Study Accounting in Virginia

Pursuing an accounting degree is hard work. It takes years of dedicated studies and requires you to spend time away from your loved ones. However, getting an online degree helps mitigate some of these issues because of the flexibility of remote learning.

In Virginia, you have your pick of many undergraduate and graduate accounting programs available 100 percent online. Whether you’re a first-year college student, a transfer student, or a graduate student, there’s an online accounting program available in Virginia to help you meet your career goals.

The programs listed below represent some of the most popular options in the Old Dominion state.

Best Accredited Online Accounting Degrees and Schools in Virginia - Associates, Bachelor's and Master's

Online Accounting Degrees in Virginia

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

  • Old Dominion University
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • George Mason University
  • William & Mary
  • Regent University
  • Capella University
  • Walden University
  • Southern New Hampshire University

Old Dominion University

Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting at Old Dominion is a flexible online program that gives you numerous options for completing the degree. On the one hand, it’s offered as a full program for first-year college students to complete in four years of full-time studies. On the other hand, it’s offered as a degree completion option for transfer students.

In either case, you’ll learn accounting principles in a rich online environment. You’ll have live online classes where you can interact with your classmates and professors. You’ll also have 24/7 access to all your course materials online, so you can work on assignments from anywhere.

You must complete 120 credits to earn this degree. If you’re a first-year student, this means completing general education requirements and major requirements.

General education requirements include studies in broad fields like social sciences, English language arts, science, and math. Examples of these courses include the following:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • English Composition I
  • Introduction to Biology
  • College Algebra

Roughly half of the 120 credits needed to graduate are in the general education category, so there is a lot of leeway for you to choose courses that fulfill the requirements while also being in areas of interest to you.

Old Dominion offers several options for completing upper-division general education requirements. For example, you can complete a university-approved minor, a second major, or a second degree. Alternatively, you can complete a 12-credit interdisciplinary minor, an approved certificate program, or a sequence of two upper-division courses outside of your accounting major.

In each case, you have the latitude to complete the classes that align best with your future goals. For example, you might double-major in accounting and economics, complete a data analytics certificate, or add a minor in marketing.

The remaining coursework for this degree includes a business administration core and accounting major coursework. The business administration core requires the completion of 42 credits in areas like accounting, business analytics, economics, and management. Sample courses include the following:

  • Managerial Economics
  • Legal Environment of Business
  • Contemporary Organizations and Management
  • Marketing Principles and Problems
  • Operations Management

You’ll also take Principles of Financial Accounting and Principles of Managerial Accounting as part of the business core. These introductory accounting courses set the stage for you to learn advanced topics within the sequence of accounting major classes.

The accounting major includes 30 credits of upper-division courses. Common accounting courses like Financial Auditing, Taxation of Individuals, and Accounting Information Systems are required. You’ll also take classes that expound on topics you study earlier in the program. For example, you’ll take a three-course sequence of Financial Accounting that continues what you learned in your initial Financial Accounting course.

This program also has an international business requirement because of the globalized nature of business. You need only take one three-credit course, and you have your pick from nearly a dozen options. Explore International Financial Management, Comparative International Management, or Multinational Marketing, to name a few.

The following requirements apply to be considered for admission as a first-year student:

  • Submit an application for admission and a $50 application fee.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or a GED certificate.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.

If you choose, you can also submit ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, or an activity resume to support your application.

Virginia Commonwealth University

Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Virginia Commonwealth’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting also offers you the flexibility of completing the degree as a first-year student or as a transfer student. If you wish to study online, though, this program only applies to you if you’re a transfer student; first and second-year classes are on campus, but third and fourth-year classes are entirely online and asynchronous.

In other words, if you’ve already earned an associate’s degree in a related area like business, you can complete your accounting studies without ever stepping foot on VCU’s campus. Not only that, since the coursework is asynchronous, there are no set online class meetings to attend. Instead, you can work at your own pace within the context of broad deadlines to finish your degree.

Provided all your previous credits transfer, you’ll need 60 additional credits to earn this degree. As you’d expect, the credits you must complete are in accounting and related areas. For example, the major core requirements focus on essential accounting topics like Accounting Systems, Auditing, and Data Analytics for Accountants.

