The 5 Best Online Doctorate Degrees in Accounting will prepare you for an accounting career. For any student aspiring to have a career in accounting, a master’s degree can get you started as a professional. However, if you pursue a doctoral degree, you’ll have more career options and be eligible for higher-paying positions.
The 5 Best Online Doctorate in Accounting programs don’t only allow you to enjoy the benefits of attaining higher education, but they will enable you to do so even while you’re working a full-time job. Whether you’re finishing up a master’s program and are considering what your next steps will be, or if you’re looking for new opportunities and are ready to enjoy a higher salary, these programs may help you to meet your goals without having to relocate to go to school.
FINDING A ONLINE DOCTORATE IN ACCOUNTING DEGREE
An online doctorate in accounting gives you more career options than if you hold a master’s degree in accounting, alone. If you have a master’s degree, then you’re eligible for positions such as a certified public accountant or a tax preparation specialist. But with a doctorate in accounting, your options expand to include jobs such as an account manager, a chief financial officer, an internal auditor, or even an accounting professor. With these new positions come greater salaries, and you may see salaries reaching into the six figures. While you’ll have to cover the costs of your doctoral program, the potential salary range makes it easy to justify the investment.
When looking for a program that’s right for you, it’s important to consider your career goals and what you need in an education. The online programs in this ranking provide excellent flexibility in terms of both scheduling and location. Some programs require occasional on-campus intensives, but others are also available entirely online with absolutely no travel to campus required. For most programs, you must hold a master’s degree in accounting or a related field, and some programs also have minimum GPA requirements. You will also find that this ranking includes a few different types of degrees, such as doctorates in accounting and doctorates in business administration with accounting concentrations. It is best to examine the coursework involved in each type of program to determine which option is right for you.
RANKING THE 5 BEST ONLINE DOCTORATE IN ACCOUNTING
While you’re on your way to earning your Ph.D. or Doctorate within your field, the editors at Online PhD Programs are already practicing doctors of their craft: ranking the best online Ph.D. programs. To be featured on our annual rankings online doctorates must satisfy four coinciding requirements: accreditation, research and scholarship doctorate certification, NSF recognition, and institutional association with peer-reviewed academia.
Each degree is then ranked using information provided – primarily – through the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. The data collected is scored through a series of weighted categories to represent seven crucial aspects of what makes an online doctorate valuable to future students. Online program quality and presence are joined by industry salaries, student reviews, degree exclusivity, costs, and completion rates to determine the best online doctorates available. For a comprehensive breakdown of how we categorize and source data, please visit our methodology page.
#1. LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Liberty University’s Doctor of Business Administration Accounting program is offered 100 percent online. Students of Liberty generally finish the 60 credit program within 3.5 years. Students study a blend of the theoretical aspects of accounting, as well as accounting ethics and best practices. Program applicants must hold a master’s degree accredited by the ACBSP or the AACSB and must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Program graduates will be prepared to hold careers as accounting executives, auditors, budget supervisors, certified management accountants, and as certified public accountants.
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University was founded in 1971. Today, this Evangelical liberal arts institution is accredited by SACSCOC and consists of 16 colleges and schools. Over 100,000 students attend Liberty University, where they choose from more than 550 programs of study. Liberty University offers over 250 programs online, reaching a global audience of students. In 2017, Niche.com ranked Liberty University of the Best Online College in America, and in 2018, BestColleges ranked Liberty University as the #3 Best Online College in Virginia. Liberty University was also ranked #1 in ChristianUniversitiesOnline.org’s ranking of the Top 25 Online Christian Colleges and Universities for 2017.
Format: Online
#2. GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY
George Fox University’s Doctor of Business Administration offers a concentration in accounting, management, or marketing. This hybrid DBA program follows a cohort model, and students can generally complete the degree within four years. The program is delivered as a hybrid, with the majority of the coursework being online. Students also attend on-campus residencies twice per year, allowing them to meet with their cohort and professors in person. Program graduates are currently employed in over 15 states and held roles including Chief Operating Officers, Vice President of International Sales, Vice President of Finance, Business Consultant, and more. The Accreditation Council accredits George Fox University for Business Schools & Programs.
As a nationally recognized Christian University in Oregon, George Fox University creates a supportive community encouraging academic rigor and spiritual growth. A 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures plenty of support for students. Notable alumni include United States President Herbert Hoover, Portland General Electric CEO Peggy Fowler, and Emmy Award-winning photojournalist Scott Jensen. Forbes ranked George Fox in its listing of the top 10 Best Religiously Affiliated Colleges in the country, and the U.S. News & World Report included George Fox in its ranking of the Best Regional Universities in the West. Money magazine included George Fox in its 2017-18 ranking of the Best Colleges for Your Money.
Format: Online
#3. CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits several of Capella University’s business programs. Capella offers a 10 percent discount on certificate, master’s, and doctoral programs and a 15 percent discount on bachelor’s programs for students with a military affiliation. Students also enjoy a great deal of support at Capella, including help from enrollment counselors, distinguished faculty members holding top credentials in their fields, doctoral advisors to help students along the road to their degree, and a career center team to help students perfect their resumes and interviewing skills. PhD in Business Management – Accounting graduates may be prepared to hold roles as business researchers, controllers, chief financial officers, full-time faculty, and more.
Format: Online
#4. TRIDENT UNIVERSITY
Trident University’s Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Business Administration is offered entirely online, allowing students to enjoy small class sizes, personalize their program, and engage with faculty members. Students may select from concentrations in Accounting/Finance, Information Systems/Information Technology Management, Leadership, Management and Organizations, and Marketing. The Accounting/Finance concentration is ideal for students who wish to contribute to research in international finance, economic growth and development, auditing, financial management, and taxation. Students must complete ten core courses including four research methods, four theory, and two concentration courses. Additionally, students complete four dissertation work courses.
Located in Cypress, California, Trident University is a 100 percent online university. Founded in 1998, Trident programs are taught by a predominately doctorate faculty. Courses are available entirely online without micromanagement, allowing for a flexible environment that helps adult learners to excel. Trident happens also to be the first completely-online university to be regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. GraduateProgram.com ranked Trident University’s Online Business Management programs among the top in the country, and Trident University received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau in 2015. Trident has more than 22,000 military and veteran alumni and offers discounts to active duty service members and their spouses.
Format: Online
#5. ARGOSY UNIVERSITY
Argosy University’s Online Doctorate of Business Administration program is a 60-credit program consisting of research, core courses, concentration requirements, electives, and doctoral research courses. Students may choose from concentrations in Accounting, Information Systems, International Business, Management, and Marketing. Program applicants must have a master’s degree in business administration or another degree establishing managerial knowledge, and accounting concentration applicants must have 12 graduate course hours in accounting. Many DBA program students go on to hold full-time or part-time teaching positions in college-level organizations. The Accreditation Council accredits Argosy’s online DBA for Business Schools and Programs.
Argosy University has nine different locations across the United States, and also offers a comprehensive selection of online degree programs. The university was formed in 2001 when three schools – the American Schools of Professional Psychology, the University of Sarasota, and the Medical Institute of Minnesota – merged. Today, Argosy University offers more than 18 majors and ten different degree programs entirely online, allowing students flexibility in both scheduling and location to enable them to pursue their education while still meeting work and family commitments. Online learners have access to academic advisors and course instructors. The university also offers an online library, tech support, a counseling center, career services, and a live online tutoring center to support students. As of April of 2017, more than 101,000 students have graduated from Argosy University.