ACCT-130
Spring term 2 begins. Apply by February 27.
Summer Term A begins. Apply by April 24.
Build a Future in Accounting with Essential Skills
Prepare for a rewarding career in accounting with Champlain College Online’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Designed around the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Core Competency Framework, this program equips you with foundational accounting and business skills employers seek, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application.
Equip Yourself for Success in Accounting
- Comprehensive Accounting Knowledge: Gain expertise in financial accounting, tax preparation, managerial accounting, and auditing, all aligned with industry standards.
- Real-World Problem Solving: Develop analytical skills to assess financial health and create strategies for organizational growth.
- Ethical Financial Practices: Learn to uphold the integrity of financial information, ensuring credibility and transparency in business decisions.
- Pathway to CPA Certification: Meet 120 of the 150 credit hours required for CPA eligibility, with Champlain graduates achieving high success rates on the CPA exam.
- Soft Skills and Information Systems: Build essential communication and systems skills to enhance your versatility in today’s data-driven accounting field.
The B.S. in accounting is a great step toward advanced certification, such as a CPA - our graduates who sit for the CPA exam boast a near-perfect success rate. This program will help you to meet some of the education requirements needed to sit for the exam, including 120 of the 150 required credit hours.
Champlain College has determined that its 120 credit online accounting program does not meet the 150 credit requirement for a CPA license in Vermont. The College has not determined whether the Accounting program meets the education requirements for professional licensure in any other state (or the District of Columbia), please find your state of residence on the NASBA website to learn more about what is required to sit for the CPA exam in your state.
Program Curriculum
Champlain's online accounting courses encompass the top skills needed by today's accounting professionals. Graduates of the program are required to complete the following courses.
Professional Courses (66 credits)
Economics Elective (3 credits)
General Education Courses (42 credits)
General Electives (9 Credits)
Note: Some of the courses in this program are available in 15-week terms only. Please contact your advisor for details.
Accounting is the language of business. This course introduces the student to accounting from the point of view of the user of financial reports and is appropriate for personal as well as business applications. Students explore the impact of transactions on the financial position and profitability of a business, and analyze financial reports of real-world corporations.
Managerial accounting focuses on the needs of management for accounting information to make informed decisions in the internal operations of a company. Topics include decision-making, accounting for planning and control, cost-volume-profit relationships, and budgeting.
Prerequisites
In this first course of a two-part sequence focusing on financial reporting students will learn theory, concepts, principles and practices underlying preparation of external financial reports, particularly application of generally accepted accounting principles related to disclosure of current and noncurrent assets and principles of revenue recognition on the Balance sheet, Income Statement and Statement of Retained Earnings. Students will also consider broad issues like the environment of financial reporting, the role of financial reporting and the accounting standard-setting process.
Prerequisites
ACCT-130
Building on the knowledge and skills gained in Intermediate Accounting I, students will examine more intensively the application of generally accepted accounting principles for financial reporting and disclosure of current and noncurrent liabilities and stockholders' equity. Students will gain skills related to the advanced measurement, recognition and reporting of these select topics in financial accounting as well as the Statement of Cash Flows.
Prerequisites
ACCT-230
Students learn the basic skills of tax planning and tax research for individuals. Topics covered include tax determination and payments, gross income inclusions and exclusions, and itemized deductions. Many actual federal tax forms for individuals are studied. In addition to their textbooks, students use the computerized federal tax code and the Internal Revenue Service website.
Prerequisites
ACCT-130
Cost accounting presents the behavioral aspects of accounting and identifies essential data that managers use for planning and controlling, costing products and services, and performance measurement. Students study the basic concepts, uses, and procedures related to types of costs and costing systems and uses this information to solve business problems. They will develop quantitative and qualitative analytical skills to analyze and interpret raw data that support the business decision-making process and inventory costing.
