Accounting Degree Programs & Courses: Associate's Degree in Accounting Online

In today’s complex economy, high-quality accounting services are crucial to success in every business. According to the federal government, the job market for accounting professionals is expected to grow about as fast as average through 2020, as more organizations and individuals rely on professionals with formal training in accounting.* Earning an online associate’s degree in accounting at Kaplan University may prepare you for a variety of entry-level opportunities in this growing career field.

| Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Associate's Degree in Accounting Program Highlights

Our accounting degree program focuses are more than analyzing and interpreting numbers; you can study how to communicate vital information effectively and network with people from all walks of business. In addition to providing a solid foundation of core academic requirements, our accounting degree curriculum emphasizes:

Analyzing, recording, and interpreting accounting information based upon industry guidelines
Building, maintaining, and operating a computerized accounting system using accounting software
Preparing payroll, financial statements, and tax documents according to federal and state regulations
Acquiring the knowledge and skills required to pass national accreditation exams in accountancy^†
Completing a capstone course that allows you demonstrate your ability to apply the knowledge and skills gained through your coursework in real-world accounting practices

What Are the Career Opportunities?

Earning your associate’s degree in accounting may prepare you for a variety of entry-level jobs in accounting. Enter the accounting field as a full-charge bookkeeper, payroll professional, tax preparer, auditing clerk, or accounting assistant.‡ If you want to begin a career in business administration, earning an accounting degree may help you acquire valuable accounting knowledge and skills that will help you stand out to employers. Click here to review career profiles.

When you are ready to continue your education, your associate’s degree may bring you at least halfway toward earning a bachelor’s degree at Kaplan University.

Curriculum for the Associate of Applied Science in Accounting

Course #	Course Title	Credits
100/200-level	100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
	100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
	200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE

Course #	Course Title	Credits
AB 114	ACCOUNTING I	5 ACCOUNTING I This course reviews the complete accounting cycle and the creation and management of accounting information for business entities. Particular emphasis will be placed on the fundamental principles and skills of the accounting profession, including recording of transactions, financial presentation of accounting data, and the uses of accounting information.
AB 116	ACCOUNTING II	5 ACCOUNTING II This course continues the study of accounting principles by further exploring the assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity sections of a corporation’s balance sheet. This course continues to lead students to accounting mastery using an integrated learning system. This course provides further understanding of what accounting is all about and accounting’s evolving role in business.
AB 204	MACROECONOMICS	5 MACROECONOMICS This course includes analysis and study of macroeconomic theory, principles, and practice. Students examine topics such as national income determination, monetary and fiscal policy, and global economics.
AB 239	MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING	5 MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING This course emphasizes the way in which accounting information can be used to aid management in planning and controlling business activities. Topics covered include financial statement analysis, job order cost systems, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting, performance evaluation using standard costs, differential analysis, and product pricing.
AB 256	FEDERAL TAX	5 FEDERAL TAX This course introduces students to the procedures to decipher tax information on an individual federal tax basis. Basic concepts in federal income taxation are explored including gross income, exclusions, adjusted gross income, deductions, exemptions, and credits. Introductory tax concepts including cash and accrual methods, like-kind exchanges, and passive loss rules are covered. Additionally, students will familiarize themselves with a tax software package and will explore the tax software’s use in generating a tax return.
MM 255	BUSINESS MATH	5 BUSINESS MATH Business Math presents math skills and knowledge that students can apply to solve financial problems. The course provides step-by-step guidance through sample problems and solutions related to banking, credit, basic finance, and investments. Students will also gain an understanding of financial instruments and terminology used in business finance such as compound interest, annuities, and promissory notes.
AB 298	ASSOCIATE'S CAPSTONE IN ACCOUNTING	5 ASSOCIATE'S CAPSTONE IN ACCOUNTING This capstone course builds on the concepts of all the courses taken within the Associate of Applied Science in Accounting and provides students with an opportunity to integrate their previous coursework in a meaningful review of their learning and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree program.
Choose one of the following:*
CS 113	ACADEMIC STRATEGIES FOR THE BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL	5 ACADEMIC STRATEGIES FOR THE BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL Designed to facilitate personal and professional success, this course introduces students to the purposes and processes of university education. An emphasis is placed on study, communication, and thinking skills that support academic achievement. Students also examine the relationship between learning and motivation.
CS 121	PATHWAYS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS	5 PATHWAYS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS Designed to facilitate personal and professional success, this course introduces students to the purposes and processes of university education. An emphasis is placed on study, communication, and thinking skills that support academic achievement. Students also examine the relationship between learning and motivation. Onsite only.
*Online students will take the program-specific Academic Strategies course.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
	OPEN ELECTIVES	35 OPEN ELECTIVES

Total Program Requirements	90 Total Program Requirements

Core Requirements
Major
Open Elective
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$371.00
Total program requirements Associate of Applied Science in Accounting	90
Total cost of tuition	$33,390.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term (online students only). A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships.

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*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Accountants and Auditors, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm (accessed April 2012). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
^†Although certain programs at Kaplan University are designed to prepare students to take various certification or licensing exams, the University cannot guarantee the student will pass those exams. In some cases, field experience, additional coursework, and/or background checks may be necessary to take or to successfully pass the exams.
^‡Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.

Associate of Applied Science in Accounting

School of Business and Management