Accounting diploma vs. degree: what's the difference?

A key difference between a diploma and a degree in accounting is required coursework. Typically, an accounting diploma takes 6-8 months, while a degree may take two or more years. In a diploma program, you'll take classes specific to the field of accounting with no general education courses. Typically, an accounting diploma takes 6-8 months, while a degree may take two or more years. In a diploma program, you'll take classes specific to the field of accounting with no general education courses. It's a cost-effective way to get foundational knowledge in a subject and can help you qualify for an entry-level job.

What are the different types of accounting degrees

There are many different types of accountants with varying levels of required education. Herzing offers the following undergraduate accounting degree options: Associate of Science in Accounting/Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Bachelor of Science in Accounting We also offer an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting and Finance.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BS) Degree Online

Build a foundation for career success and growth

IACBE-accredited¹
100% online classes you can take right at home
Transfer up to 91 approved credits
Typical program length: 36 months (3 years)
Earn dual credit towards an MBA in Accounting and Finance

Waived enrollment fee Classes start May 10th

Your career in accounting IS possible with Herzing

Earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting with Herzing University and position yourself best to build a long, rewarding career.

Learn the fundamentals of business accounting and discover the leadership concepts and techniques necessary to qualify for a wide variety of career options and continue climbing the ladder.

Learn online in Herzing’s Everywhere Classroom: on your schedule, at your pace
Classes include topics in taxation, managerial cost accounting, advanced financial accounting, governmental and non-profit accounting, auditing and much more
Small class sizes with experienced, accessible faculty (14:1 student/faculty ratio)
Build an educational foundation to continue pursuing certification as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA)²
Graduate degree pathways: pursue the business side of accounting by working towards an MBA in Accounting and Finance, and earn further credentialing in a post-master’s certificate program.

Our many unique degree pathways in accounting and business provide you the opportunity to build a truly unique career path catered to your professional strengths.

With Herzing University you have a lifelong partner in learning dedicated to helping you reach your highest career goals. We’re here to help you take the next step.

Classes Start May 10th

Learn More Today

Curriculum

Bachelor’s degree in accounting classes & curriculum details

Our bachelor’s degree program prepares you for a challenging and rewarding career in accounting, including upper-level courses in financial accounting, auditing, taxation and cost accounting.

This program builds upon foundational accounting coursework from an associate degree curriculum. Additional classes emphasizing the decision-making skills required to support and manage accounting activities, including inventory tracking and the preparation of financial statements and tax returns.

All classes are delivered online in a virtual learning environment with a required research project or internship (if allowed in your state).

Program	Months*	Credits
Bachelor of Science in Accounting	36	122

*Average number of months for students to complete program

Program availability varies by location

Required Business Core Courses

All courses, 36.00 semester credit hours, are required.

AC 107 - Accounting I 3.00

This introductory course in accounting provides the practical application of the principles of financial accounting for service and merchandising businesses. Topics include an introduction to the conceptual framework of accounting using GAAP rules established by FASB, analysis and recording of transactions in the general journal and posting to the general ledger, completion of the accounting cycle by preparing end-of-period adjusting and closing journal entries, financial statements and the post-closing trial balance, an introduction to internal controls, and the calculation of inventory and cost of goods sold using the FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average methods.

AC 220 - Finance 3.00

This course introduces corporate financial management and analysis. Topics include evaluating financial performance, measuring cash flow, capital budgeting, and the cost of capital.

BU 106 - Introduction to Business 3.00

This course introduces the environment of American business with an overview of various topics that serve as a foundation for further study of business. Topics include the environments in which businesses operate, the organizational structures of businesses, management functions in an enterprise, and the challenges of managing marketing, operations, information technology, finance, and human resources.

BU 204 - The Digital Firm and Business Communications 3.00

This course presents an overview of technology-based issues within a business environment. Topics include the concept of digital firms and ERP systems in the areas of marketing, operations, human resources, manufacturing, finance, social networking, and supply-chain management. Additional areas to be discussed are privacy issues, government regulations, and technology on a global scale.

BU 206 - Business Law I 3.00

This course provides a study of the American legal system and its effect on business and business organizations. Topics include an overview of the ethical issues that businesses encounter, the foundation of the American legal system, business ethics, torts, intellectual property, criminal law, cyber crimes, contracts, and sales and leases.

