Diploma Program
Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting
Online Diploma Program
CLASSES START
Jan 6th
6-8 Mo. Program Length | 25 Credits |
Online Format | $515 Cost Per Credit |
Diploma Program
Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting
Online Diploma Program
Earn a fast start in your new career path
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Transfer credit | Up to 18 approved credits |
| Certification | Prepare for the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam from the American Payroll Association (APA) |
| Pathways | Discover pathways to continue your undergraduate education (AS in Accounting, BS in Accounting) |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Overview: Diploma in Bookkeeping & Payroll Accounting
The Diploma in Bookkeeping & Payroll Accounting is a 25-credit career diploma program which prepares you for a career as a bookkeeper, with potential to grow in the field of accounting in the future.
The online diploma program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in payroll accounting, taxation, business law, computerized accounting, and much more.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
You can take classes during the day or in the evening. We strive to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Classes Start January 6th
Learn More Today
Curriculum
Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting Diploma classes & curriculum details
Our diploma program is designed to provide students with an introductory understanding of basic payroll accounting practices. You will develop an understanding of how to set up and maintain accounting and payroll records in typical business settings.
All classes are delivered online in a virtual learning environment.
| Program | Monthsi | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting | 6-8 | 25 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program
Program availability varies by location
Required Courses
All courses, 21.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Open Elective Course
A minimum of 3.00 semester credit hours of open electives is required. Courses must be in Accounting (AC) Business (BU) or Information Systems (IS).
Personal and Professional Development Courses
1.00 semester credit hours are required.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the accounting diploma program is $515 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.
Requirements
Admissions requirements
Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting diploma program include:
- Prior education requirement. Completion of high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Entrance testing. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to succeed in college-level courses via prior ACT/SAT scores, completion of prior college credit, or additional entrance testing.
- Availability of time, personal commitment, and a professional attitude. We exist to help enthusiastic students fully committed to reaching their highest career goals. Our faculty and leadership are dedicated to helping you reach them.
You will need to meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor and complete an enrollment application to be admitted into the program.
If you have any additional questions regarding admissions into the program, please contact our admissions team.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District Of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands.
Classes Start January 6th
Waived Enrollment FeeWhat can I do with a diploma in bookkeeping/accounting?
Earning a diploma is an excellent way to get your start in the field of accounting and qualify for entry-level jobs as a bookkeeper or other support positions in payroll and accounting.
Possible job titles include:
- Bookkeeper
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounts Payable Clerk
- Accounts Receivable Clerk
- Auditing Clerk
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk
How can I advance my career? Complete a diploma and you can transfer credit into an associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting program with Herzing University. After earning an undergraduate degree you may choose to continue a business and managerial-focused graduate degree path with a Master of Business Administration.
Job outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of accountants and auditors is expected to increase 4% from 2022-2032, higher than the estimate for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks.*
Students looking to become an accountant or auditor can best qualify for those types of jobs by advancing their education with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Because so many financial and accounting-related programs are online, it’s possible to work remotely as a bookkeeper or accountant.
Keep in mind every employer has their own requirements and potentially might require candidates for entry-level positions to gain experience in the office before working from home.
A key difference between a diploma and a degree in accounting is required coursework.
Typically, an accounting diploma takes 6-8 months, while a degree may take two or more years. In a diploma program, you'll take classes specific to the field of accounting with no general education courses.
It's a cost-effective way to get foundational knowledge in a subject and can help you qualify for an entry-level job.
Yes!
You will have the opportunity to develop key skills in accounting and qualify for entry-level positions in the accounting field. Earning a diploma in bookkeeping and payroll accounting represents a college-level educational background preparing you to become a valuable member of an accounting team within many different types of organizations.
Bookkeepers record financial transactions and maintain accurate financial ledgers. They may also oversee accounts payable and receivable, process payroll, and track financial transactions.
To become a bookkeeper, you'll want strong math skills, a keen attention to detail, and strong organizational skills. A diploma in a bookkeeping can provide a strong foundation in basic payroll accounting and skills needed to help you find an entry-level job. The programs often take less than a year and can be completed online.
Every employer will have their own unique requirements for job applicants. While certification may not be required by each employer, a Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) from the American Payroll Association (APA) can help give you an edge in the job market. Our diploma program helps you prepare for the exam and become a certified bookkeeper.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn an average salary of $49,580 per year ($23.84 per hour).* Pay can vary widely by the education you’ve earned, experience in the field, specific responsibilities of the job, and state of employment.
Both certificate and diploma programs are field-specific credentials that do not include general education courses required in a degree program. Each can typically be completed faster than an associate degree program.
Certificates are typically the least comprehensive programs, providing the minimum career-focused training necessary to perform a certain type of job.
Diploma programs tend to be more in-depth than certificates, and can include hands-on experience to best prepare you for a wider variety of jobs in the field you’re pursuing.
Herzing University’s diploma programs exist to help you build the foundation for a long career beyond your very first job. Our diploma programs are designed to help you begin and grow your new career.
While you may not be required to hold a degree to qualify for jobs that include bookkeeping and accounting tasks, employers may prefer earning a degree if you plan to become an accountant and continue advancing your career in accounting and finance. It’s difficult to obtain senior-level roles in accounting without earning an accounting-specific undergraduate degree.
Many states require that you must have a bachelor’s degree plus additional credit hours to sit for the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). State-specific requirements may vary.2
Program Finder
Diploma in Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting Degree Programs
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The Diploma in Bookkeeping and Payroll Accounting program provides students with an introductory understanding of general and payroll accounting practices and the skills needed to set up and maintain basic accounting and payroll records in typical business settings.
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Accreditation
Accreditation & Disclosures
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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