Study Accounting in Georgia
Accounting careers aren’t just about crunching numbers at tax time every year – though that is a large part of what many accountants do. Instead, accountants are employed in virtually every sector of the economy, keeping books, informing stakeholders about their company’s financial situation, and searching for fraud, to name a few.
With the broad need for accountants, it’s a good degree choice whether you’re a brand-new college student, a transfer student, or an adult returning to school to change careers. In each of these instances, Georgia’s colleges and universities have the online, flexible accounting degree to make your career plans happen. The guide below introduces you to some of the popular options in the Peach State.
Online Accounting Degrees in Georgia
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online accounting degrees in Georgia:
- Georgia Southwestern State University
- Mercer University
- Georgia Southern University
- Walden University
- Franklin University
- Valdosta State University
- Kennesaw State University
- Walden University
- Southern New Hampshire University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
Georgia Southwestern’s online Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is a 120-credit program focusing on general accounting topics that prepares you for an entry-level career in this field. With additional education like a master’s degree, you can also pursue the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential in Georgia.
In this business accounting degree, your studies will focus on typical accounting tasks for businesses and organizations. For example, you’ll learn how to prepare financial statements, use financial data for strategic planning purposes, and manage healthcare benefits for large and small businesses.
Additionally, you’ll master the art of recording business transactions, analyzing business performance, and determining costs to help guide future business decisions. In other words, you’ll leave this program armed with a variety of tools that will make you a valuable employee for any business.
You’ll work through a four-year curriculum to earn the knowledge and skills mentioned above. This includes traditional categories of coursework like General Education requirements, Major Area Requirements, and Major Area Electives. As explained earlier, General Education requirements cover a vast amount of material from core areas such as:
- English Composition
- Social Sciences
- Lab Sciences
- The Arts and Humanities
- Math
This being the case, you’re required to take courses like English Composition I and II, American Government, Biology, Art Composition, and College Algebra. You must also earn at least four credits in physical education, three credits of Georgia History, and three credits of Georgia Constitution, to name a few.
The introductory-level accounting courses in this curriculum are designed to give you a solid foundation of knowledge and skills that enable you to pursue higher-level courses later in the degree. These foundational courses include Accounting Principles I and II, Principles of Macroeconomics, and Principles of Microeconomics. You’ll also take a course in Microcomputer Applications in Business and another in The Environment of Business.
From there, you’ll move on to complete the major area requirements and electives. This is where you study specific, high-level business and accounting principles like Business Finance, Quantitative Management, and Principles of Marketing. You’ll also take essential business classes like Business Statistics, Communications in the Business Environment, and Principles of Management.
Of the 120 credits needed to graduate, 24 of them must be specifically in the accounting major. The courses required for this component include the following:
- Intermediate Accounting I, II, and II
- Cost Accounting
- Accounting Systems
- Taxation for Individuals
- Auditing
Then, you must select one of the following classes to round out the 24-credit requirement:
- Fraud Examination
- Taxation for Business Entities
- Governmental Accounting
- Contemporary Issues in Accounting
- Another approved 3000-4000-level accounting course
As noted earlier, this curriculum prepares you to sit for the CPA exam in Georgia. To do so, you need to complete a few requirements beyond this degree. For example, you need an additional 30 credits on your transcript, such as a master’s degree in accounting. Once you do that and pass the CPA exam, you can begin the one-year post-graduate work experience, during which you must complete at least 2,000 hours of full-time accounting work.
The following requirements must be met to apply as a first-year student:
- Submit official high school transcripts.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
- Provide SAT or ACT scores (this is optional, though).
Mercer University
Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
Another popular online undergraduate accounting degree in Georgia is the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Mercer University. This program is popular for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it leads directly to Mercer’s Master of Accountancy degree. As discussed earlier, a degree like this helps you meet the 150-credit educational requirement to be eligible for a CPA license.
Another reason Mercer’s program is so popular is because it’s specifically designed for working adults and other non-traditional students. The program is divided into two eight-week terms per semester. A summer session is also available with one four-week term and one eight-week term. The shortened terms mean you take fewer classes at a time, helping you manage the demands of being a student who also works part-time or full-time.
Since this program is designed for adult learners, it’s assumed you already have a large portion of the 120 credits needed to graduate. For example, most students in this program already have an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. If this applies to you, the chances are good that you can transfer the general education credits to Mercer and start immediately on completing the accounting program requirements.
