Accounting is process that involves taking into account various financial transactions such as income, expenses and other financial matters that are detrimental to a business, agency or a government organization.

What is Accounting and why is it important?

The process that requires professionals to keep track, measure, process, share and consider various financial transactions in an organization is defined as accounting.

Accounting is a fundamental process to organizations such as businesses and banks to operate and grow.

Keeping accounts on financial data can help organizations like businesses to understand how much their income is versus their expenses. This helps them to cut down on extra expenditures which could help them save more financially.

Accounting also considers various financial information of a business and ensure that it is following statutory laws.

A graduate with a degree in accounting can work different roles aside from accounting. Take a look at some of the field options below:

Difference between Accounting and Bookkeeping

Parameters of Comparison	Accounting	Book-keeping
Definition	It involves the process of analyzing and sharing financial data and other information about an organization.	This involves the process of keeping records of an organization’s financial transaction into organized accounts.
Scope	The area that accounting encompasses includes recording, analyzing, classifying and summarizing all financial information of a business.	Book-keeping involves recording and maintaining financial transaction data that includes – revenue, expenditure, purchases, payments, etc.
Objective	Accounting allows organizations such as businesses to track their financial information through which it’s performance can be monitored and crucial decisions can be made accordingly.	The objective of Book-keeping is to accurately record financial transactions in an organized manner and chronological order for businesses, and other organizations.

Which Accounting degree is Best?

Pursuing a career in accounting requires at least an associate’s degree. In addition, getting an associate’s degree in accounting will also help to build the foundation of skills and knowledge required at the bachelor’s and the master’s degree level for which better job positions can be attained.

Hence, each level of degree in accounting is fundamental in building knowledge and skills required in the field.

Have a look at the various degrees, credits and other information typically available in an accounting program:

Degree	Credits (may vary)	Typical Program Length	General Admission Requirements (vary by college)
Associates	60-70 credits	2 years	High School Transcripts
Bachelors	120 credits	4 years	High School GPA of 3.25 or higher or ACT Composite score of 21 or higher
Masters	30-60 credits	1-2 years	Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.

4 Cheapest In-Person Accounting Associate’s Degree

1. Craven Community College

Program: Accounting and Finance (AAS)

Tuition: $76/credit hour (in-state); $268/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation and Ranking: Craven Community College is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #1 in Best Community Colleges in North Carolina.

Financial Aid: Available, with 64% of students receiving financial aid.

The Associate’s degree in Accounting and Finance offers students the opportunity to learn skills on how to analyze, assemble, process and communication with regard financial operations and essential information.

2. Wayne Community College

Program: Accounting and Finance, AAS

Tuition: $76/credit hour (in-state); $268/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation and Ranking: WCC is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #50 Best Community Colleges in America.

Financial Aid: Available, with 68% of students receiving financial aid.

Acquiring an associate’s degree in Accounting and Finance will help prepare individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge required for a career in finance and accounting.

3. Wake Technical Community College

Program: Associate in Applied Science – Accounting and Finance

Tuition: $76/credit hour (in state); $268/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation and Ranking: WTCC is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #21 in Best Community Colleges in North Carolina.

Financial Aid: Available, with 51% of students receiving financial aid.

The Accounting program is equipped to guide students through accounting principles, theories and also practices along with developing analytical skills, ethics and critical thinking skills.

<h3>4. Blue Ridge Community College</h3>

Program: Accounting and Finance, AAS

Tuition: $76/credit hour (resident); $268/credit hour (non-resident)

Accreditation and Ranking: Blue Ridge Community College is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #5 in Best Community Colleges in North Carolina

Financial Aid: Available, with 82% of students receiving financial aid.

The program provides courses on various aspects of finance and accounting along with computer applications that can help launch graduates for a career in the field of accounting.

4 Cheapest In-Person Accounting Bachelor’s Degree

1. Fayetteville State University

Program: Accounting – B.S.

Tuition: $41.67/credit hour (resident); $208.34/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation: FSU is accredited by the SACSCOC.

