Study Accounting in North Carolina

Getting an online education isn’t just flexible; it’s also convenient and is often less expensive than a traditional degree. For a prospective accountant, the cost savings are certainly an appreciated bonus!

But online accounting degrees in North Carolina offer many other benefits. You can work on your degree from anywhere and finish your studies faster than many traditional programs. There are many different types of programs to choose from, too, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and degree completion programs, to name a few.

If you know online learning is right for you but aren’t sure what North Carolina accounting program to choose, let this guide help you make your decision!

Best Accredited Online Accounting Degrees and Schools in North Carolina - Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's

Online Accounting Degrees in North Carolina

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering accredited online accounting degrees in North Carolina:

  • Campbell University
  • Fayetteville State University
  • University of North Carolina
  • North Carolina State University
  • Johnston Community College
  • East Carolina University
  • UNC Greensboro
  • UNC Chapel Hill

Campbell University

Bachelor of Business Administration / Bachelor of Applied Science

At Campbell University, you can choose between two bachelor’s accounting tracks: A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS). Both tracks are 124 credits and require about four years of full-time studies to complete.

The BBA option focuses specifically on accounting in business settings. This track is ideal if you want to pursue professional certification, advance your career, or go on to graduate school for higher-level studies in accounting and business. The BAS track is a better option if you already have an associate’s degree in business or applied science.

In both cases, you’ll learn essential accounting skills related to analyzing business financial information and reporting financial transactions. You’ll also learn how to interpret financial documents, investigate potential fraud, and assist individuals with tax preparations, among other common tasks.

Additionally, this program is well suited for you if you want to work in a family business, become an entrepreneur, or wish to work in another business, government, or not-for-profit setting. Upon graduation, you’ll have the qualifications needed for entry-level employment in any of these settings. Likewise, you’ll be well on your way to qualifying for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. You’ll also meet most of the requirements to take the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam or the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam.

The BBA and BAS concentrations require slightly different courses and types of courses. On the one hand, the BBA track requires you to take 42 general education core credits, 10 general electives, and 72 accounting concentration credits. On the other hand, the BAS track requires 34 general education core credits, 21-32 general electives, 48 accounting concentration credits, and 10-21 credits of qualifying applied science.

Despite these differences, the accounting concentration for both degrees has a lot of overlap. For example, both tracks require you to take the following courses:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Cost Accounting

Furthermore, both concentrations require Taxation I and II, Intermediate Accounting I and II, and Principles of Management.

In both cases, you’ll emerge from the program with essential skills applicable to many different accounting settings. These include, but are not limited to, financial analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, and business communication skills. You’ll also learn how to practice ethically and how to work well with other accountants and business professionals.

As mentioned earlier, with this degree and the skills outlined above, you can explore a variety of entry-level careers. This includes working in banking or financial services, human resources, or consulting agencies. Accountants are employed in every industry imaginable, so the job possibilities are virtually endless!

You must meet the following requirements to be admitted:

  • Submit high school transcripts (if you have no college experience). The major factor for admitting first-time students is the unweighted high school GPA.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide details about previous work experience or military service.
  • Provide ACT or SAT scores (this is optional, though).

The admissions committee will also evaluate your ability to contribute positively to the Campbell University environment.

Fayetteville State University

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

The online Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fayetteville State University is an ideal degree completion program if you already have an associate’s degree or an equivalent number of college credits under your belt. As a degree completion program, you can forego taking general education requirements, as you’ll already have done so. This means you can focus solely on completing the accounting requirements needed to graduate.

Of the 120 credits needed to complete the program, you should have roughly 60 already completed. The remaining 60 or so credits include 58 in accounting. The major courses explore a broad range of accounting topics, from entry-level classes like Principles of Accounting and Legal Environments of Business to more advanced topics like Intermediate Accounting I and II, Accounting Information Systems, and Cost Accounting.

This degree also offers coursework in niche accounting fields. For example, you’ll take an Auditing course that explores how to examine financial statements, use sampling techniques, and present your findings to relevant stakeholders. You’ll also take a 300-level course on federal and state income taxes, which offers a very broad overview of essential tax laws and how taxable income is determined for individual filers.

