University Of Michiganann Arbor
University of Michigan Ann Arbor offers a Bachelor of Business Administration program through its Stephen M. Ross School of Business. This fast-paced program develops the skills and understanding that students need to become leaders in the fields of accounting and business. Students generally focus on business and accounting courses during the sophomore and junior years of study. Innovation and experiential learning are integrated throughout the curriculum. All students complete a culminating capstone course and may choose from capstones centered in integrated business, professional management, or research. In addition to its multiple research centers, the University of Michigan Ross School of Business hosts the top-ranked Ross Leadership Initiative, a leadership development center of excellence. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree additionally benefit from opportunities such as the BBA Council, student clubs, case competitions, and mentoring programs. The undergraduate programs at the Ross School of Business have been highly ranked by US News and Bloomberg Businessweek. The school is also highly ranked for its executive education programs, entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility.
What Is An Accounting Degree
There are a few things you need to do before suiting up for your first day on the job. Namely, you have to get a four-year degree. And learn to tie a tie. But lets talk about the degree. Bachelors programs require four years worth of schooling. You can enroll for four full-time years or half your load and finish in eightits up to you. But most people finish school in four to five years.
Some notable accounting courses are Accounting Control Systems, Principles of Taxation, Advanced Financial Reporting, and Income Tax Problems. Bachelors programs often pair these accounting-focused courses with business classes. And most bachelors programs require students to take general education courses in the liberal arts, math, science, and health.
Requirements vary for bachelors programs in accounting. To join the best programs, you should have a high school diploma, a 3.0 or higher GPA, at least a couple of promising letters of recommendation, and a clear commitment to accounting. A lower GPA and GED may be enough to gain enrollment in less competitive schools.
What Do Accountants Do What Can I Do With An Accounting Degree
According to the United States Department of Labor, individuals with accounting backgrounds play many different roles within an institution. Some who study accounting go into a more traditional accounting role, as defined, roughly, as one who oversees and computes taxes and analyzes and reconciles financial statements. Others follow a route into financial reporting and asset management. Nonetheless, all accountants must be well versed in the laws regarding taxes and financial planning regulations. As such, most accountants are required to be able to justify their findings within these parameters. Accountants have a skill set needed by pretty much any organization or individual making transactions. Therefore, there is a relative variance in accounting work environments.
General accountants can work for private accounting firms, in-house with a company, or government organization. If transactions are taking place, an accountant can add value. Thus, you can imagine several different career venues within the accountant framework into which one can wander.
This accounting area can delve into situations that utilize hard skills in numerical analysis and general business skills. Asset management for a company or financial performance analyses are specialty areas in this field. Professionals in this arena analyze financial information to influence management to make fiscally responsible decisions within their business.
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Associates Degree In Accounting
An Associates degree in Accounting is usually a two-year commitment and is one of the most efficient paths into a career in accounting. Programs offer a smooth transition into most entry-level accounting roles. To get started, you need to have completed a high school diploma or a GED. Students who choose this route may do so because its a great way to get to work as soon as possible, gaining experience in the field, and then deciding whether to take the next step in the degree process. Besides bookkeeping and payroll, students study statistics, economics and focus on specific accounting areas, including financial, managerial, and cost accounting. Many associate programs are also now available online.
How Much Do Accounting Programs Cost
There are many factors that determine the cost of your accounting program, such as the school you choose, the type of program, the class format, and your decision to live on or off campus. While Southern New Hampshire University charges less than $10,000 per year, other schools like Villanova and Brigham Young University charge well over $50,000 per year.
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What Can You Do With A Degree In Accounting
The options for accountants are nearly endless. First, you have your choice of sectors. Healthcare, non-profit, education, media, corporate financethey all need savvy accountants.
Second, you have your choice of specialization. You can become a tax consultant and help people file the best possible tax return. Or you can become a financial analyst and help save your company loads of money.
Whichever route you take and whatever role you fulfill, accounting can lead to infinite, rewarding career opportunities. And all of these programs will fully prepare you for advanced education in accounting or business.
Grace College & Seminary
CPA First-Time Exam Pass Rate: 75%
- Opportunities to Reach 150 Credits/Complete Graduate Study Through the Universitys MBA Program
- Option to Complete the BA/BS in Accounting and MBA in Just 4 Years
- College Has Been Consistently Ranked Among the Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report
- Excellent Internship, Study Abroad, Research, and Mission Trip Opportunities Available
Grace College & Seminary is home to the BA/BS in Accounting, a swiftly growing program that includes the option of combining coursework with an MBA to achieve the 150 credits needed to qualify for the CPA designationin just 4 years! This program also offers the option to achieve language proficiency or to focus on math and science/social science . As a student here, youll also have access to the colleges many internship and networking opportunities. Many students complete valuableand well-paid! internships at local orthopedic companies, and each year Grace hosts an Accounting Job Fair that is attended by the Big 4 international firms as well as large national firms and corporations. Other unique opportunities afforded to students here include short-term international mission trips, study abroad opportunities, and research projects. Need another reason to add Grace to your short list? This Christian college has also been consistently ranked among the Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.
