Advanced accounting distance learning programs may be a cheaper alternative to the regular brick-and-mortar classroom experience, but that doesn't mean you don't have to pay attention to the pricing and costs of advanced accounting distance learning programs. Accounting distance learning programs can help you advance your career--but only if you can pay for them.

Accounting distance education varies in affordability according to the hosting college or university. The cost of distance learning courses is easily obtainable, and access to financial aid and scholarships is within reach for those looking to further their accounting distance education. When evaluating pricing and costs or advanced accounting distance learning programs, consider the following:

1. Courses for distance learning in accounting list prices either by course or by credit hour. It's important to check with the hosting university for how many credits your accredited online accounting degree requires.
2. If distance learning for accounting will still leave you strapped for cash, apply for financial aid. Even though it's an online education, it still qualifies for federal loan assistance.
3. Always search for scholarships when applying to take online distance learning accounting courses. Many organizations offer scholarships to those furthering their business education with an advanced degree in accounting.
   

Action Steps
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Research the tuition costs of distance learning accounting programs by college

Colleges that offer distance learning accounting courses as part of an advanced degree in accounting or business should and almost always do provide tuition cost figures on their websites. Tuition and fees can run you from $500 to $1000 per credit hour, depending on the school.

I recommend: Northern Arizona University offers a full list of pricing based on numbers of credit hours for non-resident graduate distance learning programs, while Loyola Marymount University also posts its fees for graduate education for the year on its website.

Educate yourself on borrowing financial aid for accredited online accounting programs

While an advanced degree in accounting can lead to a more lucrative career, it's important to know your stuff when borrowing money for online distance learning education so your loan payments don't completely negate the gains you'll make in salary with your new degree. Here are some online resources that can help.

I recommend: Visit individual programs to discover what financing options schools offer, such as the Keller Graduate School of Management, which offers low-fee payment options. Petersons helps out with an annual timeline for financial aid borrowing. With resources like these, you can discover how much extra such things as interest and fees will cost you.

Find scholarships to offset the pricing and costs of advanced accounting distance learning programs

Scholarships are always a viable option for helping you pick up the tab on your accounting distance learning education. Try these online resources to help point you toward scholarships specifically for the accounting area of advanced study.

I recommend: The American Institute of Certified Public Accounts gives you tips and advice in addition to connecting you with the latest graduate school scholarships for your advanced accounting degree, while AccountingMajors.com hooks you up to a number of scholarship geared toward specific accounting majors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to checking online for information about pricing and costs of your advanced online accounting degree, call up your prospective or chosen colleges and speak to a financial aid officer or representative from the school's Bursars Office. Better yet, if you can, make an appointment to meet in person. This will help you fully understand the financial commitment you are considering.

Distance learning has become one of the hottest trends in education and this is true for the accounting field as well. An accredited online accounting degree is convenient to get and students have many online and local universities to choose from.

Why choose distance learning accounting courses?

1. You can take classes at your own pace and register throughout the year for the classes you need.
2. You can work on your degree while you work full-time at your present job.
3. You can complete class activities anytime you want from the comfort of your home.
4. You can avoid having to attend traditional classes and the hassles of driving to and parking on campus.
5. You can receive top notch accounting training from qualified instructors and professionals in accounting distance learning programs.
6. You can often earn your degree in less time than traditional accounting programs.

As you can see, many benefits exist for distance learning accounting courses. Of course, distance learning isn’t for everyone, but for those who want a convenient way to earn their degree, it’s often the best solution.

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Search for an accredited online accounting degree program

Accreditation may be one of the most important factors to look for when considering online universities. Without it, you may find that your degree isn't recognized by licensing agencies or potential employers. Most larger online universities have accreditation, but it pays to make sure because you don't want to find out after all your hard work that they don't.

I recommend: The University of Phoenix is one of the largest online accredited universities. They offer several degree options in the field of accounting. You can also take distance learning accounting courses from DeVry University and Rasmussen College among other online universities.

Communicate with others about accounting distance learning programs

Get recommendations about good distance learning accounting courses before you register for one. By talking to others who have been through an accounting distance education program, you can get objective information on the pros and cons.

I recommend: ELearners has a forum where you can receive information about online universities and connect with others who are pursuing an accredited online accounting degree. You can also contact the American Accounting Association for information on recognized and recommended accredited online accounting degrees.

Transfer your distance learning accounting courses or combine them with local classes

Although online business programs are gaining acceptance, you may still find that a degree from a brick and mortar school will open more doors in some niche areas. Keep in mind that many online courses can be transferred to a local university and that many local universities offer both online and traditional classes. You may need to take a few traditional classes, but you can often complete most online.

I recommend: Take distance learning accounting courses from the Minnesota School of Business or Tennessee Tech University. You can also find a range of accounting and finance classes at Capella University.

Take a CPA review course

Finish off your accounting program by taking a distance learning CPA review course to prepare for the CPA exam.

