A.S. Accounting
64
Credit Hours
69%
Max Transfer Credit
Class Type
100% online, 6 & 12-week courses
Cost Per Credit

Enhance your résumé with an associate degree in accounting

The universal word for success in business is this: profitability. Without it, business simply cannot exist (at least not for very long). Few other things have the potential to impact operations, profitability and performance the way smart, sound financial record keeping can.

Earn an online associate degree in accounting and help track, monitor, and report financial transactions, assets, and liabilities to ensure business profitability, performance and position.

Program Availability

On Site
Columbus
On site offerings are limited and courses in this program will need to be taken online.

Career-Focused Curriculum

Go beyond basic accounting to develop in-demand skills.

Real-World Practitioners

Learn best practices from in-field accounting professionals.

Industry-Aligned Curriculum

Learn to apply best-practice accounting guidelines.

Program Overview

Make your mark by helping businesses make theirs

With Franklin University's transfer-friendly A.S. Accounting, you'll learn fundamental principles in several of the major fields of accounting, including financial, managerial and individual income tax. You’ll be introduced to accounting theories and concepts, and gain practical, real-world experience in such areas as analyzing financial statements, preparing account reconciliations and documenting tax filings. 

In addition to furthering your understanding of accounting processes and operational decision making, an associate in accounting from Franklin can help prepare you to complete the B.S. Accounting program, so you can extend your professional pathway into advanced accounting roles.

So how many credit hours does it take to earn your associate degree in accounting? At Franklin, it takes just 64 credit hours of business major and general courses to graduate. Finish even faster by transferring up to 44 previously earned credits toward your degree.

Earn your degree from a university built for busy adults

Earn your degree on your terms by taking classes 100% online or pursue available coursework at our Main Campus. Accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. Our seamless transfer process and team of academic advisors will help ease your transition to becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today.

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Future Start Date

Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please request free information & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

Your Best Value

Choose Franklin's A.S. Accounting and get a high-quality degree that fits your life and your budget.  

Keep the Credit You've Earned

58
AVG TRANSFER HOURS

On average, students transfer in 2/3 of the credits required.

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$25,472
Total Tuition
(After Partner Discount)

Tuition Guarantee

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Highly Recommended

98%
STUDENT SATISFACTION

98% of graduating students would recommend Franklin to their family, friends and/or colleagues.

Source: Franklin University, Office of Career Development Student Satisfaction Survey (Summer 2023)

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Curriculum & Course Descriptions

64 Semester Hours
Fundamental General Education
English Composition
ENG 120 - College Writing (4)

In this course, students acquire the writing competencies necessary for completing analytical and argumentative papers supported by secondary research. A variety of assignments, beginning with personal reflections, build upon one another, as students develop ideas that respond to, critique, and synthesize the positions of others. Students systematize and organize knowledge in ways that will help them in all their courses. The course also emphasizes the elements of critical reading, effective writing style, appropriate grammar and mechanics, clarity of language, and logical and cohesive development. It culminates in submission of an extended, documented research paper.

Mathematics
MATH 215 - Statistical Concepts (4)

This course introduces you to statistics with applications to various areas. The course covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics included are: sampling techniques, data types, experiments; measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, graphical displays of data, basic probability concepts, binomial and normal probability distributions, sampling distributions and Central Limit Theorem; confidence intervals, hypothesis tests of a mean, or a proportion for one or two populations, and linear regression.

Choose either MATH 140 Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite. Course can count as a University Elective.

Science

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Two courses from the Science discipline. One course must have a lab component.

Social and Behavioral Sciences
ECON 220 - Introduction to Macroeconomics (4)

An introduction to economic theory involving the basic underlying causes and principles of the operation of an economic system. Emphasis is placed on studying the economy as a whole. Issues of inflation, unemployment, taxation, business cycles and growth are discussed in the context of the global economic system.

2 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology disciplines.

Arts & Humanities
HUMN 210 - Intro to Logic & Critical Thinking Skill (2)

The goal of this course is to help you improve as a critical, logical thinker. You will be introduced to the art of formulating and assessing arguments according to the standards of logical thinking and critical analysis. You will discover how to apply these valuable skills to your studies and everyday life, learning how to overcome obstacles to critical thinking, and how to avoid being deceived by means of misleading reasoning.

4 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Art, English Literature, Fine Arts, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Religion or Theater disciplines.

Additional General Education
PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments. The assignments and activities in the course are created to closely simulate teamwork found in the workplace.

OR PF 121 - Basic Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferrable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for time management, goal setting, reading comprehension, and advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments.

COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)

By using applied critical and creative thinking, students in this course will develop a set of communication skills that will enhance their personal and professional relationships and endeavors. This course will focus on skill development in key areas such as self, perception, listening, verbal messages, conversations, relationships, conflict management, persuasion, and presentation skills.

OR SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)

This basic public-speaking course intends to improve the student's ability to think critically and to communicate orally. Theory and practice are provided in various speaking situations. Each student is required to speak before an audience, but class work also involves reading, gathering and organizing information, writing, and listening.

PF 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)

This course focuses on using spreadsheets to solve business problems.

3 credits from the following types of courses:
Any General Education course at the 100 or 200 level

Major Foundational
ACCT 215 - Financial Accounting (4)

This course is an introduction to accounting, emphasizing how general-purpose financial statements communicate information about the business corporation's performance and position for users external to management. Approximately one third of the course emphasizes how the accountant processes and presents the information and includes exposure to recording transactions, adjusting balances and preparing financial statements for service and merchandise firms according to established rules and procedures. The balance of the course examines major elements of the statements such as cash, receivables, inventory, long-lived assets, depreciation, time value of money, payroll, bonds, and other liabilities and stocks. Concepts of this course are applied to ACCT 225 (Managerial Accounting). Students are advised to avoid any time lapse between these two courses.