Prerequisites
Complete ACCT-140
Security is everyone's problem. The Internet is full of attackers who are looking to steal your information or get control over your system. This is a problem for individuals and businesses so it's essential that even casual users understand enough of how the Internet is put together to be able to understand the threats they face. Students will learn how businesses communicate via the internet and how that exposes them to some of the fundamental attack types. Students will learn how to protect themselves from those attacks.
Learn the fundamentals of accounting information systems and how they function and fit into organizations. Using a cycles approach, the course introduces internal controls, covers basic elements of the revenue and expense cycles, and you will become proficient with documentation techniques, such as flowcharting. You will also consider the uses of computerized accounting software and undertake a software research project. The course focuses on the needs and responsibilities of accountants as users and developers of information technology.
Prerequisites
ACCT-231
The study of selected advanced topics in financial accounting, including accounting for income taxes, post-employment benefits, earnings per share, accounting changes and errors, business combinations, consolidated financial statements, accounting for foreign currency transactions, and ethical issues in accounting.
Prerequisites
ACCT-231
Gives the student a broad base for understanding and applying federal tax laws for corporations, partnerships and property transactions. Tax research is a major component of this course.
Prerequisites
ACCT-310
In this course students develop an understanding of the auditing process and the relationship between auditing and the organization. The student will demonstrate knowledge of specific auditing concepts, professional standards and procedures utilized by a professional auditor. The student will also discuss other attestation work performed by practicing CPAs as well as ethical and legal considerations of the public accounting profession.. Critical thinking and communication skills are utilized in the course assessments.
Prerequisites
Complete MATH-180. ACCT-231 is the required corequisite course.
Provides an overview of the entire legal system, with an emphasis on contract rights. Discusses the essential elements of a contract, the breach of contracts and the remedies for breach. Presents business and consumer laws, including white-collar crime, landlord-tenant rights, real property interests and administrative law.
Students will learn about the application of positive individual and group strengths and capacities that can be recognized, evaluated, and expanded to advance organizational well-being. This course encourages students to apply positive organizational behavior processes to everyday challenges organizations face to drive positive workplace behaviors and outcomes. This course also helps students to practice and gain skills, knowledge, and competencies to become positive and impactful leaders and change-makers from whatever position they hold.
MGMT 240 is a finance course for managers. It explores financial measurements, the artful application of numbers to solve problems, building financial analysis skills, and the big-picture context needed to understand why finance matters in business management and decision-making. A subset of topics covered in the course include the time value of money, financial statement analysis, ratio analysis, investments, and capital management.
Prerequisites
ACCT-120, ACCT-130, ACCT-140, or equivalent introductory accounting course
As business environments become more complex, the accompanying dilemmas require a more advanced problem-solving process. Students are introduced to methodology for analyzing data and applying appropriate techniques for unconventional and creative solutions. They will learn how to systematically analyze a problem, generate innovative and provocative ideas for solutions, make choices among those ideas, and evaluate the results.
The American Marketing Association defines Marketing as the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. In this course, students will learn marketing terminology and principles including the marketing mix, marketing segmentation and how external forces impact marketing strategy as well as how marketing fits into the organization.The impact of ethical issues, diversity, globalization and social responsibility on marketing decisions will also be examined.
Focuses on various forms of legal entities: public and private corporations, limited and general partnerships, and Articles 2 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The major laws governing securities, antitrust, bankruptcy, and environmental issues are reviewed. Special emphasis is given to the legal liability of the professional. This course is designed for the future business manager, entrepreneur, or professional who wishes to have information regarding laws governing business.
Prerequisites
BLAW-140
As a professional, accountants are required to stay current in their field, researching and interpreting the constantly changing rules and regulations in the accounting industry. Students will use the accounting knowledge gained during their program to identify accounting issues in the workplace or in a case, research the relevant topics and make recommendations. They will also reflect on the professional and ethical responsibilities of their career.
