Cheapest online accounting courses?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by dis.funk.sh.null, Mar 29, 2005.

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  1. dis.funk.sh.null

    dis.funk.sh.null New Member

    A friend of mine wants to pursue a career as an accountant (not sure why since it's not her field of expertise) Her goal is to go for CPA, or CA as it is designated in Canada.

    She and has no accounting background whatsoever, but does have an RA/eqv bachelors... So I personally think she will at least need undergrad courses for Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting as well as Taxation from an RA school right? Or NA would suffice in your opinion? Which option is most economical and effective for her especially since she wants to go for a professional designation.

    Regards
     
  2. Rob L

    Rob L New Member

    I am currently enrolled at the Diploma in Accounting program at UCLA extension. Currently, the cost of each class is $500 ($125 per quarter hour). Considering UCLA is both AACSB and RA, along with good name recognition, it is a pretty good deal. Also, be warned that classes are no cakewalk......be prepared to put in some effort!
     
  3. JassenB

    JassenB Member

    Accounting courses

    The cheapest I have found so far are the courses at Louisiana State University. They just so incidentally happen to offer all 5 upper division courses (Auditing, Advanced Accounting I/II, etc.) that Excelsior requires for the NYS CPA track, along with lower level courses, too. At $229 per 3-credit course, they're a pretty good deal.

    They offer:

    ACCT 2001 – Introductory Financial Accounting
    ACCT 2101 – Introductory Managerial Accounting
    ACCT 3001 – Intermediate Accounting---Part I
    ACCT 3021 – Intermediate Accounting, Part II
    ACCT 3121 – Cost Analysis and Control
    ACCT 3221 – Income Tax Accounting I
    ACCT 3222 – Auditing *
    ACCT 4022 – Advanced Accounting *
    ACCT 4235 – Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting *
    ACCT 4421 – Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
    BLAW 3201 – Business Law *
    BLAW 4203 – Commercial Transactions for Accountants *
    NC 420A – Fundamentals of Accounting

    URL is http://www.is.lsu.edu/courselist.asp?cat=Accounting&nid=102&pg=

    Hope this helps!
    -Jassen
     
  4. dis.funk.sh.null

    dis.funk.sh.null New Member

    Louisiana State University

    Now that's a good deal! I'll copy this information along with the url to her!

    Thanks Jassen
     
  5. mrbean72

    mrbean72 New Member

    Accounting Courses & CPA

    It is important to note that some states (e.g. Delaware) demand that some, if not all, of the accounting courses be taken in a classroom setting (DL not permitted). Therefore, it is important that your friend contact her State Board of Accountancy to ensure that the courses she takes will be accepted towards the CPA designation.

    As for why your friend would want to go into accounting ... it can be quite an exciting and rewarding career. I have been in the accounting field for over 5 years (mainly in public practice) and I love it! I don't know of very many careers with some many challenges on a daily basis to keep life interesting.

    As well, career prospects for accounting professionals haven't been this good in a long time. With Sarbanes-Oxley implementations in full swing in the U.S. and similar legislation pending in Canada, both public accounting firms and companies are having problems finding qualified staff, which is pushing up salaries (good for employees in the field!).

    I wish your friend the best of luck in pursuing her career in accounting. I'm sure she will find it rewarding as well!

    Michael Weedon, CA
    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
     
  6. Andy Borchers

    Andy Borchers New Member

    Another Option - NSU

    NSU has as an on-line Master of Accounting program. For folks that don't have the undergrad background, they have a set of "pre-req" courses in accounting to get non-accountants up to speed. NSU isn't quite as cheap as some of the places noted - however, the person could earn a Master's degree in the process.

    I've taken two of the courses so far and am quite satisfied.

    Regards - Andy
     
  7. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    Re: Another Option - NSU

    Florida Atlantic University also has a Master's degree in accounting for non-accounting undergrads....plus, it's AACSB accredited.
     
  8. novemberdude

    novemberdude New Member

    Do I understand correctly that your friend is in Canada? If so I would suggest that she check the CA website:

    http://www.cica.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/132/la_id/1.htm

    I'm not sure how well US based accounting courses will fulfill her needs.

    As an alternative please note that the CGA designation is available through online study, see this link:

    http://www.cga-online.org/jsp/templates/ca-public/workspace.jsp?isSubpage=true&docid=/736/5693/&objectKey=5693&navId=731&secId=736&nav=content&navStyle=tree


     

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