Online accounting courses and degrees offered have been around for almost a decade now, but in terms of reputation, they have come a long way since the late 2000s. A 2010 report published in CNN online revealed that employers at the time were aware of distance learning courses and degrees. In contrast, they were more likely to consider candidates with online degrees from institutes and universities offering regular courses and degrees as well.
Furthermore, there were also many employers who said they would reject students with online courses outright, even if they met every other requirement. It seems like the assumption was that students with online degrees had only a fraction of the experience that those with regular degrees did. Additionally, another factor that brought down the reputation of quality online courses was the fact that it was easy for unaccredited and fraudulent degrees to coexist and scam students.
Greater Acceptance
Six years down the line, the perception of employers towards online accounting degrees has changed significantly. Well-known education publications are publishing rankings of the best universities for distance learning. Many of these ranked universities have a long history as a regular educational institution but some like the online WGU are accredited and have made names for themselves in terms of course quality. Hence, whether you’re looking for an online Bachelor’s or Master’s in Accounting, there are plenty of reputed options available. A study published in 2015 in the AAA journal Issues in Accounting Education takes a look at how employers perceive online education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The results are generally positive. According to the research, Big 4 audit companies are as willing to hire graduates from online universities as other firms. There are some conditional trends, however. Lower level online courses or mixed degrees are more accepted. In other words, candidates that have an online M.B.A but an on-campus baccalaureate or vice versa are more acceptable. Above all, this revealed that accounting firms are more readily accepting candidates with some online course qualifications. While students will still find for-profit universities offering courses online, it is the public, non-profit online universities like WGU that have the best reputations in the field.Online accounting degrees – Do they have credibility?
If you want to study accounting online, you need to be sure that people and businesses will take your qualifications seriously. Over five and a half million students are studying online, with the numbers growing by around 5% each year. Additionally, many prestigious universities now offer online courses, with the numbers expected to grow significantly over the coming years.What do employers think?
Even back in 2010, employers were familiar with online degrees and distance learning. Furthermore, over 80% of the executives who were surveyed said that an online degree was as credible as one earned through a traditional course. This article on “Time” generally supports that perspective. The Society for Human Resource Management surveyed its people and found that trust in online degrees has been steadily increasing over the last five to ten years. Despite this, the biggest concern was the reputation and recognition of the university awarding the degree. Think about that carefully when you’re choosing a provider.What do professors think?
Professors who teach online courses often see a higher standard of work. According to this article: “Professors who teach the online courses have commented that the quality of work is typically higher from the online student than the traditional student who is physically attending a class.”Areas to be aware of
When you’re studying the field of accounting online, there are several areas you’ll need to be aware of to make sure your degree is taken seriously:- Only study at an accredited university – Not all online accounting courses are created equal. Make sure you study with a college or university that has been “accredited.” This means accounting employers (including the “Big 4”) will take your degree more seriously.
- Use a reputable university with other good graduates – Research your university online. Read reviews from other graduates on their studies, experiences and employment.
- Make sure you study the right type of degree – You can study degrees at multiple levels – Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. An associate degree will get you into an accounting firm on the “bottom floor,” while a bachelor degree will mean you can start practicing as an accountant when you’re hired.
- Expect to do the same amount of work as a traditional course – Online accounting courses aren’t an easy option. You can expect a similar workload to a traditional accounting degree.
- Universities who offer traditional degrees alongside online ones are often viewed more favorably.
Online Accounting Degrees Today
It’s well known that online degrees give students the opportunities to pursue adult education and improve their qualifications when they are unable to do so on-campus. Furthermore, online courses have improved to a great extent from the static courses of yesteryear.
Additionally, some educationists believe that online accounting degree courses give students greater opportunities for discussions with peers than classroom courses do. As a result of advancing technologies, it’s easier to balance jobs and education simultaneously. In 2012, over 5.4 million students took at least one online course, according to the US Department of Education. Furthermore, the same report also stated that 71.4 percent of academic leaders say that the learning outcomes of online courses are equal to or superior to classroom instruction.
Ultimately, there is still room for improvement in the online learning field. In contrast, candidates that want to improve their careers with an online accounting degree now have to deal with far less stigma than five years ago. While there are employers open to newer forms of education, there will always be a small percentage with strong beliefs in tradition. Hence, it’s up to the candidate to find the right balance between traditional and progressive forms of learning.
