Today’s modern workplace relies on accountants to move business forward in nearly every industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your skills, DeVry University has the accounting courses you need. We offer basic accounting classes that cover topics like financial accounting, as well as courses that cover more advanced topics like auditing, consolidations, taxation and accounting information systems. We coach you every step of the way through our in-person or online accounting courses to help you work towards earning your degree. You’ll learn through robust tools, modern case studies and practical examples with our online accounting classes.
Some of these courses can even help you prepare to pursue higher-level industry certifications. Our CPA Preparation Certificate program has Becker CPA exam prep built right into the material1.
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Explore Accounting Courses by Program
Accounting Courses
In this course you will study financial statements, including:
- How financial statements reflect business operations
- How to use financial statements for decision-making
- How financial statements may vary by industry
- How to use accounting and financial spreadsheet applications
PREREQUISITE(S): COMP100; and MATH114 or MATH116
This course focuses on basic principles of finance and managerial accounting. Students are introduced to:
- Accounting systems and financial statements
- Essential elements of cost and managerial accounting
- Capital investment analysis and other budgeting methods
- Financial decision-making and goals
This course is designed for students in technology-intensive programs.
PREREQUISITE(S): BUSN115 or CEIS100
This course expands on topics from the course ACCT219. It presents the topics within a conceptual framework. The framework is from generally accepted accounting principles. Topics covered include:
- Financial accounting functions and theory
- Recognition and measurement of assets
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT212
This course expands on topics from the course ACCT212. It presents the topics within a conceptual framework. The framework is from generally accepted accounting principles. Topics covered include:
- Financial accounting functions and theory
- Recognition and measurement of assets
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT212
This second course in intermediate accounting focuses on financial accounting. The course covers external reporting to the investing public for topics such as:
- Property
- Intangible assets
- Investments
- Current, long-term and contingent liabilities
- Leases
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT304
This second course in intermediate accounting focuses on financial accounting. The course covers external reporting to the investing public for topics such as:
- Property
- Intangible assets
- Investments
- Current, long-term and contingent liabilities
- Leases
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT303
This course continues topics covered in ACCT305. It covers:
- Income taxes, pensions and other post-retirement benefits
- Shareholders’ equity
- Share-based compensation and earnings per share
- Accounting changes and error correction
- Statement of cash flows
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT305
This course continues topics covered in ACCT305. It covers:
- Income taxes, pensions and other post-retirement benefits
- Shareholders’ equity
- Share-based compensation and earnings per share
- Accounting changes and error correction
- Statement of cash flows
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT306
This course covers federal income tax concepts and their effect on individuals. Topics include:
- The history and background of taxes
- Gross income, exclusions, allowable deductions
- The basis for gain and loss on the disposition of property
PREREQUISITE(S): Corequisite: ACCT212
This course teaches you how to use accounting for business decision-making. Topics include:
- Standard cost systems, budgeting and break-even analysis
- The effect of state and federal taxes on decision-making
- How to use spreadsheet applications for analysis and problem-solving
- Accounting uses in different types of businesses
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT212
This course introduces to use accounting information in business decision-making. Course topics include:
- Standard cost systems, budgeting, break-even analysis, relevant cost issues
- The effect of state and federal taxes on decision-making
- Use of spreadsheet applications to analyze and solve today's business challenges
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT212
This course teaches financial accounting, such as:
- Consolidations and acquisitions
- Foreign currency transactions and financial statements
- Partnership accounting
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT312
This course teaches financial accounting, such as:
- Consolidations and acquisitions
- Foreign currency transactions and financial statements
- Partnership accounting
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT313
This course teaches about special tax issues for:
- Corporations
- Partnerships
- S corporations
- Gift taxes
- Estates and trusts
You will research, analyze and solve corporate and partnership income tax issues. You will use a hands-on approach with tax forms, tax software, spreadsheets and more.
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT326
This course examines basic concepts of federal income taxation of individuals and businesses. This includes sole proprietorships, S corporations and limited partnerships. This course also teaches you to develop tax planning skills. Use tax planning and preparation software packages through a hands-on approach.
Topics include:
- Income inclusions and exclusions
- Property transactions
- Capital gains and losses
- Tax credits
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT212
This course examines basic concepts of federal income taxation of individuals and businesses. This includes sole proprietorships, S corporations and limited partnerships. This course also teaches you to develop tax planning skills. Use tax planning and preparation software packages through a hands-on approach.
