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Associate Degree

Accounting
Online Associate Degree Program

Calendar

CLASSES START
May 6th

20 Mo.

Program Length

65

Credits

Online

Format

$464

Cost Per Credit

Associate Degree

Accounting
Online Associate Degree Program

Gain a career-focused college education

AccreditationIACBE accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer creditUp to 48 approved credits
CertificationPrepare for the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam from the American Payroll Association (APA)
PathwaysDegree pathways to continue advancing your career (BS in Accounting, MBA in Accounting & Finance)
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University
Online Accounting Associate Degree Student Taking Classes on Laptop

Over 90%

Satisfaction rate

Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.

Over 90%

Satisfaction rate

Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.

Associate and Associate of Applied Science in Accounting

Overview: Associate of Science in Accounting

The Associate of Science/Applied Science in Accounting is a 65-credit undergraduate program which prepares you for a wide variety of potential career pathways in accounting.

The online associate degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in payroll accounting, microeconomics, taxation, business law, marketing, project management, and much more.

SVG
Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

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Flexible schedule

You can take classes during the day or in the evening. We strive to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

SVG
Virtual services

Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

SVG
Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

SVG
Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start May 6th

Learn More Today

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Curriculum

Associate degree in accounting classes & curriculum details

Our associate degree curriculum combines core accounting classes as part of our diploma in bookkeeping and payroll accounting with additional business courses and general education requirements typical in undergraduate degree programs.

You will build a strong academic foundation in the principles of accounting and develop computer skills such as accounting software, spreadsheets and payroll systems. The curriculum prepares you for entry-level positions in accounting areas including payables, receivables, bookkeeping, payroll and taxation.

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

ProgramMonthsiCredits
Associate and Associate of Applied Science in Accounting2065

i. 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.

General Education Requirements

Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 24.00 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. 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science  3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

When you accept the 10% tuition discount from our Financial Commitment Scholarship, the cost of tuition for the Associate of Science in Accounting program is $464 per credit.1

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

Find my estimate

 Scholarships & Financial Aid

You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.

Find scholarships and grants 

 Military/Veteran Discounts

Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

VA/Military benefits 

i. Financial Commitment Scholarship eligibility requirements: Recommended that students limit student loan borrowing to only what is needed to cover the cost of tuition and fees. Students may borrow up to $2,000 in student loans in excess of tuition and fees to cover their cost of attendance and retain eligibility for this scholarship. Excess loan eligibility dependent on individual student situation.

Requirements

Associate degree program enrollment requirements

Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing Accounting associate degree program include:

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

Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District Of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands.

Classes Start May 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee
Careers

What can I do with an associate degree in accounting?

An associate degree program in accounting equips you with the solid accounting background needed to thrive in entry-level roles in bookkeeping and accounting.

Possible jobs you may qualify for with an associate degree include:

  • Bookkeeper
  • Accounting Clerk
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Accounts Receivable Clerk
  • Auditing Clerk
  • Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk

How can I advance my career? Complete an associate degree and you can transfer credit into a bachelor’s degree in accounting program with Herzing University. After earning a bachelor's degree you may choose to continue a business and managerial-focused graduate degree path with an MBA in Accounting and Finance.

Job outlook

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of accountants and auditors is expected to increase 4% from 2022-2032, higher than the estimate for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks.*

Students looking to become an accountant or auditor can best qualify for those types of jobs by advancing their education with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes!

Earning an associate degree in accounting represents your foot in the door in a career path with upward mobility and potential employment opportunities in many types of businesses.

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.

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.

All acronyms represent different names for associate degrees. AA stands for Associate of Arts, AS stands for Associate of Science, and AAS stands for Associate of Applied Science.

The difference between Herzing’s associate degree options (AS, AAS) is in name only based on state requirements. There is no difference between curriculums – both are built to help you develop career-focused skills in accounting to prepare you for entry-level positions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn an average salary of $47,440 per year ($22.81 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.

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

After earning an associate degree in accounting, you can typically look for entry-level work as a bookkeeper, accounting assistant, payroll clerk or tax preparer.

With Herzing University you can transfer credit earned from an associate degree into a bachelor’s degree program (up to 90 approved credits). Some students prefer to gain real-world work experience before later continuing on for their bachelor’s degree.

Locations

Program Finder

Associate and Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Degree Programs

Showing 1 program for the Online campus

On Campus| Online

This accounting program provides students with a solid accounting background. The curriculum includes academic core courses, business courses, and education in computer skills related to accounting such as computerized accounting software, spreadsheets, and payroll systems. This program provides career opportunities in accounting areas such as payables, receivables, bookkeeping, payroll, and taxation.

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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 11960 Quivira Road, Suite 300, Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please refer to our IACBE member status page.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

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Ready to get started?

