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online accounting degree

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Pursue an education in finance with an online accounting degree

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree (BSA) prepares you with the financial skills you need to help organizations run efficiently. Develop specialized skills in managerial accounting, estate taxation, advanced topics in accounting research and more. Earn your online accounting degree and apply your love of numbers to a future as an accounting professional.  

  • Go in-depth into the most critical areas of accounting including managerial, financial and cost accounting.
  • Gain exposure to varied business disciplines including economics, statistics, law, corporate finance, and marketing.
  • Develop professional values, communications and leadership skills, strategic and critical thinking skills.
  • Gain hands-on experience with the latest in accounting technology including Quickbooks.

Transfer credits

Save time and money on your bachelor's degree with eligible transfer credits.

Ways to save

Your work, life, and school experiences may give you a head start on your degree.

Apply free

No application fee
No SAT/ACT
No essay required

Following higher standards in accounting education

Financial Accounting Standards Board

University of Phoenix adheres to the standards of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which governs accounting and reporting standards for private colleges and universities.

Advisory Council review

Our Advisory Council made up of leaders in their fields review accounting industry needs and trends, providing valuable insights that help keep the program relevant.

Ignite Your Passion

Start when you're ready

Courses

Browse courses for your online accounting degree

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting curriculum follows a required course of study in business courses, along with a sequence of general studies courses. You can then complete a series of specialized accounting courses to supplement your knowledge in the field.  You can also complete the first three graduate level MBA courses while you are still in the program through the MBA Pathway option

Skills-aligned program icon

Look for this icon to see which skills you’ll learn in a course.

Requirements: 120 credits

You’ll need 120 credits (3 credits per course) to complete this Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Your course schedule may vary based on transferable credits or credits earned through the University's Prior Learning Assessment.

Accounting and business core courses prepare you for the dynamics of real-world financial challenges organizations manage every day. Explore financial accounting, managerial accounting, and auditing and taxation and develop skills in accounting information systems. Learn key industry standards such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Enhance your online accounting degree with courses like career-relevant strategic operations and logistics, and organizational project management.

More than math is needed in today’s business world. Your online accounting degree also provides general education soft skills that give you the confidence to thrive as an accounting professional in any business environment. Learn skills that include communicating effectively in a business setting, and using teamwork, collaboration and conflict resolution methods to maximize your performance with others.

Foundational education for your CPA exam

To be prepared to sit for the CPA exam you need 150 credits, and this degree is the typical 120.  Our accounting courses do not lead to licensure as a CPA. So before enrolling, please check with your state accountancy board, as each state sets the standards required to be eligible to take the CPA exam and apply for licensure or certification as a CPA.

Why take the CPA exam?

CPA certification offers distinction in the business community. Successful completion of the CPA certification also expands your job opportunities. Your online accounting degree coursework reflects some of the CPA studies required for the exam including auditing, financial accounting and reporting and regulation.

Schedule

Your academic counselor will help schedule your courses for a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Skills-aligned program icon

Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years.

Learning shouldn’t take years to put into practice. That’s why we’re empowering you to build career-relevant skills with every five- to six-week course.

We’ve worked with the labor market researcher Lightcast to identify in-demand skills for occupations and mapped those to our related associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Tuition

Paying for school

Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.

Undergrad cost per course

$1,364 / course

Cost per credit 

Credits per course

Resource fee

$398

x3

+ $170

Estimated cost per course

$1,364

An illustration showing a couple pushing a stroller with a dollar sign and clock in the background

What affects the overall cost of my program?

Your full program cost can vary by: 

  • Savings opportunities. Your cost could be reduced with eligible transfer credits, scholarships, employer discounts and more. Students with eligible credits and relevant experience on average saved $11K and 1 year off their undergraduate degree at University of Phoenix.

With our Tuition Guarantee, you pay one flat, affordable rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate from your program.

Discover ways to save time and money on your degree with our Savings Explorer® tool:

Transfer credits

Your prior eligible college credits can save you time and money, helping you graduate faster. That’s why we’ve accepted transcripts from 5,000+ institutions. Check to see if you can apply eligible transfer credits from an institutionally accredited university or college toward your online accounting degree. 

Save time and money when you transfer eligible credits toward your bachelor's in accounting.

