Online Accounting Degree Programs

Yes! At DeVry, you can earn a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or graduate certificate in accounting—all 100% online. In addition, several of our graduate-level online accounting programs are designed to help you prepare for the CPA exam ¹ and build the skills and knowledge needed to prepare to pursue your goals.

An accounting degree earned here at DeVry University can prepare you to pursue a number of career opportunities in accounting, auditing, budget analysis or other areas of accounting such as private-sector businesses, government agencies or nonprofits. For example, a few of the careers that graduates of our Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting program may consider include accountant, auditor, financial analyst, cost accountant, payroll manager and tax accountant. It’s important to note that employment in this occupation may require years of relevant experience or additional certifications.

According to occupational outlook data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors held 1,538,400 jobs in 2022, working in accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll services, finance and insurance, and management of companies and enterprises.

The BLS projects employment of accountants and auditors to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 126,500 job openings each year, on average, over the decade.⁵ This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry University graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers.

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The time required to complete online accounting programs depends on the program you choose, as well as any transfer credits or course waivers⁶ you may have. For example, our Master’s Degree in Accounting can be completed in as few as 12 months with an accelerated schedule (per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters at an average of 10 credit hours each and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks) or 1 year and 8 months with a normal schedule (per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters at an average of 6 credit hours each and continuous, year-round enrollment with no breaks).

Most state boards of accountancy require candidates to have at least 150 credit hours of post-secondary education to sit for the CPA exam; however, the requirements may differ between states. Students interested in sitting for the CPA exam should check with their home state licensing board for specific requirements.¹

We offer a range of accounting courses, from Essentials of Accounting to more advanced courses like Accounting Fraud Criminology and Ethics. For a list of courses available in our undergraduate and graduate accounting programs, visit our accounting courses page.

Our graduate-level degree and certificate programs require students to have a bachelor’s degree. Our Master’s Degree in Accounting program, for example, is specifically designed for individuals who have earned a degree or concentration in accounting at the undergraduate level, and is a great option for those who wish to obtain additional credits required to meet the CPA licensure requirements in their states. It can also be a great fit for someone who has already earned their CPA credential and wants to advance their knowledge in accounting to prepare to pursue additional career goals. Please check with your state’s Board of Accountancy regarding its specific requirements for sitting for the CPA exam.¹

Some states will accept the CPA preparation courses as part of their credit-hour requirements, while other states will not. Please check with your state licensing board for specific requirements.¹

We welcome students and professionals in all stages of their career paths. If you wish to pursue an undergraduate accounting degree, you need to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a general educational development (GED) certificate or a post-secondary or professional degree.

If you want to enroll in a graduate degree program, you must first have earned a bachelor's degree in a related field. Other admissions requirements may apply, such as minimum GPA requirements, test score requirements and completion of an admissions interview.

Yes! Our accounting programs are designed to fit your busy schedule, enabling you to balance work, family or other personal commitments. We offer the flexibility of 100% online accounting programs for those who wish to complete their degree remotely, or a hybrid² learning environment for those that want to study both online and in-person.

The CFA, CPA and CMA are all notable accounting industry credentials. Here is an overview of these certifications and the differences to help you decide which one is right for you.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): This certification is for individuals that want to work in the field of financial analysis. To qualify, you must have four years of working experience with investments, be a member of the CFA Institute (which grants this certification) and pass three levels of exams. Exam topics include ethics, money management, security analysis, accounting and economics.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA): This credential is a well-respected certification in the accounting field. Typically, CPAs work with businesses and individuals by managing taxes, budgeting, planning and other accounting needs. The requirements to earn a CPA credential vary by state, but often require you to earn a bachelor’s degree or certain number of academic credit hours and successfully pass the four-part CPA exam.¹ Additionally, CPAs are required to maintain their state licensure via continuing professional education throughout their career.

Certified Management Account (CMA): This certification can be helpful for those that want to work with organizations to help them develop strategic management decisions based on business finances. Requirements include earning a bachelor’s degree, having two years of accounting experience and passing a two-part exam covering topics such as performance management, planning and budgeting, technology and analytics and financial statement analysis.

While the two fields are certainly interrelated, there are some distinct differences. You could sum up the finance vs. accounting comparison by simply saying that finance manages the “big picture” while accounting concentrates on the small details. Finance professionals use the information gathered and reported by accountants and auditors to do their planning to help enterprises grow or expand. In terms of education requirements, if you plan to work in finance, a finance degree may be a good choice. If you’re preparing to pursue a career in accounting, then you might begin your journey by earning an accounting degree.

Here at DeVry, students are charged for the number of credit hours they are enrolled in. Due to this, the overall cost to earn your degree can vary based on factors such as transfer credits, course waivers⁶ and prior learning credit. Contact us to speak to an Admissions Representative or visit our Tuition and Financial Aid page to learn more.