Online Associate's Degree in Accounting
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Associate’s in Accounting Overview
Come back and move your accounting career forward. Take the next step and earn your associate’s degree in accounting online.
- Get the education employers require — most bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to have some postsecondary education.
- Learn to use accounting software and to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to solve business problems.
- Gain practical skills you can use right away in real-world accounting scenarios.
- Learn how to build, maintain, and operate a computerized accounting system and prepare payroll, financial statements, and tax documents according to federal and state regulations.
Continue Your Comeback With a Bachelor’s
When you’re ready to further your education, your associate’s degree can bring you halfway toward earning a Purdue Global bachelor’s degree.
Earning our Bachelor of Science in Accounting can help you meet the educational requirements for the CPA or CMA examinations.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
What Courses Will I Take?
Courses in the BS in Accounting program focus on knowledge of accounting theories and principles relevant to the business world.
Sample Courses
- Business Law
- Federal Tax
- Finance
- Managerial Accounting
- Microeconomics
- Organizational Behavior
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Describe a time when you faced a demanding deadline to prepare financial statements or reports.
- Tell me about a time when you identified a potential error in your work before it became a problem. What steps did you take to catch and correct it?
- Can you describe a specific experience or moment that confirmed your decision to pursue a career in accounting?
- Give me an example of a time you dealt with a dissatisfied or upset client. What was the situation, and how did you handle it?
- Tell me about an accounting process you've improved or developed.
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Account Reconciliation
- Accounts Receivable
- Auditing
- Billing
- Bookkeeping
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Financial Statements
- General Ledger Reconciliation
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- Interpersonal Communication
- Invoicing
- Month-End Closing
- Problem Solving
- Reconciliation
- Tax Documentation
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the online Associate of Applied Science in Accounting program and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
Prepare yourself for success with an associate's degree in accounting.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.