Online Bachelor of Arts

Accounting

Program Details

Next Start Date
October 24
Est. Program Length
15 months*
Major Credit Hours
42
Course Length
8 weeks
Cost per Credit
$375
Credits Accepted
88

*Major coursework can be completed in 15 months.

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Accounting Career Advancement Starts Here

Build a strong academic foundation in accounting with the online BA in Accounting program from Illinois College. Whether you’re striving for career advancement within your company or are seeking a new career in an in-demand field, earning your accounting degree online will provide you with the professional skills and financial expertise necessary to reach your goals in the competitive realm of accounting.

As a student, you’ll explore an accelerated curriculum founded on accounting innovations. BA in Accounting courses are designed to prepare you for a career in accounting while also delivering the academic background you need to pursue a variety of other careers in business. Each course is instructed by expert faculty members who incorporate years of field experience in their lessons. Through the BA in Accounting curriculum, you’ll explore field essentials and become proficient in key topics, including:

  • Economics
  • Financial accounting
  • Concepts of auditing
  • Income tax
  • Business ethics
  • Risk assessment
  • Statistics

When earning your accounting degree online with IC, you’ll also apply your business and accounting skills in a capstone course and receive the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through an optional internship.

After Graduation

Students of the online BA in Accounting program Graduate READY for accounting careers in a variety of businesses. Graduates have received job offers from companies and agencies including:

  • Archer Daniels Midland Co.
  • Caterpillar Inc.
  • Dot Foods
  • Sikich LLP
  • BKD LLP
  • Crowe LLP
  • the Illinois Auditor General

The online BA in Accounting is conveniently offered through our interactive online classroom, allowing you to study, full or part-time, when and where it’s convenient for your schedule. Learn at your own pace and complete the accelerated curriculum in 15 months.

The Online BA in Accounting Program Is Designed for:

  • Adults seeking an online accounting program that allows them to learn on their schedule
  • Business professionals striving to move into a position in accounting
  • Individuals who want a rewarding career in an in-demand field

Megan Lynn “The help that professors and staff provided went beyond the classroom to really prepare me for a career in my field. They helped me understand how I would actually use the knowledge. Before graduation, I was offered a position staff accountant with Sikich audit team in Springfield. I’ll be auditing government and nonprofits. I really believe in helping those students at IC who will come after me get into the field. Plus, I know the value of an IC education and the types of students that come from Illinois College, so I hope I can recommend and work with them in the future.”
– Megan Lynn ’18 Accounting and Finance Major


Faculty

John Rush | BA in Accounting

John Rush

Education Background

  • B.S. in Geography | Western Illinois University
  • M.Acc. | Western Illinois University

Field Experience

7 years professional accounting experience (CPA, CMA, CFE)

Teaching Style

Active learning is key to my teaching. I like to give an overview of a topic and then demonstrate how to apply the theory to practice. Students are then asked to repeat what I have shown them and apply their knowledge to a slightly different situation. In this way I use scaffolding to build a basic set of skills but then require the students to use high order thinking skills to apply their knowledge to new situations.

Favorite Class to Teach

Cost Accounting is my favorite course as one of our goals is to identify how much it costs to provide a particular service or manufacture a certain item. This can be a bit mind blowing when students see the amount of professional judgement required in this process.

What Else?

  • I am here to help; don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.
  • On a personal level, I like to play golf, walk the beach and just enjoy time outside.
fee: 25terms: 15

Courses and Admissions

11 Total core courses in program

Illinois College’s online BA in Accounting program provides the academic foundation and professional skills necessary for a variety of careers in the field. The program requires 120 credit hours – 78 hours in general education courses and 42 hours in accounting core courses.

Courses

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission to the online BA in Accounting program, applicants must:

  • Be a high school graduate (or equivalent)
  • Have a 2.5 GPA

How to Apply

Candidates must submit:

  • An online application
    Apply for free at admission.ic.edu/apply
  • Official transcripts of all high school and/or college work completed

Tuition

At Illinois College, we feature a high-quality education at a price you can afford. See how your past academic credentials can help you make the most of your college education.

Curriculum ComponentCostTotal*
Tuition (32 credit hours)$375 per credit hour$12,000
Fees (4 terms)$25 per term$100
Total with Transfer Credits$12,100

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

  • Financial Aid

    Discover your financial aid options and learn more about how to fund your education.

    View Financial Aid
  • Military Students

    Illinois College Online is a proud veteran-friendly school. We offer service members and their dependents assistance through our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Veterans Educational Assistance Program and more.

    Find Out More

Career Outcomes

When you earn your accounting degree online, you’ll Graduate READY for career advancement. The degree can prepare you for a number of jobs, such as the ones listed below:

All employment information from Payscale.

  • Staff Accountant 


    Staff accountants are tasked with maintaining the financial and legal records of their companies. Their duties include analyzing and preparing financial reports, utilizing company software and tools for budgeting and auditing financial statements.

    $49,978 Median Annual Salary
  • Staff Auditor

    Staff Auditor
Staff auditors analyze financial data and evaluate risk for multiple departments within their companies to ensure standards are being met. They are responsible for conducting audits and keeping records of the results.

    $53,517 Median Annual Salary
  • Financial Analyst

    
Financial analysts aid in a company’s financial decisions by conducting market research and determining which investments will reap the most benefits. These professionals also develop budgets by analyzing and recording a company’s financial trends.

    $60,034 Median Annual Salary

Why Illinois College?

  • Take the fast track.

    You can earn an online B.A. in Business Administration - Management in 15 months.

  • Career readiness.

    Prepare for real-world success through a comprehensive curriculum filled with case studies, industry examples and more.

  • A comprehensive curriculum.

    The online B.A. in Business Administration - Management is rooted in a broad course of study, something that increases your marketability in the workforce.

Benefits of
Learning Online

Whether it’s increasing your paycheck or advancing your career, an online degree can help you go further.

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Frequently Asked Questions