Prerequisites
ACCT-341, ACCT-420
Project Management is the formal application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project-based activities to meet organizational requirements. Project management is accomplished through the use of processes such as Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing. Project managers can divide projects into these phases to provide better management control with appropriate links to the ongoing operations of the organization. Collectively, these phases, known as the project life cycle, form the foundation for the practice of project management and are guided by the Body of Knowledge from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Business analytics and data visualization transform data into business insights to allow for better decision-making. This course utilizes a combination of existing datasets and common analytics tools to teach new and emerging managers, without backgrounds in data science, how to evaluate data, consider available options, and present a graphical representation of data outcomes for decision-makers.
This course serves as an introduction to forensic (fraud) accounting. Topics include fraud examination techniques, interview techniques, rules of evidence relating to fraud, internal control methodology, asset misappropriation and financial statement misrepresentation. Students cover various fraud examination techniques. Students also learn rules of evidence as they relate to several different fraudulent activities including illegal activities such as wagering, money laundering, cash skimming and embezzlement. Course presentation assumes basic accounting knowledge and guides the student into specialized applied settings, indicative of forensic accounting.
Prerequisites
ACCT-130
Focuses on accounting for state and local governments as contrasted with that for profit-making companies. It acquaints students with fund accounting, budgetary accounts, and governmental financial reporting and introduces accounting for not-for-profit organizations.
Prerequisites
ACCT-231
People are exposed to risk on a daily basis, often without any awareness of that risk. Effectively protecting people and information requires greater awareness and understanding of risk in order to make informed decisions. In this course, you will learn to assess risk in a practical way, especially as it relates to how we interact with our networked world.
Prerequisites
Complete CYBR-100
Cyber criminals are constantly searching for targets and the behaviors of cyber criminals are often very similar if not identical to those engaged in cyber warfare. You will investigate the differences between cyber warfare and cyber crime including the motivations of the participants. You will also identify behaviors of participants and ways to better protect yourself and your business from attack.
Prerequisites
Complete CYBR-100
In addition to the following requirements, students must also complete 3 Credits of a General Education Elective (Any ARTS, COMM, CRIT, ECON, ENGL, HIST, MATH, PHIL, PSYC, SCIE, SOCI, MKCM 120, CRIM except CRIM-225)
This course introduces students to the foundational concepts needed to communicate effectively in writing for academic study and professional development. Students will also learn to read critically to evaluate an author's message. Students will be introduced to rhetorical modes and their role in the development of written communication. Students will also learn how to use revision strategies to create written communication that meets its intended purpose for its intended audience
This course builds on students' proficiency in the writing process and rhetorical modes to introduce the use of sources in written communication. Students will practice information literacy as they learn to determine information needs from sources, develop effective search strategies, and incorporate sources in written communication, legally and ethically.
Prerequisites
Complete ENGL-100
Starting with a frame of human communication as a dynamic system of interactions in which people make choices that impact their relationships, other people, and themselves, students will define theory-informed communication concepts and processes, and critically examine how they apply to everyday life across a variety of contexts. Students will reflect on how the theory, concepts and processes apply to their own lives in becoming competent communicators who are knowledgeable, skilled, and versatile.
This course draws on fundamental concepts of contemporary group communication research to help students identify and develop strategies to communicate effectively in small groups and teams for the cooperative purpose of advancing common goals. Students will draw on listening and responding strategies learned in COMM-130 Interpersonal Communication and apply them to communicating as a leader or member of a small group. They will also learn how to recognize and manage the types of conflicts that can arise in small groups. Prerequisite: COMM-130 Interpersonal Communication
Prerequisites
Complete COMM-130
Students will learn and apply critical inquiry skills to analyze persuasive communication created by others and to develop persuasive communication/arguments of their own to solve problems in professional, civic, social, and personal contexts. Specifically, students will learn to recognize fallacies in logic; apply inductive and deductive reasoning strategies to the interpretation and development of persuasive communication; evaluate the validity of sources; and develop logically sound persuasive communication. Students will explore the roles of self-awareness, empathy, and ethics in the context of critical inquiry and the development of arguments.
Prerequisites
Complete ENGL-110.