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University Of Sioux Falls
School of Business
BA in Professional Accounting and Business Administration
Minor in Accounting
Cost Per Credit: $599CPA First-Time Exam Pass Rate: 65.2%
- Opportunities to Reach 150 Credits/Complete Graduate Study Through the Universitys MBA in Organizational Leadership
- Fast-Track 3-Year Option Available
University Of Southern Maine
School of Business
Cost Per Credit: $262 , $419 , $689 CPA First-Time Exam Pass Rate: 54.1%
- Opportunities to Reach 150 Credits/Complete Graduate Study Through the Universitys MBA with Accounting Concentration
- Excellent Opportunities for Student Engagement Through Clubs and Organizations Such the Accounting Club
- Superb Opportunities for Experiential Learning, Thanks to Corporate Partnerships Fostered by the School of Business
- Internship Opportunities Coordinated by the School of Business Student Internship Program
- Outstanding Opportunities for Student Engagement Through Clubs and Organizations Like the Accounting Club
The University of Southern Maines BSBA, Accounting Major holds a strong reputation for a rigorous curriculum that provides students with the accounting and business skills needed to succeed in the dynamic accounting profession. In addition to classroom theory, as a student here youll get the practical skills needed to impress employers and get the job done, thanks to the many corporate partnerships that have been fostered through the School of Business. These practice-based partnerships allow students to complete immersive learning experiences through the School of Business Student Internship Program and through clubs and organizations like the Accounting Club. Youll also enjoy plenty of support as a student and graduate, thanks to the excellent services and resources available through the Career Services Office.
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What Are The Specializations Of A Masters Degree In Accounting
Accounting is a broad field of study however, accountants can specialize in a particular area that interests them in either a professional or personal sense, as in the four areas described below:
Financial Accounting
Those who specialize in financial accounting prepare financial statements depicting a companys overall performance. Investors, creditors, and customers often receive these statements from companies. You can land this profession if you have this specialization.
Tax Accounting
A tax accountant prepares tax returns for individuals and businesses, determines deductible expenses, calculates profits and losses against income, and generally tracks the movement of funds.
International Accounting
You can work in the international sectors when you specialize in international accounting. The International Financial Reporting Standards guide accountants who specialize in international accounting in evaluating and determining the financial standing of foreign companies or individuals.
Forensic Accounting
A forensic accountant examines an individuals or businesss financial condition using various accounting and investigative techniques. Often, the findings of a forensic accountant are used in court cases. If you want to work on them, this concentration will be suitable for you.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
College of Business
BBA in Accounting
Cost Per Credit: $254 , $506 , $278 , $359 , $390 CPA First-Time Exam Pass Rate: 74%
- Opportunities to Reach 150 Credits/Complete Graduate Study Through the Universitys MBA Program
- Other Opportunities to Reach 150 Credits Include Double-Majoring or Completing a Tailored Set of Courses in Accounting, Finance, Business, and More
- Flexible Curriculum Can be Personalized by Choosing an Area of Emphasis in Cost Management or Tax Planning
- Outstanding Opportunities for Student Engagement Through Organizations Like the Accounting Club, the Institute of Management Accountants , and the Finance Club
- Excellent Hands-On Learning Opportunities Through Internship Experiences
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Master Of Arts In Accounting
Average Graduate Tuition Per Year: $47,250Student Population: 1,208
Unique FeaturesHendrix College is a small liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. A low student-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 16 means students receive individualized attention throughout their time at Hendrix. The masters in accounting is an eight-course program, two required courses and six electives. Elective courses include auditing, taxation, business law, and cost accounting. Students should have an undergraduate degree in accounting, economics, or economics and business to apply for this masters in accounting program. Graduates have gone on to successfully work for companies such as the Federal Reserve Bank and Administration, Dillards, and Baptist Health.
University Of North Carolina Charlotte
Belk College of Business
BSBA in Finance with a Concentration in Finance/Accounting
Cost Per Credit: $232 , $680 CPA First-Time Exam Pass Rate: 62%
- Opportunities to Reach 150 Credits/Complete Graduate Study Through the Universitys MAcc and MBA Programs
- Belk College of Business Ranks Among the Top 21% of all Undergraduate Business Programs Nationwide, According to Rankings by U.S. News & World Report in 2017
- Outstanding Opportunities for Peer Interaction and Civic Engagement Through Organizations Like Beta Alpha Psi, ENACTUS the Financial Management Association, and the National Association of Black Accountants
- Superb Internship and Career Resources
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Master Of Professional Accountancy
Average Graduate Tuition Per Year: $34,000Student Population: 2,133
Unique FeaturesThe Master of Professional Accountancy from Augustana University is a four-plus-one degree program, allowing students to earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees in just five years. The program meets the educational requirement to sit for the CPA exam in most states. Students will learn principles of accounting through real-world experiences and become familiar with the codifications for the Financial Accounting Standards Board and Government Accounting Standards Board. Augustana is one of the best small colleges for an accounting degree with a student to faculty ratio of about 12:1 and renowned faculty.
How Much Money Do People Make With An Accounting Degree
With a bachelors degree in accounting youre looking at a median salary of at least $68k a year. And thats just for tax consultants and auditors. Say you want to go into financial analysis? That number jumps up to over $81k annually.