Financial Aid: Available, with 81% of students receiving financial aid.

The program is designed to provide a wide area of knowledge and skills which include utilizing technology – computers and accounting software. This facilitates and enhances the process both accounting and finance reporting.

2. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Program: Accounting, B.S.

Tuition: $158.83/credit hour (resident); $747.33/credit hour (non-resident)

Accreditation and Ranking: UNC Charlotte is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #6 in Top Public Universities in North Carolina.

Financial Aid: Available, with 76% of students receiving financial aid.

The bachelor’s degree in accounting is designed to help students understand various concepts, methods of accounting and develop skills that are required in the field.

3. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Program: Bachelor of Science – Accounting

Tuition: $184.25/credit hour (resident); $815/credit hour (non-resident)

Accreditation and Ranking: The UNC Greensboro is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #7 in Top Public Universities in North Carolina.

Financial Aid: Available, with 86% of students receiving financial aid.

The accounting program at UNGC is designed to provide students with various skills and knowledge on courses of financial statement preparation and analysis, use of financial information for business decisions, auditing and taxation.

4. North Carolina State University

Program: Bachelor of Science – Accounting

Tuition: $272.29/credit hour (resident); $1178.17/credit hour (non-resident)

Accreditation and Ranking: NCSU is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #2 in Top Public Universities in North Carolina

Financial Aid: Available, with 74% of students receiving financial aid.

The accounting program helps student to build a general business foundation in statistics, business analytics and statistical programming with a specialization in accounting skills and solving issues.

4 Cheapest In-Person Accounting Master’s Degree

1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Program: Master of Accountancy

Tuition: $240.94/credit hour (resident); $1026.78/credit hour (non-resident)

Accreditation: UNC Charlotte is accredited by the SACSCOC.

Financial Aid: Available, with 76% of students receiving financial aid.

The program at UNC Charlotte is designed to prepare students for careers across various industries such as banking, businesses and other organizations. The coursework includes specialization in tax and financial accounting.

2. East Carolina University

Program: Master of Science – Accounting

Tuition: $263.83/credit hour (resident); $994.33/credit hour (non-resident)

Accreditation and Ranking: ECU is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #8 in Best Value Colleges in North Carolina

Financial Aid: Available, with 80% of students receiving financial aid. 

The master’s program in accounting offers a competitive advantage and a selection of courses that can help students to land a career in both public and private accounting job positions.

3.Appalachian State University

Program: Accounting – Master of Science

Tuition: $5740/year (resident); $16247/year (non-resident)

Accreditation and Ranking: The Appalachian State University is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #3 in Top Public Universities in North Carolina

Financial Aid: Available, with 75% of students receiving financial aid.

The program helps students to have a comprehensive understanding on the fundamentals of accounting that will further help them to progress in their career.

Cheapest Online Accounting Schools in North Carolina

Pursuing an online degree in accounting is a practical option for individuals that are engaged other jobs or have other responsibilities that needs to be taken care of. The online route holds equal value to that of a traditional degree.

Have a look at some of the available online degrees in accounting:

3 Cheapest Online Accounting Associate’s Degree

1. Stanly Community College

 Program: Associate in Applied Science – Accounting and Finance

Tuition: $76/credit hour (in-state); $268/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation and Ranking: Stanly Community College is accredited by the SACSOC; Ranked #6 in Best Community Colleges in North Carolina

Financial Aid: Available, with 67% of students receiving financial aid.

The program provides students with the knowledge and the skills necessary for employment and growth for a career in accounting. It also builds the foundation for pursuing higher degrees.

2. Piedmont Community College

Program: Accounting and Finance – AAS

Tuition: $76/credit hour (in-state); $268/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation and Ranking: Piedmont Community College is accredited by the SACSCOC; Ranked #16 in Best Community Colleges in North Carolina

Financial Aid: Available, with 97% of students receiving financial aid.

