Online Accounting Degree BS in Accounting / BS in Accounting and Finance

Aligned with the 2024 CPA exam changes, the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting general program features embedded certificates to help you gain skills and credentials that can set you apart in your field.

The revised CPA will require candidates to be skilled in accounting, auditing and tax principles. SNHU's undergraduate program will support 120 of the 150 credit hours most individuals need for exam eligibility in most states.

In the core program you’ll learn to:

• Analyze financial accounting regulations
• Apply industry relevant tools and technology
• Interpret quantitative and qualitative data
• Communicate accounting information to stakeholders

In addition to required embedded certifications throughout the program, you'll have the option to further supplement your knowledge. Additional credentials include:

• Wiley Excel for Accountants. Use Excel for mission-critical tasks such as calculating profits, losses and margins; doing what-if analysis; and analyzing large data sets.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) certifications. Manage software to enter returns, communicate with undeserved populations about tax compliance and serve the community while learning detailed tax requirements directly from the IRS.
• Certificates in key soft skill areas. Build professional skills including leadership, critical thinking, creative problem solving, digital readiness in the working world, negotiation and more.

As a student of the BS in Accounting program, you'll also have the opportunity to pursue an internship, or an experiential learning course. These options will help you meet programmatic and industry requirements, and gain hands-on experience employers value.

The Bachelor of Science in accounting includes an Accelerated BS-to-MS Pathway Option. If you’re planning a future beyond your bachelor's, an accelerated BS-to-MS pathway option for this degree program can help prepare you for your next step. This lets you:

• Save money: Take up to 4 graduate-level courses (12 credits) during your bachelor's program at the online undergraduate tuition rate
• Save time: Apply your graduate credits to your master's degree to complete your program in as fast as one year

Plus, the accelerated pathway can help you satisfy the 150 credits required to sit for the CPA exam in most states even faster, for less. This could mean your goal of becoming a U.S. Certified Public Accountant is even closer than you think.

If you're interested in pursuing the BS-to-MS pathway option, have a discussion with your academic advisor to ensure you meet all of the academic requirements.

Note: The accelerated option is only available for the BS in Accounting and not the BS in Accounting and Finance.

Explore the intersection of law and finance with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting with a concentration in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination.

Forensic accountants and fraud examiners can help tip the scales of justice in legal cases such as asset misappropriation, tax fraud and corporate corruption. They help provide accounting firms, law offices and government agencies the evidence they need to uncover, assess and prosecute theft in both criminal and civil offenses.

The concentration also contains content that is intended to support individuals interested in pursing the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification exam.

Learn more about the forensic accounting degree concentration.

Courses may include:

• Auditing and Forensic Accounting
• Detection/Prevention Fraudulent Financial Statements
• Interview Techniques/Legal Aspects Fraud

With a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting and Finance from Southern New Hampshire University, you can help drive the financial health and success of a business. You'll learn how to keep an organization's finances in order and think strategically about their financial futures.

Throughout the coursework, you'll gain critical training in Microsoft Excel for Accountants, as well as experience in Tableau and Power BI.

In the online accounting and finance program, you'll learn how to:

• Identify long-term corporate investment opportunities to increase shareholder value
• Apply theories of asset allocation, security analysis and portfolio diversification to efficiently manage an investment portfolio
• Utilize the rules and regulations for financial accounting and reporting in a global economy
• Generate financial records and financial statements for internal and external users in accordance with governing rules and regulations
• Analyze, interpret and communicate financial and accounting information to internal and external stakeholders

Choose the course of study that interests you, whether it’s focusing on optimizing an organization's financial assets or putting yourself on the path to taking the CPA exam. 

A bachelor's in accounting and finance will prepare you for careers in banking and corporate finance, the treasury or as a financial analyst. In addition to positions in public accounting and private industry, you can also pursue roles in government agencies, hospitals, social service agencies, education systems and in the international arena. 

If you’re interested in this program, see the full curriculum or request info. SNHU also offers a full online finance degree program if finance is more of an interest than accounting. 

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

As part of our mission to make higher education more accessible, we’re committed to keeping our tuition rates low. In fact, we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

Prior coursework could also help you save time and money. SNHU’s transfer policy allows you to transfer up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree and 45 credits for an associate degree from your previous institutions—that means you could save up to 75% off the cost of tuition. You could also save time and money by getting college credit for previous work experience, or by taking advantage of military discounts and employer tuition assistance if available to you.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 160,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality. 

Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• U.S. News & World Report named SNHU the 2021 Most Innovative University in the North and one of the nation's "Best Regional Universities"
• Awarded the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology by The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 300,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

93.6% of online students would recommend SNHU (according to a 2022 survey with 17,000+ respondents). Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:

• Completed free undergraduate application
• Prior transcripts, which we can retrieve at no cost to you
• Test scores are not required as part of your application

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

If you’re ready to apply, follow these simple steps to get the process going:

• Complete a free undergraduate application
• Submit any additional documents required
• Work with an admission counselor to explore financial options and walk through the application process

If you have questions or need help filling out your application, call 1.888.387.0861 or email enroll@snhu.edu.

Notes: 

• Laptop or desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility. 

• Note:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10. 

• Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government. 

• Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers. 

Video Communication Platform:

• Mac or PC desktop or laptop (not a mobile device or tablet)
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Required: At least 1 Mbps upload/download speed

Internet Connectivity for Virtual Labs:

• Recommended: 5Mbps upload/download speed with less than 40ms latency

“Accounting is a great major because there are so many options," said Mona Stephens, accounting faculty lead at Southern New Hampshire University. "Everyone’s career path is a bit different. Do you want to go into public accounting, work within an organization as a management accountant, do taxes, work in government or a nonprofit, be an auditor?"

Like many professions, accounting has evolved with growing advances in technology. But at its core, Stephens said, it's always been about "telling the financial stories of a person or organization to allow for informed decision making."

Accountants may pursue a number of different job titles, including:

• Auditor. Review an organization’s financial records. Subcategories may include information technology auditors, who are tasked to evaluate financial data in technology systems, as well as internal/external auditors, who analyze financial resources and come up with solutions to reduce waste.
• Financial accountant. Handle financial reporting and prepare statements for shareholders, creditors, potential investors and the general public. Financial accounting plays a major role influencing a company's cost and budget, and therefore improving their overall financial standing.
• Government accountant. Work at the federal, state or local level to audit and prepare government records. You may also work with private businesses that interface with government entities.
• Public accountant. Prepare and audit tax returns for companies, government entities or individuals. You may work for a large accounting firm, or even work your way up to opening your own agency. Some public accountants have specialties including in fields such as criminal justice (read about how to become a forensic accountant). A certified public accountant (CPA) distinction is required.
• Management accountant. Help company management with budgets, cost analysis and strategic planning. Management accounting often involves making recommendations to streamline operations and drive business decisions.
• Tax accountant. Use specialized knowledge of government rules and regulations to prepare taxes and do income taxation planning for individuals, corporations and partnerships.

While the above roles represent the many different facets of accounting, these aren't the only options. An accounting degree can also prepare you for a number of other jobs in finance, such as:

• Financial examiner. With expert knowledge of financial law and lending practices, the financial examiner is responsible for keeping institutions compliant. You'll analyze and evaluate the health of financial institutions and protect consumers from risky loans. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, financial examiners earned a median annual salary of $82,210 in 2022. In addition, the BLS projects that job prospects will grow 20% through 2032, much faster than the national average.¹ This is largely due to the fact that employers are continuing to seek expert help with federal regulatory compliance.
• Financial analyst. As a financial analyst, you'll work with organizations and individuals to evaluate investment opportunities such as stocks and bonds. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong job growth for financial analysts in the coming years – 8% through 2032 or about 29,000 new jobs each year.¹ Median annual salary for these jobs was reportedly $96,220 in 2022.¹
• Financial manager. If your goal is to ultimately take a management-level role, this could be the right path for you. As a financial manager, you'll not only take on critical responsibilities such as directing investment activities and developing long-term financial strategies, you'll supervise a team responsible for budgeting and reporting. The BLS reported that financial managers earned a median annual wage of $139,790 in 2022.¹ Job prospects also appear very promising in the coming years, as their skills are expected to be in high demand for employers across many industries. The BLS projects jobs are expected to grow 16% through 2032 – much faster than the national average.¹
• Budget analyst. By focusing on budget analysis, spending and funding, budget analysts take the reins in supporting public and private institutions organize their finances. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for budget analysts was $82,260 in 2022.¹

Read more about what you can do with an accounting degree besides accounting.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical entry-level education in accounting is a bachelor's degree.

If you'd like to test the waters, we also offer an online associate in accounting and undergraduate certificate in accounting online. These options can give you the opportunity to explore the field before committing to a 4-year program. The best part is, if you decide to continue on, you can easily transfer your credits to a bachelor's program – saving you time and tuition.