If you already have college credits from another school, you can use Mercer’s Transfer Equivalency Estimator to determine how many of your credits might transfer. Generally speaking, if your credits are from an accredited institution and you earned a grade of C or higher, they should transfer to Mercer.
The required coursework for this program includes studies in business, marketing, management, economics, and, of course, accounting. The core business courses include 36 credits of work in fields like the following:
- Introductory Financial Accounting
- Introductory Managerial Accounting
- Management Information Systems
- Principles of Finance
- Strategic Management and Business Policy
These classes are just part of the core curriculum, though. You’ll also take Microeconomics and Macroeconomics courses, Business Quantitative Analysis, and Principles of Marketing, among others.
The Major Area coursework includes 21 hours in accounting studies. Building upon the introductory accounting courses in the business core, these classes focus on more specific topics, such as Intermediate Financial Accounting (of which you must take three courses), Auditing, and Tax Accounting. You must also take two additional 300-400 level accounting courses of your choice, as well as 15 credits of general university electives.
You can apply any time year-round and, if admitted, start the program at five points throughout the year: January, March, May, August, or October. You must meet the following requirements to be admitted to the university:
- Pay a $25 application fee.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit high school or GED transcripts, as applicable.
- Have a 2.25 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.
If your GPA is below the 2.25 threshold, you might be considered for conditional admission, provided you meet the other admission requirements. Once Mercer’s admissions department receives all the required materials, they’ll make a decision about your application within one week.
Georgia Southern University
Online Master of Accounting
Georgia Southern’s Master of Accounting is one of several popular online master’s programs available in this field in Georgia. What makes this program attractive is that it’s AACSB accredited with a curriculum that directly prepares you for the CPA exam. Not only that, but the program has three entry dates per year to give you a little more flexibility for starting the program when it fits into your schedule.
At 30 credits, this master’s program can be completed in two years of full-time studies. The ten required courses are divided amongst six semesters: spring, summer, and fall for two consecutive years. During that time, you’ll focus on gaining essential knowledge and skills to work in public accounting. These courses are divided equally: 15 credits of accounting and business law and another 15 credits of accounting electives.
The required classes include the following:
- Current Legal Issues
- Seminar in Financial Accounting
- Taxation of Corporations and Partnerships
- Seminar in Auditing
The fifth course must be chosen from a Seminar in Accounting Information Systems or Accounting Data Analytics. The Accounting Information Systems course helps you master the use of accounting software and other systems to streamline the processes of accounting control and management. The Data Analytics course, on the other hand, focuses on using accounting and finance data sets to analyze and interpret accounting data to solve real-world financial problems.
The 15 elective credits you take must include at least two graduate-level accounting classes. The remaining three elective courses can be from any approved graduate program at the university.
Before completing the required and elective coursework outlined above, you must complete four accounting prerequisites if you haven’t already. These courses include the following:
- Intermediate Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Income Tax Accounting
- Information Systems Auditing
Naturally, you’ll have already completed these courses if your undergraduate degree is in accounting. However, you’ll need to account for the time to take these classes if your bachelor’s degree is in another field.
Other experiences in this program include experiential learning opportunities outside the virtual classroom. It’s a good idea to pursue internships as you complete your degree to get hands-on experience working in an accounting environment. Internships are also ideal for forming connections with other accounting professionals and networking with potential employers.
Speaking of employment, Georgia Southern’s accounting alumni are highly recruited. In fact, the employment rate of Georgia Southern graduates is very high in this field. This, combined with your master’s-level training, can help you find a job quickly after you graduate. Many program participants have job placements even before graduation!
The following requirements must be met to be considered for this program:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (again, your degree can be in any field).
- Meet any program prerequisites, if applicable.
- Provide evidence of proficiency in accounting, be that through coursework, an internship experience, prior work history, or involvement in extracurricular activities.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
Walden University
Online Bachelor in Business Administration-Accounting
The Bachelor in Business Administration-Accounting from Walden University is available to you regardless of your location. This program allows you to learn alongside a diverse group of students and from professors with experience in various parts of the nation and the world.
As a business administration degree with an accounting major, you’ll take courses in business, management, finance, marketing, and accounting, among other areas. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), this program ensures you acquire essential knowledge and skills valued by businesses and industries across different sectors.
