Study Accounting in California

One of the most steady jobs you can pursue is accounting. After all, as the saying goes, nothing is certain but death and taxes!

As an accounting professional in California, you can work as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), forensic accountant, or a tax accountant. You might specialize in doing the books for individuals, businesses, or organizations. Other potential career paths in California include working as a financial advisor, an accounting manager, or a comptroller.

Of course, before pursuing your desired career path, you have to get the proper credentials first. Gone are the days of having to go to a brick-and-mortar school to attend classes to get an accounting degree. Today, you can choose from a long list of online accounting programs to get your degree.

Best Accredited Online Accounting Degrees and Schools in California - Associate's, Bachelor's and Masters

Online Accounting Degrees in California

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online accounting degrees in California

  • California Baptist University
  • California State University San Bernardino
  • National University
  • Golden Gate University
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • Antelope Valley College
  • Touro University Worldwide
  • Butte College
  • Coastline Community College

California Baptist University

Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting

The online Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California Baptist University prepares you for a variety of entry-level accounting careers. It’s a four-year program requiring at least 180 units of study to graduate. However, if you already have an associate’s degree or have completed general education requirements at another school, you might need just 72 units and two years to finish this degree.

If you haven’t already completed general education requirements, you must do so prior to starting this program. General education courses explore fields such as math, science, social studies, and English. For example, three prerequisites for this program are English Composition, Intermediate English Composition, and Intermediate Algebra.

The accounting coursework you’ll complete is formatted into eight-week online courses. Each course is asynchronous, so there are no set meeting class meeting times. Instead, you’re provided with the learning materials and due dates, and can work at your own pace from there.

You’ll take lower-division and upper-division accounting classes. Lower-division courses tend to be introductory in nature; Principles of Accounting I and II, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics are a few examples. Upper-division courses dive into more advanced topics, such as:

  • Business Finance
  • Business Statistics
  • Business Law
  • Cost Accounting
  • Accounting Information Systems

You must also complete coursework in Federal Income Tax Accounting, Auditing, and Accounting Ethics, among numerous other business, marketing, and accounting-related classes.

California Baptist offers several features that can help you graduate more quickly. The transfer policy noted earlier allows you to utilize previously-earned general education credits. Likewise, CBU offers accelerated classes and a three-term-per-year schedule that speeds up the process of completing the degree requirements.

As this is a religiously affiliated school, you’re required to complete multiple religion courses. For example, you’ll take a Christian Studies course, a class in Management with Biblical Foundations, and Management Based on Biblical Principles, too. Needless to say, this is an interdisciplinary program in which you’ll master concepts in economics, international business, business analysis, and accounting, among others.

As a result of this coursework, you will gain the knowledge and skills to do the following:

  • Apply principles of accounting and related fields to the workplace
  • Use creative thinking and critical thought to use accounting information to support business decisions
  • Show proficiency in using accounting information systems in a business setting
  • Apply religious principles and Biblical teachings to make ethical decisions
  • Analyze the impact of global factors on business and management issues
  • Create and maintain ledgers, accruals, and financial statements
  • Understand the budgeting and reporting process

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete an online application for admission
  • Provide official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended
  • Have a 2.0 GPA or higher for all collegiate coursework
  • Submit official high school transcripts (if you have less than 24 college credits; you must have a 2.5 high school GPA or higher)

CBU accepts applications on a rolling basis, meaning you can apply to this program at any time. This program has multiple start dates throughout the year, too, so you have a lot of flexibility regarding when you begin your studies.

California State University San Bernardino

Online Master of Science in Accountancy

If you’re ready to advance your education with a Master of Science in Accountancy, but need an online option to give you scheduling flexibility, California State University San Bernardino is the place to look. Their MS program  prepares you to sit for the CPA exam and opens pathways for advanced jobs in the accounting field.

