Accounting Education and Career Guide
September 23, 2024
How to transfer credits from an associate degree in accounting to a bachelor’s in accounting
Many people today earn an associate degree and then later apply those credits towards a bachelor’s degree. This can be a cost-effective option for some, and others may simply want to get into the workforce sooner and finish up their bachelor’s degree later. For accounting students, earning your associate degree and transferring those credits towards a bachelor’s in accounting program can be a great career move.
No matter what your motivation may be, transferring credits is not always as straightforward as it may seem. There are multiple elements that affect whether your associate degree credits can transfer, but if you can figure it out and earn a bachelor’s degree, the payoff for your career could be huge.
In this Article
Factors that determine credit transferability
Keeping in mind that individual circumstances can come into play when dealing with college credit transfers, consider some of these major factors that determine whether your accounting associate degree credits are transferable.
School-specific transfer agreements
Many two-year colleges have transfer agreements with four-year universities, also referred to as articulation agreements. These create simplified pathways for transferring credits from one school to another and can impact how many credits you can receive. Choosing a school that has an articulation agreement with your two-year college may help maximize your chances of getting the most credits transferred over, but it’s not a requirement. Schools that don’t have articulation agreements simply have to be examined on a case-by-case basis.
“Every institution has a different policy for transferring credits from an associate degree program to a bachelor’s degree program. Thus, it is very important to check with the schools you are interested in attending to find out about their transfer policy, the number of credits that you would be allowed to transfer, accreditation of your school and the school you are transferring to, course content and grades,” said Dr. Tanae Acolatse, Program Manager for the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program at Colorado State University (CSU) Global.
“For example, at CSU Global, our transfer policy allows students to transfer up to 90 credit hours. The 90 hours can include up to 64 credits from community colleges, 60 from non-traditional sources and other credit-by-exam and prior experiences.”
Area of study
As you would expect, if you studied something during your associate degree that’s completely unrelated to an accounting bachelor’s degree, then some of the classes you took may not apply towards the credits needed for your accounting major. That shouldn’t really be an issue if you earned your associate degree in accounting, though. Many of the lower-level accounting classes you took should be easy to transfer to most schools.
Your location
At least 31 states have policies that require schools to transfer core lower-division courses and have statewide guaranteed transfers of completed associate degrees, according to the Education Commission of the States. This can make it a lot easier to transfer credits from your associate degree to a bachelor’s.
Your grades
Many schools have a policy that transfer credit can only be awarded if the student earned a certain grade in that class or higher. Therefore, it may not be guaranteed that credits will transfer just because you completed a class.
Accreditation
The accreditation status of your school and/or specific associate degree program can play a major role in whether your credits can transfer. Schools typically only accept transfer credit from other schools that are accredited by an accreditation agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
“Before you commit to transferring to a bachelor’s degree program, make sure to verify that your current and future programs are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization,” Acolatse said. She pointed out, for example, that CSU Global’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
“’Accredited’ simply means that the institution has received approval based on academic standards, demonstrating its commitment to providing students with a quality education. A degree from an unaccredited institution may prevent you from obtaining professional certifications, admission to a graduate program and job opportunities.”
Benefits of transferring an associate degree in accounting to a bachelor’s degree
Associate degree holders should consider the variety of benefits that earning a bachelor’s degree could bring to their careers.
More job opportunities
Leveling up your associate degree in accounting to a bachelor’s degree could lead to a greater breadth of job opportunities in the long run.
“The earning potential and career opportunities for bachelor’s degree holders are usually higher than associate degree holders,” Acolatse said. “For example, a bachelor’s degree opens the door to more advanced job opportunities, including financial analyst or auditor positions, which command higher salaries, leading to better job security based on educational attainment.”
Higher earning potential
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to show that the higher the education level, the more people tend to earn. Take those whose highest level of education is an associate degree—the median usual weekly earnings for this group in 2023 was $1,058, or about $55,016 per year. The median for bachelor’s degree holders, on the other hand, was $1,493, or about $77,636 per year.
Even though every person’s earning potential is influenced by additional factors like experience and location, advancing your education still tends to lead to higher salaries.
Easier to qualify for industry certifications
There are many different certifications available to people in accounting and finance professions. Each certification has its own unique eligibility criteria, and many of them require a bachelor’s degree to qualify. Though some offer multiple eligibility pathways that allow people with an associate degree to still qualify if they have more experience, a bachelor’s degree is usually necessary to qualify for industry certifications.
“Most professional certifications require a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite; thus, if you are interested in sitting for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, you must have a bachelor’s degree to be eligible to register for the exam. Another example is the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. At CSU Global, our program prepares our students for the CMA exam, so if you are a junior or senior, you can sit for the exam before you graduate,” Acolatse said. “Graduating from college with a professional certification will set you apart from your peers who are competing for the same jobs that you are applying for. Remember—obtaining a professional certification can also increase your earning potential!
Develop transferrable skills
“Transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and data analytics are just a few of the skills that are essential for success in the accounting field. In a bachelor’s degree program, you have the opportunity to develop and master these skills,” Acolatse said. In CSU Global’s program, she said that students enrolled in upper-level courses are using real-world scenarios and hands-on practice to obtain skills in data analytics, business intelligence, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication.
“These are the benefits that you will acquire when you transition from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree.”
Steps to transfer your associate degree credits
- Narrow down a list of schools with accounting bachelor’s programs you are interested in.
Since each school’s policies on transferring credits can vary, your first step is to figure out where you might want to get your bachelor’s degree and then go from there.
- Contact the school’s admissions and/or academic advising office to learn more about their credit transfer policies.
First, you need to find out whether the school will accept credits from your particular associate degree at all. Second, you’ll need to provide them with your transcripts so that they can determine how many of those credits can transfer towards a bachelor’s degree.
- Apply to the schools of your choosing.
Once you know if a school will take your associate degree credits, you must apply to your new school like all other applicants. Schools typically have a slightly different application process for transfer students, so be sure you’re filling out the right application.
- Complete any prior learning assessments (PLAs), if applicable.
PLAs are a way for schools to consider a student’s skills and experience outside of the academic environment and turn them into college credit. Not every school allows PLAs, but they can be a fantastic way for people with experience working in their field, in the military, doing volunteer work or something else to get even more college credits for what they've done outside of the classroom. Someone who has already been working in finance for some time, for example, may be able to get some college credits toward their accounting bachelor’s degree so they can complete their degree in less time overall.
- Start learning and keep in touch with your academic advisor.
Once you are accepted into your bachelor’s program, remember to keep in contact with your academic adviser, especially around the time you register for new classes. They can help make sure you’re on the best track towards completing your bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible.
Closing thoughts
Earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting after earning your associate degree can be advantageous for financial professionals, but before you enroll in just any bachelor’s program, you need to check with schools to determine their credit transfer policies. If you can transfer your credits, you could be on your way to more job opportunities, higher wages and many other career benefits.
With professional insights from:
Lead Program Manager/Program Manager of BS in Accounting, Colorado State University Global