[jamo130788]

Hello,

I am an aspiring CPA candidate. I have a bachelors in Finance with about 15 credits of accounting. My state requires 150 hours and 30 hours of accounting. I have the 150 hours but not the 30 accounting credits. I work full time and going back to a traditional school setting/schedule would not be possible. I am also not interested in pursuing a masters in accounting. I am just trying to pick up the additional hours of accounting classes. Anyone got any ideas of affordable online schools where I can achieve this?

Thank you

[hasy]

Foothill. Though as a CA candidate, I know CA gives you a really good education waiver.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

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BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[jamo130788]

Thank you Hasy, I am in Illinois and the state requires all academic criteria be met. This institution offers a full spectrum in an online format?

[rlarivee01]

What counts as affordable?

The Top 25 Online Master's in Accounting Programs of 2021

Looking at that list, looks like Fitchburg State in MA is the most affordable. I live in MA and it's an alright school. Under $10k for an MBA with accounting credits.

[SeattleCPA]

You might look at Western Governors. We've had a couple of people go through their BS in Accounting. BTW you need to couple a WGU accounting degree with lots of CPA exam prep in order to be exam-ready. I think WGU costs about $500 a month and you can complete classes as fast (*or slow*) as you want.

Another idea (which isn't cheap but could be pretty long-term profitable) would simply be to do a masters program. You could even do a masters in tax someplace like GGU. If you were employed in a CPA firm, the firm would probably pick up a lot of the tab for this.

A final idea is pretty location specific… but Univ. of Washington has a ten-week “graduate class” over the summer that goes through an entire undergraduate accounting major. Or at least they used to… I think that costs about $5K or did a while back.

[NYSCPA]

LSU has online courses for $600 per 3credit course.

[Namstut]

I would make sure that you are not just getting your required 30 accounting credits but that you are getting the credits you will need to get licensed. I do not know if there is a way to get your credits evaluated for licensing requirements before you start earning credits to sit for your exams.

I have a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and a Masters Degree in Accounting & Finance so you would think I earned enough accounting credits…Nope.
It was enough to qualify to sit for a CPA but not enough of the required credits to get licensed. The requirements in every State might be different, mine requires 2 audit classes (I have one) and Accounting Ethics in order to get licensed.

Sorry, I rambled but didn't answer your question but I will follow the post because I am in the same boat.

AUD 7/6/16 Passed
BEC 9/3/16
FAR TBD
REG TBD

[Track55]

Coastline college is all online. thats where I got my AA. But who knows if its classes you already took.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[rlarivee01]

I wrote up a reply, but it doesn't seem to have been posted.

I looked at a list of online schools and Fitchburg State in MA seems to be one of the more affordable ones. $1900ish for a 6 credit semester for their MBA with Accounting focus. I live in MA and it's regarded as an alright school.

[leglock]

Jamo, i was in your position in the same state. I took the necessary accounting classes at my local junior college. With books it was about 450 per class. I was out of school for almost 20 yrs when i did this, and between this and Becker, I passed all 4 sections of the exam on the first attempt. Admittedly, i didn't use the accounting classes as just credit fillers. I applied myself and really tried to understand the material. For me, this is why I felt FAR was my easiest section believe it or not.

[MommyCPA]

LSU!

Worked out perfect for me. Go your own pace, online, affordable!

[jamo130788]

Thank you, everyone. A lot of great choices here.

Appreciate the advice.

[Author]

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