PCC’s associates degree in accounting offers students the opportunity to learn and acquire skills and knowledge on how accounting works. This program will also help launch graduates into entry-level accounting careers.

3. Wake Technical Community College

Program: Accounting and Finance – AAS

Tuition: $76/credit hour (in-state); $268/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation: WTCC is accredited by the SACSCOC;

Financial Aid: Available, with 51% of students receiving financial aid.

In addition to learning about the core specializations in accounting, students also get to learn finance, economics, business laws and management.

3 Cheapest Online Accounting Bachelor’s Degree

1. Fayetteville State University

Program: Accounting – B.S.

Tuition: $41.67/credit hour (resident); 104.17/credit hour (outside NC); $208.34/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation: FSU is accredited by the SACSCOC.

Financial Aid: Available, with 81% of students receiving financial aid.

The online accounting program at FSU will help graduates develop skills in communication, technology, management and analytics which are required in the accounting field of work.

2. East Carolina University

Program: BSBA – Accounting

Tuition: $204.79/credit hour (resident); $883/credit hour (non-resident)

Accreditation: ECU is accredited by the SACSCOC.

Financial Aid: Available, with 80% of students receiving financial aid.

The online accounting program at ECU is a practical alternative for students that cannot attend in person. It provides the same quality of education that students would receive in a traditional degree.

3. University of North Carolina Greensboro

Program: Bachelor of Science – Accounting

Tuition: $222/credit hour (resident); $406/credit hour (outside NC); $854/credit hour (out-of- state)

Accreditation: The UNC Greensboro is accredited by the SACSCOC.

Financial Aid: Available, with 86% of students receiving financial aid.

UNC Greensboro’s Accounting program offers students the opportunity to acquire foundational knowledge and skills that will be required to excel across multiple accounting professions.

3 Cheapest Online Accounting Master’s Degree

1. Fayetteville State University

Program: MBA – General Business

Tuition: $191/credit hour (resident); $477.50/credit hour (outside NC); $805.75/credit hour (out-of-state)

Accreditation: FSU is accredited by the SACSCOC.

Financial Aid: Available, with 81% of students receiving financial aid.

A master’s degree in accounting at FSU is equipped to develop higher level of skills and knowledge required by individuals to make progress in their career.

2. University of North Carolina Greensboro

Program: Master of Science – Accounting

Tuition: $289.94/credit hour (resident); $579.88/credit hour (non-resident)

Accreditation: The UNC Greensboro is accredited by the SACSCOC.

Financial Aid: Available, with 86% of students receiving financial aid.

On completing a master’s degree in accounting at UNC Greensboro, individuals will have a more in-depth comprehension on the requirements of higher level accounting professions.

3. Strayer University

Program: Master of Science – Accounting

Tuition: $1680/course

Accreditation: Strayer University is accredited by the MSCHE.

Financial Aid: Available, with 75% of students receiving financial aid.

Acquiring a master’s degree in accounting at Strayer will help broaden the knowledge horizons. Students will gain certain skillsets and strategies to help them understand the dynamics of market, resources and also managing assets.

Are Accounting Jobs in Demand?

There have been news about Artificial Intelligence becoming a potential replacement in accounting fields. However, there will definitely be a requirement for human judgment in certain areas which AI cannot compete in.

A report from US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that accounting occupational employment is projected to grow at 6 percent from 2021-2031 which is higher than most other occupations.

Have a look at the statistics below that represent the change in employment in the next couple of years:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What accounting jobs pay the most?

Have a look at the top paying accounting jobs that are offered across multiple industries and organizations:

Occupation	Median Salary
Chief Financial Officer	$121,397
Senior Accounting Manager	$112,981
Tax Manager	$100,353
Finance Director	$96,732
Finance Manager	$83,583
Payroll Manager	$71,503
Financial Analyst	$63,115

Are Accounting Degrees worth it?

If you are someone who has a knack for numbers then surely an accounting degree will help you learn and acquire useful skills and knowledge. The degree will also pave the way for you to achieve some of the top paying careers across numerous industries and organizations.