BU 220 - Principles of Marketing 3.00

This course provides an overview of the principles and applications of marketing in organizations. Topics include the marketing process and strategic planning, the global marketing environment, developing marketing opportunities and strategies, developing the marketing mix through product development, pricing strategies, distribution channels, promotion techniques, managing marketing through customer relationships, social responsibility, and marketing ethics.

BU 302 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3.00

The focus of this course is to introduce students to the basic principles of human behavior that effective managers use when managing individuals and groups in organizations. The overall goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the key issues managers need to master in order to manage the interface between people and organizations. Topics include theories relating to individual differences in abilities and attitudes, attribution, motivation, group dynamics, power and politics, leadership, conflict resolution, organizational culture, and organizational structure and design.

or BU 600 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3.00 semester credit hours.

BU 327 - Business Ethics 3.00

The focus of this course is to explore the role and importance of business ethics in the workplace. The student will develop an understanding of the concepts and principles of business ethics as they relate to employees and employers, business to business, and on a corporate level. Students will examine business ethics, employee relations, and managerial decision-making processes through discussion and analysis of cases involving ethical issues. Topics will include ethical and moral issues in the workplace, distinguishing between the law, morals, and ethics, the relationship between ethics and social responsibility, and consequences of unethical/ethical decisions.

BU 345 - Project Management 3.00

This course provides instruction in the principles and concepts of project management. Topics include project management concepts, needs identification techniques, proposed solutions preparation, the project life cycle, the project manager's responsibilities and skills, the composition of an effective project team, types of project organizations, project communication and documentation, project planning, scheduling, and control, resource planning, and cost planning and performance evaluation.

or BU 630 - Project and Operations Management 3.00 semester credits

BU 407 - Quantitative Decision-Making 3.00

This course presents an overview of problem modeling and decision making. The class will introduce students to several quantitative models applicable to problems in a variety of functional areas of business. Students will be able to apply quantitative analysis to real-world management problems.

or BU 421 Operations Management 3.00 semester credit hours or BU 550 Research and Decision Making 3.00 semester credit hours

EC 111 - Principles of Microeconomics 3.00

This course provides an overview of economics and the economy from a microeconomics perspective. Topics include economic analysis, factors in the market system, market structure and pricing strategies, the availability of resource markets, supply and demand, and the impact of public policy on markets.

EC 121 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3.00

This course provides an overview of economics and the economy from a macroeconomics perspective. Topics include an introduction to economic concepts, the fundamentals of macroeconomics, macroeconomic theory and policy, the role of money, banking, and monetary policy, and the relationship of macroeconomics to the global economy.

Required Courses in Accounting

All courses, 42.00 semester credit hours, are required.

AC 110 - Payroll Accounting 3.00

This is a comprehensive payroll accounting course providing a practical application of the concepts and principles of payroll accounting. Payroll law topics include the Fair Labor Standards Act, FUTA and SUTA tax, and FICA, SECA, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Payroll accounting transaction topics include payroll recordkeeping, computing payroll, computing payroll taxes, social security taxes, self-employment, FUTA, and SUTA taxes, completing government forms (941), income tax withholding (employer and employee), and analyzing and journalizing payroll transactions. This course includes a comprehensive hands-on project to reinforce practical application of these concepts. It also provides a tutorial in industry software.

AC 212 - Taxation I 3.00

This course introduces income taxation as it applies to small business and individual taxpayers. Topics include an overview of the political, economic, and social forces influencing federal income taxation and the role of taxation in personal decisions. The course also examines individual income tax topics, including business and investment income, business and personal deductions, property transactions, and tax issues of employees.

AC 216 - Accounting II 3.00

This course in financial accounting provides the practical application of the principles of financial accounting for service and merchandising businesses with an emphasis on partnerships and corporations. Topics include accounting for corporate equity structure, partnership creation, dissolution and compensation, accounting for notes payable and receivable, accounting for uncollectible accounts receivable, accounting for investments in long-term assets, preparation and analysis of the statement of cash flows, and analysis and interpretation of financial statements.