Furthermore, you’ll take a series of three Intermediate Accounting courses that focus on accounting standards and practices, financial accounting, investments, and error analysis, to name a few. Furthermore, you must take courses in Federal Income Taxation for Individuals as well as your choice of a business-focused class. You may choose to meet this requirement by taking one of the following:

  • Business Intelligence and Data Mining
  • Customer and Marketing Analytics
  • Business Statistics II
  • Business Analytics

In addition to that, you’re required to complete six credits of accounting or analytics electives as well as a sequence of ancillary core requirements. These requirements include studies in areas adjacent to (but still related to) accounting. For example, you’ll take a course in Career and Professional Development as well as a class in the Legal Environment of Business.

Furthermore, you’ll explore concepts related to Operations Management, Managing People in Organizations, and Financial Management. The ancillary requirements are rounded out by your choice of a Foundations of Business or Introduction to the World of Business class, as well as a Business Problem Solving and Analysis course or Calculus with Analytic Geometry. The remaining 16 credits to earn this degree are free electives.

VCU requires you to earn a grade of C or higher in all accounting courses. Failure to do so (e.g., earning a D or F) necessitates a course retake. You must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the accounting major to qualify for graduation as well. Doing so enables you to satisfactorily meet the required learning outcomes, including the following:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of accounting topics and their applications.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of essential business concepts as they relate to accounting.
  • Demonstrate an ability to practice ethically and evaluate accounting information without distortion or bias.
  • Demonstrate an ability to communicate ideas and analyses of accounting problems.

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:

  • Complete the online application and submit a $70 application fee.
  • Be in good standing with your previous school.
  • Have a 2.5 GPA or higher.
  • Submit transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide ACT or SAT scores if desired.

Priority is given to applicants with at least 36 transferable credits.

George Mason University

Online Master of Science in Accounting

If you’ve already completed your undergraduate degree, the Master of Science in Accounting from George Mason University might be a good option for continuing your education. This program offers a number of features that make it highly flexible and adaptable to your needs.

For example, you can work at your own pace, either full-time or part-time, to complete the 30 credits required for graduation. If time allows to study full-time, you can finish this degree in one academic year. But, if you need more time, you can take several years to complete your studies.

Additionally, George Mason doesn’t require GMAT or GRE scores for admission (though you can submit these scores if you wish). As a test-optional program, you can apply with far less stress and pressure to perform and rely on your past academic performance to get you into the program.

Each class in the 30-credit curriculum is offered completely online. Not only that, but the courses are asynchronous, giving you even more flexibility in finishing each course.

The curriculum is divided into two components: 15 credits of required classes and 15 credits of electives. The required course sequence covers essential topics like the following:

  • Advanced Issues in Financial Accounting
  • Fraud Examination
  • Advanced Issues in Taxation
  • Professional Accounting Colloquium
  • Global Accounting Environment

The elective coursework you take is up to you. The only restriction is that each of the five elective courses must be at the 600 or 700 level. For example, you might take Advanced Issues in Managerial Accounting if you’re interested in honing your skills relating to planning and control decision-making, accounting analytics, and management accounting.

Alternatively, you can take an Estate Planning course that teaches you how to assist clients in transferring their wealth to others. You’ll learn how to do so via wills, trusts, and powers of appointment. You’ll also learn how to value assets, develop buy-sell agreements, and use the marital deduction.

But let’s say you’re interested in working in the nonprofit space. If so, the Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting elective will help you explore the unique accounting and reporting requirements for these types of entities.