University of Phoenix accounting degree vs other universities

Phoenix ASU Online (BAB) Capella DeVry GCU Purdue Global SNHU Strayer
Cost per credit
Cost per credit
Cost per credit
$398
Cost per credit
$563
Cost per credit
$365/415[1]
Cost per credit
$514
Cost per credit
$485
Cost per credit
$371
Cost per credit
$330
Cost per credit
$338.89
Credits per course
Credits per course
Credits per course
3
Credits per course
3
Credits per course
3-6
Credits per course
2-4
Credits per course
4
Credits per course
5-6
Credits per course
3
Credits per course
4.5
Tuition per course
Tuition per course
Tuition per course
$1,194
Tuition per course
$1,698
Tuition per course
$1,095-
$2,490
Tuition per course
$1,028-
$2,056
Tuition per course
$1,940
Tuition per course
$1,855-
$2,226
Tuition per course
$990
Tuition per course
$1,525
Total program length in credits
Total program length in credits
Total program length in credits
120
Total program length in credits
120
Total program length in credits
180
Total program length in credits
124
Total program length in credits
120
Total program length in credits
180
Total program length in credits
120
Total program length in credits
180
Length of course in weeks
Length of course in weeks
Length of course in weeks
5
Length of course in weeks
7.5
Length of course in weeks
10
Length of course in weeks
8
Length of course in weeks
7-8
Length of course in weeks
10
Length of course in weeks
8
Length of course in weeks
11
Fees
Fees
Fees
One fee per course
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Fees
Multiple fees
Tuition guarantee
Tuition guarantee
Tuition guarantee
YES
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO
Tuition guarantee
NO

Data pulled on June 13, 2024

[1] $365 per 1000-2000 level credit; $415 per 3000-4000 level credit

Source of data: For each institution, the data are publicly available in multiple locations, including Academic Catalogs, Program pages, Tuition and fees pages, and syllabi. All data are publicly available on the websites. 

Certain licensure programs and coursework in other degree programs may have additional fees. Please check with your advisor or course catalog for additional info.

The Savings Explorer tool can help you find ways to save on your education

Try our Savings Explorer® tool

Eligible students saved:

$11,000 & 1 year

Students with eligible credits and relevant experience on average saved $11k and 1 year off their undergraduate degree with University of Phoenix.

Try our Savings Explorer™ tool

Eligible students saved:

$11,000 & 1 year

Students with eligible credits and relevant experience on average saved $11k and 1 year off their undergraduate degree with University of Phoenix.

Financial aid

You have options when it comes to paying for accounting program, such as federal grants and loans. Our finance advisors can answer your questions about financial aid and can help guide you through the process.

Federal Student Loan Basics

Careers & Outcomes

What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree?

About 136,400 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year. Be prepared with the skills and knowledge you need for an accounting career. 

Woman working on a tablet

When you earn your online accounting degree, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job. You’ll learn how to:

  • Integrate generally accepted accounting principles throughout the accounting cycle.
  • Evaluate accounting and financial information to make business decisions.
  • Integrate ethical, legal, and accounting standards and assumptions into financial practices.
  • Integrate business practices into accounting and financial operations.
Business man at working on a laptop in a park

Top skills learned in this program:

  • Accounting

  • Auditing

  • Financial Statements

  • Generally Accepted Accounting & Bookkeeping Principles

Business man presenting

A BSACC can prepare to be a:

  • Accountant
  • Accounting Manager
  • Cost Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Tax Examiner

Each state sets forth standards required to be eligible to take the CPA exam and apply for licensure or certification as a CPA. While this program was designed with consideration for the standards proposed by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA®), University of Phoenix cannot, and will not, provide any assurance that completion of this program will allow a successful student to qualify within the student’s specific jurisdiction. Potential applicants should check with the appropriate organization within their jurisdiction to determine if this program, combined with their undergraduate degree and any other specific criteria, meets the requirements to qualify for examination in that specific jurisdiction. States frequently change their requirements for examination. There is no assurance that at the time of degree completion the specific jurisdiction’s requirements will be consistent with the requirements at the time of admission.

6% growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for accounting occupations is projected to be faster than average between 2023 and 2033.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2023-2033 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Admissions

Apply for free – no application fee, no obligation.

Starting your accounting degree is a big decision — and we want you to feel great about it. That’s why we remove obstacles from your application.

  • No SAT/ACT required 
  • No essay required 
  • We’ll request transcripts at no cost to you, when possible, and we accept eligible credits from over 5,000 accredited institutions.
G. Galindo - Enrollment Representative

Gabriel G., Enrollment Rep

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 85% of our surveyed students.[1]

[1] Transactional Survey, September 2022-August 2023 (23,739 respondents)

Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

Call us at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.[1] Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)

Gabriel G., Enrollment Representative

Call or chat with us 7 days a week.

