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Accounting

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting offers you the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and research know-how to address complex accounting issues. From entry-level bookkeeping positions all the way to careers as chief financial officers for major corporations, accounting professionals are in demand. Successful completion of this online degree program helps to prepare you for a career as an accountant, auditor, examiner, and other related financial positions in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

This program has been designed in consultation with industry business leaders, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and has earned additional ACBSP Specialized Accounting Accreditation.

Program Courses

The curriculum for this program follows industry trends to help ensure relevancy to today's marketplace. View all Courses

Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:

  • Explain the roles accountants perform in society.
  • Discuss Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and their controlling authorities and relate these concepts with appropriate accounting practices.
  • Analyze and prepare financial information for management and stakeholders utilizing appropriate accounting analyses and reports.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the ethical framework for accountants adopted by professional accounting organizations, such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
  • Articulate a basic knowledge of legal and business terms and concepts relating to the practice of accounting.

View learning outcomes assessment results.

ACBSP Accredited & ACBSP Accredited in Accounting

Degree at a Glance

Concentrations

Concentrations are designed to help you group courses together so you can further specialize in your field and pursue a more focused path to degree completion. You will be asked to select a concentration when you enroll in this program.

Explore the concentrations available for this program.

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General

Focuses on the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and research skills needed to address and resolve complex accounting issues in different business environments. Explores accounting information systems, business and contract law, and payroll basics.

Sample Courses

  • ACCT202 - Introduction to Payroll
  • ACCT300 - Financial Accounting
  • ACCT305 - Accounting Information Systems
  • ACCT410 - Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
  • ACCT415 - Law for Accountants
  • ACCT406 - Managerial/Cost Accounting

Admission Requirements

  • All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e. GED).
  • Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.

Need help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-777-9081 or info@apus.edu.

State Regulations

Coursework for this degree program may or may not satisfy the educational requirements for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in your state, depending upon your state of residency. For more information, see the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website.

Texas: Under the rules of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, at least 15 hours of upper-level accounting course work must result from physical attendance at classes meeting regularly on the campus of the transcript-issuing institution. Completion of this accounting program and coursework may not meet the education requirements to sit for the CPA exam or obtain a CPA license in Texas. Individuals wishing to sit for the CPA exam or obtain a CPA license in Texas should check with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to determine eligibility.

Undergraduate Tuition Rates 

Per credit hour: $270 | $250 with military grant*

View Tuition and Fees Details  

*To help minimize out-of-pocket costs, APU offers a tuition grant for U.S. active-duty servicemembers, Guard, Reserve, military spouses and dependents, and veterans that caps undergraduate tuition at the military TA limit. See all military-affiliated student benefits.

Paying for School

Because our university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), (the same as the Ohio State University, Univ. of Chicago, and U.S. Air Force Academy, to name a few), we can accept the following forms of financial aid and payments:

Ways to Save

Undergraduate Book Grant

Books are provided online at no cost if you are enrolled in undergraduate courses for credit. The undergraduate book grant is estimated to save $600 per academic semester* if you are registered as a full-time student.

Transfer Credits

Accelerate your degree completion by taking full advantage of our transfer credit options, including credit for your previous college courses, military service schools, American Council on Education (ACE) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, and prior learning experiences.  

Employer Contributions

APU has educational partnerships with many employers and associations. Be sure to accurately enter your employer information when you complete our admissions application. Your employer might also offer a tuition reimbursement plan as one of your benefits.

*According to College Board Trends in College Pricing.

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School of Business


School of Business

This program resides in the American Public University School of Business, where 18 of our 26 degree programs have earned specialized accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This distinction does not come easy! To earn ACBSP accreditation, programs need to demonstrate quality in the areas of teaching excellence, student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement. On top of this, our accounting degree programs have also earned the prestigious ACBSP Specialized Accounting Accreditation.

APU School of Business courses are taught online by real-world practitioners who strive to bring expert knowledge and relevancy to our students. With input from industry advisory councils, the School of Business regularly examines and updates curriculum and introduces new programs such as our in-demand degrees in business analytics and our new Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam preparation certificate.

At APU, we understand your need for flexibility because most of our students are working adult learners attending school around work and other life commitments. This is why we offer 8-week or 16-week online courses that start monthly. Through an online virtual classroom, you’ll communicate with students and professors in forum communities as you work to complete your weekly written assignments on your own schedule from anywhere in the world. And with our mobile application, you can even work offline and upload your assignments when you reconnect.

The mission of the APU School of Business is to prepare students to be leaders in the global business community. We encourage you to browse the School of Business webpage to learn more about what’s happening in the school and to find a program that’s right for you.

If you're ready to move forward, we're ready to take you there.

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