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Associate Degree in Accounting Online Associate of Science (AS) Program

Blake Venable, who earned his degree from SNHU, sitting at a desk in an office typing on a keyboard with his cell phone on the desk next to him.

Cost per credit $330

Total courses 40

Term length 8 weeks

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Program Overview Why get an accounting degree?

Develop the accounting and business skills that employers desire with an online Associate of Science (AS) in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. The associate degree in accounting is perfect for professionals who want to enter an accounting-related field or lay the groundwork for continuing their education in accounting or business.

The credits you earn from your associate accounting degree at SNHU seamlessly stack into our online BS in Accounting. This means you can earn 2 degrees in the same time it takes to get just one. Plus, if you'd like to become a certified public accountant (CPA), our bachelor's program aligns with the 2024 CPA exam update.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Accounting standards and regulations
  • Financial record and statement maintenance
  • Stakeholder communications
  • Data-gathering
  • Ethical decision-making
  • Growth strategies
Sierra Ingram, who earned her degree from SNHU in 2018, wearing a dark blazer and gold watch, typing on a laptop computer.

Courses & Curriculum Online accounting degree classes that prepare you for your career

This 60-credit online accounting degree curriculum can give you a foundation in essential accounting principles and practices. You’ll understand how to handle a company’s finances, the basics of economics, statistics and how marketing plays a role in the world of accounting.

When you graduate with your associate degree in accounting, you can count on having both widely applicable skills and highly specified accounting knowledge. This means you can go on to pursue entry-level jobs or more advanced degrees in any number of fields.

Degree Courses

Online accounting degree courses

Throughout your studies, you'll gain a foundational understanding of accounting. You'll get practice with accounting tools including Microsoft Suite, Excel, PowerPoint and Word. You'll also have the opportunity to earn certifications in Wiley Excel for Accountants, and identify how Excel can be used for mission-critical tasks such as calculating profits, losses and margins; doing what-if analysis; and analyzing large data sets.

Interested in accounting, but afraid of taking math courses? Don't be. According to our instructors, communication skills are more important than being a math whiz when it comes to accounting. No matter the course, our instructors can help equip you with the relevant specialized accounting skills you need to start a career in accounting.

Courses May Include:

Course ID: ACC 201
Students will learn the steps of the accounting cycle and how to prepare financial statements in accordance with industry established rules and regulations. Students will develop skills needed to analyze financial accounting information, communicate this information to stakeholders, and understand the accounting procedures that produce this information.
Course ID: ACC 202
Students will explore the financial impact of short-term and long-term business decisions. By learning how accounting and other productivity information can be used to assess and improve performance of an organization, managers will be provided the essential information they need to execute growth strategies and select opportunities that create business value.
Course ID: ACC 330
In this course, students will learn about current US tax laws and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), as well as the relevant source documents, associated with federal tax returns for individuals. Students will research and apply the appropriate tax laws in relation to the specific circumstances and tax liabilities. Students will prepare federal tax returns and communicate various tax return information to stakeholders.
Course ID: BUS 210
Students will explore leadership and management theories and how to incorporate them in one's own personal style for effective contribution and collaboration in diverse team environments, and learn about the skills necessary to lead in various organizational structures and areas of business. Students will also examine how the functional areas of business are interrelated and work together in organizations.
Course ID: ACC 317
In this course, students will take an in-depth look at financial statement elements and the interplay of various financial transactions represented on a financial statement. Students will apply theoretical frameworks and research accounting principles and concepts for the proper preparation and interpretation of financial statements. Students will utilize authentic industry tools and technologies to prepare financial statements and connect concepts learned to the importance of financial information for its users.
Course ID: BUS 225
Students will learn the critical business skills required for successful leadership and management in organizations. By applying business research skills and data analysis, students will solve problems and support business decisions. Students will also explore various techniques and forms of professional communications and their uses in business contexts.

Visit the course catalog to view the full AS in Accounting curriculum.

