Best Colleges for Accounting Majors

Accounting is among the most popular majors, and many universities offer top tier accounting programs. This is our analysis of the best colleges for accounting, with a listing of the top 30 colleges in this professional field.

Top 80 Best Colleges for Accounting Majors

This is the ranking of the best colleges for Accounting majors, using the authoritative RealRank^TM analytic process.

More information on our RealRank^TM analytics used in creating this ranking can be found on the About page. The underlined colleges link to the ranking profile specific to that institution. If your college is not profiled as yet, contact us using the contact form.

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What is an Accounting Major?

Accounting is a field that is considered a licensed profession. A career path might include taking the multi-part Certified Public Accounting examination, in order to become a licensed CPA.

In college, a typical accounting major covers a range of business, finance and tax subjects.  At its essence, an accounting program should inculcate in students the skills that can allow them to grow into valued professionals. Generally speaking, these skills involve researching, calculating, organizing and evaluating financial matters, with a high level of integrity. Among the specific skills taught at the best colleges for accounting are:

• Expertise in generally accepted accounting principles.
• Professional communications skills.
• Working effectively in a business or teamwork environment.
• Creation and auditing financial statements for accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations.
• Calculating taxes and tax accounting .
• Effective use of accounting and business technologies.
• Independent and ethical thinking and decision-making.
• Legal and tax issues concerning finance and business management.
• Creating, organizing and analyzing financial records.

Importantly, a good college accounting program teaches flexibility, and an ethos of continually learning. This is because tax laws and “best” accounting practices constantly change, whether on a federal, state or local level. So, it is important for accounting graduates to have the skills to keep up with this ever changing “game.”

Economic Value of An Accounting Degree

Accounting is a skilled profession, and good accountants are viewed as skilled professionals. They compile the financial reports that provide the bases for important decisions, whether for individuals, companies or government entities. Many accountants can land executive positions because of their business background and integrity developed through the study of accountancy leading to a degree. Frequently accountants can increase their professional standing and salary potential by studying to become a “Certified Public Accountant,” a CPA. That process requires some work experience as a prerequisite to the CPA exam. Examples of careers open to accounting majors are:

• Public Accounting:
  • • Auditing
    • Tax planning
    • International Accounting
    • Personal accounting and finances
    • Business Consulting.
• Corporate Accounting and Finance:
  • • Financial auditing
    • Financial reporting
    • Tax planning
    • Budgeting.
• Government Accounting:
  • • Budgeting and analysis
    • Financial reporting
    • Auditing contractors
    • Competitive bidding management.
• Non-Profit Entities:
  • • Auditing
    • Compliance with non-profit tax regulations
    • Financial reporting

Accounting Has a Mid- To High-Range Earning Potential for Undergraduates

There are a wide range of entry level jobs available to students coming out of college with an accounting degree. Some accounting graduates pursue CPA licensing. Others who choose careers in Business accounting or Consulting also pursue a MBA (Masters in Business Administration) degree, whether right after undergraduate school, or after working for a few years.