The pros and cons of studying accounting online
Online courses are a very popular way for students, academics, and professionals to learn new skills and earn top-level qualifications. They’re ideal for studying accountancy, whether you’re looking for a job with the “Big 4” or just want to start a successful accounting career. Read on to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of an online accounting course.The explosion in online courses
Online courses have increased massively in popularity over the last few years. Nearly six million students are taking online courses and earning high-quality degrees. You can see from this Google Trends study how much search terms for online accounting courses have increased since 2008.Advantages of studying accounting online
There are several great benefits to online study including a great choice of courses, cost, not needing to relocate, studying to your own schedule, and creating the right environment.There’s a huge range of courses to choose from
Whatever type of degree you’re studying for – Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Ph.D., there’s an online accounting course that’s perfect for you. You can choose a course that meets your budget, schedule, education requirements, and more. Remember to check that the course is “accredited” as that means your qualification will be recognized by an accounting firm. We’ve made it easy to find the right course, just can start by looking through our list below.They can be less expensive than traditional courses
Online accounting courses are often cheaper than their offline counterparts. Even if the price of the course is the same and financial aid is unavailable, you’ll save on other costs like relocating, accommodation, utilities, and food. Keeping your student debt down is vital, as you’ll be able to pay it back more quickly once you get an accounting job.You don’t need to relocate
Moving to another part of the country can be very disruptive. When you study accounting online, you won’t need to move to another city. You can stay in the comfort of your own home, keep seeing your circle of friends, and you won’t need to go through the hassle of relocating. Some studies have put the cost of relocating at between $5,00 and $10,000.You can schedule and study to your own timescales
One big advantage of online education courses is the flexibility you get. You can study accounting principles on your own schedule. That means you can fit your classes around your job, family, or any other commitments you have. Unlike traditional courses, you can attend virtual classes in the evening or on weekends. You can also split your studying across the day or week.You can study in your own environment, in the way that works best for you
In addition to studying from home to your own schedule, you can also work in the way that’s best for you. This means you can set up the perfect studying environment, in a quiet part of your home and use the tools you’re most familiar with. You can take notes at your own pace, pause and replay virtual accounting classes and get easy access to your course materials. You can use productivity tools to prioritize and enhance your learning, and revision tools to help you retain the information.Disadvantages of studying accounting online, and how to overcome them
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to online accounting courses. Here are the main ones you can expect, and how to deal with them.You have less access to a tutor
Because online tax accounting courses provide virtual, pre-recorded classes and materials, you don’t have immediate access to a tutor. Fortunately, almost all online courses do give you access to a tutor; some offer it via email or online chat, others via Skype or telephone. When you’re choosing your course, check the availability of tutors and how you can contact them. As you’re studying, make lists of questions you can ask, so you can get clarification.You need to motivate yourself to study
One advantage of traditional courses is the peer-pressure you have to study. That’s not as strong when it comes to studying online. You need to have a good level of self-discipline, decision making, and motivation to progress your studies each day. You can achieve this in several ways:- Contacting other students in your online accounting course and creating a mutually supportive study group.
- Making it a habit to do some studying each day, no matter how much or how little time you have.
- Using online goal-setting and other tools to motivate you into studying.
- Remembering that you’ve paid for the course, so you need to get value out of it.
You need good time management skills
Some people find it hard to get the time to study. Work and family commitments eat into their academic schedule. One way around this is to set clear boundaries between your work, family, and study time. Set aside time each day or week where you are only going to study. Tell your family and friends that you won’t be available. Productivity tools can also help you prioritize your tasks at home, at work, and for your accounting course. Spend some time setting them up, and you’ll be surprised how much they help you focus your attention.You won’t build the same social circles or get human interaction
Studying online can be lonely. Because everything is virtual, it’s difficult to build social contact with other students. You can get around this by creating virtual study groups via Skype, Google Hangouts, Slack, or other online applications. This will help you connect with other students on your accounting course. You could also find out if any of your friends or colleagues are studying accounting and talk to them about your challenges.There can be more work, reading, and assignments