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Upcoming term starts: October 28, 2024 | January 06, 2025

Next term starts:
Sept. 02, 2024

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

8-week terms

Learn around your schedule

24/7 online support

Online Classroom

What does an online course look like?

You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:

  • Schedule of weekly assignments
  • Discussion boards
  • Grades
  • Instructor announcements
How to Take an Online Class at SNHU
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Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free

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You’ll fill out one form to verify your high school completion or GED. Then, if you’ve attended college before, you’ll submit a form for each school so we can request your transcripts for you. (Also for free!)

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which means we meet certain standards of academic quality, and have the tools and resources necessary for students to be successful. The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

This program and its concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on the ACBSP accreditation page.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online undergraduate programs

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 120-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$330
$990
$39,600
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$231
$693
$27,720

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$3,960 $7,920 $11,880 $14,850
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 12 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your associate degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $15,840

If 24 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your associate degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $11,880

If 36 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your associate degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $7,920

If 45 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your associate degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $4,950

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for an associate degree. Most associate degrees require 60 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 45 credits, requiring a minimum of 15 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with an accounting degree?

The online associate degree in accounting provides a solid foundation in accounting principles and practices to prepare you for entry-level positions in nearly every industry. And when it comes to office and administrative support, earning your associate in accounting could position you well for many roles.

Getting an associate degree can also improve your earning potential. In 2023, the BLS reported associate degree holders' median weekly earnings were almost 18% higher than those of workers who didn't continue their education beyond high school.1 Additionally, the BLS cited people with associate degrees experienced a lower unemployment rate (2.7%) in 2023 than workers with only high school diplomas (3.9%).1

If you want to move on to higher-paying roles in accounting, you'll want to continue your education after finishing your associate degree. Our bachelor's in accounting is a great next step, but we also provide dozens of other business degrees – and beyond – that are worth exploring.

Occupations

Once you earn your associate degree, you'll be prepared to jump into entry-level roles in your industry. You'll learn how to apply financial, managerial and cost accounting principles to your daily work and become an asset to any company.

Some entry-level jobs include:

Support accounting operations by assisting with financial transactions, reconciling accounts and preparing financial reports under the supervision of accountants or financial managers.

Manage incoming payments, maintain accurate records of transactions and communicate with clients to ensure timely collection of outstanding debts.

Generate invoices, process payments and resolve billing discrepancies to ensure accurate and timely billing for goods or services provided by a company.

Record financial transactions, maintain ledgers and reconcile accounts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records for businesses or organizations.

 

Calculate and process employee wages, deductions and taxes, maintain payroll records, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and company policies regarding payroll administration.

$47,440
The median annual salary for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1 
$47,070

The median annual salary for financial clerks in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

SNHU graduate Tabitha Tillery wearing her cap and gown and holding her diploma.
SNHU graduate Tabitha Tillery wearing her cap and gown and holding her diploma.
The instructors at SNHU are remarkable. They made sure that you knew they were there for you. Didn't matter the hours I was doing my schoolwork, someone was always there to help.

Tabitha Paige Tillery '20

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can. An associate degree in accounting is a great way to jumpstart an accounting career and can help you gain professional experience faster.

While many accounting jobs require a bachelor’s degree, an accounting associate degree will give you the skills you need to succeed in entry-level roles. The credits you earn from an AS in Accounting degree from SNHU can also easily stack into a BS in Accounting – meaning you could earn 2 degrees in the same amount of time it takes to get 1.

With an online associate degree in accounting, you’ll gain a strong foundation of key career skills through general education courses, including communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making.

You’ll also explore accounting, finance and business topics, and learn how to apply this knowledge to daily accounting work. Your accounting associate degree will explore:

  • Financial accounting
  • Managerial accounting
  • Taxation
  • Business law
  • Business systems analysis
  • Marketing
  • Human relations
  • Information technology
  • International business

It depends on your career path. While earning an associate degree in accounting can help you earn more than workers without a college degree, specific salaries will vary.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023 the median annual salary for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks, for example, was $47,440 — with the highest 10% earning more than $68,860.1 That same year, financial clerks earned a median salary of $47,070, while bill and account collectors earned a median salary of $44,250.1

Continuing your accounting education with a bachelor’s degree, online master’s in accounting, accounting certification or a graduate certificate in accounting can open up more job opportunities and lead to higher pay.