Topics include:
- Income inclusions and exclusions
- Property transactions
- Capital gains and losses
- Tax credits
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT212
Learn to present financial information to management as part of the decision-making process. Topics include:
- Resource planning
- Cost estimating
- Budgeting and cost control
- Activity-based pricing strategies and profitability exercises
- Life cycle costing and just-in-time (JIT) costing
- Developing spreadsheet and presentation software skills
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT346
Learn to present financial information to management as part of the decision-making process. Topics include:
- Resource planning
- Cost estimating
- Budgeting and cost control.
- Activity-based pricing strategies and profitability exercises
- Life cycle costing and just-in-time (JIT) costing
- Developing spreadsheet and presentation software skills
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT346 or ACCT360
This course provides a framework for decision-making in the accounting profession. Real-world case studies are part of course material.
Topics include:
- Ethics, integrity and independence
- Social responsibility
- Legal and regulatory requirements
- Professional codes of conduct
- State, national and international ethics and legality
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT312 or ACCT313
This course teaches critical research skills for the accounting profession. You will learn using real-world case studies. This course includes completing a written research report which will include all accounting research findings and recommendations.
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT312 or ACCT313; and ENGL216
Learn to certify corporate financial statements. This course covers the principles, practices and procedures used to certify. You will learn hands-on experience with computerized accounting systems. Topics include:
- Audit reports
- The corporate internal auditor’s function
- The interaction between outside auditors and a client company’s accounting staff
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT312
Learn to certify corporate financial statements. This course covers the principles, practices and procedures used to certify. You will learn hands-on experience with computerized accounting systems. Topics include:
- Audit reports
- The corporate internal auditor’s function
- The interaction between outside auditors and a client company’s accounting staff
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT313
This course analyzes the technologies of an integrated and automated accounting system. This includes how to design, install, operate and manage the system. Topics include:
- The general ledger, the subsidiary ledgers and the transaction process cycle
- Application controls, security requirements and integration with other business systems
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT312
This course analyzes the technologies of an integrated and automated accounting system. This includes how to design, install, operate and manage the system. Topics include:
- The general ledger, the subsidiary ledgers and the transaction process cycle
- Application controls, security requirements and integration with other business systems
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT313
In this course, you will apply accounting concepts to a real-world accounting problem. You will apply accounting theory, legality and ethics. You will present your case analysis in an individual essay.
PREREQUISITE(S): Successful completion of 89 semester credit hours and ACCT444 and enrollment in the BSAC program and permission from the appropriate academic administrator
Accounting Courses
This course introduces accounting, finance and economic concepts.
- Accounting topics cover financial statements, transaction analysis and the accounting cycle.
- Finance topics include the role of the finance manager, time value of money (TVM) and financial statements.
- Economics topics include scarcity and systems, supply and demand, maximizing profits and macroeconomics.
PREREQUISITE(S): None
This course focuses on core accounting concepts as well as tools used for:
- Creating the key financial statements that reflect an organization’s financial health
- Examining financial analyses and statements for management control, decision-making and reporting
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT500
This course introduces core accounting and finance concepts as well as tools used for:
- Summarizing the accounting of business transactions into standardized statements
- Diagnosing and documenting an organization’s fiscal health
- Examining financial analyses and statements for management control, decision-making and reporting.
PREREQUISITE(S): None
This course focuses on developing and interpreting accounting information. And then you will apply that information for managerial decision-making. The tasks include:
- Cost analysis
- Operational and capital budgeting
- Performance measurement
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT503 or ACCT504
This course addresses current issues in the field of accounting. Topics include:
- Ethics
- Synthesizing accounting and financial reporting methods
- Recent accounting pronouncements and their effect on various entities
- Current issues addressed by the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT503 or ACCT504 or permission from the appropriate academic administrator
This course examines core values in the accounting profession. You will learn from real-world case studies. Also considered are state, national and international regulations. Topics include:
- Ethics and integrity
- Objectivity and independence
- Processes for ethical decision-making
- Professional responsibility
- Legal requirements and codes of conduct
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
This course examines the research skills that are critical in the accounting profession. You will prepare a written report of research and findings. And you will present your recommendations. As part of your accounting research, you will:
- Identify research problems and authoritative sources
- Develop search criteria
- Gather and interpret data
- Form conclusions for a real-world case study in the areas of financial accounting, tax and audit
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
This course deals with financial accounting practice and theory, including:
- Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
- Accounting information systems
- Financial statement reporting and disclosures
- The time value of money
- Cash controls, accounting and reporting for cash, receivables and inventories
- Long-term assets
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
Intermediate Accounting II builds on the previous course, ACCT550 (Intermediate Accounting I), to include:
- Investments
- Intangible assets
- Current and long-term liabilities
- Stockholders’ equity
- Contributed capital and retained earnings
- Dilutive securities
- Earnings per share
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT550
This course teaches measurement and control of business production activities. It also covers the improvement of corporate profitability through cost management. Topics include:
- Job order and process cost systems
- Flexible budgets and standard costs
- Overhead applications
- Variance analysis, pricing decisions; and performance measurements and rewards
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
This course teaches the important tax consequences of common business transactions. Coursework emphasizes:
- Different tax liabilities resulting from nearly identical economic events
- Practical results rather than technical compliance requirements to achieve results
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
External auditing deals with principles, and practices used by accountants for certification of financial statements. This includes:
- External audit services
- Auditor and management responsibilities
- Professional standards of external auditors
- Evidence and procedures used by external auditors
- Audit reports
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
Budgeting teaches the goals, technical procedures and effects of budgeting. The course provides a comprehensive approach to budgeting. This includes:
- Preparing the many schedules that compose a master budget
- Managerial issues affected by the profit planning and control process
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
Intermediate Accounting III builds on ACCT551 to include:
- Revenue recognition
- Accounting for income taxes
- Pensions and post- retirement benefits
- Leases
- Accounting changes and error analysis
- Statement of cash flows
- Disclosure issues
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT551
This course covers financial accounting practice and theory in relation to:
- Consolidations
- Foreign currency transactions and financial statements
- Partnership accounting, including formation, maintenance, reorganization and liquidation
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT551
This course expands on tax topics for non-tax accounting and financial professionals. Further, it examines:
- The complexity of corporate and partnership taxation
- Estates and gifts
- Fiduciary accounting
- Tax-exempt entities
- Qualified and non-qualified plans
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT553
This course examines why organizations need monitoring control systems. It is a comprehensive examination of the audit process. You will learn the criteria for the causes, effects and conditions for various types of audits. These include operational, performance and fraud audits.
Topics include:
- Standards, objectives and procedures involved in reviewing the reliability and integrity of information
- Compliance with policies, procedures, laws and regulations (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
- Safeguarding assets
- Appraising efficient use of resources
- Reviewing established objectives and goals (including accounting ethics) for operations and programs
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
This course focuses on problem-solving skills used in planning and controlling organizations. Managerial tools explored include:
- Target and activity-based costing
- Activity-based management
- Strategy and management accounting
- Measuring and managing quality costs and capacity
- Emerging accounting issues
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
In this course, you will study topics in the context of multinational enterprises. The topics are:
- Accounting for foreign currency transactions
- Translation of foreign financial statements
- Transfer pricing
- Comparative accounting standards
- Taxation
- Multinational systems and control
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT505
This course introduces accounting for managers of government organizations and nonprofits. Topics include:
- Transaction analysis
- Financial statement analysis and interpretation
- Compliance issues
- Operational and cash budgeting
- Standards such as those from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB)
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT503 or ACCT504 or permission from the appropriate academic administrator
This course addresses computerized accounting information systems. The course also prepares you for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential. Topics include:
- Reporting objectives and management needs
- Transaction trails and documentation
- Security and internal controls
- Integration of accounting systems with other software
- Systems analysis techniques
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT503 or ACCT504
This course examines the nature of occupational fraud. It demonstrates how it is committed. You can learn actions to detect it and procedures to deter it. Topics include:
- How allegations of fraud should be investigated to meet the requirements of civil or criminal courts
- Ethics and governance in business as fraud prevention tools
- Tools and techniques for gathering evidence during fraud examinations
The course prepares you to earn the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential.
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT503 or ACCT504
This course focuses on conducting fraud examinations and includes discussion of procedures used in forensic accounting examinations and reasons behind using these procedures. In addition, coursework addresses:
- How allegations of fraud should be investigated to meet the requirements of civil or criminal courts
- Detection, investigation and prevention of specific types of fraud
Coursework focuses on preparing you to earn the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential, examining criminology and ethics.
