Bachelor’s Online Accounting Degree

In the world of business, accounting can make or break an organization, from how it’s set up in financial records to how its books are balanced. Skilled, professional accountants are consistently in-demand across the board, from big public corporations to small private nonprofits.

About Salem’s Bachelor’s in Accounting

With our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting, you can prepare for an entry-level career as an accountant or financial analyst in a wide variety of fields, from auditing to consulting. The core of our bachelor’s in accounting program is a foundation in the functional areas of business administration, and our experienced faculty keep their students at the center of the educational process. To fit your busy schedule, you can pursue your bachelor’s in accounting fully online or at our campus in Salem, West Virginia. A BSBA degree can also be a great stepping off point toward getting your Master of Business Administration.

We’ve designed our on-campus and online accounting degree curriculum with the goal of providing a high-quality education that prepares you for lifelong learning. We aim to develop your leadership and problem-solving skills and encourage all of our students to read critically, ask appropriate questions, gather information, and apply critical analysis. And we do all of this within a framework that fits into your current life and responsibilities with our unique, one-course-a-month schedule.

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Accounting?

Our on-campus and online accounting degree programs help you prepare for entry-level employment in careers like:

Accounting Administrator
Financial Analyst
Financial Consultant
Auditor Controller/Comptroller
General Manager
CPA*

*This licensed profession requires extensive education, accounting or auditing work experience, successful completion of the CPA examination, and other requirements established by the West Virginia Board of Accountancy or other state of residence. Salem’s combined BSBA and MBA with Accounting specializations meet or exceed the academic requirements for CPA licensure in many states.

What Will I Learn in Salem’s Bachelor’s in Accounting Program?

Whether you enroll in our on-campus or online accounting degree program, you will start with the fundamentals of business administration by learning the basics in areas like business management, financial management, international business, marketing, statistics, and human resource management. You will balance all this with a general education framework that incorporates writing and speaking skills, critical-thinking skills, technological proficiencies, leadership and citizenry skills, and more. The bachelor’s in accounting program also includes an international component that focuses on global information, awareness, and perspectives. All of this is brought together in a capstone course that lets you demonstrate your ability to combine what you’ve learned with a practical, ethical, and global perspective.

In your specialized on-campus or online accounting degree courses, you will cover topics like:

How to analyze financial statements and report to internal and external stakeholders
How to report long-term receivables, investments, stockholders’ equity items, income recognition, and the measurement of net assets
How to analyze cost variances from predetermined cost standards, indirect and direct costs, and allocations of costs internally
The nature and theory surrounding the audit of financial statements, including the procedures and techniques used during an audit
The formation and structure of corporations and the tax impact of things like capitalization, liquidations, combinations, divestitures, and operations

What Accounting Classes Will I Take?

Both our on-campus and online accounting degree programs require the completion of 75 foundational and elective credits, as well as 30 core business credits that include:

ACC111 Principles of Accounting
ACC112 Principles of Accounting 2
BUS323 Commercial Law Salem
FIN344 Corporate Finance
FIN345 Corporate Finance 2
MGT210 Principles of Management
MGT361 Management Information Systems
MGT363 Organizational Theory
MGT499 Senior Capstone Project
MKT231 Principles of Marketing

You will also take 15 credits in the Accounting specialization:

ACC304 Financial Accounting
ACC305 Financial Accounting 2
ACC316 Cost Accounting
ACC411 Auditing
ACC412 Corporate Taxation

How Long Will It Take to Get My Bachelor’s in Accounting?

On average, a full-time student can complete our on-campus or online accounting degree program in approximately 40 months. However, we recognize every student is different, with different circumstances. It’d be best to contact one of our admissions advisors to discuss your specific questions and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does the Path After Graduation Look Like for an Accountant?

Graduates with a bachelor’s in accounting can pursue entry-level employment in areas such as managerial accounting, financial accounting, cost accounting, and more. To become a CPA, you may need further education, accounting or auditing work experience, successful completion of the CPA exam, and other state requirements. Salem’s combined BSBA and MBA with Accounting specializations meet or exceed the academic requirements for CPA licensure in many states.

Is the Online Accounting Degree Program Accredited and Recognized by Employers?

Our on-campus and online accounting degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. This accreditation ensures we provide our students with a rigorous educational experience and meet a high standard of excellence in leadership, faculty credentials, and more.

Why Choose Salem University?

Since 1888, Salem University has built upon our tradition of accessible, affordable higher education by constantly innovating and looking to the future. We aim to develop lifelong learners who embrace problem-solving with a global perspective. We offer:

Accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs of study with continuous enrollment via distance education or on-campus
A unique one-course-a-month format that allows students to focus on a single subject at a time and build their knowledge in a way that feels natural
Online courses are structured to work within the constraints of full-time employment, allowing you to earn your degree with minimum disruption to your busy schedule
Supportive faculty and staff who serve as thought leaders and mentors
A beautiful 100-acre campus situated in the Smoky Mountains where programs of study are available for campus residents and commuter students

Admission Requirements

Admission to Salem is open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or ability/disability. Anyone wishing to attend Salem can obtain the necessary application from the Office of Admissions or apply online. The completed application should be submitted to the Office of Admissions at the earliest possible date. The University admits students on a rolling, monthly start basis. Acceptance is within the discretion of Salem University; some programs have additional admissions requirements.

ACCREDITED BY ACBSP

This course is accredited by ACBSP.

Take The Next Step

If you’re interested in getting started on your Bachelor of Science in Business Administration — Accounting degree from Salem University, now is a great time to request more information or, better yet, chat with us live.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting