For people striving to earn a bachelor’s in accounting n California, accountant jobs are going to grow 10.9 percent from 2018 – 2026. In what’s known as the “Inland Empire,” that job growth rate is nearly double that at 18.4 percent. Overall, the projected salary for these jobs tops out between $85,000 and $99,000 annually, depending on the area. The median salary is between $71,000 and $77,000.
Prospective accountants can also soak up the California sun while “dreamin’” away their days off from classes at one of these 11 institutions of higher learning. Even if the study of profits isn’t “up,” you can bet the surf is!
See our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting.
Ashford University
Online Accounting and Finance Degrees
The Forbes School of Business and Technology at Ashford University recently earned re-accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, which is indicative of the current quality of the classes and professors at the school. The university provides all of its classes online and has since 2016. As of the 2018 school year, Ashford University is transitioning to not-for-profit status to rededicate itself to student achievement and success. During the transition, the university has earned the prestigious regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
This degree requires 120 credits of study, which are broken down as follows: 43 credits of general education, 42 credits of accounting major courses, and 35 credits of electives. Students are allowed to transfer up to 90 credits from other institutions. If students choose to do this, then they must provide official transcripts from those institutions. Students are even allowed to take just one course at a time. Each course lasts five weeks. In addition to all the math required, students learn to analyze trends, practice active ethics, and work within all applicable laws regarding the profession.
Accreditation
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Ashford University
8620 Spectrum Center Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123
866-711-1700
contactus@ashford.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
Students earning their bachelor’s in accounting from Ashford University get the unparalleled flexibility they desire and quality education they need.
Azusa Pacific University
Accounting Major
Azusa Pacific University is ranked No. 205 of all colleges in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. It is a relatively small campus of about 100 acres with an undergraduate enrollment of a bit less than 6,000. The university prepares students for the growing world of accounting in California by focusing on ethics and trust building in addition to debits, credits, and the like. More than nine in 10 of the university’s graduates have job offers in hand before they collect their caps and gowns.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
After graduation, former students can begin careers as certified public accountants, financial officers, tax consultants, forensic accounting agents, or even executive positions, such as comptroller or CEO of a company. While still in school, students get a well-rounded mathematical education as part of the degree, including classes like Applied Calculus I. They study both macro and microeconomics and advanced accounting principles. The core business and accounting courses total 67 – 69 credits, and students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 to remain in the program.
Accreditation
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Azusa Pacific University
901 E. Alosta Ave.
Azusa, CA 91702
626-969-3434
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Azusa Pacific University fully prepares its accounting students for the rigors of the job market and trains them in the ethics necessary to be respected leaders in the field.
Biola University
Crowell School of Business
According to U.S. News and World Report, Biola is ranked No. 157 among national universities. National universities are those that provide a broad range of degrees and courses of study and focus heavily on research. Although the university does not offer an online bachelor’s in accounting program, the city of La Mirada has been previously included in Money Magazine’s “best places to live” listing. The job outlook for professionals with accounting degrees is bright for the next 10 years, too, so studying in California does have its advantages.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Biola University includes 120 credit hours of study. Students prepare for career paths as:
- chief financial officers
- budget analysts
- payroll executives, among others
They study strategic management and research, digital communication, and faith-based ethics in the marketplace. By taking classes such as Business Writing and Case Analysis and Business Statistics, they strengthen core skills such as communication and trend analysis. Undergraduates can remain at Biola University for a fifth year to earn a Master of Professional Accountancy, which is required to become a certified public accountant.
Accreditation
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Biola University
13800 Biola Avenue
La Mirada, CA 90639
562-903-6000
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
As an industry-leading research university, Biola University strives always to improve not only its own standing but that of its students. The faculty actively helps the students both while in school and while making the transition to the “real world.”
