Online Accounting Degree – Bachelor’s Balance the Books, Balance Your Future
120
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Study and Practice Biblical Stewardship with an Online Accounting and Data Analysis Degree
We are called to be good stewards in all that we do — including how we do business. Businesses need to use their resources wisely and with discernment, by earning a bachelor’s in accounting and data analysis, you can equip yourself to successfully steward the finances of an organization and become an integral member of any company.
Earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting and Data Analysis can help open the door to new positions in corporate, government, nonprofit, or even consulting settings. Many accounting professionals also specialize in a specific industry or a specific skill set. You could pursue a career as a public or private accountant, credit or budget analyst, or as an auditor or financial planner. A bachelor’s in accounting and data analysis can help provide you with a variety of career avenues to explore as you seek to apply your passion for good stewardship to your profession.
By teaching you the critical, basic skills to succeed in almost any accounting field, our online bachelor’s in accounting degree can help you pursue a variety of career paths. At Liberty, you can learn to analyze an organization’s financial practices, assist with risk analysis, and develop plans for future needs of the company. An accounting degree online can also help prepare you for management roles as a consultant and financial expert.
For information about becoming licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), please research the CPA Licensure Requirements for your state.
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Accounting and Data Analysis Degree?
As a pioneer in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to design an online accounting degree that can challenge you to grasp new concepts while respecting your personal commitments. At Liberty, we realize your personal commitments don’t stop when you pursue a degree — which is why our online accounting degree can be completed 100% online with no set login times and no required intensives.
Our online data analysis and accounting courses are also offered in a convenient, 8-week format — allowing you to complete your degree in a shorter timeframe than a degree comprised of semester-long courses may permit. You don’t want to wait your entire life to pursue your career goals, and we understand that. At Liberty, we are committed to helping you earn your degree at a pace that works for you — all while maintaining the highest educational quality.
Liberty University is passionate about your success, which is why we are excited to offer you a respected accounting degree online. Our Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredited bachelor’s in accounting online is ranked as one of the Best Online Bachelor’s in Accounting by BestColleges.com.
With Liberty’s online bachelor’s in accounting and data analysis, you get the flexibility of an online curriculum without sacrificing the student-faculty relationship. Our carefully designed curriculum is taught by business professionals who have real-world experience in the private and public sectors.
Throughout this degree program, you can learn critical accounting principles and best practices — from taxation laws to auditing and analysis. You can also develop the communication and computer application skills needed to work with complex accounting issues. Most importantly — and unlike other online accounting degrees — our biblical focus can help you learn to identify, analyze, and appropriately handle ethical dilemmas.
The benefits of our industry-leading curriculum, expert faculty, and 100% online format allow you to gain the skills needed to flourish in data analysis and accounting roles. With Liberty University’s BS in Accounting and Data Analysis, you can be confident in your ability to succeed as an accounting professional.
By studying online, you can earn your data analysis and accounting degree at your own pace and stay active in your job, your community, and your family without the worry of scheduling on-campus courses. The time has never been better to pursue an online degree, and at Liberty, it has never been simpler to get started. Partner with us, learn valuable skills, and launch your accounting career.
What Will You Study in Our Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Data Analysis Degree Online?
Completing Liberty University’s online data analysis and accounting degree can help give you the background you need to meet the requirements and challenges of current-day financial management.
With our data analysis degree in accounting online, you can learn in-demand skills such as:
- How to apply vital accounting principles to all areas of accounting, including financial and managerial accounting, auditing, corporate finance, principles of marketing, and business policy.
- How to maintain account books, accounting systems, financial statements, and financial records so that they are accurate and efficient while complying with legal rules and regulations.
- How to prepare taxes and tax returns correctly according to legal rules and regulations.
- How to analyze operations and develop strategies to increase profits while minimizing costs.
- How to use current accounting information systems to successfully complete complex accounting tasks.
- How to apply biblical principles of stewardship in order to solve ethical concerns.
Potential Career Opportunities
With an accounting and data analysis degree, you can set yourself up for success in a variety of career fields — from corporate and government to education and nonprofit accounting settings. Below are a few career options that may be available to you once you have earned your accounting degree.
Earning an online BS in Accounting and Data Analysis can help you pursue several in-demand, well-paying career paths. If you become a certified public accountant (CPA), your career opportunities become even more numerous.
The field of accounting is a broad one — encompassing a wide variety of sectors and disciplines. Our online accounting degree can help you pursue career opportunities such as the following:
- Accounts payable or receivable specialist
- Actuarial/insurance accountant
- Auditor
- Bookkeeper
- CFO
- CPA
- Finance director
- Financial analyst
- Financial planner
- Staff accountant
- Tax accountant
- Tax attorney
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Business.
