Accounting

Associate Degree 5 months per semester

Accounting Associate Degree

If you've got a mind for math and enjoy working with numbers, Penn Foster College's online Accounting Associate Degree can help you prepare to take the next steps toward a rewarding career in finance. With flexible, self-paced classes you can graduate with a degree that can increase your earning potential on your schedule, from home.

Helps prepare students for entry-level jobs in accounting and finance like accounting clerk, payroll clerk, or accounts receivable clerk.
Online college-level classes cover essential foundational concepts from creating, organizing, and maintaining financial records, to assessing financial data and analyzing financial statements.
Completing a college degree can help you increase your earning potential.
The American Council on Education's (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service has evaluated and recommended college credit for many Penn Foster College courses.
Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.

Accredited

Online

Self Paced

First Semester

$1,199

$1,499 Save $300

$59/month, Start for as low as $20

Enroll Now Request Info

1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

What You Will Learn

How to complete the accounting cycle and create and analyze financial statements to ensure that they are accurate and comply with generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP).
How to solve important accounting principles and concepts by creating four types of financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings, and statement of cash flows.
How to write effectively for business including memos, emails, reports, and presentations.
How to analyze various financial concepts related to taxes, insurance, financial investments, and basic business statistics.

Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Accounting A.S. Degree Career Outcomes

Accounting Clerk

AVG SALARY*

$45,860/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

1,735,800

Our online Accounting Associate Degree can help prepare graduates for entry-level jobs in finance in a variety of industries. Every business requires effective accounting and financial management, so those with a degree in accounting could qualify for job opportunities in a number of fields. Most commonly, those who've earned an associate degree in accounting can qualify for jobs such as accounts receivable and payable clerk, accounting clerk, or billing coordinator.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in certain fields are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered by your Penn Foster Program. You should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where you plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in your program. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information.

Please review state board requirements that are applicable to your field of study. State boards may impose a variety of different requirements, which vary from state to state.

Accounting Associate Degree Curriculum

4 Semesters
68 credits

Estimated completion time per semester:

Fast track = 5 months
Average time = 11 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times per semester are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from November 2020 - October 2021, excluding withdrawals.

In our online Accounting Associate Degree classes, you'll build foundational skills in accounting and business that can help you prepare for an entry-level job in the field. Your online courses include:

Mathematics for Business and Finance
Economics
Financial Management
Business Statistics

Show Full Curriculum

Accounting Associate Degree Student Stories

Penn Foster’s Accounting Associate Degree Program can help prepare you for the first step in your financial career. This program has helped recent graduates find new jobs or start their own businesses while learning at their own pace. Learn more Penn Foster graduates' experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.

View Student Success Stories

Kendra M.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“I learned so much about accounting. It gave me a great foundation for the job I have now.”

Looking for training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.

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Accounting Associate Degree Tuition

Take the first steps toward a new career with our accredited Associate Degree in Accounting Program. Simply choose from one of our low-cost customized payment plans below and get started today!

Option 1: Pay semester in full

First Semester

$1,199

$1,499 Save $300

Best price. Best value.
Pay the full cost today
No monthly payments

Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

First Semester

$1,499

Pay $59 per month
Start for $20 down
All major credit and debit cards accepted

Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

First semester

$1,499

Pay $59 per month
Start for $39 down
Mail your payments

Enroll Now

Our Proven Accounting Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

Start anytime
No exam due dates
Self-paced

Interactive

Digital study guides
Self-check quizzes
Webinars and discussion boards

Connected

24/7 access to online resources
Online student community
Dedicated Learner Center

Supportive

Expert faculty
Dedicated student services
Robust learning resources

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Accounting Associate Degree FAQs

What is the average salary of an entry-level accountant?

According to national averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an entry-level accounting job is $45,860.* Salary can vary based on your experience, education, the company you work for, and even the state you live in.

Can I get an accounting job with an associate degree?

An accounting associate degree prepares graduates for jobs like accounting clerk, billing coordinator, or accounts receivable clerk. These roles require some college or an associate degree to qualify for employment. If you choose to further your education and pursue a bachelor's degree, you can then qualify for careers like staff accountant and even take the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

What does a bookkeeper do versus an accountant?

The biggest differences between what accountants do and what bookkeepers do often come down to education and what you were trained to do. Essentially, bookkeepers record financial information while accountants will translate that data into reports and financial forecasts. Both play vital roles in ensuring a company's finances are in order.

What is the career outlook for accountants in the United States?

Every business requires accountants, so there are many job opportunities for entry-level accounting clerks in a variety of industries. With growing reliance on technology to help keep and track financial records, it's vital for those who want to work in finance learn to master the software and applications used in accounting.

Sources:

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook "Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks." Accessed October 3, 2023.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Education Pays". Accessed October 3, 2023.

Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.