School of: Business
Degree Type: Bachelor's Degree | Minor
Format: Online
Student Type: Adult Degree

Program at a Glance

$645
per credit hour
39
major credits
2.0
minimum transfer GPA
99%
of all students receive financial aid

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting Degree Overview

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting program provides you with the financial expertise and analytical skills you need to advance in your career in the business world. When you decide to pursue your bachelor’s in accounting online, you’re not only investing in your future but also taking part in a learning experience that’s designed to fit within your life. 

Geared specifically toward working adults who have completed some college-level coursework, Warner Pacific University’s accelerated bachelor’s degree in accounting program helps students take a purpose-driven approach to career advancement by blending theoretical instruction with practical, real-world examples. 

The coursework in the program is delivered 100% online and asynchronously, with just one class every five or six weeks. WPU also offers an in-person Bachelor of Science in Accounting program.

WPU students sitting in a row in a classroom auditorium.

What Skills Can You Develop in an Accounting Degree Program?

Our online bachelor’s degree in accounting program provides you with a foundational understanding of financial management, including how to analyze, interpret, and communicate financial information. You’ll gain practical skills in areas such as financial decision-making, risk analysis, and financial reporting, while also developing your communication, problem-solving, and project management capabilities.

This degree program will build your proficiency in:

  • Accounting principles
  • Financial reporting
  • Budgeting
  • Accounting software
  • Compliance and legal standards

With this combination of knowledge and skills, you’ll be prepared to manage financial operations effectively and ethically in a range of roles across industries. Learn more about what you can do with an accounting degree.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting Degree?

The demand for accounting program graduates is growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 5% employment growth for accountants and auditors from 2024 to 2034, with nearly 124,200 job openings expected to be available each year. 

A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is required for many accounting positions, including accountant and auditor roles. Pursuing additional education and gaining a credential such as a certified public accountant (CPA), certified management accountant (CMA), or certified internal auditor (CIA) license after earning a bachelor’s degree can lead to further career advancement.

Here are the median annual salary figures for some positions available to individuals with a BA in Accounting degree, according to the BLS:

Financial Analyst

$101,910

 Personal Financial Advisor

$102,140
Accountant or Auditor

$81,680

 Budget Analyst

$87,930

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting Degree Careers

You can pursue a wide range of career paths with an online bachelor’s in accounting. Take a look at some common job roles and responsibilities:

Financial Analyst

  • Analyze financial data and assess the value of goods and services
  • Interpret industry and economic trends
  • Recommend investment strategies
 Personal Financial Advisor

  • Analyze clients’ financial information to meet financial objectives
  • Answer clients’ questions about financial plans and strategies
  • Review clients’ accounts regularly for life, economic, or environmental changes
Auditor

  • Collect and analyze financial data
  • Prepare reports on audit findings
  • Inspect financial records and accounting systems
 Accountant

  • Process invoices for payment
  • Develop, maintain, or analyze budgets
  • Prepare, analyze, or verify annual reports and financial statements

Can You Become a CPA With a BA in Accounting?

Certified professional accountants provide essential financial services to private, corporate, nonprofit, and government organizations across all industries and sectors of the economy. The CPA credential is required for accountants who work for publicly traded companies.

To become a certified public accountant, individuals need to earn a degree, such as a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and complete at least 150 credit hours in related fields such as finance, accounting, and business administration. The BA in Accounting program only counts for 120 of those hours, so additional higher education coursework is required. 

Before applying for a CPA license, candidates also need to gain one to two years of relevant work experience under a licensed CPA and pass the CPA exam. Learn more about becoming a CPA in Oregon.

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting Online Program Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts in Accounting degree is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in accounting, business, and leadership. Our curriculum focuses on helping you think strategically, understand global business, and navigate legal and market challenges — preparing you for success in the dynamic world of business.

The curriculum includes 39 major course credits, 33 of which must be completed at WPU, and nine required WPU core course credits (48 total credits). Including all major course credits, core course credits, elective course credits, and transferred college-level credits, all students must earn a minimum of 120 semester credits to graduate.

Prerequisites

  • Accounting Course Series (BUS 211A and BUS 213A or equivalent), completed within the five-year period prior to beginning the major courses
  • Business Mathematics Proficiency (BUS 107A or equivalent)
  • Microsoft Office Proficiency (BUS 223A or equivalent)

All prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of C- or higher.

Major Requirements (39 Credits)

Courses are three credits and five weeks in length, unless noted otherwise.

BUS 301A | Management and Leadership, From Theory to Practice | 3 credits
BUS 303A | Business and Employment Law | 3 credits
BUS 306A | Economics for Managers | 3 credits
BUS 311A | Intermediate Accounting I (Prerequisite: BUS 213A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 312A | Intermediate Accounting II (Prerequisite: BUS 311A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 314A | Cost Accounting (Prerequisite: BUS 312A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 332A | Auditing (Prerequisite: BUS 312A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 336A | Accounting Information Systems | 3 credits
BUS 401A | Quantitative Analysis for Business | 3 credits
BUS 411A | Advanced Accounting (Prerequisite: BUS 312A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 412A | Individual Taxation (Prerequisite: BUS 312A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 413A | Business Taxation (Prerequisite: BUS 312A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 450A | Business Policies | 3 credits

Note: Accounting BA majors who are interested in the MBA 4+1 program should take BUS 340A Marketing for Managers and BUS 445A Global Business as electives to meet all prerequisites for the program.