California Baptist University
Division of Online and Professional Studies
California Baptist University is highly ranked in the West Region. U.S. News and World Report lists the university as not only No. 32 in the region but also as No. 7 among the most innovative and No. 20 among best value schools. The school is home to more than 7,000 undergraduate students and provides groundbreaking education in all departments. Furthermore, the online bachelor’s programs at California Baptist University are No. 23.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Accounting students at California Baptist University study corporate accounting, managerial accounting, and even not-for-profit accounting, among others, as part of their courses. The university uses an interdisciplinary approach to teaching accounting so that students get real-world perspectives and experience during their education. Spiritual development is also encouraged as part of this multi-pronged approach, which also focuses heavily on:
- critical thinking
- problem-solving
- leadership development
All students must also take Overview of the Bible as part of their core curriculum. The bachelor’s in accounting can be taken either online or on campus.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
California Baptist University
8432 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, CA 92504
877-228-3615
helpdesk@calbaptist.edu
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
The bachelor’s in accounting at California Baptist University offers diverse and forward-thinking opportunities for students both on campus and online.
California College San Diego
Accounting Online at Independence University
California College San Diego is dedicated to helping its graduates quickly find work after graduation. To that end, the college maintains contact with groups of employers to find out what skills and knowledge they want in their candidates for employment. The college then tailors its curricula to align with those criteria. Online students study through the college’s affiliate, Independence University. That university provides students with the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s in accounting.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
The undergraduate accounting degree at California College San Diego encompasses 36 months for most students, who can study either at the brick-and-mortar campus or online. Students prepare themselves for careers in accounting such as:
- financial advisers
- certified public accountants
- tax professionals, and others
They, too, learn about all applicable laws and how they relate to the different accounting disciplines. Because California College San Diego focuses its accounting curriculum on helping students find jobs after graduation, students who complete the degree have an edge in the marketplace.
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
Contact
California College San Diego
6602 Convoy Court Ste 100
San Diego, CA 92111
800-622-3188
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
California College San Diego prepares students for life after earning their bachelors in accounting by offering job placement services and courses that stress the right skills to secure a job.
California Lutheran University
Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals
California Lutheran University is ranked No. 15 in Regional Universities West by U.S. News and World Report. Similarly, their rankings for best value and best for veterans are equally high, being No. 11 and No. 8, respectively. Enrollment at the school is small, barely 3,000, and the student:teacher ratio is 16:1. That means that students at California Lutheran University get individual attention much more than at schools with higher ratios. More than 80 percent of freshmen remain satisfied enough with their education that they remain at the university.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
California Lutheran University believes in well-rounded education, which is why a solid slate of liberal arts courses is required in addition to the 76 credits of accounting and math courses, 60 of which must be upper-division courses. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in all courses to earn their degrees. By studying accounting at California Lutheran University, students gain not only nuts-and-bolts knowledge of the accounting business but also the faith-based insight and ethical training to lead the way in the field. Some of the courses required include:
- Principles of Accounting
- Business Law
- Advanced Accounting.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
California Lutheran University
60 West Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2787
805-492-2411
admissions@callutheran.edu
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
As a highly regarded university in the West Region, California Lutheran University is an excellent choice for those students seeking a bachelor’s in accounting.
California State University-Northridge
Accounting and Information Systems
The enrollment at California State University-Northridge is roughly 35,000, and U.S. News and World Report ranks the University at No. 73 in the group known as Regional Universities West. California State University-Northridge is a public school, and is ranked No. 21 among that group. Although the school does not offer a doctorate in engineering, it is ranked No. 35 among best engineering schools. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education also ranks the university quite highly for its lower-than-average tuition costs that are paired with an excellent business plan.
Bachelor of Science, Accountancy
At the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, the accounting curriculum is both rigorous and comprehensive. Students learn critical thinking skills as well as procedures and laws regarding accounting. The university requires accounting majors to complete certain courses with at least a B before moving on in the major. The class Intermediate Financial Accounting I is the “crossroads.” Students must earn at least a C in this class to progress further. Additionally, despite a student’s overall GPA, any upper-division course in which the student earns less than a C will prevent graduation.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
California State University-Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330
818-677-1200
Bachelor of Science, Accountancy
When pursuing a bachelor’s in accounting, students can get a quality education and firm ethics training from California State University-Northridge.
