Accountants, tax professionals and auditors provide their immensely useful services across every economic sector. There will be an estimated 90,700 new accounting jobs in the United States from 2020 to 2028, which means the pressure is high on accounting programs. To deal with the increase in demand for accounting jobs across the country, accounting schools will have to do two things:
- Improve the quality of the education they give to their students
- Increase the number of students willing to study accounting
While quality is a factor that can be improved by hiring better teachers and improving the curriculum a university uses, there aren’t many ways a university can improve the number of students willing to enroll into its programs. However, when a university starts to offer online degrees, it starts catering to a segment of the population that could not receive quality education before. Sure there are many certifications online that can provide you with the basic knowledge on a matter, but landing a job with these credentials can be very challenging.
If you’re a student who can’t afford to attend a class on campus, you should consider studying online. Not only does an online accounting degree provide you with more flexibility and convenience, but it also costs you lesser money. When you’re studying online, you don’t have to worry about commuting daily to your college and being stuck in traffic jams. Not only does less travelling save you time, but it also saves you money. The time you spend stuck in early morning traffic jams can be spent doing something productive instead.
Online accounting degrees also provide students with a unique chance of picking their own curriculum. When you’re studying online, you don’t have to waste your time studying something you’re not interested in. You can study at a pace that suits you, and you don’t have to worry about strict attendance policies either. Online accounting degrees prepare students to earn credentials such as certified public accountants (CPAs).
But with that being said, many states across the U.S require that the accountant have a bachelor’s degree in the field of accounting. Experience is also a necessary requirement if you want to land a good job, but you can also get an average job if you have a bachelor’s degree. Here is a list of institutions that offer the best online accounting degrees.
Regis University
Regis University was founded in Denver in 1877. Regis University is known for its Jesuit traditions. Over 90% of Regis alumni get a job 6 months after graduating. Regis University is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Regis has a bachelor’s of science in accounting program that is offered through their college of business and economics.
Not only does this degree prepare a student for their future in accounting, but it also improves their analytical reasoning skills. It is vital that an accountant have excellent analytical reasoning skills. To graduate, a student needs to earn 120 credits in subjects like:
- Macroeconomics
- Communication
- Accounting ethics
- Business law
It is also mandatory that the student completes a capstone project before they graduate.
Trine University
Situated in Angola, Indiana Trent University also has an accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. 100% of Trine’s 2018 graduates reported that they had started their jobs six months after graduation. Students can earn a bachelor of science in administration, and this 120-credit hour program introduces students to QuickBooks and PeachTree that are software which help learners look for certified accounting programs.
The curriculum at Trine addresses disciplines like:
- Strategic Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Business Law
- Cost Accounting
These courses are taught by seasoned professionals.
Concordia University – St. Paul
Since 1893, Concordia University has been a Christian educational institution. Concordia University offers a bachelor of science in accounting that prepares students to deal with:
- Financial Problems
- Maintain Budgets
- Oversee Taxation Procedures for Organizations
Coursework included in this program will make students learn the basics of Microsoft excel, concepts of finance such as cost accounting, and some concepts of business such as:
- Marketing
- Organizational Behavior
- Legal Concerns for Entrepreneurship
Graduates from this program can qualify for positions such as loan officers, credit analysts and treasurers.
Peirce College
Union Business College, later being renamed as Peirce College, started operating in 1965. Peirce College has an accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and enrolls 2,000 students annually. Students can opt for a bachelor’s of science in accounting. This program teaches students the administrative, ethical, and analytical issues related to accounting.
Unlike many other colleges, Peirce college has a 121-credit hour program, and it has courses like:
- Auditing
- Statistics
- Capstone
Is an Online Accounting Degree Worth It?
While an online accounting degree does make things very convenient for students, there are many downsides to getting a degree from the comfort of your home too. While you do get to select your own curriculum and your own schedule when you’re studying online, you get limited direct interaction with your course facilitator.
Some students prefer face-to-face interaction over contacting your faculty via email, so if you’re one of those students, maybe an online accounting degree isn’t for you. Another important factor you need to consider is that when you’re studying on-site, you get to meet aspiring learners who are pursuing the same degree as you. Since they are in the same boat as you, they share the same problems as you and they can be very helpful throughout your journey.
Not only will these people be of tremendous help throughout your degree, but they will also be helpful after you’ve graduated. Moreover, to complete an online accounting degree, you need to be immensely self-motivated. Since there is no strict attendance policy, you need to get up for your classes yourself, and there is no facilitator keeping a constant eye on you. Many students make the false assumption that an online degree is easier, which is not true at all.
In fact, if you can’t stay motivated enough to do your coursework, you might lag behind. Online degrees have more coursework than degrees earned on-site. So before you choose to get an online degree, consider all factors associated with it closely!
