Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
33
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
4 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Bachelor of Science in Accounting Overview

Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow from 2021 to 2031. Come back and be ready to meet the demand. Earn your accounting degree online.

  • Get the education employers require: most of these new positions will require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.
  • Fulfill the educational requirements to sit for the CPA or CMA® exams.
  • Learn to develop and examine financial records, prepare taxes, and provide fiscal advice — services needed in nearly every industry.
  • Apply the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to business applications.
  • Gain hard skills in economics, finance, management, law, information systems, and quantitative methods, plus soft skills in communication, teamwork, and decision-making.
  • Choose from four career-focused accounting concentrations.

Accelerated CPA Track

Is your goal to sit for the CPA Exam? Consider our Accelerated CPA Track option. After completing your bachelor's, enroll in our Master of Science in Accounting within 7 weeks and we’ll waive one course so you can finish faster.

Completing both the bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting meets the CPA exam’s educational requirement. For details, speak to an Advisor.

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Graduate discusses how earning Purdue Global’s accounting degree let her study on her own time while caring for her children and working full time.
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ACBSP Accredited Logo

Purdue Global’s business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The human resources concentration aligns with the Society for Human Resource Management's HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.

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.

Prepare for Accounting Certification

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program could put you on the way to meeting the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examinations.

Academic Quality

Learn the most recent developments in the field of business and accounting — the curriculum is reviewed and revised continually by our dedicated curriculum department and advisory board.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

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
See All Accounting Courses

Program Requirements

45
Core Credits
89
Major Credits
46
Elective Credits
180
Total Credits

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Accounting Degree Concentrations

Accounting degree concentrations allow you to personalize your education by focusing your electives on an area of study that best fits your desired career path.

Choose from the following options:

  • Auditing and Forensic Accountancy

    Gain the investigative skills and accounting knowledge to help you detect, recognize, and prevent specific types of fraud committed against organizations and individuals.

    Concentration Outcomes:

    • Evaluate risks, internal control, and appropriate audit tests for asset, liability, and equity accounts.
  • Managerial Accountancy

    Gain specialized knowledge in strategic planning, budgeting, cost and asset management, and more. This program contributes toward the educational requirements to sit for the CMA® exam.

    Concentration Outcomes:

    • Apply cost characteristics to the decision making process.
  • Public Accountancy

    Gain expertise in auditing, tax, and consulting for corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations, and more. You’ll also prepare to sit for the CPA® exam.

    Concentration Outcomes:

    • Analyze financial reporting disclosure requirements.
    • Determine internal controls to prevent and detect fraud.
    • Compare the allowed business entities and their related tax attributes.
    • Assess financial statement fraud using forensic accounting techniques.
  • Tax Accountancy

    Develop a deep understanding of auditing, economics, finance, and management while studying how tax laws affect partnerships, S-corporations, C-corporations, and more.

    Concentration Outcomes:

    • Examine the tax components and unique rules applicable to corporations.

Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience

The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2 years to complete their degree.

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.

International Tuition Reduction

International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% international student tuition reduction.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

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Career Opportunities

Organizations in nearly every industry require employees, consultants, or independent practitioners with accounting knowledge and expertise. Graduates of our bachelor’s in accounting program may pursue positions in a variety of work environments including public or private organizations, such as accounting firms; corporate accounting or tax departments; nonprofit organizations; and governmental agencies.

Average Salary

Low

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Lightcast average salary ranges can be explored further using Lightcast’s SkillsMatch tool. Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Certain accounting and finance positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.

That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

Our Commitment

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

View Brochure

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.

98%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

51%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

395

Faculty publications in 2021–2022

More Than 38,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Bachelor's Completion Time and Average Net Price: The average completion time for Purdue Global online bachelor’s degree students who graduated in the 2022–2023 academic year was 2.3 years. Average net price reflects charges for all graduates, including those who transferred to Purdue Global, after application of scholarships, tuition reductions, grants (including federal Pell grants for undergraduate students), employer tuition assistance, and/or military tuition assistance. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023.

CPA Exam: To sit for the CPA Exam, states require students to have obtained 150 semester hours or 225 quarter credit hours. This program is 180 quarter credit hours (120 semester hours). To be eligible to sit for the CPA exam, a student who has completed Purdue Global’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting would need to complete the University's Master of Science in Accounting or its equivalent. Licensing requirements to sit for the CPA exam vary from state to state. You should review your state's educational requirements by visiting Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications page. For additional information on licensure and state-specific requirements, you should refer to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website as well as your state's CPA licensing requirements, which can be found at the Accountancy Licensing Library.

Job Growth—Accountants and Auditors: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors, www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Certain accounting positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states.