Bachelor of Science in Accounting – Public Online

Advance your career and prepare to pass the CPA exam.

Apply by: 4/9/24
Start class: 4/29/24 Apply Now Apply Now

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 Bachelor of Science in Accounting – Public online 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.

Per Credit Hour $320*
Program Transfer Credits: Up to 78 hours
Credit Hours 120

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.


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Need More Information?

Call 844-890-9304

Call 844-890-9304

Tuition

Northwest makes online degrees cost effective

Our B.S. in Accounting – Public online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. There is a $30.00 per course fee.

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.

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78
Transfer Credits: 0
Your Estimated Tuition: $Your Estimated Tuition:
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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:

Per Credit Hour $320*

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.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 23/4/242/13/242/19/242/26/242/28/244/19/24
Summer 14/29/244/9/244/15/244/22/244/24/246/14/24
Summer 26/24/246/3/246/7/246/14/246/18/248/9/24
Fall 18/26/248/6/248/12/248/19/248/21/2410/11/24
Fall 210/21/2410/1/2410/7/2410/14/2410/16/2412/6/24

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 4/9/24
Next Class Start Date: 4/29/24
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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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 Admissions
Northwest 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.

Students must take 44-47 credit hours of general education courses to meet the degree plan requirements.
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 2023-2024 Common Professional Component courses.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introductory course in the principles and theory of cost accounting, with an emphasis on managerial decision support. The focus is on deriving accounting information from various costing systems, and preparation, interpretation, and analysis of various reports, including use of spreadsheets. Prerequisites: ACCT 51201 and ACCT 51202, both with a minimum grade of C.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of Federal income tax compliance and tax planning for individuals and small businesses. Prerequisites: ACCT 51201 and ACCT 51202, both with a minimum grade of C.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of Federal income tax compliance and planning for partnerships, corporations, S corporations, estates and trusts. Prerequisites: ACCT 51201 and ACCT 51202, both with a minimum grade of C.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth study of accounting procedures followed in the recording and controlling of assets and liabilities. Prerequisites: ACCT 51201 and ACCT 51202, both with a minimum grade of C.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A continuation of Intermediate Accounting I. Topics covered include investments, liabilities, income taxes, pensions, leases, contributed capital and the statement of cash flows. Prerequisite: ACCT 51306 with a minimum grade of C.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is a course designed to give students a basic understanding of accounting systems, systems design and the organization of accounting data. Prerequisites: ACCT 51306 with a minimum grade of C and CSIS 44130.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Covers governmental and not-for-profit accounting, partnerships, earnings per share, accounting changes and error correction, and other miscellaneous financial accounting topics. Prerequisite: ACCT 51306 with a minimum grade of C.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides a study of consolidated financial statements, and international accounting. Prerequisite: ACCT 51307 with a minimum grade of C.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of generally accepted auditing standards and procedures. Prerequisite: ACCT 51307 with a minimum grade of C.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Fundamental principles of law in relation to business, including agency, negotiable instruments, secured transactions, bankruptcy, partnerships, corporations and other business entities.

Still undecided?

Among Top 5

Ranked among the Top 5 “Public Universities in Missouri” by Niche.com (2022)

Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

*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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