Colleges with Accounting Degree Programs in Illinois

Illinois Accounting Degrees Online and On-Campus

Click for all featured online accounting programs currently taking applications for 2024.

There are 486 accounting degree programs in Illinois in our directory (134 Associates, 141 Bachelors, 85 Masters, and 12 Doctorate).

There are plenty of online higher education opportunities to improve career position or change jobs within the state of Illinois. The two most common programs are a Master of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in accounting, which is focused more on managerial and leadership roles.

Typically, the MSA opportunities do not have a requirement for undergraduate work within accounting or finance, but this is more often needed under the MBA programs. Chicago has the most opportunities available within accounting, but their average salary is just a little above the state average.

Online Master of Accounting Degrees in Illinois

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Are there online accounting degree programs in Illinois?

Yes, here is our list of some of the top online accounting degrees in Illinois.

Click to jump to all Illinois schools offering accounting degrees.

University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

Master of Science in Accountancy

The Gies College of Business provides an online IMSA program that prepares students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Overall, over 150 credit hours are needed among all education to become CPA certified. This specific degree can be completed between 18 to 36 months. There are two ways the program can be taken - through a self-paced format to fit any schedule needs or a more aggressive version that has live classes. Courses in the core curriculum are various levels of Accounting Analysis, Managerial Accounting, Auditing, and Federal Taxation. This curriculum is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

There are two times during the year that the program accepts admissions for new students. In order to get administered into the program, prospective students will need to send unofficial transcripts, professional resume, personal statement of up to 1,500 words, three letters of recommendation, and GMAT or GRE scores. These are waived for those that have at least three years of professional experience or already have a post-Bachelor's degree. There is also the option of completing two four-credit hour courses in two consecutive semesters as a non-degree student.

Eastern Illinois University

Master of Business Administration - Accountancy

Another online program is offered by EIU, which is a Master of Business Administration with an Accountancy concentration that is accredited by the AACSB. This program is geared toward students that have already completed an undergraduate program within the accounting or finance field. The MBA program consists of seven core courses that are available online and four additional courses that must be completed at the Charleston campus. The accountancy courses are Financial Accounting Standards, Advanced Auditing and Assurance Services, Legal Environment of Accounting, and an additional elective that changes.

One unique aspect of this MBA program are having required courses within Strategic Management and Management Simulation. Strategic Management focuses on many business disciplines, including accounting, and Management Simulation will provide a way for students to have real-world experience within an accounting role. Scheduling is flexible and can be based on the availability of the student, taking one to four courses each semester. 97 percent of graduates from the MBA program at Eastern Illinois University in 2018 were employed within three months of graduation.

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Saint Xavier University

Master of Science in Accounting

The Graham School of Management provides an MSA program that requires 30 credit hours to complete with seven core courses and three additional electives. Some of the core courses that are required within the curriculum are Accounting Analytics and Revenue Optimization, Forensic and Investigative Accounting, and Advanced Topics in Taxation and Regulation. Admission requirements include a personal statement, resume, letters of recommendation, GRE or GMAT scores, and official transcripts.

This program is specifically tailored to those with undergraduate accounting degrees and require a number of related coursework. This includes 24 credit hours that are similar to their undergraduate curriculum, including Financial Accounting, Auditing, Business, Ethics, and Society, and three levels of Intermediate Accounting. There is a way to prepare for the CPA exam by taking the 4-plus-1 program, which is geared for students that are getting their Bachelor of Business Administration. Courses are offered at night, on weekends, or online for working professionals

Dominican University

Master of Science in Accounting or MBA Accounting

Within the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University, they provide two versions of higher level education within accounting: a Master of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with an area of emphasis in Accounting. Both programs are available 100 percent online. The MSA is geared toward working professionals with years of experience that are looking to advance in their career or change careers if they studied a different discipline.

The entire program can be completed within a year with 10 courses that takes eight weeks each. No background within business is necessary, and there are no GRE or GMAT scores required to submit. There are concentrations within the program to customize the degree toward a specific career: Forensic Accounting, Fraud Accounting, Internal Auditing, Business Law, Cost Management, and Taxation. The entire curriculum is accredited by the AACSB.

An alternative path is taking the MBA with a focus on accounting courses. Anywhere between 40 to 46 credits are needed for graduation and these courses can be taken online, on-campus, or a combination of the two. It is recommended that students have prior coursework in accounting or finance in order to complete this degree. There is a selection of electives to choose from and one of the courses must focus on an international perspective.

American InterContinental University

Master of Business Administration – Accounting

The MBA program at AIU provides an education within accounting theory and management that can be fully completed online. It can take just one year to complete the program with a concentration in Accounting with the Intellipath learning platform that will determine what coursework is needed based on what the student has completed. Up to 75 percent of the curriculum will allow for transferable credits. The program can be accessed at any time and it is possible to work with some course material on a mobile device.

Prerequisites to get into the program is holding a Bachelor’s degree. This does not have to be a field within accounting or business, but it will show the school that the student is prepared for further post-secondary education. There is also no GMAT or GRE scores needed when applying for the program. Eight total courses are needed to complete the program, and the accounting-specific classes include Accounting for Managers, Accounting Information Systems, Public and Not-For-Profit Accounting, and Leadership and Ethics for Managers.

Accreditation Options in Illinois

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC)

This regional-based accreditation association evaluates educational programs in 19 states, including Illinois. Criteria to become accredited includes having an approved mission statement, how it will continue to fulfill their goals in the future, and showcasing student success through their faculty and resources. All education programs that are accredited will usually be approved for a span of four years until they have to reapply for another look and submit ongoing efforts to improve and how they are still striving toward their goals.

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Since 1998, the ACBSP accredits all business programs across the world and has reached over 1,000 campuses. Their goal is to reach every business program and help them obtain a quality curriculum in order to best prepare students for a role in business. The association has on-campus visits to evaluate the education process and ensures a quality experience for students.

Career Opportunities in Illinois

Chicago has the most opportunities of any city for those looking for an accounting or finance opportunity in Illinois according to Indeed. Two of the most prominent Top Four accounting firms is Deloitte and Ernst and Young. The latter has opportunities such as a tax services manager, advisory services manager, and global compliance and reporting. A tax services manager, or simply a tax manager, oversees the organization’s tax filings and compliance within them. They will also identify any changes within tax regulations and determine changes that need to happen because of this. On average, this position will pay between $109,871 to $145,546 in Illinois.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary in accounting sits at $58,901 annually, with the typical range being anywhere from $42,000 to $84,000. Managerial positions will boost this up to nearly $90,000 on average. These numbers are only a few thousand dollars higher in the city of Chicago in comparison, but that $60,778 is three percent above the national average.

A popular organization for accounting professionals in the state is the Illinois CPA Society. There are over 23,200 members that spans numerous age ranges and has a 60-to-40 male-to-female ratio. Most of these professionals (over 9,500) are part of public practice. The society will provide help in gaining a CPA or further education in accounting along with networking opportunities and posting an updated resume to get a job. The Illinois CPA Society has members in Chicago, Deefield, Naperville, and Springfield.

Online Accounting Degrees Accepting Applicants

Schools with Accounting Degrees in Illinois