This course is an historical overview, and examination of the evolution of digital, film, and print media, and their functions. Students will identify and analyze contemporary problems of the media such as the legal, social, economic and psychological implications of their relationships with society. They also will examine the ways in which marketing and PR professionals utilize the mass media channels to reach their intended target audiences.
This course explores the complex and evolving relationship between human beings and technology. Through a multi-disciplinary approach that draws on fields such as sociology, psychology, philosophy, and history, students will examine the ways in which technology has shaped human culture, identity, and values, as well as how humans have influenced and continue to influence the development, adoption and use of technology.
This course introduces students to basic statistics for data literacy. With a focus on exploring real-world data, students will interpret numerical information and utilize the tools necessary to complete the entire statistical process: designing a study; gathering, organizing, and analyzing sample data; and making inferences about a population. Students will demonstrate data-driven decision-making and effective communication of numerical data.
Introduces students to the biochemistry and physiology of nutrition and exercise. Emphasis will be placed on human body systems such as musculoskeletal, digestive, respiratory and circulatory, and their relationship to nutrition and fitness. Students will also study the biochemistry of energy conversion as it relates to exercise physiology. Laboratory sessions are designed to reinforce, by a hands-on approach, the principles discussed in lecture. Course includes two laboratory hours per week.
Students learn the biology, genetics, chemistry, and physics involved in the forensic investigation of crimes. A wide range of topics are studied including DNA, entomology, fingerprinting, trace evidence, serology (blood, saliva, and semen), blood spatter, and chemical analysis of drugs, alcohol, and other compounds. Students apply their new knowledge of forensic science through the use of case studies and laboratories. This course includes two laboratory hours per week.
Students will develop the ability to apply scientific methods to understand the natural world, to identify scientific aspects of daily life, and to evaluate the quality of scientific information based on its source and the methods used for its generation.
In this course, students will gain an introduction to classical mechanics and learn about motion, force, energy, and momentum. The course covers vectors, scalars, and coordinate systems, as well as kinematics in one and two dimensions, Newton's Laws of Motion, circular motion, and kinetic energy and work. Students also learn about potential energy and energy conservation, collision theory, rotational motion, moment of inertia, torque, rotational dynamics, and angular momentum.
This course will introduce students to major streams of social justice thought, including historical social justice movements, theoretical problems having to do with social equality, personal freedom, marginalization, and stigmatization, and the ways in which civic and professional communities respond to these issues.
With pressure and release, a window opens and closes, recording light on a sensor. The simple action captures the instinct, judgement, and skill of the person behind the lens. This class will begin a study of the art and craft of photography. Students will develop their vision and their understanding of how to achieve it. Solid skills will be learned and many doors will be opened.
A survey of the continuing change experienced in art since the 15th century. Students will examine how an image is achieved as well as the significance of the subject represented. Individual inquiry concerning the nature of art is encouraged.
Students learn to appreciate films through the critical analysis of various elements of mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing and sound. The course introduces the conventions of classical Hollywood cinema, considers the work of one major director (auteur), and surveys selected international and independent films. Students view and discuss films each week.
Students in the course will explore the cultural history of the music genre broadly referred to as rock. Students will explore the social, economic and political contexts that are influenced by and that influenced each style in the United States. By listening, watching, reflecting upon, discussing and writing, students will explore how music takes on meaning, personally, and culturally. Topics and themes include the relationships between and among gospel, country, funk, folk, disco, rap and hip hop; the role of business and technology in those relationships, and political or transgressive elements of rock music.
Students will apply communication theory and research to address the particular challenges to communicating effectively in organizations. Students will learn how to identify organizational communication problems, analyze those problems, and generate effective solutions. Students will examine the relationship between organizational structure and specific communicative practices, and how communication practices by organizational members establish, maintain, or change organizational culture. They will also learn how to anticipate communication deficiencies in organizations, and use communication as a means to facilitate organizational development and innovation.
