An online degree in accounting offers a flexible approach to learning reporting, auditing, tax preparation, and other core accounting principles. We've selected several online degrees you should consider if you're interested in accounting in New York.
For inclusion on our list, a school must have a primary campus in New York, offer a fully online accounting program at the bachelor's level, and publicly available data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). When applicable, we've also highlighted median earnings for graduates and if the school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
List Of Accredited Online Accounting Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition | Median Earnings | AACSB Accredited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excelsior University | $15,300 | N/A | No | ||
| Bryant & Stratton College Online | 9,050 | $20,460 | $50,232 | No | |
| SUNY Empire State University | 4,066 | $8,480 | N/A | No | |
| Monroe University | 2,681 | $42,300 | $52,393 | No | |
| Utica University | 845 | $14,250 | N/A | No | |
| SUNY College at Plattsburgh | 575 | $8,480 | $52,647 | Yes | |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute | 359 | $8,480 | $52,418 | Yes |
2025 Best Online Accounting Degrees in New York
Excelsior University Excelsior University Excelsior University
- Online Enrollment: 13,983
- Salary Score: N/A
- Annual Tuition: $15,300
- Median Earnings: N/A
Online degree:
Why we like them: Excelsior is one of the most popular online schools in New York, enrolling nearly 14,000 online students. Another advantage is its dedication to military students, enrolling 2,156 students with military affiliation, placing it within the top 5% of schools in this metric. This bachelor's program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. It's designed for maximum flexibility, permitting substantial transfer credits and offering 8-week online courses. Specializations include Finance, General Accounting, and Marketing, providing a wide array of career trajectories. Core subjects offer practical insights into areas like cost accounting, auditing, and corporate taxation.
Bryant & Stratton College Online Bryant & Stratton College Online Bryant & Stratton College Online
- Online Enrollment: 9,050
- Salary Score: N/A
- Annual Tuition: $20,460
- Median Earnings: $50,232
Online degree:
Why we like them: Bryant & Stratton boasts a high online enrollment of over 9,000 undergraduate students, placing it among the top 3% of schools with the most online students. This is a compelling advantage for you as it indicates robust infrastructure and support for virtual learners. Covering 120 credit hours, the degree can be completed in approximately 32 to 40 months, offering flexibility through both online and on-campus formats. This program emphasizes decision-making, risk management, and a strong foundation in math and finance. The curriculum includes key courses in management, finance, and business law, aligned with career paths in accounting firms or government agencies.
SUNY Empire State University SUNY Empire State University SUNY Empire State University
- Online Enrollment: 4,066
- Salary Score: N/A
- Annual Tuition: $8,480
- Median Earnings: N/A
Online degree:
Why we like them: SUNY Empire State University (SUNY Empire) holds a significant position with over 4,000 online students enrolled at the undergraduate level. Designed for students aspiring to enter various accounting fields, the degree offers core competencies in accounting, general business, alongside liberal arts. The program allows up to 93 transferrable credits, expediting completion for eligible students. While it does not meet the 150-credit requirement for CPA licensure, options exist for pursuing further education with the CPA-qualifying program. Enrolling in 16 credits over two semesters per year can lead to completion in four years, with additional courses available in summer terms.
Monroe University Monroe University Monroe University
- Online Enrollment: 2,681
- Salary Score: N/A
- Annual Tuition: $42,300
- Median Earnings: $52,393
Online degree:
Why we like them: Monroe College stands out with a substantial online enrollment of 2,681 students, situating it among the top 17% of institutions in terms of online student body size. This reflects its robust online education infrastructure and ability to cater to diverse learning needs. This bachelor's program, accredited by the ACBSP, requires 120 credits, split between 66 major-related and 54 general education credits, completed over eight semesters. The curriculum includes tax law, statistics, and financial principles, among others, complemented by an essential internship for practical experience. The college implements a unique two-class module over 7.5 weeks, allowing you to trial the program before committing to a full semester.
Utica University Utica University Utica University
- Online Enrollment: 845
- Salary Score: N/A
- Annual Tuition: $14,250
- Median Earnings: N/A
Online degree:
Why we like them: Utica has a substantial online enrollment of 845 students, situating it within the more accessible institutions. Despite the fewer online enrollments compared to some peers, the university stands out in other critical areas. Notably, it maintains a commendable student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, placing it among the top institutions that offer a more personalized and interactive educational experiences. The program is ACBSP accredited and with a focus on experiential learning, it covers crucial areas such as cost management, income tax accounting, and corporate finance. The program accommodates a broad range of students, offering transfer credit options up to 90 credits, and stands as both a completer and a full undergraduate program.
