How long does it take to earn the Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree online?

The online BS in Accounting degree requires 120 credits to completion. The majority of the online classes are eight weeks in length. For additional information on degree timelines and length, fill out the form on this page to get in touch with a university counselor.

Overview

Choose GCU for Your Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting degree from Grand Canyon University can prepare you to work in various roles related to accounting. The rigorous coursework will teach you to become well-versed in understanding the theories and procedures needed to be an accountant.

You will be taught an array of skills in areas including:

Job order costing systems
Budgeting
Financial statements preparation

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Offered By

Colangelo College of Business

Class Settings

Campus

Online

Tuition Rate

Campus: $8,250 per semester [More Info]

Online: $485 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 120

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)

16+ years old
High School Graduate
3.0+ Unweighted GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

ACT: 19
SAT: 1000*

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).

Why GCU

Earn Your Bachelor of Science in Accounting Degree Online or On Campus

As a bachelor’s degree in accounting program student, you have the option to complete an in-person or online BS in Accounting. This allows you to choose a modality that works best for you and to balance your home, work and school life. The online BS in Accounting classes are taught by many of the same knowledgeable faculty and staff who teach on campus. This ensures that all Bachelor of Science in Accounting students have the same preparation for a professional accounting career.

In fact, the preparation that you receive as a GCU accounting student qualifies you to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam as you are completing your program.

Coursework

Develop Your Accounting Skills and Knowledge

The Colangelo College of Business at GCU prides itself on teaching graduates to meet competencies across these five domains. These domains are:

Accounting
Business communication and critical thinking skills
Information literacy and data analysis
Business operations and environments
Legal, ethical and values-driven business

The competencies within each domain ensure that Bachelor of Science in Accounting grads can interpret financial information and communicate their findings in ways their audience can understand. Bachelor’s degree in accounting students are also taught to be capable of making informed decisions and providing data-based financial suggestions and recommendations.

As a graduate of the BS in Accounting program, you will study government and industry regulations. Accountants help individuals and businesses make conscious, ethical financial decisions, and GCU can help you get there.

To ensure you have a well-rounded business understanding, you will also study:

Marketing
Economics
Financial, managerial and cost accounting
Ethical and legal issues in business
Organizational behavior and management
Business finance and statistics
Production and operations management
Strategic management

Careers

Prepare for a Career in Accounting

Graduates of GCU’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting have gone on to work in a number of accounting and finance-related positions. Some roles you may consider as an accounting graduate include:

Accountants
Credit analysts
Financial examiners

These jobs can be done in the public and private sector, as well as for government organizations. BS in Accounting grads may end up working for corporations, small businesses or not-for-profit entities.

67,400

Estimated job growth for accountants and auditors from 2022 to 2032.¹

FAQ

Bachelor of Science in Accounting FAQs

To learn more about earning your Bachelor of Science in Accounting, read through our frequently asked questions and start planning for your accounting career.

Accounting graduates can look forward to a career helping businesses and other professionals best manage their money. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants and auditors had a median annual wage of $78,000 in May 2022.²

Coursework in a BS in Accounting degree covers a lot of important topics, including many materials related to data, business, communications, marketing, economics, finance and statistics, to name a few. While there is a lot to cover in this degree program, your passion for accounting, love of business and desire to work in the industry are all driving factors that can help you apply yourself in your degree and in the workforce.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for accountants and auditors to increase by about 4% from 2022 to 2032, as fast as average, accounting for an estimated increase of 67,400 jobs in the field.¹ With this, those pursuing their BS in Accounting can see that accounting is a steady field with promising growth and job openings.

Yes. GCU is an accredited institution. Additionally, the BS in Accounting degree at GCU is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. To learn more, visit our Colangelo College of Business Accreditation page.

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

General Education Requirements34-40 credits

Major60 credits

Open Elective Credits20-26 credits

Degree Requirements120 credits

General Education Requirements

General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.

Competency

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.

Competency

9-12 Total Credits

Competency

4 Total Credits

Competency

11-12 Total Credits

Course Description

Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.

Competency

6-8 Total Credits

Course Description

Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.