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Opt-In to Receive SMS Messages

By selecting this button you agree to receive updates and alerts from Herzing University. Text HELP to 85109 for help, Text STOP to 85109 to end. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. By opting in, I authorize Herzing University to deliver SMS messages and I understand that I am not required to opt in as a condition of enrollment. By leaving this box unchecked you will not be opted in for SMS messages. Click to read Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Herzing Tuition Wizard

When do you want to start classes?

The program has an automatic transfer of credits, and allows you to transfer up to additional credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credit hours.

  Transfer Credit Hours
Associate and Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Online Campus
Tuition
Cost per Credit$515.00
Base Tuition$33,475.00
Savings from Transfer Credits (48 x $515.00 )(-$24,720.00)
Estimated Tuition Cost*$8,755.00
Fees
One-time Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Learner Resource Fee$530.00
Estimated Total Fee*$1,060.00
Total Semesters 1
RequiredNeeded
52
Total Credits
RequiredNeeded
6517
Estimated Cost 2
Base CostYour Cost
$36,125.00$9,815.00
Estimated Savings*
$26,310.00

Available Scholarships & Loan Options

Who Can Apply

Recipients and the amounts of the scholarships vary.

Requirements

Scholarship recipients, amounts, and terms and conditions are determined by Herzing University and its donors and are subject to change. An endowment is an amount of money (fund) that is given to the University with a stipulation that the funds are invested to earn annual interest rather than spent immediately. Students and alumni can learn more through the following channels: email give@qishengwuliu.com, call (262) 735-6189, or visit http://antifertilizer.qishengwuliu.com/make-donation-herzing-university.

Who Can Apply

Any student in a degree-seeking program that makes on-time, out of pocket payments toward tuition and fee expenses.

Requirements

The amount of the payments made that exceed the amount of excess loan funding received will be used to calculate total award. Eligible students must make on-time payments, according to a predetermined payment plan. Restrictions may vary.

  • Matching percentage is based on student’s EFC at the time of application.
  • Student’s with a Pell eligible EFC will receive a 100% match
  • Students will non-Pell eligible EFC will receive 50% match
  • Students who do no complete the FAFSA will automatically qualify for the 50% match.
Who Can Apply

Students enrolled in the following undergraduate and diploma programs:

  • Business; Criminal Justice; Dental Hygiene Bridge; Dental Assisting; EMT-Paramedic Associates Degree Program, Healthcare Administration; Health Information Management; Insurance Billing and Coding; Legal Studies; Medical Assisting; Medical Billing; Medical Office Administration; Sterile Processing; Surgical Technology
  • Students enrolled in Graduate and Post Master’s Certificate Business Programs

Continuing students may contact a Financial Aid Advisor to confirm eligibility

Requirements

Recommended that students limit student loan borrowing to only what is needed to cover the cost of tuition and fees. Students may borrow up to $2,000* in student loans in excess of tuition and fees to cover their cost of attendance and retain eligibility for this scholarship. *Excess loan eligibility dependent on individual student situation.

Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need, who are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Requirements

Must show financial need and are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Who Can Apply

Available to undergraduate students enrolled in an Associates or Bachelor’s degree that are on the Dean’s or President’s list

Requirements

Eligible Applicants must:

  1. Submit an application by the required deadline for applicable semester answering the following questions in paragraph form/essay format, bulleted outline, video submission, or other creative means.
    • What are your proudest achievements during this semester? (Examples: community service, campus involvement, family life, charity work, major improvement to grades, etc.)
    • What obstacles did you have to overcome to achieve your academic success this semester?
  2. Not have received any HU Strive Scholarship in any enrollment. If an applicant is not selected during a semester, they may reapply by submitting a new application in subsequent semesters for as long as they remain on the Dean’s or President’s list

The application must be submitted through Canvas by the end of the A Term immediately following the semester when the Dean’s or President’s list was earned.

Who Can Apply

Available to Herzing graduates who have re-enrolled in a higher-level degree

Requirements

Alumni may qualify as many times as they re-enroll in a higher-level degree

Who Can Apply

Employees of a business participating in the Herzing Partnerships Program

Requirements
  • Documentation showing proof of employment is required
  • Recipients must be packaged at direct cost (receiving financial aid for tuition and fees only)

Questions?

Reach out to a member of the Financial Aid team at the Online campus:

1 

Actual semesters to complete are dependent upon university approved transfer credits and program mapping.

2 

Estimated program length, estimated number of semesters, and estimated program shown above are standard by program for each student based on: a student taking a full-time course load each semester, the student not having any transfer credits (from previous Herzing experiences or from other post-secondary institutions), and successful completion of each course.

Current tuition rates for all programs are effective through the Summer 2024 semester.