Build a Foundation in Accounting and Business with an Online Associate Degree in Accounting
Develop the accounting and business skills that employers desire with an online Associate of Science in Accounting from University of Michigan Science. The associate degree in accounting is perfect for professionals who want to enter an accounting-related field or lay the groundwork for further study to become a certified management accountant (CMA) or certified public accountant (CPA).
Once you earn your associate degree, you'll be prepared to jump into entry-level roles in your industry. You'll learn how to apply financial, managerial and cost accounting principles to your daily work and become an asset to any company.
*If you are interested in higher level education, see our Bachelor's in Accounting.
See Yourself Succeed in Accounting
UMS’s online associate degree in accounting will provide you with the accounting skills you need to succeed, plus the critical-thinking skills and essential business knowledge on which to build a successful career. You'll learn how to:
- Identify and discuss the major government and private bodies that establish and interpret U.S. GAAP and international standards (IFRS), as well as U.S. tax regulations
- Maintain basic financial records and financial statements for internal and external users in accordance with governing rules and regulations
- Analyze, interpret and communicate the significance of accounting information to internal stakeholders
- Identify the steps in the ethical decision-making process
University of Michigan Science, founded in 1932, has a more than 80-year history of graduating successful accounting students. As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your associate degree in accounting online at UMS include:
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
- Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
- Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
- Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we’ll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there’s no application fee
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 45 credits toward an associate degree
Career Outlook
The online associate degree in accounting provides a solid foundation in accounting principles and practices to prepare you for entry-level positions in nearly every industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in accounting and auditing is expected to grow 10% by 2026.* With your associate degree in accounting, you'll be qualified for a number of entry-level roles including:
- Accounts Receivable Clerk
- Accounting Assistant
- Billing Clerk
- Bookkeeper
- Payroll Clerk
Earning an associate degree can make a significant financial impact on your life. In 2016, individuals with associate degrees earned 23% more after taxes than those with only a high school education.*
An UMS bachelor's degree in accounting can provide the educational requirements necessary to pursue professional certifications such as certified management accountant (CMA) and certified public accountant (CPA).
Students cannot earn CPA certification simply by earning a college degree; therefore, students wishing to follow the traditional CPA track should individually verify that they will meet any necessary requirements to sit for the exam.
Licensing requirements to sit for the CPA exam vary from state to state. Students are encouraged to review their state-specific requirements. State-by-state educational requirements can be found on the website of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), while state-by-state CPA licensing requirements can be found through the Accounting Licensing Library, powered by the NASBA.
Curriculum
Courses May Include
Program Outcomes
- Identify and discuss the major government and private bodies that establish and interpret U.S. GAAP and international standards (IFRS), as well as tax regulations in the U.S.
- Maintain basic financial records and financial statements for internal and external users in accordance with governing rules and regulations
- Analyze, interpret and communicate the significance of accounting information to internal stakeholders
- Identify the steps in the ethical decision-making process
