Study Accounting in Illinois
Getting an accounting degree takes time and dedication. But with the popularity of online learning, more and more colleges and universities are offering undergraduate and graduate programs to offer students like you greater flexibility. Illinois’ higher education system is no exception.
Whether you want to study at a small or a large school, a private or public one, you can find an online accounting degree that will help you attain your career goals. Though there are many such programs in Illinois, the guide below explores some of the popular options to help you narrow your college search.

Online Accounting Degrees in Illinois
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online accounting degrees in Illinois:
- Southern Illinois University
- Franklin University
- Northern Illinois University
- University of Illinois
- University of Massachusetts Global
- Illinois College
- McKendree University
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Purdue Global
Southern Illinois University
Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern Illinois University (SIU) is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). That accreditation alone sets this program apart from most. However, SIU’s accounting degree is among the very best of AACSB-accredited programs in the nation. If you want a degree from a prestigious program, SIU should be on your short list!
This Bachelor of Science is a degree completion program, meaning you must have completed an associate’s degree or an equivalent number of college credits before you’ll be admitted. Though each student’s circumstances are different, you can assume you’ll need around 64 credits to graduate. Most students complete these requirements in two years, with many finishing their studies in as little as 18 months.
The format of this program is unique; you take two classes at a time, each lasting for eight weeks, rather than the traditional 16-week timeframe. Moreover, you can work at your own pace, provided you meet periodic deadlines, such as exam dates. To complete your degree, you’ll take intermediate and advanced courses in accounting, such as:
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Computer Information Systems
- Accounting Systems Operations
- Business 101 – Open for Business
- Introduction to Taxation
The courses listed above are completed during your first year. Other first-year classes include Advanced Tax, Introduction to Finance, Advanced Accounting, and Business-Career Transitions.
The program’s first year extends into a summer session to help you get ahead with your studies. The summer session includes two courses: Business Law or Legal and Social Considerations for Business. From there, you’ll advance to the second year of the program, which includes nine courses in accounting, marketing, and management.
For example, you’ll take Cost Accounting, Advanced Cost Accounting, and Auditing. These courses are supplemented by Production-Operations Management, Administrative Policy, Business Communications, and Principles of Marketing. You must also take a 300 or 400-level elective in accounting or the College of Business.
As a result of your studies, you’ll have a well-rounded understanding of accounting and its role in business, marketing, and management. You’ll also have the essential tools to perform a wide range of accounting tasks, from preparing financial statements to filing taxes for individuals and businesses to utilizing accounting software in a business environment.
You can enhance your knowledge and skills even further by participating in an internship. SIU offers an optional three-credit internship course that allows you to work closely with an accountant in a business environment and put your training to the test in a real-world setting. In fact, SIU strongly encourages you to participate in multiple internships throughout the program, either with the same company or at different locations as you desire. These internships are typically paid, so you can earn money while you complete your degree!
SIU also offers an Extern Program that provides additional work experience prior to graduation. The program is a partnership between the SIU Alumni Association and SIU’s Career Development Center. Once you enroll in the program, you are matched with an SIU accounting alumni for a one-week unpaid career exploration experience.
The undergraduate application for admission to SIU is available online. You must meet the following requirements to apply as a transfer student:
- Pay a $40 application.
- Have at least 12 semester credits of college coursework with a 2.0 GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Franklin University
Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Franklin University’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting offers six-week and 12-week courses in a completely online format. With that kind of flexibility paired with a generous transfer policy, you can complete your degree faster. In fact, Franklin University accepts up to 94 credits from other colleges or universities to count toward the 124-credit minimum to earn this degree.
This program, which is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), offers multiple start dates throughout the year. So, rather than applying in the spring for fall admission, you can start your studies within a matter of weeks. Other key features of this program include the following:
- An industry-aligned curriculum that allows you to hit the ground running after you graduate.
- Certification preparation during the program, so you can pursue relevant professional credentials while earning your degree.
- Experienced faculty who have worked in the accounting field.
- Business simulations using industry-standard software that enables you to become familiar with accounting technology.
The 124-credit curriculum is divided into several categories of classes, beginning with Franklin’s fundamental general education. These introductory courses help you build essential skills for academic and professional success. For example, you’ll take classes in English composition, math, science, social and behavioral sciences, and the arts and humanities.
From there, you’ll move on to foundational courses for the accounting major. As the name indicates, these courses help you develop competencies in basic and essential accounting practices and procedures, including Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting. You’ll also take a variety of business and marketing courses, such as Business Law, Principles of Management, and Marketing.