AC 221 - Taxation II 3.00

This course analyzes the federal tax system as applied to entities other than individuals. It examines the tax aspects of formation, reorganization, and liquidation of non-individual tax entities. It also covers advanced business taxation topics such as corporate taxation (including accounting for income taxes), partnership taxation, and multi-jurisdictional taxation. Additional topics include S-corporations, corporations focusing on income inclusions and exclusions, reporting expenses (including depreciation), accounting for inventory, and basic tax planning and research.

AC 306 - Managerial Cost Accounting 3.00

This course is designed to introduce the principles and concepts of a cost-based management accounting system. Topics include cost accounting principles, identifying drivers and cost behavior, accounting for materials, labor, and factory overhead, job order cost-accounting practices, process cost-accounting procedures, standard cost-accounting methods, and cost analysis for management decision making.

AC 313 - Intermediate Accounting I 3.00

This accounting course provides instruction in practical application within the conceptual framework of financial accounting. Instruction in this course provides the theoretical supports as well as technical skills needed for decision making and problem solving within the financial reporting environment, including discussion and application of accounting systems. It also covers changes of stockholders' equity, cost measurement and flow assumptions, revenue recognition, special valuation issues, acquisition and disposition of fixed assets, measuring and reporting intangible assets, and valuation of depreciation and depletion methods.

AC 330 - Intermediate Accounting II 3.00

Intermediate Accounting II continues the analysis from Intermediate Accounting I and extends it to the discussion and application of financial reporting issues for liabilities and contingencies, long-term liabilities and receivables, investments, income taxes, accounting for capital and operating leases, issuance of capital stock and bonds, the statement of cash flow, changes in equity, and reporting accounting changes in estimates.

AC 335 - Computerized Accounting 3.00

This course provides step-by-step instruction in advanced computerized accounting using industry standard software in both a service based sole proprietorship and a merchandising corporation. The accounting cycle is completed from the creation of the chart of accounts through the closing process. Company reports created serve as the tool for financial analysis of company performance. Topics include creating a company, establishing security roles, banking activities, customers, sales and invoicing, vendors, purchases and payments, inventory maintenance, payroll, and financial analysis.

AC 413 - Advanced Financial Accounting I 3.00

This course provides instruction in accounting for business combinations and consolidations including topics related to pooling of interests, recording investments, treatment of goodwill, and the proper recording of intercompany transactions. This course will focus on applying various techniques for solving some of the more complex problems found in the business environment and interpretation of FASB, SEC, and AICPA pronouncements related to the above topics.

AC 416 - Governmental and Non-Profit Accounting 3.00

This course examines accounting for public health, nonprofit, and governmental entities. Topics include fund accounting, budget and control issues, and revenue and expense recognition for governmental agencies. It identifies the fundamental principles of financial management for non-profit and governmental organizations. This course outlines the framework for students to access and apply financial and managerial decision making effectively.

AC 418 - Auditing 3.00

This course develops an understanding of auditing concepts and provides instruction in how to perform an audit of company financial statements. Topics related to responsibilities, independency, reporting, audit process, and internal controls are covered. This course will focus on providing an introduction to auditing and other assurance services, standards, materiality and risk, how to write an audit report, professional ethics and code of conduct, legal liability, audit evidence, audit process, detection of fraud, and internal controls.

AC 426 - Advanced Financial Accounting II 3.00

This course is a continuance of Advanced Financial Accounting I and provides instruction on accounting for branches, business combinations, and consolidations. It also covers various techniques for solving some of the more complex problems found in the business environment. Topics include FASB, SEC, and AICPA pronouncements, multinational accounting, estates, trusts, governmental and not-for-profit organizations, and bankruptcy.

BU 310 - Business Law II 3.00

This course provides a study of the American legal system and its effect on both national and international business and business organizations as well as an overview of the ethical issues that businesses encounter. Topics include banking in the digital age, creditor rights, agency and employment issues, the regulation of business organizations, investor protection and insider trading, analyzing risk-bearing devices, real property issues, commercial contracts in an international setting, and payment methods for international transactions.

BU 421 - Operations Management 3.00

This course provides students with the tools they need to analyze processes in order to create value across a network of customers, enterprises, and supply chain partners. This course will explore the role of management and how communication tools are used to efficiently manage operations across a global supply chain.

