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Online Bachelor's Degree BS in Accounting

Ranked a Top 10 Online Accounting School for Bachelor’s Degrees by Accounting Degree Review

Best Value Accounting Programs, Ranked Top Ten, 2015 LogoAccounting is more than just numbers. It's solving business challenges by helping organizations manage their finances and cash flow. In the online Bachelor of Science in Accounting program, you'll gain a deep knowledge of accounting practices, supplemented by the broader, business-specific skills employers look for. The online accounting degree focuses on developing business and accounting expertise. You'll build a foundation in financial analysis, general accounting principles, auditing, taxation and more.

The benefits to earning your online accounting degree at SNHU include: 

  • A focus on business and accounting basics, foundations in financial analysis, general accounting principles, auditing and taxation.
  • 10% job growth for accountants and auditors through 2026*
  • Median annual salary of $68,150 for accountants and auditors*
  • Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's program
  • One of the lowest tuition rates in the nation

Follow the general accounting track or choose a concentration in forensic accounting and fraud examination to further focus your bachelor's in accounting.

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Concentrations
Accounting (BS) - Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination

See Yourself Succeed in Accounting

SNHU’s online accounting degree will provide you with in-depth accounting skills, plus the critical-thinking skills and essential business knowledge on which to build a successful career.

In the online bachelor's in accounting program, you'll learn how to:

  • Analyze and apply the rules and regulations for financial accounting and reporting and how they're established in a global economy
  • Generate financial records and statements for internal and external users in accordance with rules and regulations
  • Plan and prepare tax returns using knowledge of tax laws and regulations
  • Analyze, interpret and communicate accounting information to internal and external stakeholders
  • Audit financial information and controls employing effective techniques in accordance with professional standards
  • Apply professional ethics to guide conduct and decision-making in the field of accounting

As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your online accounting degree at SNHU include:

  • Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
  • Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
  • Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
  • Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
  • Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
  • Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we’ll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there’s no application fee
  • Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
  • Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree

Career Outlook

 SNHU's online accounting degree will prepare you to pursue a variety of accounting and accounting-related careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in accounting and auditing is expected to grow 10% by 2026.*

A bachelor's in accounting will prepare you for careers in a variety of industries and organizations including:

  • Public accounting
  • Private industry
  • Government agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Social-service agencies
  • Education systems
  • International industries

The online bachelor's in accounting degree, along with additional master's-level coursework, can help prepare you for professional certification exams, like the CPA. Students cannot earn CPA certification through SNHU, therefore if you wish to follow the traditional CPA track, you should verify that you'll meet the necessary requirements to sit for the exam. 

The content of our programs aligns with the Content and Skill Specification Outlines (CSOs/SSOs) set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Learners who are interested in licensure may also pursue an MS in Accounting degree to help them meet educational requirements. Completion of the BS in Accounting degree alone does not adequately prepare learners to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam or to become licensed certified public accountants.

Licensing requirements to sit for the CPA exam vary from state to state. Students are encouraged to review their state specific requirements. State-by-state educational requirements can be found on the website of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), while state-by-state CPA licensing requirements can be found through the Accounting Licensing Library, powered by the NASBA.

Curriculum

The online accounting curriculum will give you a solid foundation in essential accounting principles and practices. Courses are taught by instructors with professional credentials and experience in accounting, taxation and fraud examination.

Accelerated BS-to-MS Pathway Option: Earn your MS in Accounting – faster. If you’re interested in earning both degrees, have a discussion with your academic advisor. You also must meet the following academic requirements:

  • Hold a GPA of 2.75 or greater
  • Have a minimum of 90 credits
  • Complete all major requirements/coursework, including capstone
  • Meet the waiver requirements for the associated graduate courses

Required Core Courses
General Education Program
Business Core Program

Courses May Include
ACC 207 Cost Accounting

This course examines the accounting concepts and practices used in the recording, classifying and reporting of cost data. An analysis is made of the behavior of costs and its use to management in the planning and control process. Budgeting, standard cost, job order and process are examined, along with special problems in cost accounting.
ACC 307 Intermediate Accounting I

Review introductory concepts including the accounting cycle, journal and adjusting entries. Learn to address more intricate accounting scenarios such as recording more complex financial statement elements. Apply theoretical frameworks and various accounting standards and regulations to the proper preparation of financial statements.
ACC 308 Intermediate Accounting II

Apply accounting rules and methodologies for increasingly complex transactions and elements to create more extensive financial statements. Assess a company's financial performance using appropriate ratio analysis to support informed decision making.
ACC 309 Intermediate Accounting III

Examine reporting and disclosure requirements for complex accounting topics. Analyze the financial impact of changes to an organization based on factors such as stock characteristics, comprehensive income and retained earnings, types of leases and post-retirement benefits. Consider correct disclosure for error corrections, accounting changes and adjustments. Gain perspective on communicating financial information to internal and external stakeholders for informing company decisions.
ACC 330 Federal Taxation I

A detailed presentation is made of the theory and practice applicable to the preparation of federal income tax returns for individuals.
ACC 345 Financial Statement Analysis/ Business Valuation

Accountants and other business professionals are often called upon to evaluate the financial health and market value of their company and of other companies under consideration for acquisition. This course presents theory, tools and techniques that are later applied to the actual analysis of a publicly traded company, as well as an introduction to fundamental valuation techniques. It will extend prior analysis to include the computation of free cash flows, the interpretation of notes to financial statements and the integration of information provided in various SEC filings to evaluate a corporation's future prospects. This is a team intensive course.
ACC 405 Advanced Accounting

Advanced Accounting includes a comprehensive examination and analysis of the accounting principles and procedures that are applicable to special areas of business. The topics covered are partnerships, consignments, installment sales, branches, business combinations, consolidations, bankruptcy, foreign exchange, and estates and trusts. Particular emphasis is placed on problem solving.
ACC 411 Auditing Principles

This course presents an in-depth examination of audit programs and procedures. It emphasizes the review of internal controls as required during an audit engagement, as well as the considerations pertaining to both clients and auditors.
BUS 307 Business Law II

The study begun in Business Law I continues as the topics of commercial paper, real and personal property, creditors' rights and bankruptcy, agency, business organizations, estate planning and government regulation of business are explored.

Total Credits: 120

Program Outcomes

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Undergraduate Programs Per Course* Per Credit Hour*
Degree/Certificates $960 $320
Degree/Certificates
(U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty) 		$675 $225

*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

Additional Costs
No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...

This program is accredited by both NEASC and ACBSP. Consumer information is available on the College Navigator.

*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 online November 3, 2017). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.