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Business

Bachelor's Degree Specialization in Accounting

Boost your accounting and business skills with a bachelor’s degree specialization in accounting

Looking for a business accounting degree that can help you get on the path toward your professional goals? Our bachelor’s degree specialization in accounting might be a great fit for you. This specialization can be completed 100% online or in a hybrid1 format as part of our Business Administration, Business Management, or Technical Management bachelor's degree programs. You’ll have the opportunity to explore accounting tools, strategies, and laws as you learn to navigate a wide range of business environments within the private sector, government, and nonprofits.

When you pursue your accounting specialization here at DeVry, you’ll explore real-world accounting scenarios engaged by today’s leading organizations and gain industry insights from knowledgeable, dedicated professors. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice accounting and management skills, including managing billing functions, using AI for data analysis, and communicating financial data.

Classes start every 8 weeks

Take the next step in your accounting education. Contact us to get started.

Request info
Call 866.338.7934
  • 01 Knowledge and skills
  • 02 Careers
  • 03 Catalog download
  • 04 FAQs
Knowledge and skills

What you'll learn

Our accounting degree specialization covers the following:

Financial accounting

Understand financial foundations, including asset recognition and measurement, reporting, accounting for income taxes, pensions, and other post-retirement benefits, shareholders’ equity, share-based compensation, earnings per share, accounting changes, error correction, and cash flow.

Auditing

Examine the principles, practices, and procedures used by public accountants for certifying corporate financial statements.

Accounting information systems

Learn to design, install, operate, and manage an integrated, automated accounting system built on both traditional accounting tools and AI-powered technologies. This includes ledgers, transaction process cycles, application controls, information security requirements, and business information systems integration.

AI-powered analytics

Practice using AI technologies to analyze datasets, identify outliers, uncover trends, predict future outcomes, and generate financial reports.

Federal income taxation

Understand business models such as sole proprietorships and limited partnerships, as well as the federal taxation concepts that apply to them. These include income inclusions and exclusions, property transactions, capital gains and losses, and tax credits.

Financial advising

Advise clients in areas such as the design of accounting or data processing systems, as well as long-range tax or estate planning.

Critical thinking

Learn how to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Mathematical reasoning

Use mathematical formulas to solve problems or project outcomes.

Judgment and decision-making

Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to make the most appropriate choice.

An industry advantage

Our bachelor's degree program with an accounting specialization integrates elements of Becker Professional Education's industry-leading content so you can gain exposure to today's relevant accounting principles.

becker

Accreditation matters

Being accredited means we’ve met rigorous quality standards and are committed to giving you the education you deserve. Our accreditations and recognitions include:

  • The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): Our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Business Management, and Technical Management with a Specialization in Accounting degree programs are accredited by ACBSP, acbsp.org, demonstrating they have met standards of business education that promote teaching excellence. Learn more about program outcomes and student achievement.2

  • The Higher Learning Commission (HLC): Institutionally, DeVry University is accredited by HLC, www.hlcommission.org. Our Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation.

Learn more about our
accreditations
ACBSP logo
Careers

Career opportunities with an accounting specialization

Business and accounting degrees can help you prepare to pursue a wide range of occupations and career paths. Graduates of our bachelor’s degree accounting specialization may consider careers including, but not limited to:

  • Accountant

  • Accounting manager

  • Budget analyst

  • Cost accountant

  • Financial analyst

  • Financial consultant

  • General ledger accountant

  • Internal auditor

  • Payroll manager

  • Tax accountant

Accounting specialization job types

Within the field of accounting, there are several careers you might consider. Here are 5 areas of focus that someone pursuing a business degree with an accounting specialization may be interested in:

  • External auditor

    External auditors are called in by companies to ensure they are compliant with all the rules and regulations of where they operate. In some cases, they may be hired by entities that wish to perform an audit of another company.

  • Government accountant

    Government accountants work at all levels of government, managing budgets and expenses and ensuring that records are properly maintained. They may also be involved in auditing companies and individuals to ensure they are compliant with tax laws.