Eight major-area courses are required as part of this program. These classes include Intermediate Accounting I, Cost Management, and Accounting Information Systems. You’ll also complete coursework in the following:
- Intermediate Accounting II
- Federal Taxation I
- Federal Taxation II
- Auditing
- Accounting Research and Analysis
The final major component of this degree is elective coursework. You must complete 24 elective credits from university fields other than accounting. You must also complete four elective credits within the accounting major. These credits can be satisfied by taking one of more than a dozen possible classes. Your options include, but are not limited to, Fraud Examination, Principles of Financial Planning, and Accounting Data Analytics.
Franklin University encourages you to add a minor alongside your major. You can choose from a number of business-related minors, such as Business Analytics, Business Economics, or Business Forensics. Other options include Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics, or Financial Management. Roughly two dozen other options are available.
To complete a minor, you must take 16 credits (four classes) within the minor field. For example, let’s say you choose the Entrepreneurship option. In doing so, you must complete the following classes:
- Foundations of Entrepreneurship
- Commercialization of Entrepreneurial Products & Services
- Managing Micro Business & Generating Funding
- Digital Marketing
Franklin University has rolling admissions, so you can apply at any time. The admissions requirements are as follows:
- Provide evidence of your high school graduation, such as a diploma or GED.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned previous credits.
- Provide evidence of English language proficiency if it is not your native language.
Northern Illinois University
Online Master of Accountancy
The Master of Accountancy online program at Northern Illinois University (NIU) is specifically designed for students who want to change careers. In other words, if you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than accounting, you can apply to this program and complete all the coursework required to become an accountant.
This program typically requires two years of part-time studies to complete. However, you can work at whatever pace is best for you. Take fewer courses each semester and graduate in three years or take extra courses each term to complete the program in a year-and-a-half. It’s up to you!
Either way, you’ll gain industry-specific knowledge and skills by completing a comprehensive curriculum. This program is AACSB accredited, so you’ll emerge from graduation knowing that you have what it takes to begin your accounting career in any number of public or private-sector settings.
Each of the 33 credits needed to graduate is completed entirely online. These courses are divided into three categories: prerequisites, required courses, and electives.
Since your undergraduate degree is not in accounting, you must first complete a two-course sequence of Principles of Accounting and a general course in finance, economics, or statistics before starting your accounting studies. However, if you have completed comparable courses in your undergraduate work and have earned a C or better, the prerequisite requirement is waived.
The program’s 27 credits of required courses represent the meat and potatoes of your studies. These classes focus entirely on accounting and help you hone your skills and gain deeper knowledge of accounting theories, principles, and applications. For example, you’ll take courses in Financial Reporting I and II, Principles of Taxation, and Accounting Information Systems. You’ll also complete the following classes:
- Assurance Services
- Managerial Accounting Analysis and Decision-Making
- Advanced Financial Reporting
- Advanced Issues in Taxation
- Accounting Research
So, not only do these courses focus on specific accounting applications, but you’ll also gain insights about the industry with classes like accounting research.
Six elective credits are also required. NIU offers three courses to choose from, of which you must take two: Financial Statement Auditing, Seminar in Accounting, or Data Analytics and Decision-Making in Accounting.
Unlike some online accounting programs, this degree has two yearly start dates – one in the summer and the other in the fall. You must apply by April 20th to be considered for summer admission and August 14th for fall admission.
You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in a non-accounting field from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Submit unofficial transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
- Submit a career goals statement in which you explain how this program will help you meet your career goals.
- Provide evidence of English language proficiency if English is not your native language.
GMAT scores are also required for applicants without an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S.-based institution of higher learning.
University of Illinois
Online Master of Science in Accounting
The Master of Science in Accounting at the University of Illinois is offered by the Gies College of Business – one of the top-three business schools in the nation. You don’t have to take classes on campus, though, as this is a 100-percent online graduate program.
While some online programs lack the interactivity of the on-campus experience, this program is different. On the one hand, you’ll have access to live class sessions where you can interact with classmates from around the world. On the other hand, you’ll also be able to engage with your professors in live class discussions. Professors also have online office hours, so you can get extra help as needed.
Another interesting component of this program is its use of the cohort model. In a cohort, you participate in the program with the same set of classmates from start to finish. Not only does this allow you to build valuable personal relationships with your peers, but it also allows you to graduate from the program with a ready-made network of accounting professionals.
Furthermore, this program is highly customizable. You can complete the 32 credits required for graduation in as little as 18 months or as long as 60 months. You are also allowed to take 12 or more elective credits, which allows you to tailor your studies to the areas of accounting of most interest to you.