This is a fast-track program with 16-week courses that meet for four consecutive semesters. If you take a full load of classes each semester, you can finish this program in as little as 16 months. Though the schedule is accelerated, CSU San Bernardino allows you the flexibility to study part-time if needed. Doing so might extend the time you need to graduate to about three years.

This program’s curriculum is based on 21st-Century concepts that prepare you for numerous career pathways. Each course is taught by expert faculty with experience as practicing accountants. Their expertise adds another layer of depth to your studies, allowing you to gain the appropriate knowledge and skills to be a competent accountant while benefiting from your professors’ real-world experience.

Your courses explore all sorts of accounting issues. For example, the first two semesters of classes include the following:

  • Corporate and Partnership Taxation
  • Advanced Accounting
  • Accounting for Non-For-Profit Organizations
  • Financial Reporting and Disclosure
  • Controllership and Professional Ethics
  • EDP Auditing and Control

From there, you’ll move onto studies in areas such as Internal Auditing and Management Controls, Advanced Tax Topics, and an Advanced Financial Reporting Seminar. During the final semester of the program, you’ll take one course in Accounting Law, Ethics, and Institutions. You’ll also take a Master of Science in Accountancy Portfolio course. This course is designed to help you reflect on what you’ve learned by examining a collection of your work from throughout the program.

Again, all coursework is completely online – no campus visits are required. This is true of any prerequisites you need to fulfill before full admission to the program as well. Learn remotely, acquire the necessary skills to become an accountant, and learn from an experienced faculty who can help guide you on your journey to becoming a well-qualified accountant.

As a result of your studies, you’ll graduate from this program with the skills needed to work in various settings, including the following:

  • Small businesses
  • Accounting firms
  • Government agencies
  • Non-profit establishments
  • Self-employment settings

Once completed, this program is also preparatory for pursuing additional degrees. For example, you might consider enrolling in a doctoral program to prepare for a career in academics or research.

New cohorts begin their studies each fall, but you can apply at any point during the spring, summer or fall semesters for admission to the next cohort. The program’s eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Show that you meet the Business Aptitude Requirement by providing one of the following:
    • A satisfactory score on the GMAT
    • A satisfactory score on the GRE
    • Proof of completing a degree from an institution accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    • Completion of CSUSB’s online accounting certificate program with a 3.2 GPA or higher
    • Other GMAT or GRE waiver criteria as outlined by the department
  • Complete the graduate entrance writing requirement by completing MGMT 3500 or an equivalent course
  • Provide a personal statement in which you discuss your personal motivation for enrolling in this program, your career goals, and the qualifications you possess that will help you be successful

National University

Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting

National University provides an online Bachelor of Science in Accounting available to students nationwide, not just in California. One of the advantages this program offers is that you can apply at any point during the year. Since each course is just four weeks long, that means you can start your studies within weeks of being approved for admission.

Another advantage the National University program offers is the aforementioned four-week classes. These classes are intense and fast-paced, but you can take just one course at a time so you can focus on the topics at hand. This allows you to work quickly through each course with the maximum flexibility of online learning and without the stress of taking multiple courses.

This program operates on the quarter system, so you must complete 180 quarter credits to graduate. Fortunately, only 45 of these credits must be earned from National University. The remaining credits can be transferred to this program from accredited institutions. Better still, if you’ve completed an Associate of Science in Business for Transfer that adheres to the Transfer Model Curriculum in California, you will meet the lower division requirements for this degree. That means you’ll have 69 units of study already under your belt.

The curriculum is divided into several components. Basic major preparation courses are required before starting your accounting studies in earnest. These classes include Intro to Quantitative Methods, College Algebra I, and College Algebra II. You must also complete foundational courses in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Legal Aspects of Business, to name a few.

The requirements for the accounting major include courses in business, marketing, and management, such as:

  • Marketing Fundamentals
  • Survey of Global Business
  • Management Science
  • Information Management in Organizations
  • Business Finance

After completing these and other business-related classes, you’ll begin your accounting studies in earnest. All told, you’ll take 13 accounting courses comprising 58.5 quarter units. You’ll learn about taxation for individuals and businesses, take three Intermediate Accounting courses, and learn about accounting ethics as well. Other required accounting classes include Managerial Accounting, Auditing I and II, and Applied Technology for Accountants.

