Find the Best Accounting College in New York that Offers Finance Degrees

by Alex Morgan · January 16, 2023

accounting colleges in New York

Looking for top finance colleges in New York? Let’s help you find the best ones.

Accounting and finance are among the leading professions around the globe. It offers job security and a promise of high annual pay. A lot of aspiring students wish to get into the top accounting schools in New York but often end up undecided. The first thing that you need to do is understand and zoom in to the preferred schools.

When you select the right school for accounting, you get to learn more about the specialized fields such as forensic accounting, CPA, financial analyst and more. Degrees with majors in finance are also linked with other majors like sports, entertainment, industrial, food and beverage, etc.

Moreover, depending on the level of learning you are at, securing an accredited online accounting degree or on campus; certification or masters degree, undergraduate certificate or a course certificate, all depends on the types of school you opt for.

But first, you need to be in one of the top accounting schools in New York to know what you actually want to study in the first place.

Why it’s Good to Have a Degree in Accounting and Finance?

Accountancy or finance is one of the fields that’ll never die. Every business requires accounting and finance records to be managed by a professional— from small to large scale. That’s why accounting and finance are two of the most sought-after professions in the world. They offer a lot of room to grow and develop professionally since there are so many different career paths that one can take with an accounting or finance degree in NY. Hence, deciding on a good finance college in New York will help you gain all the benefits associated with holding a finance degree.

Moreover, it’s good to have a degree in accounting and finance because:

It’s an undying field of work
It offers high-paying jobs
It offers thorough job security
Grants the ability to work in any industry

The following listed are some of the best accounting colleges in New York that offer lucrative degree programs for accounting hopefuls. Whether you are an undergraduate or a graduate, these accounting schools are sure to help jumpstart your career.

7 Best Accounting Colleges In NYC

Now that we know all that’s needed, let’s talk about the five best finance colleges in New York.

1. Baruch College Accountancy Program

Baruch College is one of the best colleges in the nation for accountancy. The college offers both a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and a Master of Science degree in Accounting. Baruch College’s accountancy suite are accelerated programs that will allow you to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate degrees on various levels.

The three main degrees offered by the college include:

BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) In Accountancy

MBA (Master of Business Administration) in Accountancy

M.S (Master of Science) in Accountancy

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy degree program offers an opportunity to specialize in accounting, finance, or management. This bachelor’s degree is designed to prepare students to work as accountants, auditors, financial analysts, and managers within any business environment.

Whereas Baruch College’s MBA curriculum is focused on developing a strong foundation in accounting and finance, preparing students for the CPA exam and for careers in:

Public accounting
Corporate accounting and finance
Government or not-for-profit organizations.

Students will learn how to create financial statements, calculate financial ratios and evaluate investments. They will also be able to develop skills in business law.

Lastly, the Master of Science in Accountancy program prepares students for careers as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), tax professionals, and financial managers. Students who complete this program are eligible to take the Uniform CPA Examination— which is administered by the New York State Board of Accountancy.

2. Brooklyn College Accounting Program

Brooklyn College is a public institution of higher education in Brooklyn, New York. It is part of the City University of New York system. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduates degree programs in the liberal arts, sciences and professional fields.

The Brooklyn College Accounting Program provides students with a solid foundation in accounting. Focusing on knowledge and skills that are applicable to both business and non-business environments. This includes their two grad and undergrad programs:

B.S in Accounting

M.S in General Accounting

Both the Master’s and Bachelor’s programs offer students a broad range of courses to help them prepare for careers in accounting or other related fields such as business administration, finance, economics or law. Students can choose from six different concentrations including:

Auditing, Forensic Accounting
Internal Audit and Control
Taxation (both federal and state)
Financial Reporting & Analysis (both generally accepted accounting principles [GAAP] and international financial reporting standards [IFRS]),
Management Accounting (including cost control and performance measurement) or Business Administration/Management Information Systems/Data Analytics

Hence, it’s widely one of the best accounting colleges in NYC.

3. Hunter College (CUNY) Accounting Program

Hunter College in NYC is another stellar college under the CUNY umbrella. This public university offers an array of remarkable programs.

Hunter College (CUNY) offers programs that are designed to prepare students for careers in accounting, finance, and other related fields. This includes their two grad and undergrad degrees:

B.S in Accounting

M.S in Accounting

The B.S. degree in accounting is a 120-credit program that takes four years to complete and includes core courses in accounting and business subjects such as finance, economics, statistics, mathematics, management science, computer science and information systems.