The numbers get even better when you consider the rate of employment and projected job outlooks. The need for tax consultants, public accountants, and auditors is expected to rise in employment of around 11 percent in the next few years alone. Financial analysts have similar prospects: the need for them will rise another 12 percent.
Learn more about accounting degree salaries.
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More Ways To Rank Accounting Schools
The accounting school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Value Accounting Schools.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.When you have some time, check it out – you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
How Can I Make My Accounting Degree Work Harder For Me
A bachelors degree qualifies you for entry-level positions and is a first step to meeting requirements for a CPA. But if you want to take your bachelors degree in accounting to the next level consider:
- Completing a masters degree in accounting. To qualify to take the CPA you need to complete 150 credit hours, which is typically 30 more credit hours than a bachelors degree and the number of credits required for a masters degree in accounting. If you have to take the courses anyway, why not gain another credential that can help set you apart and increase your salary expectations?
- Getting your CPA license. A CPA is the gold standard for public accountants. If you want to work at an accounting firm, large company or government, you will most likely need your CPA to advance past entry-level positions.
- Getting specialized financial certifications. If you want to pursue a specialization in areas like risk management, finance and investments, management accounting, taxes or auditing, getting certified in these areas will help you set yourself up for success.
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Ranking Criteria For Undergrad And Graduate Accounting Programs
Our initial list was collected with the help of the commonly referred U.S. News and Businessweek rankings, as well as subject-specific indicators. Including the Public Accounting Reports survey of accounting professors. Our list was then sorted by several metrics, listed below.
As undergraduate and graduate programs are usually ranked separately, this list provides a ranking of accounting programs that stand out at both levels.Criteria include quantitative indicators of excellence such as:
- Freshman retention
Great Small Colleges For An Accounting And Finance Degree
Earning a masters in accounting or finance is an excellent way to advance your career, earn in-demand credentials, and increase your earning potential. Earning your degree from a small college often means more individualized attention, a closer relationship with faculty and peers, less competition for internship opportunities, and increased networking. Small colleges offer a variety of accounting and finance masters degree formats including traditional classroom programs, online programs, and hybrid programs.
Methodology
We created this list of 50 great small colleges for a masters in accounting and finance from an initial list of over 90 schools we researched using the NCES College Navigator. To be included in our list, we established that the school needed to be regionally accredited, offer either a masters in finance or a masters in accounting , and feature opportunities such as internships, online course offerings, or professional development and skill training. Programs were then sorted by average graduate student tuition according to College Navigator. Below is our list of 50 great small colleges offering a masters in accounting and finance.
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Who Is An Accountant
An accountant is a qualified person that records business transactions of an organization, reports on company performance to management, and issues financial statements.
Basically, a certified accountant may:
- give an invoice to a customer, which deals with recording a sale and account receivable.
- collect an invoice from a supplier, which is made up of recording an expense or asset and an account payable.
- give a salary or wage paid to an employee, which has to do with recording an expense and the outflow of cash.
- reconcile a bank statement, which likely produces reconciliation to the cash account.
Also, an accountant may go into creating a number of processes within a business. These processes cover several controls to ensure that assets are properly managed. They include:
- Shipments to customers
- Get an entry-level accounting job
- Check out for continuing educational opportunities
Fontbonne University Saint Louis Missouri
Master of Science in Accounting
Average Graduate Tuition Per Year: $13,950Student Population: 1,290
Unique FeaturesFontbonne University was founded in 1923 as a private liberal arts Catholic university. This top small school for accounting offers a 30 credit hour evening program of eight-week courses. The program is open to those with and without an undergraduate degree in accounting. Courses include accounting and business strategy, auditing, federal income taxation for individuals, and accounting information systems. Fontbonne University has an Anti-Fraud Education Partnership.
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Black Hills State University
Business Department
BSBA with a Specialization in Accounting
Cost Per Credit: $291 , $392 CPA First-Time Exam Pass Rate: 54%
- Opportunities to Reach 150 Credits/Complete Graduate Study Through the Universitys MBA Program
- Excellent Opportunities for Student Engagement Through Organizations Like the Financial Management Association, ENACTUS, Buzz Marketing, the Society for Human Resource Management, Students in Free Enterprise, and More
- Superb Career Services Include Job Preparation, Internship Searches/Placement, Job Searches, and More
- Highly Accomplished Faculty CPAs Have Years of Professional Experience
Black Hills State Universitys BSBA with a specialization in accounting is led by an interdisciplinary team of accomplished faculty, all of whom are CPAs. Your professors here prepare you to think critically, analyze and solve business problems, work in teams, appreciate diversity, and strategically anticipate and adapt to change. The result? A truly comprehensive undergraduate degree that will prepare you for anything a career in accounting will throw your way. As a student here, youll have no shortage of opportunities to keep the learning going outside the classroom through student organizations like the Financial Management Association, ENACTUS, Buzz Marketing, Students in Free Enterprise, and more! Plus youll enjoy access to comprehensive career services that include job preparation, internship searches/placement, job searches, and more.