- View the Undergraduate Business Course Guides (login required).
- Liberty’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Data Analysis can help prepare you to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam. However, students should verify CPA exam qualifications with their state board because additional requirements are usually needed to receive CPA certification.
Degree Completion Plan
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Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!
Undergraduate Full Time | $390/Credit |
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Undergraduate Part Time | $455/Credit |
Military Undergraduate | $250/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for the Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Data Analysis Degree Online
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9595.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official high school transcripts or official GED test scores.*
- Students may be allowed to enroll in up to 12 credit hours with Liberty with the submission of our High School Self-Certification Form (login required – you will first need to claim your Liberty Account).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system).
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.
Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Transcript Policies
High School Transcript Policy
Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.
- Applicants may submit a college transcript showing 12 or more credits from an accredited institution and a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of high school transcripts.
Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.
The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.
Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Military Transfers
If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.
International Applicants
If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
- Potential college credit for military training
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for graduates with a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Data Analysis degree earned online?
Not only does the accounting industry offer a variety of career paths, but it is also a growing and financially rewarding career field. With a high earning potential, increased demand within the industry, and a multitude of diverse opportunities within the field, now is the time to pursue your passion for becoming an accountant. By earning your online accounting degree through Liberty University, you can graduate with valued skills for the current economy.
What does obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification entail?
As you work through the courses within our online data analysis and accounting degree, you can develop analytical and communication skills that can prepare you to sit for certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). As additional requirements may be needed to receive CPA certification, we encourage students to contact their state board with questions about these additional requirements. You can also speak with one of our admissions counselors for additional information by calling (800) 424-9595.
Is Liberty University accredited?
Liberty University holds institutional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Accrediting (SACSCOC). In addition, our School of Business is among only 3% of business schools worldwide to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
When you choose Liberty, you choose a regionally accredited university, an accredited school of business, and an accredited online accounting and data analysis degree. SACSCOC and ACBSP accreditation confirm that our online data analysis and accounting degree is academically excellent, capable of helping you master new concepts, and able to help you pursue your career goals.
Can I become an accountant with an online accounting degree?
This program is ACBSP accredited. Our School of Business is among only 3% of business schools worldwide to earn ACBSP accreditation.
Can you earn an accounting degree online?
Though licensure requirements vary by state, a bachelor’s degree in accounting is typically required if you’re interested in sitting for the Certified Personal Accountant (CPA) exam and becoming an accountant. Many states require at least 150 credit hours for CPA licensure.
Generally, earning an accredited accounting bachelor degree online is the first step towards becoming an accountant. In a field that requires professionals to be knowledgeable, prepared, and familiar with the processes and documents surrounding accounting, proper education is key. As an accounting and data analysis major at Liberty, you will study a variety of subjects and prepare to serve clients with excellence.
Because our bachelor’s in accounting and data analysis degree online is 120 hours in length, you may need to complete another 30 credit hours worth of study to become a CPA. In this instance, choosing one of our online certificate programs is also an excellent choice. Our certificates allow you to work towards the credit requirement needed to become a CPA, gain valuable knowledge, and earn standalone credentials that prove your knowledge of several subject areas.
If you’re an accounting student and looking for other ways to satisfy the credit hour requirement to become a CPA in your state, adding a minor to our online bachelor’s in data analysis and accounting degree online is an excellent way to make progress towards your goals.
What is the fastest way to get an accounting degree?
The quickest way to complete our online accounting program may not be for everybody, and it will require a commitment to excellence in your academic endeavors. At Liberty, students can take up to 18 credit hours per semester. If your goal is to graduate as soon as possible, we recommend speaking with an academic advisor, indicating your desire to graduate quickly, and creating a semester-by-semester graduation plan in which you take as many credit hours as possible each semester.
Because prerequisites may come into play, we recommend you contact us at (800) 424-9595 so an advisor can walk you through the courses our online accounting and data analysis bachelor’s degree requires, which courses require prerequisites, and which courses pair well with others. We are committed to your success and readily available to assist you as you take the first step towards an accounting career.
Is CPA a good career?
What constitutes a good career is entirely subjective, but in our opinion, yes – being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a great career, especially if you like working with numbers, speaking the language of business, and helping a variety of clients.
In addition to earning salaries that are generally higher than non-CPA accountants, CPAs are able to work in a variety of fields – for private companies, government agencies, accounting firms, and nonprofit agencies. Certified Public Accountants also have powers that non-CPAs do not, such as being able to represent clients to the Internal Revenue Service.
Becoming a CPA may also allow you to pursue international career opportunities. In a world that is becoming more and more globally connected, commerce between nations has soared — and with increased business comes a need for professional accountants who are skilled, knowledgeable, and credentialed.