Student Experience

An education that fits your busy life

Balancing family, work and school

Work toward your Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree without giving up what matters most. Start your accounting degree year-round and take one class at a time.

Online learning

Enroll in classes for your online accounting degree and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Around-the-clock support and resourcess

You have a support team available up to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week. 

Phoenix provides support and resources for busy students

Faculty Spotlight

Business professionals dedicated to you

Your educational success is a top priority for our business deans and faculty members. Their experience and hands-on perspective in the classroom will help you bridge the gap between academics and business industry knowledge. Our instructors bring an average of 28+ years of real-world business experience to the classroom.

Classroom skills for real world experience

Build your core accounting abilities Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

The accounting faculty at University of Phoenix focuses on developing the critical rules and guidelines as they adhere to GAAP standards for preparing financial statements — standards followed by publicly traded U.S. business organizations. As a student you will learn to apply these core principles that govern accuracy, good faith and transparency in the accounting field.

Donald Braunstein

Donald Braunstein, MBA

Lead Faculty Area Chair, College of Business and Information Technology 

Accreditation

Count on the quality of your education

Programmatic Accreditation

Our BSACC has been reaffirmed for accreditation until 2027 by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

What does that mean in real life? ACBSP-accredited business programs adhere to quality standards. The quality of the program is regularly benchmarked against specific criteria that prepare students for the business industry. Accreditation occurs on a 10-year cycle with regular quality reviews.

View the student achievement report (PDF) for the University of Phoenix ACBSP-accredited business and accounting programs.

A C B S P Accredited

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Frequently asked questions about the Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Our accounting program teaches you skills that can prepare you to be an accountant, accountant supervisor or accountant manager. You’ll also learn skills to help prepare you for a position as an auditor (such as a company’s internal auditor) or a tax examiner. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for accountants and auditors are projected to grow 6% between 2021 and 2031.

Learn more about  career paths in accounting.

Each state sets forth standards required to be eligible to take the CPA exam and apply for licensure or certification as a CPA. While this program was designed with consideration for the standards proposed by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA®), University of Phoenix cannot, and will not, provide any assurance that completion of this program will allow a successful student to qualify within the student’s specific jurisdiction. Potential applicants should check with the appropriate organization within their jurisdiction to determine if this program, combined with their undergraduate degree and any other specific criteria, meets the requirements to qualify for examination in that specific jurisdiction. States frequently change their requirements for examination. There is no assurance that at the time of degree completion the specific jurisdiction’s requirements will be consistent with the requirements at the time of admission.

An accounting degree, whether you earn it online prepares you for varied careers in accounting including accountant, accountant supervisor or accountant manager. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for accountants and auditors are projected to grow 6% between 2021 and 2031.

Learn more about  career paths in accounting.

Each state sets forth standards required to be eligible to take the CPA exam and apply for licensure or certification as a CPA. While this program was designed with consideration for the standards proposed by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA®), University of Phoenix cannot, and will not, provide any assurance that completion of this program will allow a successful student to qualify within the student’s specific jurisdiction. Potential applicants should check with the appropriate organization within their jurisdiction to determine if this program, combined with their undergraduate degree and any other specific criteria, meets the requirements to qualify for examination in that specific jurisdiction. States frequently change their requirements for examination. There is no assurance that at the time of degree completion the specific jurisdiction’s requirements will be consistent with the requirements at the time of admission.

Our online accounting degree has a program length of 4 years to complete from start to finish. However, you may be able to complete your accounting degree faster if you transfer credits from another institution or earn credits for your work or life experience.

Yes. Our Bachelor’s degree in Accounting is available online with classes that are always on, 24/7/365. With our online accounting program, you’ll get all the support you’d expect from an on-campus course, along with greater flexibility in your schedule.

Our Bachelor of Science in Accounting program is programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The ACBSP reaffirmed our programmatic accreditation through 2027.

University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) https://www.hlcommission.org/ and its predecessor since 1978.

Accountants are responsible for the analysis of a company's financial records, including data management, creation of financial statements and ensuring regulatory compliance in the company's accounting practices.

There are different kinds of accounting. For example, a management accountant might analyze the financials for a business or organization, while a forensic accountant might analyze financial records for legal cases.

Learn more about  career paths in accounting.

You can pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting to prepare for varied careers in accounting including accountant, accountant supervisor or accountant manager. For more insight into business practices, you can also pursue your Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Business Fundamentals.

Our Bachelor’s degree in Accounting degree requires 120 credits and a program length of 4 years to complete from start to finish. However, you may be able to complete your degree if you transfer credits from another institution or earn credits for your work or life experience.

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.