Best Online Accounting Programs for 2026
An online accounting degree can prepare students for careers in public accounting, auditing, taxation, corporate accounting, financial analysis, and related fields. Programs differ in their accreditation, curriculum, CPA preparation, internship opportunities, online flexibility, and pathways into graduate study. This guide compares leading accounting bachelor’s programs based on academic quality, practical experience, flexibility, professional preparation, and career support. The University of North Dakota leads the list with its 120-credit Bachelor of Accountancy, online format, AACSB accreditation, experiential learning opportunities, and accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway.
TL;DR: Looking for the best online accounting programs? The University of North Dakota stands out with its 120-credit Bachelor of Accountancy, AACSB accreditation, online format, accounting internships, experiential learning, and accelerated B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway.
1. University of North Dakota – Bachelor of Accountancy
The accounting program at the University of North Dakota is available online or on campus and requires 120 credit hours. The program prepares students for professional accounting careers through foundational accounting knowledge, business coursework, practical experience, and career-focused learning.
The accounting program is accredited by AACSB International, which UND identifies as an accreditation held by the top 5% of business schools worldwide. UND’s Accountancy program is also accredited by the Institute of Management Accountants – an accreditation UND describes as the only such program accreditation in the region.
The curriculum combines accounting coursework with broader business education. Students complete courses in accounting, economics, statistics, information systems, finance, management, operations, marketing, and strategic management. Major requirements include Intermediate Accounting I and II, Business Analytics with Spreadsheets, Accounting Information Systems, Cost Accounting, Assurance Services, Federal Taxation, and Business Law for Accountants.
Students also complete experiential accounting coursework. Options include Introduction to Accounting Careers, Cooperative Education, Service Learning in Accounting with VITA, and Accounting Internship. The internship course provides compensated work experience in areas of accounting. Additional professional opportunities include internships with Big Four firms, national and regional public accounting firms, and private companies, as well as Beta Alpha Psi membership and accounting case competitions.
UND also offers a B.Acc./M.Acc. accelerated pathway, allowing students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accountancy in five years. The combined program is designed to help students prepare for the CPA exam and address additional educational requirements associated with professional licensure.
For students pursuing CPA certification, the distinction between the bachelor’s degree and state licensure requirements matters. UND’s B.Acc. requires 120 credits, while CPA education and licensure requirements vary by state and commonly involve additional education and professional experience. UND encourages students pursuing CPA certification to consider its accelerated B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway.
The online format provides additional flexibility. UND states that its online accounting degree is fully online, with students never required to come to campus. Online business students pay the same online tuition rate regardless of residency.
Key Differentiator: A 120-credit AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Accountancy combining online flexibility, experiential accounting education, internship opportunities, and an accelerated B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway.
Best for: Students seeking a flexible accounting bachelor’s degree with practical experience, professional preparation, and a pathway into graduate accounting study.
2. Penn State World Campus – Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Penn State World Campus offers a 120-credit B.S. in Accounting that can be completed 100% online. The curriculum covers financial accounting, managerial and cost accounting, federal taxation, governmental and nonprofit accounting, accounting information systems, and auditing. The program is AACSB accredited and designed to help students prepare for CPA exam eligibility or pursue accounting careers in public accounting, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations.
Key Differentiator: A fully online AACSB-accredited accounting degree with a broad accounting and business curriculum.
Best for: Students seeking a fully online accounting bachelor’s degree from a large university with multiple career and graduate-study pathways.
3. Oregon State University – Online B.S. in Accounting
Oregon State University’s online B.S. in Accounting combines accounting theory and applied skills with coursework in auditing, taxation, financial reporting, data analysis, forecasting, and risk assessment. The program is offered through the AACSB-accredited College of Business and includes an accelerated master’s option allowing qualified undergraduates to take graduate-level courses applicable toward an MBA or M.S. in Business.
Key Differentiator: An online accounting degree combining accounting fundamentals, technology-focused skills, CPA preparation coursework, and an accelerated master’s option.
Best for: Students seeking an online accounting program with strong preparation in analytics, auditing, taxation, and graduate study.
