programs are designed to be flexible with a student’s schedule and can easily be completed across the Internet.
Admissions Advisor
ICDC College
http://ww2.icdccollege.edu/icdccollege.edu/business-management-and-accounting-associate-degree
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 4,298 | N/A | 69% | 61% |
About This School
ICDC College is a university that understands exactly what type of busy schedule those that are interested in online classes have. As such, they’ve worked hard to create an online accounting program that stands above the rest with its commitment to accessibility and ease of use. Through asynchronous learning, students can earn their associate’s degree in business management and accounting at a speed that is comfortable for them. Through interactive classrooms and career development training, students are guided through their program to make the decisions that are right for them. Students that are unsure of what degree to pursue can also choose to partake in ‘fast-track’ diploma programs that will have them earning their computerized accounting diploma in virtually no time at all.
Admissions Advisor
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 631 | 38% | 48% | 71% |
About This School
As its name implies, Northwest Christian University is a school that espouses wisdom, faith, and service above all else. Rated as one of the most comprehensive colleges in the west, Northwest Christian University offers its students the ability to earn their undergraduate degree in accounting before moving on to a master’s degree in business administration. Students that are excited by the prospect of cultivating their education at an institution steeped in religious tradition would do well to look at Northwest Christian University for their online accounting needs.
Admissions Advisor
Northwest Iowa Community College
http://www.nwicc.edu/prospective-students/academics/online.aspx
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 1,621 | N/A | 56% | 71% |
About This School
Through Northwest Iowa Community College’s accounting certification program, students can expect to earn their accounting certificate in as little as ten months. For those that are interested in earning a higher level degree, Northwest Iowa Community College also has online programs dedicated to earning an associate of applied science degree in accounting, as well as one for those that desire an associate of arts in pre-professional accounting. Interestingly, Northwest Iowa Community College has also invested heavily in the Iowa Communications Network for some of its online classes. Through this network, students are able to interact with classrooms from other campuses through a combination of microphones and cameras that are utilized through a complex fiber optics system.
Admissions Advisor
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 9,031 | N/A | 24% | 57% |
About This School
Red Rocks Community College has an accounting degree program that encompasses not only basic accounting, but bookkeeping, paraprofessional accounting, accounting fundamentals, and accounting clerk work as well. Through the Red Rocks Community College School of Business, students will learn about the evolution of accounting and how it applies to today’s world, including the rise in accounting job growth that mirrors the increase in corporate accountability. In fact, many students have used the Red Rocks Community College online associate’s degree program, with a special emphasis on business, to move on to other schools for completion of their bachelor’s degree.
Admissions Advisor
Richmond Community College
http://www.richmondcc.edu/academic-programs/credit-programs/business-administration/
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 2,523 | N/A | 21% | 57% |
About This School
Richmond Community College has designed its online accounting program to not only provide students with the basic skills of accounting, but also the ‘language of business’ that is integral to success in a number of fields. Through this program, students will also learn about business management, finance, and economics, as well as computer applications that will ensure they’re up to date with modern technology. Best of all, Richmond Community College offers students several accounting programs, depending on what stage students are already at in their career. As such, students can attend Richmond Community College online for their associate’s degree or certification needs, including a specific program for those that wish to become a bookkeeper.
Admissions Advisor
Shorter University
http://online.shorter.edu/programs/associate/associate-of-science-business/
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 1,525 | 27% | 47% | 54% |
About This School
Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Shorter University is a proud supporter of online and distance education. As such, they offer competitive degree programs that help their students achieve their dreams, whether it is through an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program. Specifically, Shorter University has designed its online accounting degree programs to coincide with its greater mission of providing students with a Christian education that instills the values of Christ.
Admissions Advisor
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 2,436 | N/A | 29% | 63% |
About This School
As one of the oldest colleges in the Alabama Community College System, and one of the most successful for online programs, it should come as no surprise that Snead State Community College is one of the most popular choices for students interested in earning their online associate’s degree in accounting in the Alabama area. In addition to an online accounting certification program, students can also pursue an associate in applied science degree in business management, which can be completed entirely online. With Snead State Community College, students are given the flexibility to plan out their future at their own speed, as well as the tools with which to see their plan come to fruition.
Admissions Advisor
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 3,961 | 28% | 64% | 79% |
About This School
Stetson University has developed its accounting program to provide students with the online tools they need to acquire their undergraduate degree in accounting, as well as a graduate program for those that are eager to advance their education even further. For undergraduate students, the online accounting program can be taken as either a major or a minor to complement other majors like business administration and business systems analysis. At the graduate level, students can earn their master’s in accountancy entirely online. Stetson University also holds the distinction of being one of the few schools to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in both accounting and business. As a result, it should come as no surprise that virtually all of the school’s accounting graduates move on to secure positions in competitive fields.
Admissions Advisor
Western Technical College
http://www.westerntc.edu/Programs/Program.aspx?PROGRAM_NBR=101011
| Total Enrollment | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
| 4,798 | N/A | 36% | 56% |
About This School
Western Technical College has incorporated the use of the Blackboard learning management system into its online accounting program in order to ensure that all of its students get the type of education they deserve. In particular, Western Technical College has devised a set out of outcomes that they expect all students to achieve through the accounting program, including the use of effective communication skills, the ability to use technology effectively, and the ability to process financial transactions throughout the accounting cycle. Of course, these are just a few of the many outcomes that Western Technical College has for its students, which is why they’ve had great success with job placement in entry-level accounting positions.