Online courses often provide more material and demand more work and assignments from you. You can manage this by scheduling your study time, the key lessons you need to complete, and what’s expected of you throughout the course. Track this in an online tool so you can see what you need to do at a glance. You do need to have the right mindset to study accounting online. If you can motivate yourself, have self-discipline, and don’t mind studying hard, there are lots of advantages. You can learn at your own pace, from the comfort of your home, in a way that works for you. With a good approach, you can get your degree and start a successful accounting career.How We Ranked The Accounting Programs
We’ve compiled a list of the 20 best accounting online undergraduate and graduate programs. These online accounting degrees are ranked based on a mixture of metrics such as:- The school’s standing in national rankings
- The school’s reputation
- The national or regional accreditation
- The affordability of the program
1. University of Alabama-Birmingham
Accounting Program: Collat School of Business Website: https://businessdegrees.uab.edu/ Degrees Available:
- BS
- MAcc
2. Washington State University
Accounting Program: College of Business Website: https://online.wsu.edu/undergrad/accounting.aspx Degrees Available:
- BBA
- MBA
3. Northeastern University
Accounting Program: College of Professional Studies Website: https://www.northeastern.edu/online/degrees/bachelors-finance-accounting/ Degrees Available:
- BS
- MS
4. Penn State University
Accounting Program: World Campus Website: https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/business-bachelors/overview Degrees Available:
- BS
- MBA
5. University of Connecticut
Accounting Program: School of Business Website: https://msaccounting.business.uconn.edu/ Degrees Available:
- MS
- Graduate Certificate
6. Clarion University
Accounting Program: Clarion Online Website: https://www.clarion.edu/locations/clarion-online/ Degrees Available:
- ASBA
- BSBA
- Pre-MBA Certificate
- MBA
7. Florida Tech University
Accounting Program: Florida Tech University Online Website: https://www.floridatechonline.com/programs/undergraduate/bachelors-degrees/ba-accounting/ Degrees Available:
- AA
- BA
- MBA
8. Auburn University
Accounting Program: Raymond J. Harbert College of Business Website: https://harbert.auburn.edu/resources/auburn-accounting-online/index.html#.feature|1000 Degrees Available:
- Accountancy Bridge
- BS
- Graduate Cert
- MAcc
9. Rutgers University
Accounting Program: Business School Website: https://www.business.rutgers.edu/govmaccy Degrees Available:
- MAcc
10. Colorado State University
Accounting Program: Global Campus Website: https://csuglobal.edu/educational-programs/bachelor-degrees/accounting/ Degrees Available:
- BAcc
- MPAcc
11. Southern New Hampshire University
Website: https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/undergraduate-degrees/accounting-BS-online.asp Degrees Available:
- Cert
- Graduate Cert
- BS
- MS
12. University of Maryland
Accounting Program: University College Website: https://www.umuc.edu/academic-programs/bachelors-degrees/accounting-major.cfm Degrees Available:
- AA
- Graduate Cert
- BS
- MBA
- MS
13. University of Minnesota – Crookston
Website: Degrees Available:
- Cert
- BS
14. Texas A&M University-Commerce
Accounting Program: College of Business Website: www.tamuc.edu/academics/colleges/business/departments/accounting/programs/msAccounting.aspx Degrees Available:
- MS
15. Post University
Website: Degrees Available:
- Cert
- AS
- BS
- MS
16. Florida Atlantic University
Accounting Program: College of Business Website: https://business.fau.edu/undergraduate/online-bba/index.aspx Degrees Available:
- BBA
- MAcc
- MTax
- MS
17. St. John’s University
Accounting Program: Peter J. Tobin College of Business Website: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics Degrees Available:
- AS
- MS
18. Rider University
Accounting Program: College of Business Administration Website: https://www.rider.edu/academics/colleges-schools/cba/graduate-business/online-macc Degrees Available:
- BSBA
- MS
- MBA
19. University of South Dakota
Accounting Program: Beacom School of Business Website: www.usd.edu/usd-online/online-programs/master-of-professional-accountancy Degrees Available:
- BBA
- MPAcc
- MBA
20. Sullivan University
Accounting Program: Sullivan Online Website: https://sullivan.edu/programs-of-study/ Degrees Available:
- AS
- Diploma
- BS
- BSBA
- MBA
Pros and Cons of Getting an Online Accounting Degree
Essentially, these programs usually offer the same number of credits as their offline counterparts. In contrast, they offer flexible scheduling that allows you to complete your degrees at your own pace. Online programs can range from affordable to expensive but can incur additional fees associated with the costs of interactive distance learning. Some of the main advantages of studying online include flexibility, the ability to transfer credits, being able to combine your schoolwork with a full-time job, and the chance to learn from home instead of a classroom (which means a reduction in costs). If distance-learning suits your present circumstances, there are ways to ensure that you get a high-quality education.How to Choose the Right Accounting School
Choose a highly-ranked university with strict admission and graduation criteria and accredited at the national or regional level (AACSB accreditation is the most reliable for accounting courses). Furthermore, don’t let the flexibility of the coursework prevent you from studying hard. With online learning, it’s really up to you to make the most of your degree! Online accounting degrees have their pros and cons, but one thing is certain: in a changing business world with lots of career possibilities, distance degrees are here to stay. Whether you’re a working professional in need of an additional qualification, a mature student, or a career changer, the flexibility of an online accounting degree can help you reach higher in your career.Related Content:
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