Speaking of coursework, the major-area focus is on five essential accounting classes:
- Accounting Analysis I
- Accounting Analysis II
- Managerial Accounting
- Auditing
- Federal Taxation
These classes focus on specific skills and applications that require your competency to be an effective accountant. For example, Accounting Analysis I explores the processes of collecting accounting information, processing it, and communicating it to stakeholders. You’ll also explore advanced accounting concepts and theories, focusing specifically on problems that arise during the accounting process. You’ll also examine the following topics:
- Measurement of assets
- Measurement of liabilities
- Equities and income
- Financial reporting
You can choose your 12 elective credits from various options including Taxation of Business Entities, Multistate Taxation, or Machine Learning for Accounting. Accounting Analytics, International Taxation, and Professional Responsibility and Ethics for Accountants are further options. You must also take a four-credit non-accounting elective course to round out the graduation requirements.
The University of Illinois offers an Accountancy Analytics Concentration to go along with this degree. This concentration focuses on applying data analytics in a range of business settings while helping you acquire the skills required to solve critical business programs. The concentration further emphasizes the development of strong business communication skills that help you explain detailed accounting data to other stakeholders.
To apply, ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Provide transcripts from every college or university attended, including proof that you hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
- Submit a current professional resume.
- Provide two references who can speak to your academic and professional capabilities.
- Write and submit a 300-500 word academic statement.
- Submit answers to the provided short answer personal statement prompts.
- Provide proof of English proficiency if it is not your native language.
You can submit GMAT or GRE scores with your application, but doing so is not required.
University of Massachusetts Global
Online Bachelor of Business Administration
The University of Massachusetts Global offers a Bachelor of Business Administration that you may find worth considering. This degree, with a major in accounting, prepares you for various accounting careers, including tax preparation, payroll services, and bookkeeping. Additionally, it can equip you for roles in the insurance or real estate industries, retail, manufacturing, and more.
In this program, you’ll study a broad array of topics in accounting, business, and other areas. As with other undergraduate options, you must complete general education courses. UMass Global requires you to take 42 credits of general courses, covering subjects like writing, quantitative reasoning, communications, and humanities.
These general courses will provide you with knowledge and skills that will be valuable in your accounting career and everyday life. For instance, courses in Public Speaking and Oral Communications will help you speak clearly, listen actively, and engage confidently in interpersonal interactions. Similarly, the social sciences requirement of three courses will enable you to understand the world better and improve it with the skills you gain in this program.
You must also complete 42 core credits as part of this degree. Foundational courses such as Principles of Accounting I and II, Macroeconomics, and Microeconomics will give you the essential business knowledge needed for success. Additional introductory courses, like Computers and Data Processing and Introduction to Statistics, will further prepare you for a successful business education.
In the upper-division core coursework, you’ll study marketing, management, finance, and other fields. Courses you’ll take to fulfill these core requirements include:
- Business Finance
- Legal Environment of Business
- Operations Management
- Principles of Marketing
- Strategic Management
To further your education, you’ll take 12 credits in accounting, equating to four classes. Two of these are required: Intermediate Accounting I and II. These classes cover topics such as financial statement analysis, accounts receivable, and income tax issues. You’ll then select two accounting electives from the following options:
- Cost Analysis and Budgeting
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Advanced Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
- Income Taxation
- Auditing
You have the option to complete this degree in one of two ways. The first option is to take 8-week accelerated courses, allowing you to take fewer classes at a time while still finishing the program in four years of full-time study. The second option is self-paced learning, which lets you fit your coursework around your work and life schedule on a part-time basis.
You can begin your application to UMass Global at any time throughout the year. For first-year students with 11 or fewer college credits, the application requirements are:
- Provide your high school diploma or GED certificate.
- Submit official high school transcripts.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
If you are transferring with 12 or more college credits, you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant in Illinois?
To become an accounting in Illinois, you first need to earn a bachelor’s degree, typically requiring about four years of full-time study. Most bachelor’s degree programs include 120 credit hours, but Illinois requires 150 credit hours to qualify for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure.
You may need an additional year of study to achieve these extra 30 credits, which could be through earning a master’s degree in accounting or by taking separate courses. Additionally, Illinois requires one year of supervised experience, a period during which you’ll likely also prepare for and take the CPA examination.
Overall, from the start of your bachelor’s degree, the path to becoming an accountant in Illinois typically takes at least six years.
Related Reading
- Popular Accredited Online Accounting Degrees in California
- Popular Accredited Online Accounting Degrees in Florida
- Accredited Online Accounting Degrees in New York
- Popular Accredited Online Accounting Degrees in Ohio
- Accredited Online Accounting Degrees in Pennsylvania
- Popular Accredited Online Accounting Degrees in Texas