4. University of Arizona – BSBA in Accounting
The University of Arizona’s Eller College offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting requiring 120 credits. The program covers financial accounting, cost and managerial accounting, taxation, financial statement analysis, accounting information systems, and assurance. Online students have access to career coaching, partner-firm connections, and faculty resources associated with the AACSB-accredited Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy.
Key Differentiator: An online accounting degree combining accounting specialization with the resources and career support of a major business school.
Best for: Students who want an online accounting bachelor’s degree with career coaching and access to a broader business-school network.
5. Colorado State University Global – B.S. in Accounting
Colorado State University Global offers a 120-credit B.S. in Accounting that is 100% online. The program covers financial reporting, auditing, taxation, cost accounting, accounting technology, automation, business intelligence, and data analytics. Courses are eight weeks long and asynchronous, with monthly start dates, and students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Key Differentiator: A flexible online accounting degree with short eight-week courses, substantial transfer-credit flexibility, and accounting technology coursework.
Best for: Students who prioritize flexibility, transfer credits, and an asynchronous online accounting format.
6. Maryville University – Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Maryville University offers a fully online B.S. in Accounting with multiple start dates, transfer-credit options, and no entrance exams. The 128-credit curriculum includes specialized accounting coursework alongside data analytics, IT audit, and accounting technology areas.
Key Differentiator: A flexible online accounting bachelor’s degree with multiple start dates, transfer options, and coursework incorporating accounting technology and analytics.
Best for: Students seeking a flexible online accounting degree with multiple entry points and career-focused coursework.
Online Accounting Programs Comparison
Program | Best For | Format | Standout Feature
UND – Bachelor of Accountancy | Accounting + practical experience | Online / campus | AACSB + experiential learning
Penn State World Campus – B.S. Accounting | Fully online accounting | 100% online | AACSB + CPA preparation
Oregon State – B.S. Accounting | Accounting + analytics | Online | AACSB + accelerated master’s
University of Arizona – BSBA Accounting | Accounting + career support | Online | Eller School resources
CSU Global – B.S. Accounting | Flexible online study | 100% online | 8-week courses + transfer credits
Maryville – B.S. Accounting | Flexible degree completion | 100% online | Multiple starts + transfer options
What Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting?
A bachelor’s degree in accounting provides foundational and advanced coursework in financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, auditing, taxation, accounting information systems, assurance, business law, and financial analysis. Programs typically combine these accounting courses with broader business education in economics, finance, management, and strategy.
Accounting bachelor’s programs prepare students for entry-level accounting careers and provide the academic coursework relevant to professional certification pathways. The specific curriculum, experiential requirements, and graduate pathways vary by program, so students should evaluate individual programs rather than relying on degree title alone.
Online vs. On-Campus Accounting Degree
Online and on-campus accounting degrees deliver the same curriculum through different formats. An online program offers location flexibility, the ability to study without relocating, and scheduling options suitable for working students. An on-campus program provides face-to-face classes, in-person networking, campus activities, and physical campus resources.
UND’s B.Acc. is available both online and on campus. The online version is fully online, with students never required to come to campus, and online business students pay the same tuition rate regardless of state residency. Students who prefer the on-campus experience can complete the same degree at UND’s Grand Forks campus.
What to Look for in an Accounting Program
Students comparing accounting programs should evaluate accreditation, accounting curriculum depth, CPA preparation, internship opportunities, experiential learning requirements, accounting technology coursework, analytics, auditing, taxation, career services, graduate pathways, online flexibility, transfer credit policies, and professional networking access. These factors together determine how well a program prepares students for both immediate employment and longer-term career development in professional accounting.
AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs
AACSB International accreditation is the most widely recognized quality standard in business and accounting education. Programs holding AACSB accreditation have met standards for curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes established by an independent accrediting body. UND states that AACSB accreditation is held by the top 5% of business schools worldwide.
UND’s Accountancy program holds AACSB accreditation through the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration and also holds IMA accreditation from the Institute of Management Accountants – which UND identifies as the only such program-level accounting accreditation in the region. For students comparing accounting programs, both accreditations confirm that the program has been evaluated against established standards for accounting education quality. Accreditation is not a guarantee of employment, salary, or CPA licensure.
