What Is a Bachelor's in Accounting and What Can You Do with One?

A bachelor’s in accounting is a degree program in which you learn how to manage finances, record fiscal transactions, manage costs, and create financial strategies. The coursework will typically help students prepare for various jobs in accounting and finance.

Accounting is a central business need. Companies, government agencies, and nonprofits all rely on trained professionals to fulfill various financial needs. If you enjoy working with numbers and analysis and you are looking for a career with industry flexibility, earning your bachelor’s degree in accounting may be a good choice. 

Explore bachelor’s degree in accounting programs, the difference between an accounting and finance degree, and what you can do with this major after graduation. 

What is a Bachelor of Accounting?

A Bachelor of Accounting refers to several types of undergraduate degrees that focus on accounting principles, such as properly reporting, recording, and analyzing fiscal transactions and managing the finances of organizations.

The way each school handles this major can differ. Some offer it as a stand-alone college major, meaning you can earn either your Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in the subject, while others situate accounting in business school, so you can earn your Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and specialize in accounting.

Each degree takes between four and five years to earn, depending on your school’s requirements. You can expect to complete a range of core courses during your first two years before moving into your major coursework. The average total cost of a bachelor’s degree, including books, supplies, and living expenses, is $38,270, according to the Education Data Initiative [1].

Types of accounting degrees

While each school’s accounting program will look different, the overall curriculum for any accounting bachelor’s typically involves taking a combination of foundational business courses alongside advanced math courses. Many schools now offer Bachelor of Accounting programs online, on-campus, or in hybrid formats.   

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting: Also known as a Bachelor of Accountancy, this degree focuses on a general business education alongside core math requirements, such as calculus and statistics. It can help you prepare to enter the workforce, go on to graduate school, or take the CPA Exam. 

• Bachelor of Arts in Accounting: While this degree also focuses on business and math, it tends to emphasize a liberal arts education to strengthen your approach to accounting. 

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting: This degree program helps you prepare for the workforce or graduate studies in accounting. Coursework includes accounting, business administration, economics, and management.

Learn more: Is a Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?

What you’ll learn in a bachelor’s accounting program

Because of the role accounting plays in business, you must understand the fundamentals of business as you pursue accounting roles. The exact coursework in your Bachelor of Accounting degree program will vary, but you can expect to take business, management, economics, and math courses. 

Accounting coursework can include: 

• Principles of accounting

• Financial accounting

• Managerial accounting

• Cost accounting

• Auditing

• Federal income taxation

• Accounting information systems

Business coursework can include:  

• Financial statement analysis

• Operations management

• Leading and managing

• Principles of marketing

• Corporate strategy

• Macroeconomics 

• Introduction to statistics

Learn more: Accounting Degrees: Courses, Careers, Salaries

4+1 accounting programs

Many schools increasingly offer “4+1” programs so you can earn your bachelor's degree and master’s degree in accounting within five years of full-time attendance rather than six. With a graduate degree, you may qualify for more advanced roles, such as forensic accounting, tax director, or chief financial officer.  

Can you become a CPA with a bachelor’s in accounting?

A certified public accountant (CPA) can prepare taxes on behalf of an individual or corporation and conduct audits, among other responsibilities. While each state sets different CPA licensure requirements, many expect at least 150 hours of coursework before you can take the exam.

Since undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 hours, you may need to complete additional coursework or consider earning a master’s degree to meet your state’s CPA stipulations. Take time to review your state’s requirements to find out more. 

Earning your CPA

If you're interested in earning your bachelor's in accounting and becoming a CPA, you have a few options.

• Take an additional 30 credit hours in electives, graduate courses, or specializations.

• Consider a 4 +1 program, if your university offers it, as these programs often focus on preparing you for the CPA Exam

• Receive your master’s degree in accounting, which not only earns you enough credits but also increases your chances of passing

Bachelor’s in accounting vs. bachelor’s in finance

When you’re interested in working with revenue and expenses, you have the option of earning your degree in accounting or finance. There’s some overlap between the two majors, but typically an accounting degree focuses on a company’s day-to-day finances, while a finance degree focuses on key money management skills to expand a company’s growth and profits. 

Both degree programs share some common courses, such as business law, business ethics, business statistics, and principles of finance, but many other requirements tend to differ. For example, as an accounting major, your classes may include personal taxes, investment and business taxation, and fraud auditing. If you major in finance, however, your courses will typically include micro and macroeconomics, risk management, and principles of management.

Accounting degree jobs

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects jobs for accountants and related roles to grow by 4 percent between 2022 and 2032 [2]. The median salary for accountants and auditors is $79,880 [2]. Some other jobs that you can get with an accounting degree include:

Budget analyst 

Median annual salary (BLS): $84,940 [3] 

Job outlook (expected growth from 2022 to 2032): 3 percent [3]

Companies need to know about their profits and expenses to make informed decisions. Budget analysts create and review a company’s financial performance, including spending and available funds.

Tax examiner and collector 

Median annual salary (BLS): $58,530 [4]

Job outlook (expected growth from 2022 to 2032): 1 percent [4]

Tax examiners and collectors tend to work on behalf of a local, state, or federal government. In this role, you calculate how much an individual or company owes in annual taxes and set about collecting it. 

Financial examiner

Median annual salary (BLS): $84,300 [5] 

Job outlook (expected growth from 2022 to 2032): 20 percent [5]

When institutions handle monetary transactions, such as banks, they are subject to laws that require compliance. Financial examiners ensure compliance with those laws by reviewing an institution’s portfolio and developing reports. 

Controller

Median annual salary (BLS): $156,100 [6]

Job outlook (expected growth from 2022 to 2032): 16 percent [6]

Controllers typically lead an accounting team, ensuring a company is doing well financially by reviewing and analyzing its budgets and other financial documents. While you can become a controller with a bachelor’s degree, you must first acquire several years of experience before moving into this senior role.

Financial analyst

Median annual salary (BLS): $99,890 [7]

Job outlook (expected growth from 2022 to 2032): 8 percent [7]

Financial analysts help individuals and companies determine where to invest their resources. In this role, you must be skilled at researching industry trends, evaluating a client’s financial history and data, and preparing reports that recommend an investment strategy. 

Investment analyst

Median annual salary (BLS): $112,950 [8]

Job outlook (expected growth from 2022 to 2032): 8 percent [7]

Individuals and companies need information about where to invest their resources. An investment analyst reviews asset classes, such as stocks and bonds, and makes recommendations to an investment manager. 

Learn more: How to Get Your First Accounting Entry-Level Job

Explore accounting further with Coursera

A bachelor’s of accounting is a great first step to getting an entry-level job in a field with lots of growth and earning potential. Earn a Bachelor of Science in General Business from the University of North Texas on Coursera. You can learn at your own pace and study from anywhere there’s an internet connection.

You can also explore accounting certificate programs online, such as the University of Illinois’ Fundamentals of Accounting or the University of Virginia’s Financial Accounting Fundamentals. Neither program requires previous experience.