Core Courses

BIT-200

4 Total Credits

ACC-250

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the accounting cycle and the construction of financial statements. Students explore the fundamental principles and practices of financial accounting as outlined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); the steps in the accounting cycle from journalizing transactions through the preparation of financial statements; and the use and interpretation of the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144, MAT-154, or higher subsequent math course.

MKT-315

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces models and practices used by contemporary marketers in fast-paced, dynamic, domestic and global markets, including the marketing concept and processes for developing, implementing, and assessing the effectiveness of marketing plans. Building from a foundational understanding of consumer behavior and marketing research, students examine the development and implementation of marketing mix strategies and tactics with an emphasis of how marketing integrates within all aspects of business.

ACC-260

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the use of managerial accounting data in the decision-making process. Topics include the use of cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis and relevant costs in decision making, using budgets and the balanced scorecard to evaluate performance, methods for setting prices of products and services, and analyzing capital investment opportunities. Prerequisite: ACC-250.

BUS-352

4 Total Credits

ACC-360

4 Total Credits

BUS-340

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing-intensive course is a comprehensive study of the legal and ethical issues of concern to business, including those areas of the U.S. legal system that are most relevant to business, such as the law of torts, strict liability, intellectual property, and contract law. It explores the role of ethics and values in business decision making and approaches these subjects from the perspective of the stakeholders as opposed to an economic interpretation of the firm and its responsibilities.

ECN-361

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the fundamental ideas of microeconomics. Students examine the market forces of supply and demand under different market structures in order to understand how economic agents make decisions about both consumption and production. The structure, conduct, and performance of markets are evaluated through analysis of consumer, producer, and societal welfare. Students explore the topic of factor markets in which the incomes of most workers and owners of capital and property are determined. Prerequisites: ACC-240 or ACC-250 and BUS-352.

ACC-370

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an in-depth study of accounting objectives, principles, theory, and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement. Students explore the accounting cycle, the preparation of detailed financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), accounting for assets, and other items frequently addressed on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination (Uniform CPA Exam). Prerequisites: ACC-250 and ACC-260.

ECN-362

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the national economy by examining macroeconomic data measuring national income, the cost of living, production and growth, and unemployment. Students examine the basic functions of the monetary system and analyze the macro economy in terms of long-run economic productivity and growth and in terms short-run fluctuations. The influence and effect of macroeconomic policy is studied within the context of current events. Prerequisite: ECN-361.

FIN-350

4 Total Credits

ACC-371

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an in-depth study of accounting objectives, principles, theory, and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement. Students explore liabilities and equity items; the specific rules for accounting for leases, accounting changes, and revenue recognition, and other items frequently addressed on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination (Uniform CPA Exam). Prerequisite: ACC-370.

MGT-420

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Drawing upon real-world management situations, this course is a study of individual and group behavior in organizations through detailed coverage of the functions of management, individual differences/diversity, leadership, motivation, decision making, organizational design, and organizational change and development. Emphasis is placed on how an understanding of organizational behavior leads to effective management practice.

ACC-486

4 Total Credits

BUS-485

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing-intensive course is built around a team-based simulation requiring a high level of peer interaction and collaboration and serves as the capstone experience in business and management, introducing students to functional, business, and corporate strategy from the perspective of a strategy analyst. Tools and techniques are applied to the student’s previous knowledge of accounting, finance, management, analytics, marketing, economics, entrepreneurship, and leadership acquired through their individual programs of study. Students integrate strategic analysis to demonstrate mastery of a wide variety of business domains. Prerequisites: MGT-420 or MGT-422HN; FIN-210 or FIN-350; and MKT-245 or MKT-315.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Admission

Begin Your Accounting Journey

Accountants help businesses make impactful financial decisions. If you are interested in being in a role that can support the future success of businesses, governments or not-for-profit organizations, a BS in Accounting may be the right path for you.

Apply Now

¹ COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors, retrieved on Sept. 18, 2023.

² The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Accountants and Auditors as of May 2022, retrieved on Sept. 18, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as accountants and auditors. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.