Accounting Degrees & Programs: Bachelor's Degrees in Accounting Online

With changing financial laws and tougher scrutiny of company finances, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts much faster-than-average national long-term job growth for accountants and auditors from 2008 through 2018. In addition, most of those new jobs will require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.*

As new businesses emerge, accountants and auditors are expected to be needed to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice.* At Kaplan University, you can earn your bachelor's degree and study to attain job proficiencies to prepare for a career in accounting.^†

Emphasis Areas | Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

You will work closely with faculty members who are experienced in the accounting field and are dedicated to helping you:

Acquire a solid background in economics, finance, management, law, information systems, quantitative methods, and taxation
Apply the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to business applications
Improve your skills in communication, teamwork, and decision making while gaining a strong professional ethic and practical experience
Complete a capstone project in accounting to demonstrate your ability to apply theories and concepts learned to real-world accounting practices.

Prepare for Certification

Certification is often a condition of employment for accounting jobs, and may help you pursue positions in today's competitive job market. Successful completion of this 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.^‡

What are the Career Opportunities?

Organizations in nearly every industry require employees, consultants, or independent practitioners with accounting knowledge and expertise. As a graduate of this program, you may pursue opportunities with public or private organizations, such as accounting firms, corporate accounting or tax departments, not-for-profit organizations, large and small businesses, and governmental agencies.^† Click here to review career profiles.

Emphasis Areas for the Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Accounting is a diverse field that offers many career paths. This program allows you to customize your accounting degree program by focusing on an emphasis area that is best suited to your interests and career goals.

Develop the knowledge and skills to detect, recognize, and prevent specific types of fraud committed against organizations and individuals. Combine your accounting and finance skills with law and investigative techniques to judge whether or not an activity is illegal. Work with law enforcement or lawyers, potentially serving as an expert witness during trials.

Management accountants (also called cost, managerial, industrial, corporate, or private accountants) record and analyze financial information. Develop skills in strategic planning and budgeting, performance evaluation, and cost and asset management. Management accountants are also responsible for financial report preparation, financial analyses, and cost accounting.

Develop skills for handling auditing, tax, and consulting for corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations, or individuals. Focus on procedures required to conduct comparisons in financial accounting and develop an understanding of basic cost accounting terminology and principles, cost classification, and manufacturing of inventories.

Develop knowledge of how tax laws affect partnerships, S-corporations, C-corporations, and other business entities. Study tax laws applicable to not-for-profit entities, estates, trusts and multijurisdictional issues. Focus on tax reporting, tax planning, and tax research skills.

Auditing-Forensic Accountancy
Managerial Accountancy
Public Accountancy
Tax Accountancy

Curriculum for the Bachelor of 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
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE 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 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.
AB 224	MICROECONOMICS	5 MICROECONOMICS This course is an introduction to the principles of microeconomics, which introduces students to the study of the allocation of scarce resources by individual economic actors (consumers and firms) in a market economy. Students will examine the role of markets (supply and demand) in determining prices, consumer and household behavior, and the application of the cost function of a firm in different market structures to maximize profits. Particular attention will be given to integrating economic principles with the study of "real-world" problems.
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.
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.
	100/200-LEVEL MAJOR ELECTIVE	5 100/200-LEVEL MAJOR ELECTIVE
AC 300	INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I	6 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I This course examines the full accounting process and covers selected conceptual accounting issues, aspects of financial reporting, and structure and reporting requirements for the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. In-depth analyses of current and long-term assets are also included.
AC 301	INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING II	6 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING II This course covers the accounting theory and practices associated with inventory valuations; the acquisition, cost allocation, and disposal of property, plants, and equipment; intangible assets; current liabilities, contingencies, and long-term liabilities; and investments.
LS 311	BUSINESS LAW	6 BUSINESS LAW This course introduces the fundamentals of the U.S. legal system as it applies to business in the contemporary global economy. Areas covered include the legal environment of business, torts and crimes, contracts, employment relations, and business organizations. The course will also look at the relationship between business and law in the context of current events that impact our communities.
	300/400-LEVEL MAJOR ELECTIVES	24 300/400-LEVEL MAJOR ELECTIVES
AC 499	BACHELOR’S CAPSTONE IN ACCOUNTING	6 BACHELOR’S CAPSTONE IN ACCOUNTING This capstone course builds on the concepts of all the courses taken within the Bachelor of 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.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
	OPEN ELECTIVES	59 OPEN ELECTIVES