Other core accounting courses you’re required to take include the following:

  • Statistics for Business and Economics I
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Operations Management
  • Principles of Finance
  • Strategic Management

As you can see from the list above, the accounting major isn’t just focused on accounting. It also provides opportunities to learn how accounting principles are applied in finance, marketing, and management situations.

In addition to the required courses above, there are some categories of required courses that you can choose from. For example, you must take either Excel Analytics or Business Analytics. You must also choose between Microcomputer Applications in Business or Business Software Applications.

The final component of this program is a series of three accounting-related electives. The university offers eight options to give you wide latitude in the topics you choose. For example, you can take Advanced Cost Accounting, Government and Public Accounting, or Forensic Fraud and Analysis. Other options include the following:

  • Advanced Accounting
  • Advanced Federal Income Taxes
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Accounting Theory

Another option is to complete an accounting internship. Since this is an online degree completion program, you’re given the leeway to complete internship hours in an approved location near where you live. The practical experience gained in an internship can be incredibly important. On the one hand, an internship allows you to practice what you’ve learned in a real-world setting. On the other hand, it also helps you make professional connections and network with potential employers.

In addition to completing the online application, you must also complete the following steps to be considered for admission as a transfer student:

  • Pay a $50 application fee.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit high school transcripts (if you’re under 21 years of age)

If you’ve earned fewer than 24 college credits, you must also have a 2.5 GPA or higher for previous college work. You must also submit ACT or SAT scores. The minimum accepted SAT score is 880, while the minimum accepted ACT score is 17.

University of North Carolina

Master of Accounting

The University of North Carolina is one of the most recognizable names in higher education in the state (and the nation, for that matter). Its reputation for excellent academics extends to its online Master of Accounting, which is available to all students with a bachelor’s degree.

Since you can have any bachelor’s degree to start this program, the number of credits you must complete can vary from 36-48. Naturally, the more accounting coursework you completed as an undergrad, the fewer prerequisite courses you’ll need to take for this Master of Accounting.

Like on-campus students, you’ll complete the same rigorous curriculum and learn from the same experienced faculty who draw upon their professional accounting experience to help you learn and grow. What’s more, the University of North Carolina has a robust online learning environment in which you’ll benefit from peer-to-peer interaction and a collaborative focus on learning.

The curriculum includes coursework in three sections: core courses, concentration courses, and electives. The core courses can be considered foundational in nature. They explore basic accounting principles, theories, techniques, and applications. For example, you must complete a course in Strategic Cost Accounting, Data Analytics for Accounting, and Introductory Finance. Other required courses include the following:

  • Accounting Systems Essentials
  • Auditing and Assurance Services
  • Financial Reporting A, B, and C
  • Managerial Accounting

Furthermore, some required courses focus on financial recordkeeping and recording. You’ll gain those skills in courses like Advanced Spreadsheet Modeling and Applications of Financial Reporting. Still other courses, like Leadership Immersion and Professional Communication, focus on becoming a skilled business professional.

The concentration course you’ll take depends on your choice of specialization. The University of North Carolina offers three such specializations within this degree: Tax, Audit, or Financial Analysis and Reporting.

Choosing the Tax concentration means you’ll take four courses in tax-related topics: Corporate Tax Strategy, International Tax, Taxation of Flow-Through Entities, and Tax Research. In contrast, the Audit concentration includes 12 credits of audit-specific courses, including Accounting for Mergers and Acquisitions, Advanced Auditing, Applied Audit, and Interpreting Financial Statements and Disclosures.

The third option explores financial analysis and reporting with the following four classes: Accounting for Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Tax Strategy, Interpreting Financial Statements and Disclosures, and Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation.

Rounding out the curriculum is the elective component. You can choose from a diverse range of accounting classes to fulfill this requirement. For example, you might take Negotiations or Governmental Accounting. Other options include the following:

  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Economics
  • Business Law and Commercial Transactions

In addition to these varied learning activities, you can reap other advantages of this program. For example, UNC graduates are routinely highly recruited. You can also take part in real-world experiential learning opportunities that help you develop your skills even further.

You can apply year-round, as this program has four start dates each academic year. The following requirements are necessary to apply:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide the names of two references.
  • Provide a current resume that expounds on your educational and employment background. You can provide a link to your LinkedIn page in lieu of a resume.
  • Complete a two-part essay in which you explain what sets you apart from other students and how accounting aligns with your professional goals. You must also speak to why this program is the best fit for your goals.

