Any organization in which money officially changes hands needs accounting, whether it's the small coffee shop on the corner, a large business, a government or non-profit agency. Individual taxpayers sometimes choose to hire an accountant as well. In the case of small businesses, owners who opt to learn some of the basic accounting skills might take a few courses, or earn an associate's degree in business, along with some accounting courses. Individuals who are actually interested in a career in accounting typically start with either an associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting. This is often followed by a master's degree, depending on the type of accounting career they're interested in. There is also the preparation for and writing of the necessary professional certification exams, which qualify accountants to be licensed for practice.
This college rankings article focuses on online degrees in accounting and related topics at the associate's level. Some of the associate's degrees referenced may prepare undergraduate students for professional certification exams. Be sure to also look at our other college rankings for accounting degrees:
Careers in Accounting
A sample of accounting career role or organizations/ industries requiring accounting professionals is shown below. The list is compiled from the Web pages of the 15 colleges ranked in this article.
accounting assistant
accounting clerk
accounting departments
accounting firms
accounting manager
accounting technician
accounts payable clerk
accounts receivable clerk
accounts receivables clerk
administrative assistant
auditing clerk
auditor
banks
billing clerk
bookkeeper
budgeting
business office manager
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
corporations
cost accounting
educational institutions
financial clerk
financial investigation
general accounting
government agencies
health care providers
junior accountant
management trainee
nonprofit organizations
office manager
payroll clerk
payroll departments
payroll manager
public accountant
purchasing clerk
revenue cycle account coordinator
tax preparer
Rankings: Affordable Online Associate's Degrees in Accounting
15: Ogeechee Technical College

Ogeechee Technical College is a public community technical college established in 1986. OTC is part of the Technical College System of Georgia.
OTC has three online Accounting programs:
Associate's degree
diploma
certificate
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Accounting requires at least 64 credits, with 49 for occupational courses, including about 33 for accounting courses and electives. The program provides students with the ability to examine, manage, and prepare financial records. This includes using both computerized and manual accounting systems. This gives students the foundation required to obtain entry-level, accounting-related positions with a variety of organizations, including:
businesses
corporations
educational institutions
government agencies
health care providers
Students looking to enter the workforce sooner can choose the more economical option of OTC's 42-credit Diploma in Accounting. Finally, OTC also has a 21-credit Computerized Accounting Specialist Certificate that can be used for:
career entry
supplementation
transition
All three programs can be taken online, although certain courses, if chosen, may need to be taken on campus.
Sample courses:
Accounting Simulation
Computerized Accounting
Financial Accounting I and II
Individual Tax Accounting
Introduction to Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Payroll Accounting
Principles of Fraud Examination
Spreadsheet Applications
14: Lanier Technical College
Lanier Technical College (LTC) is a public technical community college established in 1964. LTC is part of the Technical College System of Georgia. LTC offers three online Accounting programs:
he Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Accounting requires 64 credit hours, with 49 for program specific requirements. The AAS provides students with the academic and professional knowledge, and technical skills, needed to pursue a variety of accounting careers. Some of these may require additional studies and/ or certifications. For students who want to start working sooner, or have a lower-cost entry in to the accounting field, LTC has two options. The first is the 42-hour Diploma in Accounting, which enables students to become accounting technicians and can be the start of a longer-term career path in the profession. The second option is the 14-hour Office Accounting Specialist Certificate, which provides students with entry-level office accounting skills. Sample courses: Business Tax Accounting; Computerized Accounting; Financial Accounting I and II; Individual Tax Accounting; Managerial Accounting; Payroll Accounting; Personal Finance; Principles Fraud Examination; Spreadsheet Applications |









