Best Online Accounting Degree Programs in California

A handful of colleges and universities in California offer online accounting degrees. You'll find our top picks below listed alphabetically.

1. California Baptist University

California Baptist University (CBU) is a private Baptist university in Riverside, a city in the inland empire metro area. They offer a bachelor's and master's in accounting online.

Students in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting program will learn the core foundations of accounting. The program requires 72 major credits and takes three years on average to complete.

Upon successful completion of the bachelor's program, students may opt to take their Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams.

The Master of Science in Accounting expands on the accounting foundations and offers students any extra requirements they need to take their CPA exams. 30 credits are required and the average completion time is one year.

2. California State University

California State University is a public university system made up of 23 campuses. They offer an online bachelor's and an online master's degree in accounting.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting concentration, prepares students for accounting, auditing, or tax positions. It provides students with the credits they need to sit for their CPA exam.

The program is flexible and can be done at your own pace. With three semesters per year, students have the opportunity to accelerate their studies and finish faster than the standard four years.

The Master of Science in Accountancy program requires 33 credits. Courses are 16 weeks each and the program takes 18 months to complete.

3. Cambridge College Global

Cambridge College is a private college. While it's based out of Boston, Massachusetts, they operate a campus in Rancho Cucamonga, California as well as a robust online global campus.

The global campus offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree that provides exposure to key accounting constructs and hands–on practice.

Students can start this program once they've fulfilled all their general education requirements. 40 major credits are needed for this program.

Three concentrations are available for the bachelor's program:

• Finance
• Management Accounting
• Public Accounting

Cambridge College Global also offers an online associate degree in accounting. Students in this program can seamlessly transfer into the bachelor's program if they wish.

4. Golden Gate University

Golden Gate University is a private university in San Fransisco. They offer online bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting as well as numerous certificates.

The Bachelor Of Science in Accounting program requires 120 total credits and prepares students to take their CPA, CMA, and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exams.

Over a dozen minors are available for this major. A 15–credit undergraduate certificate in accounting is available as well.

The Master Of Science in Accounting Data and Analytics requires thirty credits.

Four concentrations are available for this degree program:

• advanced analytics for accountants
• CPA applied accounting
• essentials of leadership
• taxation

Students can also earn five different graduate certificates in accounting online.

These certificates are:

• Certificate in Accounting Foundations
• Certificate in Accounting Data and Analytics
• Certificate in Analytics and Automation for Accountants
• Certificate in California Governmental Accounting
• Certificate in CPA Applied Accounting

5. Humphrey's University

Humphrey's University, previously Humphrey's College, is a private university with campuses in Modesto and Stockton. They offer associate and bachelor's degrees in accounting online.

The Associate of Arts in Accounting degree requires 96 quarter credits and builds a solid foundation of business and general education.

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting builds on those foundation skills so students can pursue accounting career opportunities. 181 quarter credits are required.

There are four 11–week quarters each year and the curriculums for the accounting programs are concise and streamlined.

6. National University

National University is a private university based in San Diego. They offer a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

This program is designed to prepare students for a broad range of accounting–related careers and is aligned with industry–standard exams.

180 total quarter credits are required to graduate. Courses are four weeks long each, and enrollment is open year–round.

7. The Master's University

The Master's University is a private Christian university in Santa Clarita. They offer a bachelor's degree in accounting with a religious influence.

Once students have fulfilled their general education requirements, they can begin the accounting major. 66 credits are required, and students finish in 22 months.

Classes are eight weeks long and held completely online.