An accounting degree can open the door to steady, well-paying jobs with good upward trajectories. Graduates with this degree can become management analysts, financial advisors, and financial managers, positions that pay around $100,000 per year.
But not everyone has four years of time and tuition money to spare for school, which is where accelerated online accounting programs come in.
Accelerated programs are designed to provide a faster and possibly cheaper pathway to an accounting degree. While traditional programs typically take four years to complete, a fast-track program can take as few as 2-3 years. This route is a great option for self-motivated students who want to break into the field quickly.
Accelerated programs (also called "fast-track," "intensive," or "express" programs) offer a streamlined, focused, comprehensive curriculum on a condensed schedule. They are different from "degree-completion" programs, which are designed for students who already have college credits under their belts and want to wrap them into a degree.
Check out the top accelerated online programs that can help you jumpstart your finance career ASAP.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Fast-Track Online Accounting Degrees
#1 Top Accelerated Online Accounting Degrees 2024
Western Governors University
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Cost per Term:
In-State | $3,755
Out-of-State | $3,755
Courses to Graduate: 41
WGU's online BS in accounting can prepare you to pursue auditing, accounting, and bookkeeping roles, along with helping you meet certified public accountant requirements. This program requires courses such as finance skills for managers, values-based leadership, and cost and managerial accounting. You can complete this fully online program in three years and access financial aid options such as the WGU Means Business scholarship.
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
150,116
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#2 Top Accelerated Online Accounting Degrees 2024
Temple University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Year:
In-State | $22,824
Out-of-State | $41,544
Credits to Graduate: 124
You can prepare for professional accounting roles and/or graduate education through Temple's bachelor of business administration in accounting. Courses include auditing, cost accounting, intermediate income, and federal taxes on income. You can also pursue a concentration in data analytics.
The program is available in online and on-campus formats, and you can take an accelerated, three-year curriculum. Full-time students pay less per credit than part-time learners.
Percent Online Enrollment
68%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#3 Top Accelerated Online Accounting Degrees 2024
University of Maine at Presque Isle
- Presque Isle, ME
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $1,500
Out-of-State | $1,500
Credits to Graduate: 120
UMPI's online BA in accounting can equip you with the skills to solve real-world problems in income, corporate, partnership, or estate and trust taxation. Courses include federal taxation, business analytics, and advanced accounting.
You may complete as many courses as you want during each eight-week term. UMPI charges a flat fee per term, allowing you to save money and graduate more quickly with a higher credit load. You need a high school diploma with a minimum GPA of 1.75 and prior college credit or work experience for admission.
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#4 Top Accelerated Online Accounting Degrees 2024
Lindenwood University
- Saint Charles, MO
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $495
Out-of-State | $495
Credits to Graduate: 120
Lindenwood's BA or BS in accounting is a 100% online program that takes 2-4 years to complete. Courses include managerial accounting, financial statement analysis, and governmental and nonprofit accounting.
You must submit your high school transcripts if you hold fewer than 24 college credits. Transfer students should have minimum GPAs of 2.0, and Lindenwood accepts up to 90 credits from past education. You can enroll in Lindenwood's subscription-based programming for upfront pricing and a flexible degree path.
Percent Online Enrollment
78%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Top Accelerated Online Accounting Degrees 2024
Eastern Kentucky University
- Richmond, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $434
Out-of-State | $434
Credits to Graduate: 120
You can prepare to become an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or MBA student with EKU's bachelor of business administration in public accounting. Courses include auditing, cost accounting, and intermediate accounting. You may transfer up to 90 credits.
EKU offers accelerated eight-week courses, six start dates per year, and free textbooks to help you save money. You may also qualify for reduced military tuition, free online tutoring, or fast-track opportunities if you have 80 or more credits.
Percent Online Enrollment
73%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system to help you find the best schools for your needs. Our most important metric, affordability, accounts for 60% of our weighted formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rate.
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In 2021-2022, a year of study at a public school cost an average of $9,596 in tuition and fees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Private, nonprofit schools charged an average of $33,691. It doesn't look like degrees are going to get any cheaper, either: Forbes reports that in the past 40 years, the cost of higher education has increased by 180%.
However, there are ways to lower your costs when investing in your future. Choosing an affordable, accelerated online program is one way to save money.
Price Check
Online degree programs can reduce in-person fees as well as the cost of commuting and room and board. Many schools also offer out-of-state-tuition waivers to online students.
What Are the Goals of an Accounting Degree Program?
Accounting majors learn how to create financial documents, review tax filings, and identify accounting improvements to increase efficiency. During an accounting bachelor's degree program, students can often specialize their training by studying topics like auditing procedures, fiscal accounting, forensic accounting, and personal financial planning.
Most accelerated accounting programs also incorporate business courses on topics like organizational behavior, strategic planning, and economics. These classes prepare graduates for careers as management accountants, budget analysts, and management consultants.
Why Get an Accounting Degree?
An accounting degree offers several personal and professional benefits, including specialization options, higher earning potential, and career training.
Career Training
A bachelor's degree in accounting builds the knowledge and skills required for jobs like accountant and auditor.
Specializations
During an accounting degree program, undergraduates can specialize their education through electives and concentrations. Specialization options may include public accounting, internal auditing, and management accounting.
Accelerated Timeline
An accelerated accounting program allows students to expedite graduation and enter the workforce sooner.
Flexibility
Online accounting programs give students the flexibility to balance their studies with personal and professional obligations.
Increased Earning Potential
Professionals with a bachelor's degree earn a median of $30,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
What Are the Requirements for an Accounting Degree?
Prospective accounting majors must meet certain requirements. Most programs require a high school diploma or the equivalent. Colleges often require SAT or ACT scores for first-time, first-year applicants. Transfer students with prior college experience typically must submit college transcripts. Applicants may also need to submit recommendation letters, a resume, and a statement of purpose.
After gaining admission, accounting majors complete coursework in their major along with general education requirements and electives. Some programs require a capstone project and/or internship.
How Much Do Online Accelerated Accounting Programs Cost?
NCES reports that the average cost for one year of room and board, tuition, and fees at a traditional four-year undergraduate program was $30,031 in 2021-2022 — bringing the grand total of a degree to over $120,000.
As an online student in an accelerated program, you can subtract the additional cost of room and board and shave off at least one year of tuition and fees — bringing your average total cost closer to $60,000. Many online programs charge even more affordable tuition rates.
Make sure to look into the many financial aid options for accounting students in accelerated programs as well, including loans, grants, and scholarships.
Accelerated Accounting Degree Questions
Do accountants make good money?
Accountants earn above-average salaries. According to the BLS, accountants earned a median annual salary of $78,000 as of May 2022. Accountants in finance and management organizations typically earn higher salaries.
How long does it take to get an accounting degree?
Earning a bachelor's in accounting typically takes four years for full-time students. Transfer students and those who choose accelerated programs can complete their degrees faster.
Does accounting involve a lot of math?
Accountants use basic math and statistics skills to calculate financial reports and evaluate their accuracy. Typically, an accounting degree does not require advanced mathematics courses.
How fast can you get an accounting degree?
Transfer students with an associate in accounting who choose an accelerated bachelor's program can earn their degree in 1-2 years.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Affordable Colleges Online. Page last reviewed Feb. 7, 2024.
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