This program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for admission.

North Carolina State University

Master of Accounting

The Master of Accounting at North Carolina State is yet another high-quality option for advancing your career in this field. The program is entirely online and can be completed at your own pace from anywhere in the world.

At just 31 credits, NC State’s program is also short. Many students complete this degree in two years of full-time studies. However, you can take up to six years to finish the degree requirements if need be. Alternatively, you can accelerate your studies and finish the program in one year. Whatever the case, you’ll graduate from this program with all the knowledge and skills required to be a competent professional accountant.

Moreover, you’ll learn from the same faculty members as on-campus students. You’ll also take the same classes and can concentrate on the same specialization and global experience options as on-campus students as well.

The curriculum you complete depends on the track you choose. You have the choice of two specializations: Public Accounting or Business and Industry.

The Public Accounting g track prepares you for a career as a public accountant, such as a CPA. The 31 credits required to graduate include 22 credits of core courses and nine elective credits. The core coursework includes studies in the following areas:

  • Advanced Commercial Law
  • Advanced Financial Accounting
  • Applied Financial Management
  • Advanced Income Tax
  • Accounting and Tax Research

You’ll also take classes in IT Risks and Controls, Advanced Auditing, and Managerial and Career Effectiveness. In other words, the core accounting curriculum exposes you to many different essential elements of being an accounting professional.

You’ll add to your expertise by taking three electives of your choice. On the one hand, you can choose courses from areas like advanced corporate finance, sustainability and business, or personal financial planning (among others). On the other hand, you can choose to complete a specialization in Tax Strategy, Enterprise Risk Management, or Information Technology.

Choosing the Business and Industry track means you’ll take core courses that prepare you for the CPA exam. These courses include the following:

  • Applied Financial Management
  • Advanced Income Tax
  • Enterprise Risk Management
  • Advanced Management Accounting
  • IT Risks and Controls
  • Data Analytics in Accounting

From there, you’ll take nine elective credits. Again, you can select courses from areas like investment theory, personal financial planning, or sustainability and business. The same specializations in Tax Strategy, Enterprise Risk Management, and Information Technology are also available.

NC State’s global experiences are a unique opportunity to learn accounting abroad. For example, you might travel to Brazil to learn about Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets or go to Switzerland to study Organizational Resiliency. The study abroad options often change, so the opportunities available to you could be even more exciting!

To apply, ensure you meet the following requirements:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Complete prerequisite courses if your undergraduate degree is not in accounting.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide a current resume.
  • Submit three letters of recommendation.
  • Write a personal statement in which you discuss why you’re a standout applicant, why you’re interested in this program, and what you wish to do after completing the program.
  • Participate in an admissions interview.

NC State also requires you to submit official GMAT scores. You must score 530 or higher to be considered for admission. English proficiency scores are also required if English is not your native language.

How to Become an Accountant in North Carolina?

To become an accountant in North Carolina, follow these steps:

  • Education: Earn a bachelor’s degree with 120 credits, including 30 accounting credits and 24 business-related credits. Complete a total of 150 credits through additional coursework.
  • Work Experience: Gain one year (2,000 hours) of supervised professional accounting experience.
  • CPA Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
  • Ethics Course: Complete a North Carolina accountancy law and ethics course.
  • Licensure: Apply for CPA licensure with the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners, including proof of education, experience, and exam scores.

Education Requirements

According to the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners to become an licensed accountant and to qualify for the Uniform CPA Examination in North Carolina, you must possess a bachelor’s degree consisting of 120 credits. This degree must include an accounting concentration and the appropriate number and type of accounting and tax courses.

For CPA licensure, you need a total of 150 credits, including an accounting concentration and coursework covering diverse topics. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you can earn the additional 30 credits through undergraduate or graduate classes.

Experience Requirements

You must have at least one year of professional accounting experience to qualify for licensure in North Carolina. This experience must be completed under the supervision of a licensed CPA. While part-time work can qualify, it must be equivalent to a full-time job of 30 hours per week over 52 weeks.