Which designation is better: CFA, CPA, or CMA?
The best designation is the designation that best aligns with your career goals. There are several unique benefits that come with designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
The CMA certification is designed to help you analyze a variety of financial situations and use your findings to make sound, informed business decisions that help companies move forward. CMAs are qualified to perform numerous roles – like cost management, budgeting, performance management, investment decision making, and financial reporting – in multiple sectors. The CMA is a globally recognized credential that is excellent for financiers.
The CFA certification is an excellent pathway for financial analysts to show that they are competent, knowledgeable, and ethical. Becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst is a rigorous process that requires the passage of several exams that cover a variety of economic and financial topics.
The CPA designation is very popular among accountants and ideal for professionals who hope to pursue and secure long-term careers in accountancy. CPA’s can be paid by individuals and businesses alike for their services – which typically entail accounting and tax work for clientele. Each state has different requirements for becoming a CPA.
How do I start a career in accounting?
The first step in pursuing a career in accounting is earning a respected, relevant degree in accounting: like Liberty’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Data Analysis. A degree can help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an accounting career – and it can typically satisfy education requirements put in place by employers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor’s degree is typically required for successful entry-level candidates.*
After earning your degree, you may want to consider pursuing CPA certification. Depending on which state you reside in, you may be required to complete additional credit hours beyond what a bachelor’s degree in accounting requires. For more information, please contact your state board or see our state licensure page.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Accountants and auditors: Job outlook, 2021 (viewed online Nov. 29, 2021). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
What makes a good accountant?
There is more to a good accountant than simply being good with numbers and knowing business lingo. Accountants do need to be highly trained and knowledgeable about what they do — they must possess confidence, intelligence, and critical thinking skills if they hope to succeed professionally.
Accountants need to be confident problem solvers who are not intimidated by a challenge. As an accountant, clients will come to you with questions they don’t know how to answer and situations they’re not sure how to navigate. Tax and reporting regulations can be complicated and long-winded. As an accountant, it is your job to tackle such challenges and deliver for your client or company while maintaining the highest degree of ethics.
Do you need an MBA to be a CPA?
Not necessarily, no. Though CPA requirements vary by state, students commonly need to complete around 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam. Satisfying this credit hour requirement as an undergraduate student is a route taken by quite a few students. For more information on your state’s CPA requirements, see our state licensure page.
However, an MBA is an excellent option if you’re hoping to earn a graduate credential, boost your earning potential, and vie for new career opportunities. If you’re interested in building your accounting knowledge beyond the bachelor’s level, Liberty’s 100% online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting may be a great fit for you.
Will my accounting and data analysis diploma say “online” on it?
No. Diplomas from Liberty do not say whether you graduated from our online or residential campus — they simply say “Liberty University.” One small distinction is that online diplomas are signed by the online provost while residential diplomas are signed by the residential provost.
Does Liberty’s online accounting and data analysis degree require any internships?
Our online bachelors degree in accounting and data analysis does not have any internship requirements. However, participating in an internship is an excellent way to put the skills you learn in class into action. An internship can also help you build connections, teach you new skills, serve as an excellent addition to a resume, and give you more confidence when you begin applying to full-time jobs.
Does accounting entail a lot of math?
The discipline of accounting does require some basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but it does not entail hard-core math — like calculus.
As part of your online accounting and data analysis degree, there are a few math courses required. We understand that math may not be your favorite subject, which is why we have carefully set up course prerequisites to guide you through learning concepts one step at a time.
What if I’m interested in learning more about accounting, but I’m not ready to pursue a bachelor’s degree?
Liberty offers an Associate of Arts (AA) in Accounting degree online — which allows you to test the waters of accounting before you dive into a bachelor’s degree or begin working towards your CPA certification. Better yet, each of the courses you take as part of the AA in Accounting can transfer directly into the Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Data Analysis. That way, you’ll have a head start on your bachelor’s in accounting and data analysis if you decide to pursue it following your associate degree in accounting.
What GPA do you need to graduate with honors?
The GPA you’ll need to graduate with honors depends on how many credits you transfer in.
Bachelor’s students who earn 60 or more of a bachelor’s degree’s credit hours at Liberty must earn at least a cumulative 3.5 GPA to graduate Cum Laude, a 3.67 GPA to graduate Magna Cum Laude, and at least a 3.85 GPA to graduate Summa Cum Laude.
Bachelor’s students who satisfy less than 60 of their bachelor’s degree’s credit hours at Liberty must earn at least a 3.60 cumulative GPA to graduate Cum Laude, a 3.77 GPA to graduate magna cum laude, and a 3.95 overall GPA to graduate Summa Cum Laude.
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