You can choose from dozens of other possible accounting electives to fulfill the 15-credit requirement. Other options include the following:

  • Special Topics in Accounting
  • Managing Data Quality and Integrity
  • International Accounting
  • Business Valuation
  • Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions

You can enhance your degree with an add-on certificate, too. George Mason offers numerous options ranging from Accounting Analytics to Forensic Accounting to Government Accounting. There’s also an option for Accounting for Government Contracts. In each case, you’re required to complete 12 credits. You can also complete one or more of these options as stand-alone certificates. The credits you earn in a certificate count toward the 150-credit threshold to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • Submit an application for admission and a $75 application fee.
  • Have a bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited college or university (or have an equivalent number of credits in core accounting areas like Financial Accounting, Principles of Accounting, Managerial/Cost Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, and Analytics).
  • Provide official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation for two professional references.
  • Submit a current resume.
  • Provide a goals statement in which you elaborate on your career goals, your interest in this program, and what you can offer to the classroom.

Though not required, you may include GMAT or GRE scores as well.

William & Mary

Online Master of Accounting

William & Mary’s Master of Accounting degree explores topics well beyond basic accounting principles. Instead, this program is intended to mold you into a leader in an interdisciplinary field. You’ll gain the skills necessary to analyze and interpret accounting data in many different business and financial contexts. What’s more, you’ll emerge as a strong communicator who can effectively explain to stakeholders what data means and how it might impact their decision-making.

This 32-credit program can be completed in as little as 16 months. During that time, you’ll finish eight courses, each of which is in an accelerated 7.5-week format. Your studies begin with two classes: Financial Reporting Standards and Analysis and Accounting Analytics and Information Systems. The former explores the accounting principles involved in developing and interpreting financial statements. The latter requires you to learn how to employ data analytics to diagnose and describe large data sets.

From there, you’ll move to another sequence of courses focusing on advanced topics in accounting. For example, you’ll take an Advanced Auditing and Audit Research class, a Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation class, and a course on Driving Organizational Performance as well. The three remaining courses are as follows:

  • Advanced Federal Taxation examines tax factors that affect business decision-making.
  • Advanced Corporate Finance studies the primary decision-making processes in managerial finance.
  • Accounting for Complex Business Transactions explores financial reporting topics in the context of business transactions.

Before beginning the program in earnest, you might be required to complete prerequisite courses. This typically only applies if your undergraduate studies are in a field other than accounting. These courses, which are just 3.5 weeks long each, can be completed quickly so you can start your graduate studies faster. Prerequisite classes include the following:

  • Financial Reporting
  • Strategic Cost Management
  • Individual Income Taxes – Rules and planning
  • Audit and Assurance

A valuable optional feature of this program is the availability of on-campus residency weekends. These intensive gatherings allow you to meet face-to-face with the members of your cohort, your professors, and accounting professionals. You’ll explore topical knowledge in accounting, examine case studies and accounting theory, and have opportunities to network and build connections that can help you find employment upon graduating from the program.

In Virginia, you must earn 150 college credits for the CPA licensure. The combination of a bachelor’s degree and this 32-credit program allows you to exceed that threshold. Moreover, you’ll have the content knowledge and understanding of advanced accounting principles and techniques required to be successful on the CPA exam.

You can apply online if this William & Mary program sounds like a good fit. The following requirements must be met to apply:

  • Fill out an application for admission and submit a $100 application fee.
  • Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, including a grade of C or better in a Principles of Accounting course.
  • Have two or more years of professional working experience.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide two professional references.
  • Submit a personal essay.
  • Submit a curriculum vitae or a current resume.

You must also participate in a personal admissions interview to be considered for this program.

How Do I Become an Accountant in Virginia?

To become an accountant in Virginia, you need to fulfill these requirements:

  • Education: Earn a bachelor’s degree with 120 credits. Complete a total of 150 credits through additional coursework.
  • CPA Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
  • Work Experience: Gain one year (2,080 hours) of supervised professional accounting experience.
  • Licensure: Apply for CPA licensure, including proof of education, experience, and exam scores.

Education Requirements

To become a CPA in Virginia, you need 150 semester hours of education. A typical bachelor’s degree covers about 120 semester hours, so you’ll often require additional courses. These additional semester hours can be obtained through a graduate certificate, master’s degree, or an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s program.

