Compare Online College Degrees in Accounting: How to Choose a School

Accounting colleges offer online degree programs that culminate in associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees. Career goals and expectations drive students' pursuit of award levels and school selections.

How to Select Colleges With an Online Accounting Degree

Award Levels

Online accounting degree programs can lead to associate's degrees in accounting or accounting technology, bachelor's degrees in accounting and master's degrees in accounting or financial management. Students should identify their desired career positions prior to selecting an online accounting school.

Career Goals

Payroll clerks, accountants, tax preparers and Certified Public Accountants (CPA) have similar educational backgrounds in accounting, business administration or financial management. When contemplating online accounting schools, individuals need to determine which award level they want to pursue. Associate's degree programs are suitable for payroll clerks and purchasing agents. Bachelor's and master's degree programs prepare students for directorial accounting positions as well as advanced certifications.

Program Type

Content delivery systems also play an integral role in selecting an online accounting school. Students need to be aware whether the program is delivered entirely online or has hybrid components. Many programs even allow students to choose which delivery method is best for them, offering online, on-campus or a combination of both.
Students choosing online programs need to meet technological requirements. Typically, newer computers with fast processors and large hard drives are encouraged. High-speed Internet connections, e-mail, sound cards with speakers, DVD players and printers may also be required. Various software programs, including Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Adobe Reader and Flash players may also be needed.

Common Online Accounting Degree Programs

Associate's Degree in Accounting

Online associate's degree programs emphasize introductory accounting principles. Coursework includes financial accounting, payroll, taxation and financial document preparation. Students learn how to process accounts receivable and accounts payable as well as navigate purchasing procedures. Access to instructors, fellow students, assignments and course downloads are achieved through schools' content delivery systems. It's essential students have access to reliable Internet, e-mail, video-conferencing and common software application programs.

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Distance learning bachelor's degree programs in accounting are offered entirely online or in a hybrid format. Both methods teach students about economics, auditing, accounting information systems, corporate finance and business law. They also emphasize business strategy and managerial accounting.
Students in an online program upload assignments and interact with instructors and classmates via online course management systems, such as Blackboard. Required equipment usually includes Internet accessible computers with high-speed broadband or DSL connections, e-mail, video-conferencing and live chat features. Students also should be comfortable utilizing discussion boards, networking sites and online libraries.

Master's Degree in Accounting

Online accounting master's degree programs provide students with high-level accounting knowledge and skills. Coursework follows its traditional on-campus counterpart, emphasizing managerial accounting, mergers and acquisitions, federal taxation, microeconomics and securities analysis. Some distance learning accounting graduate programs offer specializations in certified public accountancy, certified financial analysis and certified fraud examination.
Many programs also require a final thesis or capstone project, which requires students to demonstrate senior accounting leadership abilities with an existing business or financial department. Before selecting a program, students should identify who secures such placements - the programs or the students.
Technology requirements for online accounting graduate programs mirror undergraduate specifications. However, additional accounting information software may be utilized. Since much of the work is self-paced, students should be self-motivated and very comfortable working independently or with fellow graduate accounting students via content management systems.