As is common in this field, your classes are taught by experienced professors with real-world experience in accounting. Furthermore, all of your coursework is aligned with industry exams, such as the CPA, Certified Management Accounting (CMA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

An admissions advisor will guide you through the process of applying. Some of the requirements you might need to satisfy include the following:

  • A high school diploma or the equivalent
  • A satisfactory score on the ACCUPLACER exam in both math and English (for applicants without any prior college-level math or English coursework)
  • Attend an orientation course (only required if you’ve never attended a college or university)

If you’re transferring to National University from a regionally accredited institution, you must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher. You may still apply if your GPA is lower, but your admission status will be probationary.

Golden Gate University

Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Golden Gate University’s online Bachelor of Science in Accounting is yet another option for getting your degree in a flexible online environment. Though it’s an online program, it adheres to a traditional four-year, full-time, 120-credit format. During your time in the program, you’ll complete a general liberal arts curriculum, including upper-division coursework in accounting.

The program is divided into two sections: general education coursework and major requirements. The general education coursework includes classes in liberal studies-related areas. For example, you must complete nine credits of coursework in communications and critical thinking, three credits of quantitative reasoning, and 21 credits in areas such as:

  • Art
  • History
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Social Sciences

The major requirements include two categories of accounting classes: foundational courses and accounting courses. As the name indicates, foundational courses help you build a strong understanding of basic accounting principles and related competencies. For example, you’ll complete two introductory accounting courses: Introduction to Financial Accounting and Introduction to Managerial Accounting.

From there, you’ll take classes in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Financial Management. Three credits of College Algebra, three credits of Statistics, and three credits of Business Writing are also required.

In all, you must successfully complete at least 30 credits of accounting coursework to graduate. The courses you take focus on many different aspects of accounting to prepare you for a wide range of jobs upon graduation. For example, you’ll take classes like:

  • Intermediate Accounting
  • Accountant’s Professional Responsibilities and Ethics
  • Advanced Accounting
  • Cost Management
  • Federal Income Tax

Coursework in Auditing, Accounting Information Systems, and Accounting Research and Communication are required as well. Additionally, you’ll take a course in Law of Contracts, Sales and Commercial Transactions that prepares you to work with partnerships and corporations, create negotiable instruments, and explores your legal liability as an accountant.

You can add a minor to your program of study if you like, too. Golden Gate University offers more than a dozen minors, including Data Analytics, Finance, and Human Resource Management. You might consider a minor that isn’t as closely related to accounting, though, such as Psychology, Public Administration, or Information Technology.

You have the option of continuing your studies in Golden Gate’s PATH2CPA program, too. This unique opportunity allows you to earn a Master of Science in Taxation or a Master of Science in Accounting and Data Analytics in as little as one year of coursework after completing your bachelor’s degree. Both options require you to complete 30 graduate credits. Both options can also meet the CPA exam requirement of completing 150 hours of college coursework.

Apply to Golden Gate University at any time online. You must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:

  • Complete the online application
  • Have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher
  • Submit a resume or curriculum vitae
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended

This program might require you to submit other documentation or meet other requirements. Golden Gate University has enrollment advisors who can provide further details and help you get the application process underway.

Southern New Hampshire University

Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting

You should consider the Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University as an out-of-state online degree option. You may also choose a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance if that aligns better with your career objectives.

The BS in Accounting is an innovative program tailored to the 2024 changes on the CPA exam. You must complete 30 credits of college coursework beyond the 120 credits needed to graduate from this program. However, the close alignment of this curriculum to the CPA test increases your chances of earning a passing score.