Open Elective Courses

A minimum of 3.00 semester credit hours of open electives is required. Students who are qualified to take dual-credit courses may also take approved graduate courses. * Students in the state of Alabama must complete 3.00 additional semester credit hours in a special-topics course in advanced auditing and 3.00 semester credit hours in a special-topics course in advanced taxation. AC 221 - Taxation II satisfies the advanced taxation requirement. Students in the state of Alabama must take AC 435 - Advanced Auditing to satisfy the advanced auditing requirement.

Required Capstone or Internship

3.00 semester credit hours are required.

BU 491 - Capstone Project 3.00

This is an integrative course that allows students to identify a real-world problem and provide a recommended solution. Each student selects a topic or project with instructor approval and completes a paper which documents the process including the use of industry standard research methods. Students are required to make a professional oral presentation of their project analysis and recommendations.

BU 495 - Internship 3.00

The course is the final class in the undergraduate experience. The students will participate in an eight-week "on-the-job" experience, where they will participate as a full-time employee within an organization. Classroom topics will cover communication within the organization, organizational missions and cultures, employee etiquette, and current issues that occur in the workplace. The students will be evaluated by both faculty and the supervisor from the sponsor organization.

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in this bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 36.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline. 12.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

PD 121 - Professional Development I 1.00

This course is designed to introduce students to methodologies that will prepare them for academic and professional success. Topics include but are not limited to Canvas support, student support services, e-books, university policies, resumes, self-reflection, time management, goal setting, and strategies for anxiety reduction.

PD 202 - Professional Development II (Semester Credit Hour Course) 1.00

This course provides an opportunity for students to critically examine their skills and develop a plan to further their career and own financial literacy. Topics include research, job searching, developing career documents, refining interview and communication skills, and creating a personal budget.

Dual Credit

Save time and money by earning dual credit

Students enrolled in Herzing University’s accounting bachelor’s degree program can get a head start on earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Qualifying undergraduate students who pursue a Herzing bachelor’s degree in accounting may apply up to 12 credits toward an MBA degree.

Graduates may choose one of several MBA concentrations including Accounting and Finance, or consider our Dual Concentration option to add additional emphasis to your MBA credential.

U.S. News Best Online Bachelor's Degree Program 2021

Requirements

Bachelor's degree program enrollment requirements

Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing Accounting bachelor's degree program include:

Completed high school diploma, GED or equivalent
Meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor
Complete an enrollment application

Classes Start May 10th

Waived Enrollment Fee

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Careers

What can I do with an associate degree in accounting?

Earning a bachelor’s degree opens doors to many different types of career opportunities in the field of accounting in both the private and public sectors.

Possible jobs you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree include:

Public Accountant
Management Accountant
Government Accountant
Internal Auditor
Budget Analyst
Financial Examiner
Tax Examiner

Job outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of accountants and auditors is projected to rise 6% from 2018-2028, slightly higher than the average of 5% across all U.S. occupations.

Now is a great time to begin working towards a degree to help you compete for jobs in a growing career field.

Note: to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree and additional course credits, along often professional experience. State-specific requirements vary.²

How can I advance my career? After earning a bachelor’s degree you may consider pursuing an MBA in Accounting and Finance and additional business post-master’s certificates.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! All of Herzing’s accounting programs can be completed online on your schedule, at your pace.

A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting is four-year degree that requires more courses related to the accounting major to prepare students for entry-level positions in corporate, nonprofit, or government accounting.

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting puts more emphasis on elective classes and a broader liberal arts education. This can be helpful for students who would like to pursue a double major or minor.

Herzing’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BS) represents a career-focused education designed to prepare you for a career in accounting. Our goal is to help you reach your highest career goals, and our curriculum is built to help you reach them.

We strive to make going back to school to begin your career in accounting as affordable as possible. Herzing offers several options for financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans.

You can use the Herzing University Tuition Wizard to find an estimate for tuition and expenses.

A key difference between a diploma and a degree in accounting is required coursework.

Typically, an accounting diploma takes 6-8 months, while a degree may take two or more years. In a diploma program, you'll take classes specific to the field of accounting with no general education courses.

It's a cost-effective way to get foundational knowledge in a subject and can help you qualify for an entry-level job.