Walden University operates on the quarter system, requiring you to complete 181 quarter credits to graduate. These credits are divided into several categories:
- General education courses
- Business courses
- Concentration courses
- Elective courses
- Capstone course
The general education courses at Walden provide a broad foundation in many liberal arts subjects, allowing you to acquire widely applicable skills like improved reading, speaking, and writing abilities.
In addition to 46 credits of general education courses, you’ll take 55 credits of business classes in foundational areas. For example, you’ll take Fundamentals of Accounting, Introduction to Management, and Business Law, as well as Microeconomics, Business Statistics, and Data Science Essentials.
These lower-division courses are supplemented with upper-division studies in specific business areas. For example, the required Human Resource Management course explores the role of the mission and goals of an organization from a human resource perspective. Other upper-division business courses include:
- Financial Management
- Information Systems in Enterprise
- Marketing
- Operations Management
You must also complete 15 credits of accounting coursework to graduate. Each course is five quarter credits and covers topics such as Managerial Accounting, Financial Accounting, and Intermediate Accounting. These courses provide valuable knowledge about applying accounting techniques in various business and individual financial situations.
To complete your degree, you’ll take 60 credits of elective courses. You can choose classes from several categories, including those from other bachelor’s degrees offered by Walden. Alternatively, you can pursue the Accelerate Into Master’s program, which allows you to take graduate credits that apply to both your bachelor’s degree and a future master’s degree. This is an excellent option if you want to complete a graduate degree in accounting.
Walden University has a generous transfer policy, allowing you to transfer up to 135 of the 180 credits needed to graduate. You must complete at least 45 credits through Walden to be eligible for your degree. This policy maximizes the value of your previously earned credits and minimizes the time needed to graduate.
To apply, you must be a high school graduate or have the equivalent of a high school diploma. Additionally, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be at least 21 years of age or older.
- Be under 21 but have completed 12 or more quarter college credits.
- Be an active military member or a veteran.
Franklin University
Online Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting
The 124-credit Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting from Franklin University is one of the most unique programs on this list. On the one hand, the focus specifically on forensic accounting is fairly rare. However, forensic accounting is a rapidly growing segment in this field, as instances of financial fraud occur in businesses and organizations of all types.
On the other hand, this program is unique because of the format. It’s 100 percent online and is a blend of six-week and 12-week courses, so some courses are accelerated while others adhere to a more traditional long-term format. Likewise, you can start the program at multiple points throughout the year, enhancing its flexibility to meet your specific needs and schedule.
The curriculum of this International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) accredited program is divided into a number of different categories of classes, all of which you must complete to earn your degree:
- General Education Requirements and Prerequisites
- Major Foundational Requirements
- Major Area Requirements and Electives
- University Electives
The General Education Requirements and Prerequisites include a common core of courses in a wide range of academic disciplines. The purpose of these classes is twofold: to prepare you for collegiate studies by helping you develop necessary skills and to inform you of the world around you.
For example, you must pass prerequisite courses like College Writing before you’re allowed to take 200-level courses and above. Likewise, you must pass Interpersonal Communication or Speech Communication before taking any 300-level or above class.
Regarding the General Education Requirements, you must pass appropriate courses in fields like English Composition, Math, Science, Arts and Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. A personal finance course, Introduction to Spreadsheets, is also required.
The Major Foundational Requirements introduce you to crucial topics in the accounting field. These courses are mostly 200-level or introductory in nature, though some 300-level courses are included, like Principles of Finance, Principles of Management, and Marketing.
Once you get into the Major Area Required and Elective classes, you’ll really begin honing your knowledge of forensic accounting theories, principles, and practices. You’ll do so in classes such as:
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Fraud Examination
- Interview Techniques and Legal Elements in Fraud Investigations
- Forensic Communication
- Auditing
A Business Forensic Accounting Capstone is also required. This course is completed during your final semester in the program, helps you integrate what you’ve learned throughout your studies, and prepares you for your forensic accounting career. You’ll supplement this and other required major courses with an elective of your choosing, too.
Rounding out the required credits is the University Elective component. You must complete at least 20 credits of electives, which can be from any department at Franklin University. The only restriction is that you cannot use developmental courses or Accounting 202 to meet University Elective credits.