Prerequisites
Complete COMM-130
Specific application of common tools for writing in the working world. Students will be instructed in rhetorical strategies of professional writing including style, report formats, editing, document design, and integration of visual aids. Students will complete a semester-long writing project; oral and written reports associated with the process of problem-solving within the project will be included.
Prerequisites
ENGL-112 or COR-125
Students will learn how to create conditions for successful conflict engagement, a necessary skill for any professional. The course focuses on the foundational capacities to remain calm and connected with oneself and others. In this state students can access helpful ideas and responses and be their best selves regardless of environment. Improving facility for conflict creates stronger relationships and reduces fear. By the end of the course, students will understand that disagreement and difference can become a source of personal and interpersonal growth.
Ethics refers to accepted standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do in various contexts, typically in relation to rights, obligations/duties, benefits to society, fairness, consequences, and virtues. In this course, students will explore both theoretical and practical dimensions of ethics in order to 1) define ethics and identify ethical positions and principles, 2) critically reflect on how ethics impacts individual and collective responsibility, decision-making, and action, and 3) apply ethics to the personal, civic, and professional contexts.
Prerequisites
ENGL-110
This course introduces students to the fundamental elements of technical writing (clear, concise, and targeted)that are common among seven forms of technical communication: email correspondence, editing,employment communication, proposals, long, formal reports,oral communication, and inventions. Through peer reviews and writing workshops, students develop the ability to write and edit text that precisely targets its audience. This course emphasizes deepening and broadening students' writing, speaking, and thinking abilities in a non-lecture-based, hands-on, discussion-centered classroom.
Prerequisites
ENGL-112 or COR-125
Provides a comprehensive analysis of the fundamentals of substantive criminal law. Students will learn the essential elements of crimes and the rationale underlying criminal law. The nature of jurisdiction, the criminal act, the criminal state of mind and matters affecting responsibility for criminal conduct are included.
This course focuses on the rules and procedures governing how the American criminal justice system must process individuals suspected, accused, and convicted of law violations.
This course provides students with a broad overview of the history, theory, and fundamentals of criminal investigation. Students are introduced to the basic responsibilities of investigators and protocols for report writing, evidence collection, and preparation of cases for trial. They also learn specific investigative techniques for different types of crimes, such as crimes involving violence and property, terrorism, and hate crimes, and, where appropriate, compare investigative protocols from other legal cultures.
Prerequisites
Take CRIM-120, CRIM-121.
Principles of Economics introduces the fundamental concepts of economics - the study of how people manage resources, and how they react to scarcity. This course focuses on both microeconomics (the behavior of consumers and companies) and macroeconomics (large-scale economic factors such as employment and interest rates), so that you'll gain a broad understanding of how a modern market economy functions, how decisions in business settings are informed by economics, and how economics applies to your everyday life.
Students will study important themes in the social history of the United States since the Civil War. This course allows students to expand their critical thinking skills through an examination of primary and secondary sources. Themes might include: the evolving status of women; the immigrant experience; the concept of the American dream; the paradox of freedom vs. slavery; the minority experience; the tensions between social classes. Students will be evaluated primarily on writing assignments.
In this course, students will explore broad, foundational knowledge in psychology, including its history, major theorists and a survey of psychology subfields such as developmental, cognitive and social psychology. Students will also describe and assess the role of ethics and social responsibility in the study and application of psychological theory and practices.
In this class, students will explore how social relationships, groups, societies and culture develop and change over time. From a sociological theory foundation and employing the sociological imagination, students will examine the impact of social structures, institutions, and systems on individual lives. Students will apply sociological research methods to investigate sociological phenomena in their own lives.
Additional Program Details
Graduates of the accounting bachelor's online program will demonstrate the following industry-specific skills, knowledge, and competencies.
- Analyze and assess the risks of an organization's accounting system, including internal controls, to ensure sound financial information, and to generate appropriate asset evaluation and/or to reduce fraud.
- Integrate in-depth financial analysis with effective communication skills to accurately and clearly convey information to stakeholders
- Evaluate progress toward meeting organizational goals by using quantitative and qualitative performance measures that take into consideration risks, internal controls and ethics.