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT503 or ACCT504
This course covers auditing procedures and standards generally accepted in the United States (GAAS) and other standards related to attestation engagements. The auditing and attestation section of the CPA exam tests knowledge in the context of five broad engagement tasks. The course is two semester-credit hours. It is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT551 or equivalent
This course prepares you to pass the business environment and concepts section of the CPA exam. It focuses on:
- Business structure
- Economics essential to an entity’s operation
- Business and industry
- Financial management
- Information technology
- Planning and measurement
You can learn the underlying business reasons for – and accounting implications of – transactions. You can apply that knowledge in financial statement audit and attestation engagements. And you may perform other functions affecting the public interest. The course is two semester-credit hours. It is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT551 or equivalent
This course prepares you to pass the financial accounting and reporting section of the CPA exam. It covers accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) that affect business enterprises, non-profits and government entities. The course is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT551 or equivalent
This course prepares you to pass the regulation section of the CPA exam. Topics include federal taxation, ethics, professional and legal responsibilities, and business law. You will study the legal implications of business transactions as they relate to accounting and auditing. And, the course teaches federal and widely-adopted uniform state laws. This includes the principles and procedures for federal income, estate and gift taxation. The course is two semester-credit hours. It is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
PREREQUISITE(S): ACCT551 or equivalent
This is a final course in the Master's of Science in Accounting (MSAC) program. It integrates knowledge and skills learned throughout the program. You will apply what you have learned to challenges faced by accountants. This includes balancing the needs of customers, shareholders, employees and stakeholders. And you will be considering ethical and legal ramifications.
PREREQUISITE(S): Successful completion of all other program core and MSAC focus courses, and permission from the appropriate academic administrator
This is the final course for Master's of Financial Management (MAFM) students. It provides an opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills learned throughout the program. It is the last course other than the exam-preparation courses. You will integrate strategic planning, critical thinking and communication skills. You will apply these skills to treasury and accounting functions, using the perspective of a CFO.
PREREQUISITE(S): Successful completion of all other required MAFM program courses (except exam-preparation courses) and permission from the appropriate academic administrator
FAQs: Accounting Courses
What courses are needed to become an accountant?
There are several different pathways to becoming an accountant, each of which will require you to take different accounting courses and classes during your education. Here at DeVry, you may take courses like Financial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting I and II, Federal Income Taxation and Professional Ethics for Accountants on your way towards a bachelor's degree in accounting. Accounting may also be pursued as a specialization within our Bachelor’s Degree in Business.
If you choose to pursue a higher level degree, such as our Master's Degree in Accounting or our Master’s Degree in Accounting and Financial Management, you may take more advanced or industry-tailored courses, such as Governmental and Not-for-profit Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Management of Financial institutions, or Accounting Fraud Criminology and Ethics.
How long is an accounting course?
Can I learn accounting through online courses?
How hard are online accounting courses?
Additional Online Courses
1Credits and degrees earned from this institution do not automatically qualify the holder to participate in professional licensing exams to practice certain professions. Persons interested in practicing a regulated profession must contact the appropriate state regulatory agency for their field of interest. For instance, typically 150 credit hours of post-secondary education are required to meet state regulatory agency education requirements for CPA licensure.
Coursework may qualify for credit towards the State Board of Accountancy requirements. However, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the state board of accountancy for the jurisdiction in which they are applying to determine whether they have completed the appropriate credit hours and coursework to qualify to take the CPA exam.
2Each student is allotted a set number of hours of tutoring per academic session through www.Tutor.com (available 24/7). Additional tutoring services are also available through www.DeVryTutors.com.
*Courses marked with an asterisk (*) require successful completion of required math and English transitional studies courses. Required transitional studies coursework may affect program length and cost.
^Courses marked with a caret (^) are licensed in New Jersey; students whose enrolled location is in New Jersey may enroll in these courses in the onsite, online and blended modalities.
+Courses marked with a plus sign (+) are available as honors courses (restrictions apply).
Note: To enroll in a course with a corequisite, students must have either successfully completed the corequisite course during a prior session or concurrently enroll in the corequisite course.
Programs vary by location. For specific program details for Pennsylvania, refer to: Pennsylvania catalog
Conferral and Assessment Data - Available for all of DeVry and Keller's ACBSP accredited programs. For a full list of DeVry University's business and accounting degree programs accredited by ACBSP, please see the Accreditation page. Note: For those wishing to pursue CPA certification, the CPA exam-preparation courses (ACCT591, ACCT592, ACCT593 and ACCT594) are recommended.
Note: For those wishing to pursue CPA certification, the CPA exam-preparation courses (ACCT591, ACCT592, ACCT593 and ACCT594) are recommended.
Note: All students planning to sit for the CPA exam in Texas should follow the academic plan outlined in the academic catalog. Students planning to sit for the CPA exam in Texas should note that a significant percentage of coursework must be completed successfully onsite.
Employees of DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management are not in a position to determine an individual’s eligibility to take the CPA exam or satisfy licensing
New York students should contact the NYSED Office of Professions regarding professional licensure.
All students enrolled in site-based programs will be required to take some coursework online and, for some programs and locations, a substantial portion of the program may be required to be completed online.
