Any organization in which money officially changes hands needs accounting, whether it’s the small coffee shop on the corner, a large business, a government or non-profit agency. Individual taxpayers sometimes choose to hire an accountant as well. In the case of small businesses, owners who opt to learn some of the basic accounting skills might take a few courses, or earn an associate’s degree in business, along with some accounting courses. Individuals who are actually interested in a career in accounting typically start with either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting. This is often followed by a master’s degree, depending on the type of accounting career they’re interested in. There is also the preparation for and writing of the necessary professional certification exams, which qualify accountants to be licensed for practice.
This college rankings article focuses on online degrees in accounting and related topics at the associate’s level. Some of the associate’s degrees referenced may prepare undergraduate students for professional certification exams. Be sure to also look at our other college rankings for accounting degrees:
- 25 Most Affordable Online Master’s of Accounting Degrees
- 15 of the Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting
Careers in Accounting
A sample of accounting career role or organizations/ industries requiring accounting professionals is shown below. The list is compiled from the Web pages of the 15 colleges ranked in this article.
- accounting assistant
- accounting clerk
- accounting departments
- accounting firms
- accounting manager
- accounting technician
- accounts payable clerk
- accounts receivable clerk
- accounts receivables clerk
- administrative assistant
- auditing clerk
- auditor
- banks
- billing clerk
- bookkeeper
- budgeting
- business office manager
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- corporations
- cost accounting
- educational institutions
- financial clerk
- financial investigation
- general accounting
- government agencies
- health care providers
- junior accountant
- management trainee
- nonprofit organizations
- office manager
- payroll clerk
- payroll departments
- payroll manager
- public accountant
- purchasing clerk
- revenue cycle account coordinator
- tax preparer
Rankings: Affordable Online Associate’s Degrees in Accounting
15: Ogeechee Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College is a public community technical college established in 1986. OTC is part of the Technical College System of Georgia.
OTC has three online Accounting programs:
- Associate’s degree
- diploma
- certificate
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Accounting requires at least 64 credits, with 49 for occupational courses, including about 33 for accounting courses and electives. The program provides students with the ability to examine, manage, and prepare financial records. This includes using both computerized and manual accounting systems. This gives students the foundation required to obtain entry-level, accounting-related positions with a variety of organizations, including:
- businesses
- corporations
- educational institutions
- government agencies
- health care providers
Students looking to enter the workforce sooner can choose the more economical option of OTC’s 42-credit Diploma in Accounting. Finally, OTC also has a 21-credit Computerized Accounting Specialist Certificate that can be used for:
- career entry
- supplementation
- transition
All three programs can be taken online, although certain courses, if chosen, may need to be taken on campus.
Sample courses:
- Accounting Simulation
- Computerized Accounting
- Financial Accounting I and II
- Individual Tax Accounting
- Introduction to Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Payroll Accounting
- Principles of Fraud Examination
- Spreadsheet Applications
14: Lanier Technical CollegeLanier Technical College (LTC) is a public technical community college established in 1964. LTC is part of the Technical College System of Georgia. LTC offers three online Accounting programs:
he Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Accounting requires 64 credit hours, with 49 for program specific requirements. The AAS provides students with the academic and professional knowledge, and technical skills, needed to pursue a variety of accounting careers. Some of these may require additional studies and/ or certifications. For students who want to start working sooner, or have a lower-cost entry in to the accounting field, LTC has two options. The first is the 42-hour Diploma in Accounting, which enables students to become accounting technicians and can be the start of a longer-term career path in the profession. The second option is the 14-hour Office Accounting Specialist Certificate, which provides students with entry-level office accounting skills. Sample courses: Business Tax Accounting; Computerized Accounting; Financial Accounting I and II; Individual Tax Accounting; Managerial Accounting; Payroll Accounting; Personal Finance; Principles Fraud Examination; Spreadsheet Applications
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