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Online Associate's Degree in Accounting Online

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Earn Your Degree as Early As:
Admissions
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
18
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
2 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Associate’s in Accounting Overview

Come back and move your accounting career forward. Take the next step and earn your associate’s degree in accounting online.

  • Get the education employers require — most bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to have some postsecondary education.
  • Learn to use accounting software and to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to solve business problems.
  • Gain practical skills you can use right away in real-world accounting scenarios.
  • Learn how to build, maintain, and operate a computerized accounting system and prepare payroll, financial statements, and tax documents according to federal and state regulations.

Continue Your Comeback With a Bachelor’s

When you’re ready to further your education, your associate’s degree can bring you halfway toward earning a Purdue Global bachelor’s degree.

Earning our Bachelor of Science in Accounting can help you meet the educational requirements for the CPA or CMA examinations.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

See Program Degree Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

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3-Week Trial

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

How It Works

Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.

Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

What Courses Will I Take

Courses in the Associate of Applied Science in Accounting focus on theories and principles relevant to the application of accounting functions in business. Your program will culminate with a capstone course that builds upon all the courses taken in the program.

The curriculum is reviewed and revised continually by our dedicated curriculum department and advisory board to ensure they reflect the most recent developments in the field of business.

Sample Courses

  • Managerial Accounting
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Federal Tax
  • Business Math and Statistical Measures
  • Introduction to Management
See All Accounting Courses

Program Requirements

4
Core Courses
12
Major Courses
2
Elective Courses
18
Total Courses
90
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Career Opportunities

High-quality accounting services are crucial to an organization’s success. Earning an online associate’s degree in accounting can prepare you for entry-level opportunities in this dynamic career field.

Employers typically require some college education, especially coursework in accounting, for accounting positions. If you want to begin a career in business administration, earning an accounting degree may help you acquire valuable accounting knowledge and skills that will help you stand out to employers.

Average Salary

Range

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Certain accounting positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

54%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

484

Faculty publications in 2022–2023

More Than 40,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the online Associate of Applied Science in Accounting program and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with an associate's degree in accounting.

View Brochure

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement. Certain accounting positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states.

Future Programs: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Job Growth—Accountants and Auditors: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors, www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Certain accounting positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states.

Three-Week Trial: Students who inform Purdue Global they do not wish to pursue the program during the 3-week trial will not be charged. Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial, and will need to meet other specific requirements. Classes will be applied toward a degree if satisfactorily completed and students select to continue their studies at Purdue Global. No credits are earned if the student withdraws during the introductory period (3 weeks for new qualifying undergraduate students), which begins day one of the first term. Graduate programs and BS in Professional Flight not included. Additional terms may apply to international and non-U.S. citizen students. For further information, see the University Catalog.