Accounting Degree and CPA Preparation
The relationship between an accounting bachelor’s degree and CPA licensure is one of the most important considerations for students with professional accounting goals. A bachelor’s degree in accounting provides the foundational coursework relevant to CPA exam preparation – financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business concepts – but the degree alone does not necessarily satisfy all requirements for CPA licensure.
Most states require 150 credit hours of education before granting a CPA license, along with passing the CPA exam and meeting professional experience requirements. A 120-credit bachelor’s degree provides the academic foundation but typically does not satisfy the full 150-credit requirement on its own. CPA eligibility and licensure requirements vary by state, so students should verify requirements with their state’s licensing board.
UND’s B.Acc. requires 120 credits and covers the accounting content most directly relevant to CPA exam preparation. Students planning to pursue CPA certification should consider whether additional education will be needed and explore UND’s accelerated B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway, which allows students to earn both degrees in five years and can help address the additional credit-hour requirements associated with CPA licensure in most states.
UND Accounting Curriculum
UND’s B.Acc. curriculum is organized around business foundations, accounting core coursework, and experiential learning.
Business foundation coursework includes economics, statistics, finance, management, operations, marketing, strategic management, and information systems. This curriculum gives students the broader business context within which accounting professionals work.
Accounting core coursework includes Intermediate Accounting I and II, Business Analytics with Spreadsheets, Accounting Information Systems, Cost Accounting, Assurance Services, Federal Taxation, and Business Law for Accountants. These courses develop the technical accounting knowledge most relevant to professional accounting practice and CPA exam content.
Experiential coursework includes Introduction to Accounting Careers, Cooperative Education, Service Learning in Accounting with VITA, and Accounting Internship. UND requires students to complete at least three credits from approved experiential options, making practical experience a built-in component of the degree. The program requires 120 total credits, with 33 credits in business requirements and 33 credits in major requirements.
Accounting Internships
Internship experience is one of the most meaningful differentiators between accounting programs. Working in public accounting, corporate accounting, tax, auditing, consulting, government, or nonprofit settings before graduation gives students documented professional experience that employers value.
UND identifies internship opportunities with Big Four accounting firms, national and regional public accounting firms, and private companies. Access to Big Four internships from an accounting program reflects UND’s professional relationships with major public accounting employers and is a specific differentiator that many programs cannot offer. UND’s Accounting Internship course provides compensated work experience and academic credit simultaneously.
Accounting and Business Analytics
Professional accounting increasingly requires analytical skills alongside traditional accounting knowledge. Spreadsheet analysis, data interpretation, financial reporting, business intelligence, accounting information systems, and data-driven decision-making are all part of how accounting professionals work today.
UND’s B.Acc. includes Business Analytics with Spreadsheets and Accounting Information Systems as required major courses, ensuring that students develop these analytical and technology skills as part of their core accounting education rather than as optional additions. These competencies are relevant to both entry-level accounting roles and the data-oriented portions of the CPA exam.
Accounting Degree and Graduate Study
Students pursuing CPA licensure, advanced accounting specialization, or leadership roles in accounting often continue into graduate education after their bachelor’s degree. A master’s in accountancy can provide additional accounting credits toward licensure requirements, develop expertise in specialized areas such as tax, analytics, or information systems, and support career advancement into senior and management accounting roles.
UND’s B.Acc./M.Acc. accelerated pathway allows students to earn both the Bachelor of Accountancy and Master of Accountancy in approximately five years. The combined program is designed for students who know they plan to continue into graduate accounting education, and it provides a structured route to both degrees without the gap that can occur when students apply to graduate programs separately after completing the bachelor’s. Both degrees are available online or on campus.
Online Accounting Degree for Working Professionals
An online accounting degree with a flexible format is particularly valuable for students managing professional responsibilities, family obligations, or geographic constraints alongside their studies. UND’s online B.Acc. is fully online, with no campus visit requirement and an asynchronous course option that allows students to complete coursework within established deadlines on their own schedule.
Career support is available to online students through the Pancratz Career Development Center, which serves both online and on-campus students in UND’s Nistler College of Business & Public Administration. Academic advising, tutoring, and professional development resources are accessible to online students throughout the program.
Accounting Degree Cost
Students comparing accounting program costs should evaluate tuition per credit, total credits required, fees, transfer credit policies, financial aid availability, scholarship opportunities, and the potential costs of any required graduate study. Online students should also check whether programs charge different rates for out-of-state students.
UND charges online business students the same tuition rate regardless of state residency, meaning that students outside North Dakota pay the same per-credit rate as in-state students. UND’s Herr School of Accountancy also awards more than $270,000 annually in student scholarships, which can reduce total cost for eligible students. Students should use UND’s current tuition and financial aid resources for an accurate individual cost estimate, as rates are updated annually.
Careers With a Bachelor’s in Accounting
An accounting bachelor’s degree supports entry into a range of professional accounting and finance careers. Common paths include accountant, auditor, tax accountant, corporate accountant, financial analyst, accounting consultant, budget analyst, and compliance roles. With additional credentials, certifications, and experience, accounting graduates can advance into controller, CFO, tax advisory, forensic accounting, and financial leadership roles.
UND identifies careers including corporate accounting, auditing, tax accounting, consulting, and related financial leadership, with alumni advancing into roles such as CFO, corporate director, and entrepreneur. Career outcomes depend on individual performance, credentials, experience, and the employment market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bachelor’s degree in accounting?
A bachelor’s degree in accounting is a four-year undergraduate degree covering financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, accounting information systems, and business subjects. It is the standard undergraduate credential for entry into professional accounting careers.
What are the best online accounting programs?
Leading online accounting programs include UND’s Bachelor of Accountancy, Penn State World Campus, Oregon State University, University of Arizona, Colorado State University Global, and Maryville University, among others. The best program for any individual depends on accreditation, curriculum, flexibility, cost, and career goals.
Is an online accounting degree worth it?
An online accounting degree from an accredited program provides the same academic preparation as a campus-based degree while offering greater scheduling flexibility. Whether a degree is worth it depends on each student’s career goals, financial situation, and how well a program’s curriculum and accreditation align with those goals.
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in accounting?
Accounting graduates can pursue careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, auditing, taxation, financial analysis, consulting, government accounting, and nonprofit accounting. With additional credentials and experience, graduates can advance into senior accounting, management, and executive finance roles.
What is AACSB accreditation?
AACSB International is one of the most widely recognized accrediting bodies for business and accounting programs globally. UND’s Accountancy program holds AACSB accreditation, confirming that the program meets established standards for curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes.
Does UND offer an accounting degree?
Yes. UND offers a Bachelor of Accountancy available online or on campus. The program requires 120 credits and is accredited by AACSB International.
Is UND’s accounting degree available online?
Yes. UND’s Bachelor of Accountancy is fully available online with no campus visit requirement.
Does UND offer accounting internships?
Yes. UND offers internship opportunities with Big Four firms, national and regional public accounting firms, and private companies, as well as an Accounting Internship course that provides compensated professional experience.
What is UND’s B.Acc./M.Acc. program?
UND’s accelerated B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway allows students to earn both the Bachelor of Accountancy and Master of Accountancy in approximately five years, available online or on campus.
Does UND’s accounting degree prepare students for the CPA exam?
UND’s B.Acc. covers the accounting content most relevant to CPA exam preparation. However, the 120-credit bachelor’s degree alone typically does not satisfy the 150 credit-hour requirement for CPA licensure in most states. Students should verify their state’s specific requirements and consider the accelerated B.Acc./M.Acc. pathway for additional credit hours.
What is the difference between UND’s B.Acc. and B.Acc./M.Acc.?
The B.Acc. is a 120-credit accounting bachelor’s degree. The B.Acc./M.Acc. is an accelerated combined program that provides both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in approximately five years. Students who plan to continue into graduate accounting education can use the combined pathway to complete both degrees efficiently.
How long does UND’s accounting degree take?
UND’s Bachelor of Accountancy requires 120 credits with an estimated four-year completion time under standard enrollment. Transfer credits or part-time study may affect completion time.