If you're committed to a career in accounting, and have done your research, you may have heard of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). While not required, this highly-regarded certification may help you stand out to employers.

Melanie Karbowski '14 had enjoyed a brief career as a revenue assurance analyst at a startup. But after her children were born, she left the workplace to be a full-time mom at home. When her youngest started kindergarten, Karbowski, then 35, was a freshman in college, excited to prepare for a career in forensic accounting.

But she never dreamed that she would go so far or experience so much success. Today, she couldn't be happier with where she is or where is going.

"For a girl who barely made it out of high school, I am now ready to graduate with a 3.9 GPA," she said just before graduating.

No matter where you are in your career – or how many times you've started college and never finished – an online accounting degree at SNHU can help you balance school, work and your personal life in pursuit of your goals.

If you're looking to earn your accounting degree online – you've come to the right place. SNHU is a leading provider of online education. And since we started as a business and accounting school back when we first opened our doors in 1932, we feel confident in our ability to train accountants for real-world success.

Learning online has become much more common for working adults in recent years. Not only do online courses give you more flexibility – they're more affordable, too. Southern New Hampshire University specifically has some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

It's important to note that our online accounting programs also align with the Content and Skill Specification Outlines set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), meaning the coursework contains content relevant to the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. It is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This means you'll have a credible, respected degree that can help position you for success in the field of accounting.

For Fernando Franco '15, earning a bachelor's degree in accounting has been a gateway to a better life.

"I was fed up with working at meager jobs where I was not going to go anywhere in life," said Franco, who worked as a package handler, putting in 12-hour days, a back-breaking job with low pay and little job security. "My father did his homework and found out that SNHU was the best university for me."

While earning a bachelor's is an important step to enter the field of accounting, you may want to take your career even further. If that's the case, you may want to consider one of these three major certifications. Please note that each designation will require a bachelor's degree along with additional requirements, depending on location.

Certified public accountant (CPA), certified management accountant (CMA) and chartered financial analyst (CFA) certifications are all valuable distinctions in the fields of finance and accounting. The one you choose depends on which path you'd like to take. Let's take a look:

Certified public accountant (CPA). If your goal is to work closely with clients to advise on financial matters, the CPA can help you get there. SNHU's program aligns with AICPA, making it an ideal start to the pathway toward CPA licensure. While requirements to sit for the exam vary by state, all states require a minimum of a bachelor's degree or 120 college credit hours to be eligible.

Certified management accountant (CMA). Many struggle to decide whether a CPA or CMA is right for them. Here are a few key differences: For one, the CPA is a state license, while the CMA is a globally recognized credential. The CPA helps prepare you for customer-facing areas of accounting, while the CMA is built for corporate finance. To become a CMA, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree, complete 2 continuous years of management accounting or financial management experience and pass a 2-part exam.

Chartered financial analyst (CFA). If you're interested in becoming an investment management professional, the CFA is recognized as the industry gold standard. This designation is offered by the CFA Institute and requires many years of work and effort to achieve. Chartered financial analysts must pass a series of CFA exams, hold a bachelor's and complete four years of qualified professional experience.

This answer depends on the kind of accounting degree you're looking for. If you're looking to earn a degree faster, an Associate of Science (AS) in Accounting generally takes about 2 years to complete, and an undergraduate certificate can take less than a year. A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting, by comparison, takes about 4 years.

At SNHU, these shorter programs have the added benefit of easily "stacking" into a bachelor's. This means the courses you take for one program will seamlessly transfer to the next. So for an associate degree, for example, that means you could have 2 degree programs under your belt in the exact same amount of time it takes to earn your bachelor's.

While a bachelor's usually takes about 4 years to complete in many cases, there are certain factors that can help you finish even faster. Namely:

• The number of classes you take per term
• The number of credits you transfer into the program

This is all to say that you might be more ahead than you think. If you’ve earned general education credits or have previously taken classes in accounting, business or finance, you could have a considerable amount of your program already completed.

SNHU accepts up to 90 transfer credits for our undergraduate programs and also offers a free credit evaluation upon acceptance. This gives you the opportunity to look at all your previously earned credits and determine what is transferable to a bachelor's-level program. Once you have this information, you'll be able to determine the classes you'll need to take moving forward, as well as the amount of time it will take to graduate.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (viewed Nov. 14, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm (viewed Nov. 14, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm (viewed Nov. 14, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm (viewed Nov. 14, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm (viewed Nov. 14, 2023)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.