SNHU makes it easy to use credits you’ve already earned. You can transfer up to 90 approved credits, meaning you might only need to take 30 credits (or about one year of classes) to earn your degree. If you don’t have prior credits to transfer, you’ll learn everything necessary to:

  • Analyze and interpret quantitative accounting data.
  • Evaluate regulations in financial accounting.
  • Utilize tools and technologies to create and disseminate financial reports.
  • Effectively communicate accounting data to others.

This program includes studies in the same areas as the degrees described earlier. However, this program differs in the ability to earn certifications within the program. For example, you can earn certificates in general soft skills like negotiation, critical thinking, and leadership. SNHU also offers a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) certificate that teaches you how to prepare and file tax returns for underserved communities.

Another certification you might consider is Wiley Excel for Accountants. This specialization focuses on crucial accounting procedures like analyzing data, calculating profits and losses, and performing what-if analyses. These and other Excel-related skills are critical to have and can help you gain employment after graduation.

A unique option in this program is the Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Concentration. Forensic accounting covers accounting procedures, fraud investigations, case studies, and case law. You’ll learn how to uncover, analyze, and assess potential fraud cases, as well as the requirements to prosecute financial crimes.

If you choose the BS in Accounting but want to continue in a master’s program, SNHU offers a BS-to-MS pathway that might be a great fit. If accepted to this program, you can earn up to 12 graduate credits as an undergraduate, allowing you to save time and money while getting your master’s degree. Usually, students complete this pathway in five years.

To apply for admission to this program, simply fill out the application (which is free), provide your high school diploma or equivalency, and submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.  You don’t need to provide SAT score.

What Degree Do You Need to be an Accountant in California?

To become an accountant in California, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field such as finance or business administration. However, some positions may require a higher level of education, such as a master’s degree in accounting or a related field.

Additionally, many accountants pursue professional certifications such as the CPA designation, which often requires additional coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree and passing a rigorous exam.

Can You Become a CPA Without an Accounting Degree in California?

Yes, it’s possible to become a CPA in California without an accounting degree, but it typically requires additional coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree in a non-accounting field. The California Board of Accountancy has specific education requirements for CPA licensure, which include a minimum number of accounting and business-related units.

Individuals without an accounting degree may need to complete additional accounting courses to fulfill the education requirements. They may also need to obtain a certain number of accounting-related work experience hours under the supervision of a licensed CPA.

Is an Accounting Degree Worth It Without CPA?

An accounting degree can still be valuable even without obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Career Opportunities: An accounting degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities beyond just becoming a CPA. Graduates can pursue roles such as financial analyst, auditor, tax accountant, management accountant, budget analyst, or financial manager, among others.
  • Specializations: With an accounting degree, you can specialize in areas such as forensic accounting, managerial accounting, tax accounting, auditing, or financial analysis. These specializations can lead to rewarding careers in various industries.
  • Career Advancement: While a CPA license can enhance career prospects in certain roles and industries, career advancement is still possible without it. With experience and additional certifications or education, individuals can progress to higher-level positions within accounting and finance departments or even transition to executive roles in organizations.
  • Flexibility: Accounting skills are highly transferable across industries and can be valuable in various roles beyond traditional accounting positions. The analytical, problem-solving, and financial management skills gained through an accounting degree are applicable in many fields.
  • Foundation for Further Education: An accounting degree can serve as a solid foundation for further education, such as pursuing a master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or other related fields.

How Long Does It Take to Become a CPA in California?

To become CPA in California, you must initially earn a bachelor’s degree, typically requiring four years of full-time study. Since bachelor’s programs typically consist of 120 credit hours, you’ll need to pursue additional coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree to fulfill California’s 150-hour requirement.

This additional study may take approximately one year, depending on your chosen method of completion (i.e. by earning a master’s degree in accounting or completing standalone courses). Moreover, you’ll need to gain one year of supervised experience, during which you’ll likely prepare for and sit the CPA exam.

Overall, from the commencement of your postsecondary education, the process of becoming a CPA in California is likely to take around six years at a minimum.

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