Program Overview
Why our online bachelor’s degree in public accounting stands out
Become an asset to any organization with the analytical, technical and practical accounting skills you will develop in the accelerated bachelor’s degree in public accounting from Northwest Missouri State University. This 100% online program is designed to provide you with a complete understanding of accounting while successfully preparing you for the CPA exam. The pass rate on the CPA exam for Northwest students is about 15% higher than the state average.
Form a strong academic foundation in all areas of accounting as you learn to organize, maintain and evaluate the financial operations of an organization while you gain the expertise to provide sound financial advice and recommendations. Advance your knowledge of federal income tax compliance and planning for individuals and small business as well as recording and controlling of assets and liabilities. You will increase your awareness and understanding of the legal environment of business as you study the principles of business law including secured transactions, partnerships and bankruptcy.
In addition to traditional lectures, this program includes hands-on interaction and application so you can gain a better understanding of key concepts. Projects and case studies also put your knowledge to practical use.
Our experiential learning format prepares you with the relevant knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the workforce upon graduating. The undergraduate-level curriculum goes beyond theory and encourages you to think critically and act decisively. Plus, the profession-based learning aspect of the curriculum, influenced by the Professional Advisory Board at Northwest, allows you to apply your studies to real-life contexts. The Board, composed of industry professionals, meet annually to discuss the job market, workforce skills gaps and needs and provide information to Northwest faculty, so they may incorporate it in their course learning outcomes.
Graduates of this online program will:
- Understand accounting systems, system design and the organization of accounting data
- Examine federal income tax compliance and planning for individuals and small businesses
- Be prepared to sit for the CPA exam
- Understand accounting systems, system design and the organization of accounting data
- Examine federal income tax compliance and planning for individuals and small businesses
- Be prepared to sit for the CPA exam
Public accounting career opportunities include:
- Financial Manager
- Internal Auditor
- Audit Manager
- Audit Associate/Auditor
- Accounting Associate
- Tax Accountant
- Tax Manager
- Tax Analyst/Specialist
- Financial Manager
- Internal Auditor
- Audit Manager
- Audit Associate/Auditor
- Accounting Associate
- Tax Accountant
- Tax Manager
- Tax Analyst/Specialist
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Also available:
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online undergraduate programs.
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition
Northwest makes online degrees cost effective
Our online accounting degree in Missouri offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. There is a $35.00 per course fee.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. Accounting – Public | $334* | $1,002 |
Important Refund Information
| 2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
| 4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
| 6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
| 8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Required fees
Required fee per course: $35
Transfer Your Credits for Lower Tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student’s Northwest record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Note these important dates
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working students, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 12/19/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/8/25 | 2/28/25 |
| Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/18/25 | 2/24/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/5/25 | 4/25/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/5/25 | 4/15/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | 6/20/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/2/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/25/25 | 8/5/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/18/25 | 8/20/25 | 10/10/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/20/25 | 9/30/25 | 10/6/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/15/25 | 12/5/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
Admissions
Requirements for your online public accounting degree
At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the B.S. in Accounting – Public online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
To apply for this program, you must meet the requirements for one of the sections listed below.
Transfer Criteria
- Students with 24 or more transferrable credit hours:
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Students with less than 24 transferrable credit hours:
- Follow freshman admission requirements and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Transfer students from non-regionally accredited institutions will also be considered a freshman; credit cannot be transferred into Northwest from a non-regionally accredited institution
Returning Students (previously enrolled as degree-seeking at Northwest)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA in any coursework completed since last being at Northwest (on 4.0 scale)
- A probation essay (if returning after being suspended or put on probation) explaining previous time at Northwest, what they've been doing since and how they plan to be successful when they return
Freshman Criteria (Adult - 24+ years old):
- High school transcript showing graduation date or completion of GED/HiSET
- Essay
- ACT/SAT test scores optional; can be submitted for scholarship/placement purposes if available
Freshman Criteria (for non-adult freshmen and transfers with less than 24 transferrable hours):
- Category I:
- 21 or higher ACT composite (or the SAT equivalent: SAT-980 or 1060**)
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on 4.0 scale)
**Per 2016 SAT redesign.
- Category II:
- Have an admissions index score (see here) that equals or exceeds 100 points
- A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Category III:
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- Complete high school college-preparatory curriculum
- Students who have completed the GED or HiSET are eligible with a minimum score of 660 on the GED or a minimum score of 75 on the HiSET
- This category is not an option for home-schooled or unaccredited high school graduates unless they have also completed the GED or HiSET
Home-Schooled Students
Applicants must have their ACT or SAT results submitted directly from ACT or College Board. A transcript listing of high school courses and grades in each course is also required for admission.
- 21 or higher on the ACT (or SAT equivalent), OR
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
GED Applicants/HiSET Applicants
A student may be considered for admission after receiving an equivalency certification, meeting the following criteria:
- GED score of 660 or higher, OR
- HiSET score of 75 or higher
Official transcripts can be emailed to [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Office of AdmissionsNorthwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information.
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Courses
A look at the topics you’ll study in your online public accounting degree program
For the B.S. in Accounting – Public online, the curriculum is comprised of 120 credit hours, including: 44-47 credit hours of Northwest Core Courses (general education), 4 credit hours of Institutional Requirements, 48 credit hours of Common Professional Component courses (business foundation courses), and 30 credit hours of managerial accounting emphasis courses (which includes 3 credit hours of an elective in ACCT, FIN, MGMT or CSIS). If needed, students will select additional electives to reach the minimum of 120 credit hours.
To ensure a common professional foundation among the accredited business programs, all students majoring in Accounting, Business Economics, Business Management, Business Technology, Finance, International Business, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Organizational Behavior/Human Resource Management are required to fulfill the following common professional component requirements. A minimum grade of C is mandatory for each of the Common Professional Component and required courses.
Non-business Courses (9 hours)
Business Courses (39 hours)
Click here for the 2024-2025 Common Professional Component courses.
Still undecided?
Check out our other undergraduate online degree programs.
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition. A one-time fee of $20.50 will be charged for remote proctoring of required Assessment of Core Proficiencies.
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