Chapman University
George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics
Chapman University is one of the top schools in the country. In the west region, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report, it is the fifth-best university overall and the third most innovative. Similarly, its teaching curriculum is ranked No. 3, and Chapman University is also No. 40 when it comes to best value. The campus is cozy at only 78 acres, and the approximately 7,000 undergraduate students enjoy a student:teacher ratio of 14:1 that fosters individual instruction.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Including the class of Business Ethics, the Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree at Chapman University comprises 120 credits, and students usually accomplish these in four years. Nine in 10 Chapman University freshmen report their satisfaction with their education and remain at the school for their four-year tenure. The university is more selective than most, and the SAT median for accepted applicants is 1,319. Students learn about all aspects of the world of accounting, from managing the ledger for a multinational company to preparing taxes for individuals. Active, faith-based ethics are crucial to students’ success.
Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Chapman University
1 University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
714-997-6815
sbrowne@chapman.edu
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Students who get their bachelor’s in accounting from Chapman University have the distinction of attending a Top 5 school in the West Region and being prepared for whatever life after graduation brings.
Claremont McKenna College
Robert Day School of Economics and Finance
Claremont McKenna College, and its accompanying Robert Day School of Economics and Business, is one of the most selective colleges in the United States. The university only selects one in 10 students for admittance as indicated by U.S. News and World Report. The university is ranked No. 9 nationally among liberal arts colleges. The college places a high premium on individual instruction, and the student to faculty ration is among the lowest in the country at 8-to-1. Claremont McKenna College is also ranked as a best value school and comes in at No. 25.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics-Accounting
Claremont McKenna College places a premium on liberal arts education because the critical thinking encouraged by interpretive liberal arts classes translates perfectly to classes in economics and accounting. That is the chief reason the accounting degrees conferred at the university are bachelor’s of arts and not science. Students at the university are thus prepared for careers not only in the field of accounting but also in other fields where accounting is an integral part. Students may also earn their master’s degrees at the same time as their bachelor’s degrees in a double-major program.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Claremont McKenna College
500 E. 9th Street
Claremont, CA 91711
909-621-8000
rdschool@cmc.edu
Bachelor of Arts in Economics-Accounting
Claremont McKenna College is a well-respected, ultra-selective institution that provides students striving for the bachelor’s in accounting with a fabulous college experience.
Fresno Pacific University
Business Administration
U.S. News and World Report ranks Fresno Pacific University at No. 39 in the West Region. It also ranks it No. 42 in the realm of best value colleges. Almost every accounting program graduate secures a job before graduation, which makes the education at Fresno Pacific University particularly potent in driving the 13% job growth rate in accounting jobs in California. The snug, almost familial campus and its nearly 3,000 students provide a comfortable atmosphere to study.
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
The subset of accounting is part of the overall Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration program at Fresno Pacific University. Most students complete all the coursework for the degree and also the little bit extra of test prep for the certified public accountant’s examination. The students at Fresno Pacific University also have the option for internships at local businesses with which the university has partnerships. Students learn the ins and outs of every form of accounting from nonprofit to governmental.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727
559-453-2000
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
Fresno Pacific University is well-regarded as a faith-based institution that weaves students’ religious beliefs into the curriculum, which provides a grounded education steeped in ethics.
Golden Gate University-San Francisco
Edward S. Ageno School of Business
Golden Gate University-San Francisco was founded on the premise that not all students will be 17 – 21 years old when they attend college. The university focuses on flexible class schedules that accommodate adult learners’ study-life balance. Students can join more than 40 organizations affiliated with the university. They may study online, in the classroom, or both, as they pursue their degrees in accounting. The New York Times and Washington Monthly rank the university as No. 1 for adult learners in the nation.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration With Accounting Concentration
Aside from core coursework of 33 credits, there are an additional 33 credits in accounting necessary to complete the bacehlors in accounting. These credits include classes like Intermediate Accounting I, Cost Management, and Auditing. Students pursuing the accounting degree must also complete 12 credits in electives. That comes to 78 credits total for the degree. Because the studies are geared toward nontraditional learners, there is no minimum number of credits that must be taken at one time.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Golden Gate University
536 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-442-7800
info@ggu.edu
Bachelor of Business Administration with Accounting Concentration
The university is rightfully proud of the way it provides opportunities for people who would otherwise not have the time to take classes and further their education.
Related Resources:
- Top 25 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting
- How Can I Find an Accounting Internship?
- Top 35 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs
- 5 Great Tips for the CPA Exam
- Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in California (H-R)
- Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in California (S-Z)