Course #	Course Title	Credits

AC 302	INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III	6 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III This course covers the accounting theory and practices associated with corporate accounting issues involving pensions, leases, earnings per share, taxes, contributed capital, and income recognition. The reporting requirements and structure of the statement of cash flows are examined. In-depth studies of accounting changes and error analysis are also included.
AC 410	AUDITING	6 AUDITING This course examines the role of the auditor in a technological global business environment. Students are exposed to the scope of auditing as a profession, the rules governing the professional ethics of the CPA, and the components of the auditing process, along with the legal liabilities and responsibilities of an auditor.
AC 430	ADVANCED TAX-CORPORATE	6 ADVANCED TAX-CORPORATE This course overviews federal income tax requirements, procedures, and tax planning for business entities, with an emphasis on C and S Corporations.
AC 465	ADVANCED FORENSIC ACCOUNTING	6 ADVANCED FORENSIC ACCOUNTING This course provides a survey of advanced forensic accounting topics. A critical component of this course includes an examination of the legal aspects of the profession. In addition to covering accounting fraud investigation and prevention techniques, students will learn how to collect evidence, provide legal support, and testify in court.

Course #	Course Title	Credits

AC 302	INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III	6 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III This course covers the accounting theory and practices associated with corporate accounting issues involving pensions, leases, earnings per share, taxes, contributed capital, and income recognition. The reporting requirements and structure of the statement of cash flows are examined. In-depth studies of accounting changes and error analysis are also included.
AC 410	AUDITING	6 AUDITING This course examines the role of the auditor in a technological global business environment. Students are exposed to the scope of auditing as a profession, the rules governing the professional ethics of the CPA, and the components of the auditing process, along with the legal liabilities and responsibilities of an auditor.
AC 430	ADVANCED TAX-CORPORATE	6 ADVANCED TAX-CORPORATE This course overviews federal income tax requirements, procedures, and tax planning for business entities, with an emphasis on C and S Corporations.
AC 450	ADVANCED ACCOUNTING	6 ADVANCED ACCOUNTING This course covers the accounting theory and practices associated with intercorporate investments, foreign currency transactions, and accounting for state and local governments.

Course #	Course Title	Credits

AC 302	INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III	6 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III This course covers the accounting theory and practices associated with corporate accounting issues involving pensions, leases, earnings per share, taxes, contributed capital, and income recognition. The reporting requirements and structure of the statement of cash flows are examined. In-depth studies of accounting changes and error analysis are also included.
AC 410	AUDITING	6 AUDITING This course examines the role of the auditor in a technological global business environment. Students are exposed to the scope of auditing as a profession, the rules governing the professional ethics of the CPA, and the components of the auditing process, along with the legal liabilities and responsibilities of an auditor.
AC 420	COST ACCOUNTING	6 COST ACCOUNTING This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of cost accounting. Topics include comparisons with financial accounting, basic cost accounting terminology and principles, cost classification, and manufacturing of inventories. Students analyze cost behavior and receive an introduction to various costing systems. The study of cost accounting for managerial purposes is also examined. Specific concepts include variance analysis, cost allocation, and cost-volume-profit analysis. Inventory costing methods, budgeting, and strategies are also explored.
MT 482	FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS	6 FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS Financial Statement Analysis is designed to prepare students to analyze and utilize financial statements and valuation models to assess the value of a firm. The four key components of this course are: (1) financial ratio and cash flow analysis, (2) accounting analysis and valuation, (3) business strategy and valuation analysis, and (4) forecasting and risk analysis.

Course #	Course Title	Credits

AC 302	INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III	6 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III This course covers the accounting theory and practices associated with corporate accounting issues involving pensions, leases, earnings per share, taxes, contributed capital, and income recognition. The reporting requirements and structure of the statement of cash flows are examined. In-depth studies of accounting changes and error analysis are also included.
AC 410	AUDITING	6 AUDITING This course examines the role of the auditor in a technological global business environment. Students are exposed to the scope of auditing as a profession, the rules governing the professional ethics of the CPA, and the components of the auditing process, along with the legal liabilities and responsibilities of an auditor.
AC 450	ADVANCED ACCOUNTING	6 ADVANCED ACCOUNTING This course covers the accounting theory and practices associated with intercorporate investments, foreign currency transactions, and accounting for state and local governments.
AC 465	ADVANCED FORENSIC ACCOUNTING	6 ADVANCED FORENSIC ACCOUNTING This course provides a survey of advanced forensic accounting topics. A critical component of this course includes an examination of the legal aspects of the profession. In addition to covering accounting fraud investigation and prevention techniques, students will learn how to collect evidence, provide legal support, and testify in court.

Total Program Requirements	180 Total Program Requirements

Core
Major
Open Electives
Emphasis Areas/Public Accountancy
Emphasis Areas/Tax Accountancy
Emphasis Areas/Managerial Accountancy
Emphasis Areas/Auditing-Forensic Accountancy
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	$305.00
Total program requirements Bachelor of Science in Accounting	180
Total cost of tuition	$54,900.00
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, 2010-2011 Edition, Accountants and Auditors, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.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.
^†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.
^‡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.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

School of Business and Management