Virginia has separate requirements for taking the CPA exam and obtaining CPA licensure. For the CPA exam, you need 120 semester hours of education and a bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or a related field. Requirements include:

  • A degree in accounting or an equivalent, which involves:
    • 24 hours of accounting courses beyond the introductory level, including finance, auditing, taxation, and cost accounting.
    • Finance courses can include intermediate accounting or financial statement analysis.
    • 24 hours of business courses, with no required core courses. A maximum of six semester hours can come from subjects that could also be considered accounting courses.

For licensure, you must meet the higher education requirement of 150 semester hours. The Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) does not specify any additional requirements for particular concentrations or courses but recommends taking some graduate-level accounting courses.

You can choose an accounting-related bachelor’s degree such as taxation or forensic accounting, or an MBA in accounting to meet the semester hour and specific course requirements simultaneously.

Virginia Experience Requirements

The VBOA does not require work experience for CPA exam candidates but does for licensure candidates who have already passed the exam. You need 2,080 hours of experience, equivalent to one year of full-time work. This experience must come from corporate, academic, or government work involving accounting, finance, tax, or other relevant skills.

If your experience falls under the category of other relevant skills, it will be examined by the VBOA. You cannot submit self-employment work experience. An active CPA from any state must verify your work experience.

CPA Exam Requirements in Virginia

All CPA candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Exam, which is the same across all states. However, the requirements for sitting the exam vary by state. Below are the specifics for Virginia.

Eligibility to Take the Exam

You must have completed 120 semester hours of coursework and related requirements before sitting for the exam. Additionally, you must complete the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) professional ethics course with a score of 90% or higher.

The VBOA does not have any age, citizenship, or residency requirements for the CPA exam in Virginia. You must have a Social Security number or a control number from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Applying for and Scheduling the Exam

First, register online with the VBOA. Submit your transcripts, which the VBOA accepts by mail or electronically. The VBOA retains transcripts for three years once you submit your application. Institutions can send the transcripts directly to the VBOA, or you can send official transcripts with the institution’s seal or signature on the envelope flap.

The VBOA takes 2-3 weeks to process applications, and approvals are transmitted directly to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Approved candidates can log in to the NASBA portal and find a payment coupon for the sections of the test they registered for. You have six months to pay the fee with the payment coupon. Once the fee is paid, you’ll receive a notice to schedule (NTS).

With an NTS, you have 12 months from the issue date to take the exam. Schedule and take the test at a Prometric testing location. You must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam within a rolling 18-month period.

After Passing the Exam

After passing the exam, you can start your CPA licensure process online through the VBOA website. You’ll have to pay a $75 application fee and submit all required materials. If you pass the exam but still need to complete the necessary work experience and final 30 credits, you must do so before getting licensed.

If you submit your CPA license application more than one year after passing the CPA exam, you’ll also need to complete continuing professional education (CPE).

Maintaining CPA Licensure in Virginia

You’ll need to renew your Virginia CPA license annually by June 30. You can start the renewal process as early as March 1 each year, with a renewal fee of $60. Licenses expire on July 1 if not renewed. Accounting professionals with an expired license cannot use the CPA title or provide certain services. To reinstate an expired license, you’ll need to submit a license reinstatement application and pay a $350 fee.

To maintain your CPA licensure in Virginia, you’ll need to complete at least 20 CPE hours annually, with a minimum of 120 hours over any three-year period. Futhremore, you’ll also need to complete at least two hours of ethics courses and eight hours of accounting and auditing courses each year.

Is an Accounting Degree Useless Without a CPA?

Without a CPA, you can still pursue various accounting-related roles, including but not limited to:

  • Bookkeeper: Managing financial records and transactions.
  • Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk: Handling invoices, payments, and billing.
  • Tax Preparer: Assisting individuals and businesses with tax filings.
  • Financial Analyst: Analyzing financial data to support informed business decisions.
  • Internal Auditor: Reviewing and verifying the accuracy of financial records within an organization.
  • Management Accountant: Assisting with budgeting, performance evaluation, and cost management within organizations.

Furthermore, even without a CPA, other certifications and specializations can be pursued to advance your career, such as:

  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

What is the Average Salary for an Accountant in Virginia?

The average salary for an accountant in Virginia varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and specific roles within the field. Based on recent data:

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