The best online college for accounting is the one that prepares you for the career you want and offers the flexibility to help you achieve your goals, whether you’re working full time or balancing coursework with family obligations.

That's why Akeda Toby-Locke '19 chose Southern New Hampshire University.

"I really enjoyed the flexibility to study and complete my assignments by the specific deadlines on my time."

At SNHU, the online associate in accounting is designed to give you the skills you need to get started in entry-level accounting jobs faster. And our innovative online programs ensure you have the support you need to complete your degree.

Online students have access to a wide range of virtual student services, including writing help, tutoring and academic and career advising.

During her associate degree program, Makya Vandiver-Hawkins '21 relied on these resources and the continuous support of her SNHU community to help her earn her degree.

"There were times that I needed to have someone by my side walking me through something," said Vandiver-Hawkins. "Thankfully there is 24/7 tutoring that I took advantage of during these times."

Online clubs and student organizations are also offered to help you grow your personal network and get hands-on learning experience.

SNHU’s generous transfer policy allows up to 45 credits from a previous institution to be applied to one of our associate degree programs. If you’ve completed some college coursework already, this means you can save money and time, and start your career even faster.

If you want to start your accounting career right away, then yes. With an associate in accounting, you can gain the skills you need to kick off an accounting career and start gaining valuable professional experience faster. In today's job market, more students are seeking this faster-paced option.

Earning an online associate degree in accounting can also help boost your long-term earning and career potential.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), associate degree holders earned nearly 18% more each week in 2023 than workers with only a high school diploma.1 Plus, workers with associate degrees saw an unemployment rate of just 2.7% in 2023, while workers with only high school diplomas saw an unemployment rate of 3.9%.1

But there's more to an associate degree in accounting than just earning potential. It's an opportunity to put your goals within reach.

"[This program] helped me get a degree that I can use and helped prove to myself that I could accomplish anything," said Tabitha Paige Tillery '20.

If you want to advance your career even further, earning an associate degree can give you a head start toward earning a bachelor’s in accounting degree. An SNHU bachelor’s degree in accounting can provide the educational requirements needed to pursue valuable professional certifications, like certified management accountant (CMA) and certified public accountant (CPA).

It varies based on your specific role and the industry in which you work. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that the median annual salary for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks was $47,440 in 2023 — or $22.81 per hour.1

But pay varied for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks depending on the industry in which they worked. According to the BLS, those in finance and insurance earned a median salary of $48,540 in 2023, while those in the retail trade earned a median wage of $43,150 that same year.1

Yes, they are. As technology evolves and more of our daily lives move online, students and employers alike are recognizing the value of an online degree.

Online learning continues to grow in higher education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, some 75%, or 11.8 million, undergraduate students were enrolled in at least one distance education course in the Fall of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, while another 44% – 7 million – took exclusively distance education courses. While this number has come down since the peak of the pandemic, some aspects of distance education are expected to stay in schools across the U.S. for the foreseeable future. In many ways, online learning was normalized in a permanent way as a result of the pandemic.2

At SNHU, we've been offering online coursework for over 25 years. Our online accounting courses are taught by faculty with years of experience in the field, ensuring you have access to the most up-to-date information and accounting practices. And while your coursework may be online, you’ll gain key career skills through hands-on learning opportunities, so you can apply your learning to the day-to-day work of accounting right away.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

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

  • https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed April 19, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/OOH/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks.htm (viewed April 19, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/financial-clerks.htm (viewed April 19, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bill-and-account-collectors.htm (viewed April 19, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/OOH/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (viewed April 19, 2024)

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

2National Center for Education Statistics, Distance Learning Fast Facts, on the internet, at https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=80 (viewed April 19, 2024)