- Use appropriate accounting tools and financial analyses given complex business, legal and ethical scenarios.
- Research, synthesize, and evaluate financial information so that results can be communicated to stakeholders in a cohesive and logical way, effectively distinguishing fact from opinion.
- Describe and integrate other aspects of the organization and its various functions when analyzing, evaluating and communicating financial information.
Champlain College Online's business faculty, led by Department Chair Dr. Albert Orbinati, are expert practitioners in the field. Their industry expertise ensures that our business management curriculum is aligned with the needs of employers, and reflects the skills today’s business professionals need for success. Classes led by our seasoned experts will give you real-world insight into the business world, and create a rich community of career-focused learning.
Tuition & Costs
Online Undergraduate Tuition Fall '23 - Summer '25
*Based on a 3-credit course; cost will vary if course is a different number of credits
** Starts Summer 2024, not retroactive
See the undergraduate cost of attendance and fees here
Affordability and Paying For Your Education
We provide a number of options to make your online education affordable, including preferred tuition for alumni, associate degree graduates, community college graduates, and military.
Launch a Career in High-Demand Accounting Roles
The demand for qualified accounting professionals continues to grow as global markets expand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting roles are projected to increase by 7%* from 2020 to 2030, with accountants and auditors earning a median annual salary of $73,560.
Champlain’s BS in Accounting prepares you for diverse roles across sectors from public accounting to industry and non-profit sectors, equipping you with the skills to excel and adapt in a dynamic field.
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
Top Careers for Bachelor’s in Accounting Graduates:
- Accounting Information Systems Specialist
- Financial Analyst
- Forensic Accountant
- Tax Accountant
- Budget Analyst
Why Champlain
Career Growth
"I had a two-year degree and knew I would need a bachelor's to advance. I saw that the U.S. Department of Labor projected a high demand for employees in accounting, and Champlain is ranked one of the top schools for accounting, so it was the right fit."
Academic Excellence and Recognition
Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Designated as a Military Friendly School for our commitment to the military community
Ranked among the best by Tech Guide for game design and computer science
Named the among the best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees by Intelligent.com
Meet the Program Director
Albert Orbinati, PhD
- Business (A.S., B.S., M.S., Certificates)
- Human Resource Management (B.S., Certificates)
- Leadership (M.S.)
- Management Information Systems (B.S.)
- Organization Development & Human Relations (M.S.)
About
Albert Orbinati, PhD, is Assistant Professor and Department Chair for the undergraduate and graduate business programs at Champlain College Online.
Prior to Champlain, Dr. Orbinati's roles have included Assistant Vice President of Online Learning and Continuing Education at Medaille University in Buffalo, NY; Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Education at Russell Sage College in Albany, NY; and Director of Online and Non-Traditional Programs at Utica University in Utica, NY. In addition to his career in higher education, Albert is a member of the U.S. military, and currently holds the rank of Major in the Vermont Air National Guard.
Dr. Orbinati holds a B.A. in Urban Planning from Binghamton University, an M.A. in Adult Education from Central Michigan University, an M.B.A from Champlain College, and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Capella University.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are some frequently asked questions about our bachelor of science in accounting.
Yes, Champlain is a credible institution with accredited programs, including the bachelor of accounting online degree. Employers are increasingly recognizing the validity of online degrees, especially when they come from well-established institutions such as Champlain College Online.
The time it takes to earn an online accounting degree varies depending on the program, course load, and study pace. A full-time student usually completes a bachelor's in accounting in four years, but accelerated options can take two to three years. Part-time study may extend completion time. Transfer credits, work experience, and individual pacing also impact degree duration.
Our online accounting courses cover a variety of topics to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and practices. Some topics your courses may cover include financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, and accounting information systems. Each course is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in accounting.
To save money on the bachelor of accounting online degree, choose an affordable education option like Champlain College Online. You may also consider applying for financial aid, working part-time, and reducing living costs by budgeting for housing and meals.
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