120 credits
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP), Colorado State University Global’s accelerated bachelor’s degree in accounting is a 120-credit program that prepares students for private, public, nonprofit, and governmental accounting careers.Flexible schedule
Upon completion, students will be ready to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam and complete the requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam at the graduate level.100% online
Take our asynchronous courses on your own schedule. Benefit from our attentive faculty, flexible weekly deadlines, and live support for tutoring, library, and technical assistance.Request Information
Chart Your Course with an Online Bachelor’s in Accounting
CSU Global's bachelor's program in accounting provides students with fundamental knowledge, analytical skills, and ethical grounding to navigate the evolving landscape of AI-enhanced accounting. This 120-credit accredited accounting program is tailored for individuals starting their careers or considering a career change to accounting.
Master automation and business intelligence
This program delves into real-world scenarios, cases, and hands-on practice. You'll gain proficiency in accounting tasks in an AI-enhanced environment by harnessing automation, business intelligence, and data analytics. Stay ahead by evaluating and improving accounting processes, systems, and financial data, all while demonstrating leadership skills in the dynamic intersection of automation and accounting.
Where accounting meets artificial intelligence
Lead confidently in AI-driven accounting and learn to collaborate using automation, business intelligence, and data analytics to perform business functions and drive workplace solutions.
Program Details
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Colorado State University Global provides students with essential accounting skills in an AI-enhanced environment. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), this online degree program prepares graduates for an accounting career in varied private, public, nonprofit, and governmental sectors.
The curriculum covers key areas such as finance, auditing, and business intelligence. Emphasizing real-world scenarios and hands-on practice, students master automation and data analytics, positioning themselves for success in the dynamic global accounting landscape.
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What skills will I learn with an accounting degree?Â
Our online undergraduate accounting degree teaches you how to stay ahead in an ever-changing world and thrive in an AI-enhanced role. You’ll learn to apply core accounting principles and practices to analyze data, provide relevant information, and help solve complex problems. After earning your degree in accounting, you’ll also be able to:
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Use financial data and accounting knowledge to improve business procedures.
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Evaluate domestic and international regulatory and ethical industry trends.
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Examine accounting processes and systems in detail using automation to foster workplace solutions.
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Display leadership skills centered in data analytics and business intelligence.
What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s in accounting?
Completing an online undergraduate accounting degree can provide you with a range of accounting career options. It prepares you to sit for essential professional exams and for a lifelong career with plenty of advancement potential. Job opportunities vary from tax and financial examiners, auditors, and analysts to account managers, bookkeepers, and financial consultants.
Top job opportunities with an accounting degree include:
- Accountants & Auditors | 2022 Median Pay: $78,000
- Budget Analyst | 2022 Median Pay: $82,260
- Financial Examiner | 2022 Median Pay: $82,210
- Tax Examiner |Â 2022 Median Pay: $57,950 Â
Salary information is based on Lightcast data from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. 12/2023
Third-Party Licensure & Certification Pathways
In addition to the comprehensive knowledge that you’ll earn through a degree, industry certifications are an excellent way to demonstrate your proficiency in a specific area. As you complete your Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, you will be prepared to take several industry-recognized exams:
To sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in the United States, you typically need to fulfill certain qualifications, which may vary slightly depending on the state in which you plan to become licensed. After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, you need approximately 30 additional hours of coursework, such as what you would complete during a Master's in Professional Accounting, as well as other educational requirements that vary by state.Â
We recommend students consult their state’s Board of Accountancy for the most accurate and up-to-date information. See state CPA requirements here.Â
To sit for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam, you need to fulfill certain qualifications determined by the CFA Institute, including earning a bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/work experience, a minimum of four years of professional work experience in a related field, and be a) enrolled in the CFA Program and b) be a member of the CFA Institute. We recommend students consult CFA Institute for the most accurate and up-to-date information. See CFA requirements here.
To sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam, you need to fulfill certain requirements set by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), including earning a bachelor’s degree. The CMA does not have specific work experience requirements to sit for the exam, however, there are additional employment requirements that you must meet within seven years of passing the exam in order to earn the CMA designation. See CMA requirements here.