I recommend: Becker CPA has a number of different study aids, including self-study courses and flashcards. Kaplan offers an online review course.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you work toward your accredited online accounting degree, find a niche area to focus on. Doing so will help you be better prepared for the job market once you finish.
• •  Join accounting or general professional associations. These organizations can help you network with other professionals, get resources on starting your own business and learn interview techniques to help you land your dream job.
• •  Find a tutor or time management coach to help you balance your work and online accounting course. Distance education requires good study skills to succeed so take advantage of help that the school might offer as well.

Accredited online accounting programs help those who aspire to begin an accounting career get the training they need based on their own schedule. These online degrees also help industry professionals use continuing education options, such as masters and doctoral degrees in accounting or business with accounting concentrations, to forward their existing careers without having to quit their jobs.

Accounting distance learning programs afford participants a wealth of opportunities to provide a crucial, sought-after service in both the public and private sectors. When searching for uses of online accounting degree programs, consider the following:

1. Distance education accounting classes within an online undergraduate accounting degree program provide the foundation for you to start with a firm from the ground up or launch further academic pursuits.
2. Online masters programs in accounting or MBA programs with accounting concentrations enable you to use this knowledge to command more of a salary and move forward within your chosen sector.
3. Doctoral programs in accounting can be used to fashion a pinnacle academic experience into an accounting teaching post or senior management position within a public or private sector organization.
   

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Use undergraduate distance learning accounting programs to create your career's academic foundation

Using accounting distance learning programs to chart the course for your future accounting career is a smart move. Not only can using accounting distance learning programs help you save money, it can afford you a more flexible schedule for other activities, such as work to help pay your way through school. These universities offer quality distance learning accounting programs that can be tailored to your needs.

I recommend: Capella University offers an accredited online accounting degree geared toward preparing students to meet changing accounting standards for government and business. Regis University offers a similar program incorporating the latest technology techniques into the practice.

Build on your academic foundation with masters distance learning accounting courses

Online masters programs offer the distance learning accounting courses you need to further specialize your accounting expertise with an MBA or other masters program that can help you land a dream accounting career.

I recommend: Bellevue University offers a distance learning MBA program with an accounting concentration, while Jones International University offers a full accounting MBA completely online.

Use an online doctoral accounting degree to round out your accounting distance education

A doctoral degree in accounting is your ticket to teaching others the valuable information and experience you've gained after a successful accounting career. Use this degree to complete your online accounting training and command more of a salary in the accounting field, either in business or in teaching.

I recommend: Argosy University Online helps you further your accounting distance education with its doctoral program in accounting, designed to help you apply experience already amassed and build on it to meet the ever-changing needs of businesses and academic organizations. Northcentral University offers an online business PhD with an accounting concentration.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most online accounting distance education classes allow you to progress at your own pace as your schedule allows. Check with your chosen online degree program for details on time frames and class commitments.

An accounting distance-learning program utilizes an online platform to deliver instruction. Online learning lets busy families or working individuals complete a college education while still having time for family and job responsibilities. Accounting distance-learning programs consist of a few different financial fields. Students can find online classes for finance, accounting and business administration. Many students find earning an MBA with an emphasis on accounting an easier task when utilizing online learning.

Action Steps
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Accreditation

Accreditation is a process that colleges and universities undergo to gain approval of their curriculum and methods of instruction. Unaccredited schools run the risk of having non-transferable credits. It's important that students make sure online learning programs in accounting come from accredited universities.

I recommend: eLearners discusses the accreditation process and lists the approved accrediting agencies in the United States.

Online MBA programs

Graduate students looking for online accounting degree programs will run across a variety of online MBA programs. These programs offer students the opportunity to earn a master's degree in business administration with an emphasis on accounting or finance.

I recommend: MBA Explorer offers a ranking system for online MBA programs.

WebCT or Blackboard

Online students may run across the terms WebCT or Blackboard when registering for online accounting classes. These terms refer to the online learning platforms that deliver the lessons. Most online programs have tutorials for students to learn how to utilize these platforms.

I recommend: Read more about WebCT.

Residency requirements

Students needing a 100 percent online accounting degree program need to pay attention to the residency requirements. Some online degree programs expect students to spend a week or two on campus and then complete the rest of the program online. Others may expect students to attend the first week of classes on campus for each semester. Online college degrees usually have a no residency or low residency classification.

I recommend: Fast Web offers a list of state residency requirements.

Listserv

A listserv is an e-mailing program that consists of all the people involved in the course. A student may see an instructor or ask to send comments or opinions on a lesson to the listserv. This simply means to send the comments through the email assigned to the course and share your views with the other students.

I recommend: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a glossary of common distance-education terms, including listserv.

Uploading

Online students will most likely be told to upload accounting assignments. Most people are familiar with downloading, where you pull a file or program onto your computer. Uploading is just the opposite. When you upload, you save an assignment to your computer and then use the online learning platform to transfer the file to your professor.

I recommend: Tech Target gives an in-depth explanation of uploading.