Accelerated Accounting Degrees 2023 //
A bachelor’s degree in accounting can prepare workers for higher-than-average accounting careers. While a bachelor’s degree in accounting takes four years, some accelerated degrees allow students to finish their studies faster, sometimes in as little as three years.
Full bachelor’s degrees are available in three-year and accelerated programs. These programs typically require the same amount of credits as four year programs. These programs are not equivalent to degree-completion programmes, which require students have an associate degree or transferable college credit.
Accounting students who are pursuing certification as a public accountant (CPA), may benefit from an accelerated accounting degree. CPA certification takes 150 hours of education. Most bachelor’s degrees require 120 credit hours. This means that learners will need to take additional coursework. These can be a master’s degree in accounting, or a graduate certification. This process can be simplified with an accelerated bachelor’s degree.
Students who are looking to get into the workforce quickly will find that accelerated degrees work well. Students enrolled in a three-year program can complete their degree and start earning a full-time income faster than students who have completed a traditional four-year degree.
This guide will help you learn more about accelerated accounting degrees. We also have a ranking of the top accelerated accounting programs.
Why pursue an Accelerated Accounting degree?
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Faster graduation: Students in accelerated programs are able to graduate faster and get into the workforce quicker than others because they spend less time at school.
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Lower Cost:Learning a degree faster can help students save up to a year’s worth of expenses such as tuition, housing, and other living costs.
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A simple path to CPA licensure: Accounting professionals must earn 120 credits in addition to the 120 required for a standard bachelor’s degree. These requirements can be fulfilled by many students who take graduate-level courses. This process can be simplified by enrolling in an accelerated program that allows learners to finish their undergraduate education faster.
Trade-Offs to Get Your Accounting Bachelor’s Degree Faster
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High Workload Trying to meet all graduation requirements in a shorter period of time increases the workload. Often, enrollees will also need to take summer courses.
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There are fewer internship opportunities: Accounting students often do summer internships in order to gain work experience, build professional networks, or even get full-time jobs. Accelerated learners may not have the same opportunities to complete internships as other students because they often take more summer courses than others and are usually enrolled for fewer summers.
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Students who are accelerated have less time for electives. They usually have more rigid degrees and complete course loads every term. These students may not have the time to explore electives or concentrations as well as minors as they do for other learners.
What You Can Expect from a Short Accounting Degree Program
An Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting usually requires three years of full time study. These degrees usually require the same amount of credits as other programs. To speed up completion, accelerated degree students often enroll in classes or do internships during the summer or shorter winter terms.
Schools that offer accelerated degrees might offer shorter terms, such as 5- to 8-week classes rather than a quarter or semester. Condensed timelines are also common for summer and winter presession classes.
Learners who have taken high school dual enrollment, AP or IB exams may be able test out general education requirements and can enroll in fewer courses per term in order to complete their accelerated degree.
For students who are looking for an accelerated master’s degree, some institutions offer a combined degree option that is fast-tracked. After completing their bachelor’s program, learners can begin to take graduate-level classes in order to earn their master’s degree. This usually takes between 1-2 years. For those who are interested in becoming CPAs, this is a great option.
Full-time students can choose to enroll in three-year programs. Schools that offer accelerated programs often also offer standard-length degrees. These require the same classes but with a shorter course schedule. Part-time students who are interested in going to school may prefer traditional programs.
Optional Degrees and Concentrations
Many programs in accelerated accounting are offered as bachelors of science (B.Sc.) or bachelors of business administrations (BBA). These degrees are common for four-year accounting degrees.
Many accounting programs offer degree options, such as tax, auditing, public accounting, and forensic accounting. Concentrations allow students to focus their education on specific career areas.
Admissions Process
All incoming students are eligible to apply for an Accelerated Accounting Degree, even those who have just graduated high school. There are generally no requirements for previous work experience. Many learners are eligible to apply for the fast track option once they have been accepted to the school. You can also consult your advisor to create an accelerated schedule.
The application process for accelerated degrees can be similar to that for standard degrees. The application includes transcripts from high school and letters of recommendation. Many colleges require ACT scores SAT scores.
Popular Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting
The typical curriculum for a bachelor’s degree in accounting includes accounting major courses and general education classes. Accounting major courses may include managerial accounting, financial accounting, and economics. Business-related classes are often required for accounting BBAs.
We will be looking at common accounting courses.
Financial Accounting
This course is often an introduction for accounting majors. This course teaches you how to create and reconcile financial reports.
Managerial Accounting
Managerial accounting courses teach you how to use accounting to support business management and decision making.
Principles of Auditing
This course teaches students the best practices and principles of auditing. It also teaches them how to gather information and create audit reports. This class covers legal and ethical aspects of auditing.
External reporting
This course covers accounting techniques related to the preparation of external reports.
What is the cost of Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees?
The National Center for Education Statistics discovered that undergraduate tuition was on average $13,667 in 2020-21.
The tuition for accelerated accounting programs differs by where you live, what institution you are affiliated with, and how the program is delivered. Private schools will usually charge more tuition than public schools. In-state public institutions tend to be more expensive than out-of-state ones. Distance learners may pay lower rates than those who live in the same state as them. This includes public schools that offer online tuition, and even public schools that offer instate tuition to anyone who is not a resident of the state.
Based on the school’s assessment of tuition, an accelerated accounting program may be a more affordable option for a bachelor’s degree. Institutions that charge a flat fee per semester for full-time students may require students to enroll in a higher course load in order to reduce tuition costs.