To graduate, you must maintain a 2.25 GPA or higher in the forensic accounting major. You must also earn at least 30 credits at Franklin University, though you can transfer up to 76 percent of the total required credits to meet the 124-credit threshold to earn your degree.
The following requirements must be met to qualify for admission:
- Provide documentation that you’ve graduated from high school or achieved its equivalent (e.g., GED, home school certificate) or hold an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide English language proficiency scores if English is not your native language.
How Do I Become an Accountant in Georgia?
To become an accountant in Georgia, follow these steps:
- Education: Obtain at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and complete 150 credit hours, including 30 credits in non-introductory accounting courses and 24 credits in business-related courses.
- Work Experience: Gain 12 months (2,000 hours) of full-time accounting experience under the supervision of a CPA.
- CPA Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
- Licensure: Apply for CPA licensure with the Georgia State Board of Accountancy, including proof of education, experience, and exam scores.
- Continuing Education: Complete 80 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) every two years to maintain your CPA license.
Education Requirements
To become a CPA in Georgia, you must meet the state’s educational requirements for licensure. This includes completing at least 150 credit hours and holding a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Specifically, you need at least 30 credits in non-introductory accounting coursework and 24 credits in business-related courses.
Typically, a bachelor’s degree in accounting covers part of these requirements. Many candidates pursue additional education, such as a graduate certificate or master’s degree degree, to reach the total of 150 credits.
While the Georgia State Board of Accountancy (GSBA) does not mandate specific courses, programs that prepare students for CPA licensure generally include:
- Data analytics in accounting
- Advanced managerial accounting
- Business taxation
- Auditing and financial control systems
- International accounting
- Business ethics
- Quantitative management
- Business statistics
Experience Requirements
Before applying for licensure, you need relevant work experience in accounting, industry, business, government, or teaching. This experience must be employment-based, not volunteer work or internships.
- Accounting Experience: Requires 12 months of full-time work, totaling at least 2,000 hours, under the supervision of a practicing CPA. This work should involve a combination of accounting, auditing, consulting, and taxation.
- Industry, Business, and Government Experience: Also requires 2,000 hours of full-time work over 12 months. The experience must involve regular use of accounting, auditing, or financial skills, with direct supervision by a CPA or a registered public accountant in Georgia.
- Teaching Experience: Must be at an accredited four-year college or university, including teaching at least two non-introductory accounting courses and completing 24 semester hours of teaching within 12-36 months.
CPA Exam Requirements
Before obtaining a CPA license in Georgia, you must pass the Uniform CPA Examination, which assesses your skills in auditing, accounting, business, and regulation. While the exam is uniform across all states, Georgia has specific requirements for eligibility.
Eligibility to Take the Exam
- Educational Requirements: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Your transcripts must show at least 20 credits in non-introductory accounting courses. The first two accounting courses are considered introductory and do not count toward this requirement.
- Additional Criteria: You must be at least 18 years old, maintain U.S. citizenship or qualifying legal residency, and exhibit good moral character. Georgia does not require an ethics exam for CPA candidates.
Once the GSBA approves your application, you can sit for the CPA exam.
Applying for and Scheduling the Exam
You can apply for the Georgia CPA exam through National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) CPA Central. Here are the steps:
- Request your official transcripts be sent directly to CPA Examination Services (CPAES).
- If you have international credits, have them evaluated by NASBA and sent to CPAES.
- Pay the required application fee.
- Await acknowledgment from CPAES via email. Receiving a Notice to Schedule (NTS) may take up to four weeks. The NTS is required to prove eligibility for the CPA exam.
After Passing the Exam
After passing all four sections of the CPA exam, you can apply for licensure immediately if you have completed the required work experience. Exam results do not expire, allowing you time to fulfill experience requirements before applying. However, you should apply for licensure within one year of completing your work experience.
Maintaining a Georgia CPA License
To maintain your CPA license in Georgia, you must complete 80 hours of CPE credits every two years, with at least 20 hours each year. CPE credits can be earned through authoring industry materials, completing college courses, and participating in approved organization events. At least 16 of these hours must be in accounting or auditing subjects.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant in Georgia?
Including education, work, and licensing requirements, becoming a fully licensed CPA in Georgia typically takes 6 to 7 years. You can expedite the process by gaining some work experience while still attending school, if your schedule allows.
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