Yes!

Earning a bachelor’s degree represents your opportunity to confidently enter a growing career field with excellent upward mobility. Investing in yourself is always worth it – and we exist to help you earn the education you need to continue advancing your career!

While you may not be required to hold a degree to qualify for jobs that include bookkeeping and accounting tasks, employers may prefer earning a degree if you plan to become an accountant and continue advancing your career in accounting and finance. It’s difficult to obtain senior-level roles in accounting without earning an accounting-specific undergraduate degree.

Many states require that you must have a bachelor’s degree plus additional credit hours to sit for the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). State-specific requirements may vary.²

There are many different types of accountants with varying levels of required education. Herzing offers the following undergraduate accounting degree options:

Associate of Science in Accounting/Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Accounting

We also offer an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting and Finance.

The difference between finance and accounting is that accounting focuses on tracking the day-to-day flow of money into or out of an organization, while finance is the general management of assets and liabilities and includes future growth planning. The curriculums of their respective degree programs follow suit.

Additionally, if you would like to pursue your CPA, a degree in accounting is often the more preferred choice.

According to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors earn an average salary of $79,520 per year ($38.23 per hour).** Pay can vary based on many factors, including the education you’ve earned, experience in the field, specific responsibilities of the job, and state of employment.

Accounting is much more specific to managing and analyzing money in and out of organizations. An accounting degree offers students in-depth knowledge to a range of advance accounting principles and processes.

Business administration is often limited to basic accounting principles. Instead, a degree in business administration focuses on many aspects of business, including operations, management, and business strategy.

Students choosing a business administration degree program with an emphasis on accounting and finance may learn big picture business principles while learning the fundamentals of day-to-day financial management and analysis.

Locations

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Bachelor of Science in Accounting Degree Programs

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On Campus| Online

This Bachelor of Science in Accounting program prepares students for challenging careers and positions of leadership in both private and public sectors. It offers upper-level courses in financial accounting, auditing, taxation and cost accounting and introduces students to multiple functional aspects of business in general. Upon completion of this program, students are able to apply computer, communication, and decision-making skills to management accounting techniques to support accounting activities. These activities include maintenance of accounting records, the preparation of financial statements, inventory tracking, valuation, and the preparation of tax returns.

This Bachelor of Science in Accounting program at Herzing University does not fulfill all of the requirements for a graduate to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam or apply for licensure as a CPA in most states/jurisdictions. Most states/jurisdictions require a specific amount of study beyond a bachelor's degree (typically, a total of 150 semester credit hours, but this varies by jurisdiction) as well as several years of professional experience working in accounting to be eligible to apply for licensure. Some states (including, but not necessarily limited to, Texas) require the program to have specific programmatic accreditation for graduates to apply for licensure as a CPA, which this program does not have at this time, and no representation has been made as to when or if such an accreditation will be obtained. Applicants interested in becoming a CPA should check with their state board of accountancy regarding CPA eligibility requirements prior to enrolling in any accounting program. Students planning to pursue certifications other than the CPA exam should also contact the respective certifying organization to confirm requirements for certification prior to enrolling in any accounting program.

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Accreditation

Accreditation & Disclosures

1. The Business Division at Herzing University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please refer to our IACBE member status page.

2. This Bachelor of Science in Accounting program at Herzing University does not fulfill all of the requirements for a graduate to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam or apply for licensure as a CPA in most states/jurisdictions. Most states/jurisdictions require a specific amount of study beyond a bachelor’s degree (typically, a total of 150 semester credit hours, but this varies by jurisdiction) as well as several years of professional experience working in accounting to be eligible to apply for licensure. Some states (including, but not necessarily limited to, Texas) require the program to have specific programmatic accreditation for graduates to apply for licensure as a CPA, which this program does not have at this time, and no representation has been made as to when or if such an accreditation will be obtained. Applicants interested in becoming a CPA should check with their state board of accountancy regarding CPA eligibility requirements prior to enrolling in any accounting program. Students planning to pursue certifications other than the CPA exam should also contact the respective certifying organization to confirm requirements for certification prior to enrolling in any accounting program.

** Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. Herzing does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salary.

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Bachelor of Science in
Accounting Degree

Build a foundation for career success and growth