ACCT 225 - Managerial Accounting (4)

The study of management accounting for internal reporting and decision-making. The course introduces a business-management approach to the development and use of accounting information. Major topics include cost behavior, cost analysis, profit planning and control measures. Accounting for decentralized operations, capital budgeting decisions, and ethical challenges in managerial accounting are also covered.

Major Area Required
ACCT 310 - Intermediate Accounting I (4)

Intermediate Accounting I is the first of two in-depth financial accounting courses. Theory, the conceptual framework, development of generally accepted accounting principles, and applications are stressed. Topics include the income statement, statement of cash flows and, the balance sheet, specifically the asset accounts.

ACCT 320 - Intermediate Accounting II (4)

This course is the second of two in-depth financial accounting courses. Theory, concepts, and applications are stressed. Topics include time value of money, current and non-current liabilities, leases, deferred taxes, retirement benefits, stockholders' equity, earnings per share, accounting changes and errors, and the statement of cash flows.

ACCT 390 - Federal Income Tax I (4)

An introduction to the federal income tax structure with emphasis on the individual taxpayer, including employee, sole proprietor and investor. This course also provides exposure to basic concepts that apply equally, or with slight modification, to taxpayers other than individuals. Major topics include filing status, exemptions, excludable and includable income, business and non-business deductions, disallowances, technical tax research, and computer problem applications.

Major Electives
ACCT 330 - Cost Management (4)

This course is an in-depth study of cost accounting focusing on its role in internal reporting and the resulting decision-making processes. Students will evaluate the foundation, ethics and basic costing systems employed in the management accounting profession; analyze budgeting, cost behavior, pricing and profitability concepts and principles; determine how cost allocations, product quality, and investment decisions are applied by management accountants; determine how current trends in various industries impact cost accounting; and demonstrate knowledge that is in accordance with the educational requirements for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

OR ACCT 341 - Fraud Examination (4)

The majority of the course is focused on detecting the most common types of occupational fraud, determining how each type of fraud is committed, and implementing prevention strategies. This course provides an overview of the behavioral research associated with occupational fraud and the methodology of fraud examination (i.e., obtaining documentary evidence, interviewing witnesses and potential suspects, writing investigative reports, testifying to findings, and forensic document examination).

OR ACCT 360 - Government & Not for Profit Accounting (4)

This course is designed to provide a framework for understanding the special accounting and reporting requirements of nonprofit organizations. The emphasis is on reporting concepts and budgeting principles for governmental and nonprofit economic entities.

OR ACCT 420 - Federal Income Tax II (4)

Analysis of the income tax consequences of the formation, operation and liquidation of C-corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts including the treatment of distributions by these entities and tax planning considerations. Also examined is the tax effect of property transfers by gift or death. Technical tax research and tax memo documentation also required.

OR ACCT 425 - Accounting Information Systems (4)

This course creates a framework for accounting information systems by combining knowledge about business as it relates to information systems, information technology, and accounting. Students will examine the REA enterprise ontology as it relates to databases which can be used to store and retrieve information for decision-making within an organization. Students learn that in the competitive organizations of today, and tomorrow, accountants cannot simply prepare and report information; they must take a more active role in understanding and creating systems and processes that impact the organization's bottom line.

OR ACCT 470 - Auditing (4)

A study of the planning, evidence gathering, internal control review, sampling, and application of procedures used to audit assets, liabilities, equity and related income statement accounts of a profit-oriented enterprise. Includes an evaluation of the audit profession including professional standards, ethics and liability of CPAs. Also includes a student-prepared audit case for hands-on application of audit procedures. The reporting requirements for compilation and review services and a thorough study of the types of audit opinions will also be studied. In addition, an audit research paper is required.

OR ENTR 395 - Foundations of Entrepreneurship (4)

Foundations of Entrepreneurship is an introductory course that examines the theory, practice, and tools of entrepreneurship. Various entrepreneurship structures and how such structures result in different unique pathways to success are explored. Students will focus on the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset as they assess their individual values and determine their affinity for entrepreneurial thinking, while also reviewing the risks and rewards of entrepreneurial businesses in the context of their chosen entrepreneurial philosophy. Finally, students will identify and evaluate opportunities for new ventures, and consider a strategic approach for successful business plan development.

University Electives

4 credits from the following types of courses:
Any undergraduate courses offered by the University except developmental education courses.

Additional Requirements

All students are required to pass College Writing (ENG 120), and either Basic Learning Strategies (PF 121) or Learning Strategies (PF 321) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Students who enroll at Franklin with 30 or fewer hours of transfer credit are required to pass PF 121 Basic Learning Strategies in place of PF 321 Learning Strategies. Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) or Speech Communication (SPCH 100) must be taken prior to enrolling in any course at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.

A.S. Accounting Program Details

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Career Opportunities

Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers are responsible for recording a business’ financial transactions, including payments, invoices, checks and bills. 

Accounting Assistant

Accounting assistants use software programs to perform a variety of financial-related tasks, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, collections and reconciliations.

Payroll Clerk

Payroll clerks are responsible for assisting in managing employee compensation, including verifying hours worked, completing weekly payroll and process process employee status and information changes.

Accounting Technician

Accounting technicians are responsible for assisting in the reporting and maintenance of financial accounting data, records and transactions.

Accounts Receivable Clerk

Accounts receivable clerks process and reconcile financial transactions related to incoming receivables, including processing invoices, credit memos, payments and deposits.

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