Core Requirements (9 Credits)

ILR 300A | Advanced Information Literacy and Research | 3 credits
HUM 310A | Exploring the Human Condition | 3 credits
REL 320A | Spirituality, Character, and Service | 3 credits

Minor Requirements (18 Credits)

Courses are three credits and five weeks in length, unless noted otherwise.

BUS 211A | Financial Accounting | 3 credits
BUS 213A | Managerial Accounting (Prerequisite: BUS 211A) | 3 credits
BUS 311A | Intermediate Accounting I (Prerequisite: BUS 213A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 312A | Intermediate Accounting II (Prerequisite: BUS 311A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 314A | Cost Accounting (Prerequisite: BUS 312A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits
BUS 412A | Individual Taxation (Prerequisite: BUS 312A; 6 weeks) | 3 credits

Insight From a WPU Graduate
Mike Moreland, former chairman of the WPU Board of Trustees and WPU alum. “When you meet the challenges of the business world — and you will — it is the ethical discernment you studied at Warner Pacific that will provide a well you can keep drawing from in order to maintain focus and integrity.” 

—Mike Moreland, former chairman of the WPU Board of Trustees and WPU alum

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting degree?

A Bachelor of Arts in Accounting degree program provides students with the foundational accounting expertise and skills that are needed to qualify for roles in personal and business finance management. Students build comprehensive knowledge in financial accounting, economics, taxation, and analysis, while preparing to be leaders in their field.

With a bachelor’s in accounting degree, graduates can pursue a wide range of professional career paths, including accountant, auditor, financial analyst, or financial manager roles.

What does the accelerated BA in Accounting format entail?

Offered through WPU’s Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) division, the Bachelor of Arts in Accounting degree program is designed to meet the unique needs of today’s adult learners, many of whom are balancing work and family responsibilities. Students in the program participate in a 100% online, asynchronous learning experience. 

The online bachelor’s degree in accounting program builds your skill set incrementally, with just one accelerated course every five or six weeks. All instructors are professionals in the field, ensuring coursework is centered on up-to-date best practices and methodologies.

The BA in Accounting program is designed as a degree completion program, allowing students with existing college credits to earn their degree on an accelerated timeline.

What are the admissions requirements for this online bachelor’s degree in accounting?

All candidates interested in applying to the Bachelor of Arts in Accounting degree program at WPU Online must meet the requirements for the university’s adult degree programs:

• Submit an online application

• Have earned a 2.0 minimum transfer GPA

• Supply official transcripts from all schools attended to date (transfer students who have earned 12 or more credits since high school graduation will not need to submit a high school transcript)

We encourage applicants who do not meet the minimum academic standards to apply. Additional materials may be needed for review by the Admissions Review Committee. Some applicants may be asked to submit writing samples or personal references, or to participate in an admissions interview. 

WPU’s PGS programs offer open enrollment, meaning applications are accepted year-round, with start dates projected throughout the calendar year. Learn more about our admissions requirements and start dates in our course catalog.

Where can I learn more about tuition and financial aid?

WPU strives to provide students with a valuable education at an affordable cost, with tuition rates that are more than 40% lower than the average private university tuition in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, most WPU students receive some form of financial aid. To explore your financial aid options, please visit our Financial Aid page.

Adult Degree Undergraduate Programs

Academic Year Per-Credit Tuition Fee
2025-2026  $645
2026-2027 $600

For a full list of fees, please visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Does the BA in Accounting have any professional partnerships?

Warner Pacific University’s accounting and finance partners include the following organizations:

• Aldrich CPAs + Advisors

• Boehme + Running CPAs LLC

• Creative Financial Staffing

• Delap LLP

• Fisher Investments

• Foray Business Group

• Heritage Bank

• Holman Enterprises

 • KPMG

• McDonald Jacobs, PC

• Moss Adams LLP

• Nike

• Paper Investigator Inc.

• RVK Consulting

• Wells Fargo

• U.S. government: IRS

Is the online Bachelor of Arts in Accounting accredited?

Warner Pacific University is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WPU is also an educational member of the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), located at 11960 Quivira Rd. in Overland Park, Kansas. Educational members have not yet undergone accreditation reviews and do not have business programs that are accredited by the IACBE.

Discover Your Purpose With Our BA in Accounting Online Degree Program

United under the university’s Christ-centered mission, WPU Online’s business programs create space for students of all cultural and professional backgrounds to take a purpose-driven approach to career advancement. 

The accelerated online bachelor’s in accounting program prepares students for successful finance and accounting careers by helping them build functional, personal, and global business competencies, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and risk management skills.

For questions about this program or the format, contact the admissions team at 800-804-1510, or fill out the form below.

Explore Related Programs

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Master of Business Administration

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Questions?

Our School of Business faculty would love to hear from you.

Image of Dr. Amber Gribbins

Dr. Amber Gribbins

Associate Dean of Professional Graduate Studies, Associate Professor of Business, Accreditation Logistical Lead & Accounting Program Lead, School of Business

Faculty | Staff
Office of: Academic Affairs PGS | School of: Business
Phone: 503-517-1340
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