But, because accelerated degrees usually require the same amount of credits as traditional bachelors degrees, a shorter degree won’t be less expensive at schools that charge tuition per credit. Students who are accelerated often take summer and winter terms. This results in higher tuition fees.
Many financial aid options are available for accelerated students. These include grants and loans from the government and private lenders. While loans require repayment, grants and scholarships don’t. For more information on the financial aid available to accounting students, please see our financial aid guide.
Best Accelerated Accounting Degrees
Students can quickly get a job in accounting by completing an accelerated degree. Our objective, comprehensive methodology has helped us rank the top 2023 accelerated accounting degree programs.
The 120 credits required for the accelerated bachelor’s degree in accounting include general education and major coursework. The students study economics, finance and business. Students also have to complete a capstone. Students can also choose to do an internship.
ASU offers career guidance, resume assistance and career coaching throughout the accounting bachelor’s program. Through the accelerated taxation program, students can complete their bachelor’s or master’s degree in just five years.
ASU’s Accelerated Experiential Learning
The accelerated bachelor’s in accounting degree requires eight terms of study. This gives students four years of course work. This program requires full-time enrollment in summer sessions. Each student is eligible for financial aid during summer.
A Program at a Glance
- School Type Public
- Accreditation by Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business(AACSB).
- Tuition $6,984/semester in state; $8,119/semester out of state
- Requires Credits:120
- Program Length – 3 Years
- Delivery Format – Online, on campus, synchronous, or asynchronous
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Admissions
- Process: To be considered, applicants must submit test scores and transcripts.
- GPA: 3.0
- Standardized Testing: SAT and ACT
- Cost $50 (in State); $80 (Out of State)
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Best Accelerated Accounting Degrees in 2023
Mount Mercy University
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
MMU, a Catholic-based college, is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It focuses on academic excellence. MMU was established in 1928 by Sisters of Mercy and offers graduate programs to over 1,600 students each year.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
Mount Mercy University’s Accelerated Bachelor’s in Accounting is designed to prepare students for the certification public accountant and certified management accounting exam. It includes 123 credit hours.
Business classes are required to acquire fundamental skills in finance, accounting, and management. The core courses in major are cost accounting, tax accounting, and auditing.
Students do an accounting internship at a local company. Transfer students may enter the program with as little as 75 credits from a community college and as many credits from an accredited four year university.
MMU’s Accelerated Experiential Learning
Enrollees must be first year students and have completed an internship to earn an accounting bachelor’s in three years. Accelerated learners must have at least 15 credits from Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses. Acceptance of CLEP testing is recommended.
Students enrolled in Accelerated Accounting complete January terms and then enroll during the summer.
A Program at a Glance
- School Type Private
- Accreditation Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- Tuition: $38,070/year
- Require Credits:
- Length: 3-4 Years
- Delivery Format – On-campus, synchronous or asynchronous
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Admissions
- Process: To be considered, applicants must submit transcripts and optional scores.
- GPA: 3.0
- Standardized Testing: Optional ACT or SAT
The percentage of students who are enrolled online.
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Best Accelerated Accounting Degrees in 2023
Thomas College
- Waterville, ME
- 4 years
- Campus
Thomas offers career-focused academic courses from its 120-acre campus located in Waterville, Maine. Thomas was established in 1894 as a business college. It emphasizes business, innovation, and technology in its undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting & Financial Analysis
Thomas College’s bachelor’s degree programs in accounting offer a three year option and require 121 credit. You can choose to specialize in managerial, public, or forensic accounting.
Accounting theory, financial information systems, and personal financial planning are all required courses in accounting and financial analysis. Students must also take an exam to prove their accounting proficiency.
Thomas’ Accelerated Experiment
Candidates must have a minimum of 3.4 GPA and be familiar with the program content. Six courses are offered in both spring and fall semesters. You may need to take additional classes beyond the semester model.
Students can save up to one year on tuition and room board by completing their degree in three years.
A Program at a Glance
- School Type Public
- Accreditation New England Commission of Higher Education NECHE
- Tuition: $29,824/semester
- Require Credits:
- Length: 3-4 Years
- Delivery Format – On campus, asynchronous
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Admissions
- Process: Applicants must submit transcripts, at most one letter of recommendation, a college essay and optional SAT/ACT scores to be considered.
- GPA – Not specified
- Standardized Testing: Optional ACT and SAT
The percentage of students who are enrolled online.
New England Commission on Higher Education
Common Questions about Quick Accounting Degrees
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Which accounting degree is the easiest?
Each accounting degree has its own set of challenges. Associate degrees don’t cover accounting as deeply as bachelor’s degrees. This means that they require less courses overall, which may make it easier for some learners.
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What is the fastest way to get an accounting degree?
With an accelerated degree pathway, students can complete a bachelor’s in accounting in just three years. Four years of full-time study is required for standard-length programs.
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Is it worth getting a two-year accounting degree?
It depends on the students’ career goals whether a two-year accounting degree will be worth it. While associate degrees do not qualify you for CPA licensure they can help you qualify for entry-level accounting positions.
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Is it possible to complete a bachelor’s in one year?
A full bachelor’s degree cannot be completed in one year. A school may allow learners who have completed an associate degree or similar coursework to complete a bachelor’s in one year.
Accounting.com first published the post Best Accelerated Accounting degrees 2023.
