Accounting degree requirements differ by the level of education. That’s why there’s such a wide variety between one accounting course description and another. The specific courses that you must complete in order to receive a degree from an accounting school can vary between accounting schools. However, there are certain courses that almost every school will require an accounting student to take, even for online degrees. In most cases, a student seeking an accounting certification will be required to take courses in basic computer use; business math (typically one or two courses in basic math, calculus, and/or statistics); business law; business management; business relations (typically one or two courses in business communications, human relations, and/or organizational behavior); databases; economics (Microeconomics and/or Macroeconomics, depending on the school); English composition (typically one course, but sometimes two); financial accounting; fine arts (one or two courses in art, music, etc.).; history or social studies, managerial accounting; marketing; and spreadsheets. An individual will typically be able to obtain his or her accounting certification from a community college, a college, or a university in one to two years (or two to four semesters).

A student seeking an associate’s degree in accounting is typically required to take courses in auditing; business ethics; business law; business management; business math (typically one to three courses in basic math, calculus, and/or statistics); business relations (typically one course in business communications, human relations, and/or organizational behavior); databases; economics (Microeconomics and/or Macroeconomics, depending on the school); English Composition (typically one course, but sometimes two); federal income taxes (typically two courses); financial accounting; financial reporting; fine arts (typically two courses in art, music, etc.); managerial accounting (typically two courses with at least one lab course); social or behavioral sciences (typically two courses); and spreadsheets. An individual will typically be able to obtain his or her associate’s degree in accounting from a college or university in two years (four semesters).

A student seeking a bachelor’s degree in accounting is typically required to take courses in accounting information systems; accounting research and analysis; advanced accounting (typically two courses); cost management; finance (one or two courses in basic finance, business finance, and/or personal finance); fraud; government accounting; intermediate accounting (typically two courses); marketing; and a series of elective courses in addition to all of the courses that a student is typically required to take for an associate’s degree. It is important to note that a student may also be required to complete an internship in order to earn a bachelor’s degree in the accounting field. A student will typically be able to obtain his or her bachelor’s degree in accounting from a college or university in four years (eight semesters).

A student seeking a master’s degree in accounting will almost always be required to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a bachelor’s degree in business before he or she begins taking courses at the master’s level. An individual who is eligible to take master’s level courses is typically required to take courses in advanced managerial accounting; advanced financial accounting and reporting; external auditing; regulations in accounting; and a series of 5 to 10 other courses related to the specific specialty that the individual is pursuing. An individual will also be required to write a thesis in order to receive his or her degree, but most individuals will still be able to obtain their master’s degree in accounting from a university within one year (two semesters) from the time that they receive their bachelor’s degree (it is important to note that there are some programs that may require an individual to study for two years).