Other eligible experience includes:

  • Four years of teaching accounting at an accredited four-year college or university
  • Four years of unsupervised accounting experience
  • Four years of teaching accounting in an accredited community college or technical institute
  • Any combination of the above

Eligibility to Take the Exam

To take the CPA exam in North Carolina, you need a bachelor’s degree and 120 credits. This includes an accounting concentration with at least 30 accounting credits and a maximum of six credits in accounting principles and three credits in business law.

You may apply for the exam before completing the education requirements as long as you finish them within 120 days of submitting the application.

Other exam requirements include:

  • U.S. citizenship
  • State residency
  • Social Security number
  • Being 18 years of age or older
  • Good moral character

You must also complete a North Carolina accountancy law and ethics course.

Applying for and Scheduling the Exam

As a first-time exam applicant, you must complete and submit the initial examination application, along with an administrative fee. Your application must include two photos, official transcripts sent directly from the schools, moral character references, and background check authorizations.

You must indicate the order in which you wish to take the test sections. Each section has separate testing fee. The board processes applications in approximately 10 days.

Once approved, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS) from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). All test sections applied for must be scheduled and completed within a six-month window. You have 18 months to complete all four exam sections.

After Passing the Exam

Once you have passed all four exam sections, you can apply for state licensure. Exam results do not expire in North Carolina, so you can take your time.

A complete licensure application package includes:

  • Identification photo
  • Proof of completion for the North Carolina accountancy law and ethics course
  • Certificate of moral character
  • Experience affidavit
  • Education transcripts
  • 150-credit worksheet (required if you do not have a master’s degree or higher)

Maintaining Licensure

Once licensed, you must renew your license every year before July 1. If you miss the renewal deadline, the board will issue a Letter of Demand, which gives you 30 days to complete the renewal.

You also need to complete a minimum of 2,000 minutes (40 credits) of continued professional education (CPE) each year. Within those minutes, 50 must be in topics related to professional ethics.

Eligible sources of CPE minutes include:

  • Accredited college courses
  • Approved self-study
  • Authoring a publication
  • Group activities
  • Nano learning
  • Presentations
  • Teaching a college course

You must report your CPE within your renewal application and keep study records for up to five years in case of an audit.

How Long Does It Take to Become a CPA in North Carolina?

    It typically takes between 6 to 7 years to become a fully licensed CPA in North Carolina. This timeframe can vary based on individual circumstances, such as whether you gain work experience concurrently with your education or the time you take to pass the CPA exam.

    How Hard is the CPA Exam?

    The CPA Exam is considered challenging due to its comprehensive coverage of accounting topics, rigorous format, and high standards for passing. Here are some factors that contribute to its difficulty:

    Broad Scope of Material

    • Comprehensive Coverage: The exam tests a wide range of accounting topics, including auditing, financial accounting, regulation, and business environment concepts.
    • Depth of Knowledge: You need a deep understanding of various accounting principles, standards, and applications.

    Four Exam Sections

    • Auditing and Attestation (AUD): Covers auditing processes, standards, and procedures.
    • Business Environment and Concepts (BEC): Includes corporate governance, economics, IT, and business strategies.
    • Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR): Focuses on financial accounting and reporting frameworks used by various entities.
    • Regulation (REG): Encompasses ethics, professional responsibilities, and federal taxation.

    Rigorous Format

    • Time Constraints: Each section is timed, with a total of 16 hours allocated across all four sections. Managing time effectively during the exam is crucial.
    • Variety of Question Types: The exam includes multiple-choice questions, task-based simulations, and written communication tasks, requiring different skills and approaches.

    High Passing Standards

    • Passing Score: You need a score of 75 or higher on a scale of 0-99 to pass each section. This is not a percentage but a scaled score based on the difficulty of the questions.
    • Pass Rates: Historically, the pass rates for each section are around 50%, indicating the challenging nature of the exam.

    Preparation Required

    • Extensive Study: Successful candidates typically spend hundreds of hours studying. It’s recommended to use review courses, study guides, and practice exams to prepare thoroughly.
    • Consistent Effort: Consistency and discipline in studying are key. Balancing preparation with other life commitments can be demanding.

      While the CPA Exam is challenging, with thorough preparation, disciplined study habits, and effective use of resources, you can increase your chances of passing. Many candidates find the effort worthwhile due to the professional benefits and opportunities that come with being a licensed CPA.

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