  • Internal auditor

    Internal auditors work for a single company and frequently audit their employer to ensure they are remaining compliant with local and federal financial regulations.

  • Management accountant

    Management accountants use financial records to help guide the decisions of a company. They tend to work in a more analytical role than other types of accountants, who typically focus on financial record keeping.

  • Public accountant

    Public accountants have a wide range of responsibilities and are capable of working in several capacities. Professionals in public accounting are the generalists of the accounting profession, working with large and small businesses and individuals on everything from tax documents to financial records. They often pursue certification and licensure as certified public accountants (CPAs).3

Regardless of your area of interest, it’s important to remember that job requirements vary by employer, and some roles may require years of relevant experience.

Pursue your goals with an accounting specialization

Choose the path that fits. Contact us to get started.

accounting specialization
accounting specialization

FAQs

What degree is best for accounting?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is typically the minimum education requirement for accountants and auditors to enter the occupation. If you’re looking for a business accounting degree to help you pursue this career path, our business bachelor's degree programs earned with an Accounting Specialization or our Bachelor’s in Accounting, which focuses specifically on accounting principles and applications, can help you get started.

What types of degrees are there for accounting?

Degrees and certificates in accounting can be earned at the undergraduate and graduate levels in programs with focused specializations. At DeVry, we offer a variety of academic programs in accounting to fit the professional and personal goals of busy working adults like you who want to enter or prepare to pursue advancement in this occupation. These include bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees (including a Master's in Business Administration, or MBA), and graduate and undergraduate certificates.

Is business accounting a hard major?

The level of difficulty will vary by individual, but if you apply yourself and exercise good study and time management habits, you should find this major no more difficult than others of the same academic level.

Is a business degree in accounting worth it?

We think so! Whether you choose a Bachelor’s in Accounting or a bachelor’s degree specialization in accounting, you may consider career paths in accountancy, auditing, management, advising, or other aspects of business. When you consider the potential for earnings, career advancement, and job satisfaction, an accounting degree can certainly be worth it. Information about careers, job growth, earnings, and education requirements can be found by visiting the BLS at bls.gov.

Should I major in accounting or business administration?

Consider the career path you’d like to take to help you decide whether to major in accounting or business. If you want to prepare to pursue a career in accounting as a public accountant, management accountant, or auditor, an accounting-specific degree program might be the right choice for you.

If you want to pursue opportunities in a broader business management landscape, or your professional goals aren’t fully formed, a degree in management, technical management, or business administration might be the best choice.

Is an accounting degree specialization different from an accounting degree?

Yes, an accounting degree specialization is different from an accounting degree, but both can help you pursue similar goals. The main difference is the coursework that you take.

When you earn a bachelor's with an accounting specialization here at DeVry, you'll be earning a bachelor's in business (Business Management, Technical Management, or Business Administration), which takes a more general business-focused approach to your coursework. This includes courses about business as well as accounting and marketing.

A Bachelor's in Accounting is more focused on accounting and will include fewer classes about other business disciplines.

How do I apply to DeVry?

Applying is quick and easy:

  1. Talk to an Admissions representative: Fill out a brief form, and we’ll reach out to walk you through the process.
  2. Submit your application: We’ll take you through the application over the phone. If you prefer, you can apply online. It only takes 5-10 minutes.
  3. Enroll in your first courses: Once you have applied and are accepted, we’ll help you build your schedule.

Learn more about admissions.

Academic catalog
2025 - 2026 academic catalog
View academic catalog
Program guides
Business Administration: Accounting
View program guide
Business Management: Accounting
View program guide
Technical Management: Accounting
View program guide

1Program, course, and extended classroom availability vary by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.

2Conferral and assessment data is available for all of DeVry and Keller ACBSP-accredited programs. For a full list of our ACBSP-accredited programs, visit our Accreditation page.

3Credits and degrees earned from DeVry do not automatically qualify the holder to sit for 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. Visit our CPA exam and licensure page for more information.