SUNY College at Plattsburgh SUNY College at Plattsburgh SUNY College at Plattsburgh
- Online Enrollment: 575
- Salary Score: N/A
- Annual Tuition: $8,480
- Median Earnings: $52,647
- Accreditation: AACSB
Online degree:
Why we like them: SUNY Plattsburgh enrolls nearly 600 undergraduate online students, showcasing its capacity to deliver quality education at scale. Accredited by the AACSB, this 120-credit program qualifies you to sit for the New York State CPA exam, with further studies encouraged to meet the 150-credit CPA licensure requirement. With a focus on technical skills like Excel, VBA, and SQL, the program also integrates strong career development support. Online students benefit from asynchronous learning, enabling study on your own schedule. Furthermore, additional certificates and a forensic accounting minor are available.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute SUNY Polytechnic Institute SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- Online Enrollment: 359
- Salary Score: N/A
- Annual Tuition: $8,480
- Median Earnings: $52,418
- Accreditation: AACSB
Online degree:
Why we like them: SUNY Poly has a smaller but still sizable online enrollment of 359 students, reflecting a significant commitment to accessible online education. SUNY Poly's College of Business is accredited by AACSB International, reflecting a commitment to continuous quality improvement in its programs. The program includes asynchronous courses, including Auditing, Advanced Accounting Problems, and Taxes. In addition to General Education, students need to complete courses in Natural Sciences and an upper-division writing course to fulfill the Liberal Arts/Sciences credit requirement.
How To Become an Accountant in New York
Accountants and auditors are crucial to New York's economy, ensuring accurate financial records, conducting audits, and maintaining compliance with complex regulations. New York City, as a global financial hub, offers unparalleled opportunities for accountants in industries like finance, investment banking, real estate, and media. Beyond NYC, cities like Buffalo, Albany, and Rochester provide roles in healthcare, manufacturing, and higher education. A bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting or a related field is typically required, and many professionals advance their careers through certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). CPAs, who must pass a rigorous national exam and meet New York's licensing requirements, are highly sought after across diverse industries. Additional credentials, such as the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA), further enhance career prospects, particularly in corporate finance, internal auditing, and specialized sectors unique to New York鈥檚 economy.
Concerned about tuition? Compare the programs on our list of the most affordable online accounting degrees.
FAQs About Accounting in New York
How Much Do Accountants Make in New York?
Based on 2023 mean wage estimates reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors residing in New York earned around . Keep in mind that New York has a higher cost of living than most states.
How Many Accountants Live in New York?
BLS data estimates nearly 120,000 people currently employed as accountants and auditors in New York.
How Do I Become a CPA in New York?
CPA candidates in New York must fulfill several requirements in order to obtain licensure. You'll need to do the following:
- Earn 150 credits of university coursework. Since bachelor's degrees typically require 120 credits, we encourage you to consider a master's degree in accounting for additional credits.
- Complete one full year of supervised work experience in the accounting field.
- Pass the Uniform CPA exam in New York. You must score a 75 on a 0-99 scale.
Please note that while some states require candidates to complete the AICPA professional ethics exam, New York candidates do not need to fulfill this requirement.
How Hard Is the CPA Exam in New York?
The CPA exam is known to be challenging in any state. Test-takers are required to complete a 16-hour assessment split between four sections covering a range of accounting topics. However, if you don't pass a section on your first attempt, you'll have 18 months to retake the specific section until you pass. We encourage students to review the to get a better sense of what to expect on the exam.
Student Reviews of Online Accounting Programs
I will finish the program because I only have 7 months left but buyer be ware. You will fight the administration every step of the way. From onboarding to the program, to making your way through financial aid and a variety of other issues. The left hand of this school does not know what the right hand is doing. Additionally, do NOT trust them to give you all of the information you need. You must be your own advocate and know what you should be receiving from them. I have escalated more inquiries... Read More
Review Date: 7/11/2018
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Accounting Program could use some beefing up...a lot of management classes in the accounting program. The instructors that I had in class were wonderful. Most of the online instructors were helpful. Smaller classroom size is nice.
Review Date: 8/7/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The accounting program at Canisius is like no other. The professors and staff really work towards helping their students succeed and find jobs BEFORE they graduate. I was lucky enough to secure a position with a big four public accounting firm exiting my junior year which allowed me to have a job 2.5 years before graduation. I completed their 5 year bachelors and MBA program which allowed me to graduate with my bachelors in 4 years and complete a majority of the MBA requirements in my senior year,... Read More
Review Date: 9/12/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
UNH has treated me very well and their business program is the best in New England. The professors are knowledgeable and have real world experience, so they can relate the things we're learning with actual real life situations and applications. The dining halls are superb.
Review Date: 7/21/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The Accounting program at the University Louisville prepared me to understand all aspects of the business environment by requiring classes in the different business disciplines. The accounting courses were taught by professionals who had worked in the industry thus were extremely knowledgeable in the subject they were teaching. The staff at the University was engaging and would gladly answer any questions that came up throughout my term at the University.
Review Date: 2/27/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I overall thought the university is beautiful. My program was very rigorous (it was known as the hardest program in the College of Business). I think the only thing I was very "eh" about is finding the right person to go to answer my questions when it came to signing up for classes. I felt like I would be pointed into all sorts of different directions before I got my answer. Faculty for my College was amazing. I always felt like my professors were always supportive and rooting for me.
Review Date: 2/9/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I'm a first generation college student, so I wasn't aware of University of Georgia or Georgia Tech. The "campus" itself is weird, spread out among downtown Atlanta. Definitely doesn't feel prestigious now and clearly most of the students aren't from the best of their high schools. But I have a decent job now and glad I went here as opposed to a community college.
Review Date: 10/26/2015
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: Yes