NOTE: CSU Global's Bachelor of Science in Accounting program is an Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Endorsed school. Our students are eligible to apply for IMA scholarships which cover exam fees for first-time exam takers, an exam review course, and three years of IMA membership.
As an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS, you are able to represent taxpayers before the IRS, including preparing and filing tax returns, communicating with the IRS on behalf of clients, and handling tax matters and disputes. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting will prepare you academically to sit for the EA exam, however, students must pass all three sections of the EA exam and apply for enrollment with the IRS, including completing and submitting Form 23 Application for Enrollment to Practice Before the Internal Revenue Service, fingerprinting, and a background check. See Enrolled Agent requirements here.
The Financial Services Audit Certificate (FSAC) is a specialized certification offered by the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA). To sit for the FSAC exam, you must be an active member of the ACCA and have relevant experience in the financial services sector. Finally, you must complete a set of online learning modules determined by the ACCA. See Financial Services Audit Certificate requirements here.
To prepare for the Internal Audit Practitioner Exam, it is recommended that you successfully complete the course ACT450 Auditing, preferably in the later stages of your program. See Internal Audit Practitioner requirements here.
To prepare for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam, which is administered by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), it is recommended that you obtain a bachelor's degree, preferably in accounting, and have a minimum of two years of internal auditing experience or its equivalent. See Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) requirements here.
To prepare for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) exam, students must obtain a bachelor's degree, preferably in accounting, and have a minimum of two years of fraud-related experience. See Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) requirements here.
There are a number of requirements in order to prepare for the Chartered Global Management Accountant exam, but students must obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting and a minimum of three years of accounting experience or relevant work-based experience. See Chartered Global Management Accountant requirements here.
Courses in this Program
CSU Global’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting program requires the completion of 120 total credits, including a mix of Core Degree Courses in Accounting, General Education Courses, Elective Courses, and optional Degree Specializations and Certificates.
CSU Global’s General Education Courses are more than a bachelor’s degree requirement. They are designed to help you develop and strengthen valuable skills demanded in the workplace.
Already taken some courses? Up to 90 total credits (and 64 from community colleges) can be transferred into a bachelor’s degree at CSU Global. Request a Transcript Evaluation Summary to see how close you already are to graduation!
ORG300 - Applying Leadership Principles
MKG310 - Introduction to Marketing
ACT300 - Principles of Accounting and Analytics
ACT325 - Principles of Accounting and Decision Analysis
ACT350 - Intermediate Accounting I
ACT360 - Intermediate Accounting II
FIN300 - Principles of Finance for the Private Sector
ACT406 - Business Intelligence in Taxation
ACT410 - Government and Non-Profit Accounting
COM420 - Strategic Communication of Data Analysis
ACT425 - Information Systems for Accounting
ACT460 - Cost Analysis and Automation
ACT465 - Forensic Accounting and Business Valuation with Artificial Intelligence
When you earn your bachelor’s degree through CSU Global, you can choose to customize it with an undergraduate specialization in a subject that matches your professional goals or personal interests.Â
Most Popular Specializations:
- Organizational Leadership
- Project Management
- Human Resources and Organizational Development
- Marketing
- Emergency Management
- Healthcare Management
Additional Available Specializations for this Program:
- Applied Social Sciences
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics
- Business Administration
- Communication
- Computer Programming
- Criminal Forensics
- Criminal Justice Management
- Criminology
- Data Management and Analysis
- Digital Marketing
- Fundraising
- Healthcare Communication
- Information Technology Management
- Information Technology Operations
- Intelligence and Homeland Security
- Operations Management and Supervision
- Public and Non-Profit Management
- Public Relations
- Web Application Development
Download the Specializations Chart
View a list of all CSU Global specializations and the degree programs they can be paired with.
The remainder of your online accounting degree is comprised of courses of your choice that support your educational goals and needs. Including a specialization reduces the number of elective credits you'll need to complete your bachelor's degree.
Affordable Tuition
As a not-for-profit public university, our goal at CSU Global is to make your online tuition cost as affordable as possible. We offer low-cost online degree tuition rates without taking anything away from the quality of the education you receive. We also lock in that low tuition rate with our tuition guarantee, and we provide additional discounted tuition rates for members of the armed forces and employees of our corporate affiliate partners.
Learn more about CSU Global tuition rates, and explore financial aid options available that can help cover the cost of your education.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Typically, it takes 4 years to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. However, if you choose to study Accounting at CSU Global, you may be able to get your Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting substantially faster. Why? Because we offer several paths to Alternative Credit Options, including Credit by Exam, Self-Study Assessments (SSA) and our Prior learning Assessment (PLA). PLAs alone have been known to save our students 75% on our already low Tuition Rates.
Costs vary depending on how long it takes you to complete your Bachelor’s Degree Program, and whether you choose to study at a Public School or Private University. As a Not-for-Profit Public University, CSU Global is dedicated to making your Bachelor’s Degree affordable. We offer Low Tuition Rates, a Tuition Guarantee that locks your rate in for the entirety of your program, a 10% Employer Discount, and Financial Aid opportunities to help reduce the costs of your degree.
Incomes vary by position, experience, location, and other factors, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides some excellent information about the average annual income for Accountants and other types of Financial Professionals. Their 2019 reports provide the following estimates of annual incomes:
- Accountants & Auditors / 2022 Median Pay: $78,000Â
- Financial Examiner / 2022 Median Pay: $82,210
- Tax Examiner / 2022 Median Pay: $57,950
- Budget Analyst / 2022 Median Pay: $82,260
Earning your BS in Accounting will open a whole host of career paths and job opportunities to you, including a wide variety of positions as a Financial Professional. Some of the most common roles for graduates of Accounting Bachelor’s Programs include:
- Accountant
- Financial Examiner
- Tax Examiner
- Budget Analyst
- Auditor
- Credit Analyst
By combining your BS in Accounting with additional credentials, licenses and certifications, you may also be eligible for a more advanced role, such as in any of the following positions:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
- Enrolled Agent (EA)
- Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA)
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
- Chartered Global Management Accountant
Absolutely! While it may take hard work and dedication to complete your Accounting Degree Program, this is an excellent industry to get into and CSU Global’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting is one of the best ways to enter the field. Why should you consider becoming an accountant?
- Accounting roles show higher than average job growth, with accounting positions projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031.
- 90% of CSU Global’s Alumni from the BS in Accounting Program report working in the accounting field, with the most common job titles being Accountant, Bookkeeper, and Staff Accountant.
- Graduates from our Bachelor’s of Accounting Program report an excellent starting salary. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for accountants in 2021 was over $77k.
Career Outlook and Outcomes
Higher Than Average Job Growth
Employment of accounting positions is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
90% of Alumni Working in the Field
Bachelor’s of Accounting alumni from CSU Global report extremely high rates of working in the field of accounting after completing the program.
$77k+ Starting Salary
According to the BLS, the average annual salary for accountants in 2021 was over $77k.
Program Accreditations and Rankings
Your Bachelor's in Accounting from CSU Global is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
CSU Global’s accounting program has earned endorsement by IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants), one of the most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
Best Online Bachelor's Programs
U.S. News & World Report ranks CSU Global among the Top 20 Online Bachelor's Programs for 2024.
Great Business Schools ranked CSU Global's Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree #2, showcasing its superior curriculum and success in preparing students for the accounting profession.
Want To Know More?
Ready to learn more about how to move forward with CSU Global? Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch to answer any questions and help you get started.
Institutional Accreditation
Institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) means your degree comes from a top-quality, trusted university.
I wanted an B.S. Accounting degree [and] I had already completed 60 credits twelve years ago. I'm now a stay at home Mom and with the ability to transfer these credits I am on my way to finish my Accounting degree.
Melissa ShieldsB.S. Accounting, Class of 2021
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