The M.S degree in accounting is a 30-credit program that takes one year to complete and includes courses such as tax law, investment management, international financial reporting standards (IFRS), auditing standards & ethics for accountants (ASAE), financial statement analysis & reporting (FSA), financial modeling & analysis (FMA).

4. York College (CUNY) Accounting Program

York College is located in Jamaica, Queens area of New York City. It’s another notable college that offers graduate and undergraduate programs.

The accounting program at York College is a joint program between the School of Business and the School of Liberal Arts. The program offers a concentration in two different areas:

B.S in Accounting

B.S in Finance

These accounting majors prepare students for careers in public or private accounting, corporate finance, financial analysis, and financial planning. Students take courses on taxation, auditing and assurance services, financial statement analysis, cost accounting, managerial accounting, and business law.

Students also have the opportunity to complete an internship with a local firm to gain valuable experience before graduation.

5. College of Staten Island (CUNY) Accounting Program

College of Staten Island is another remarkable option to kick-start your career in accounting. This public university offers equally remarkable programs as other names on this list.

This includes:

B.S In Accounting

M.S in Accounting

B.S In Accounting and Finance is a four-year undergraduate degree that provides students with an excellent foundation for entering the world of accounting. Students will learn about financial reporting, auditing, taxation, business law, economics and management information systems.

M.S. in Accounting is a great option for those who want to pursue a career in accounting. The program teaches students about the principles and practices of accounting, financial management and taxation. Students can also choose to study abroad at one of CUNY’s partner schools in Europe or Asia as part of their studies.

6. Pace University’s Accounting Program

Pace University’s accounting degree is a well-recognized program that trains students in the field of accounting. The three accounting degrees offered by this institution can be beneficial to those who are looking for a long accounting career.

Or those who have always wanted to work in the field of accounting but didn’t know where to start. The programs you’ll find at Pace include:

- BBA in Accounting (BBA accounting concentration)

MBA in Accounting (Followed by BBA)

MS in Accounting (Master of Science in Accounting)

The BBA in Accounting program is a well-known undergraduate degree that provides students with the fundamentals of business and accounting.

The MBA in Accounting program is designed to prepare students for careers as accountants, auditors, financial managers and controllers. It’s an extension of their BBA program, so students can jump right into this one after completing their BBA.

Whereas, the MS in Accounting program offers graduate programs for those who want to advance their career with an MSA, CPA or CMA designation.

7. Hofstra University Accounting Program

Hofstra University’s accounting program is ranked among the top in the country. The school has a long history of success, and it is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Hofstra offers undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting.

Students can also pursue the accounting degrees in two programs:

BBA in Accounting

MBA in Accounting

The BBA in Accounting is a four-year bachelor’s degree program. Students are required to take courses in finance, economics, and taxation. The first is for students who are interested in careers as accountants or auditors, while the latter is for those who want to pursue a career as a financial analyst.

It is designed to provide students with an understanding of fundamental accounting principles while they learn how to apply those principles to real-world problems. The curriculum covers topics such as financial statement analysis, cost management, and tax law.

Whereas, The MBA in Accounting program is an extension of it, and aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field. In addition to accounting courses, students will take electives such as finance, marketing, and management.

Next is Learn About How to Become an Accountant In New York

Which Type of Accountant Should You Be?

Becoming an accountant in New York is a straightforward process—once you get a hold of that process. The first, and perhaps the most important thing you’re going to need is educational qualification and skill. Hence, you’re going to need an accounting degree.

However, you’re not going to get just any degree, you’ll have to opt for some of the best SUNY schools for accounting. And, the degree provided by that school needs to meet the qualifications set forth by NYSED (New York State Education Department).

The aim here is to gain a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license. Besides that, you need to pass the CPA exam after you’ve earned your degree from an NYSED-approved college or institution. So, to sum it up, the things you’re going to need to include:

A degree from one of the best accounting colleges in NYC
Certifications and skill diplomas regulated by NYSED
CPA certification and license, which is going to cost you around $425
Good GPA scores to stand out in selections, i.e. hiring.

These are some of the best ways to ensure that you become a certified accountant in New York.

How Much Money Do Accountants Make in New York?

The money-making abilities of an accountant depend on their experience and skill level. After you get a CPA degree from a certified college, it’ll largely depend on your own determination and abilities. Moreover, a CPA will earn more than any non-CPA accountant.

That’s why it’s important to gain a CPA license after you’re done with your degree. Because on average, a CPA earns around $82,000. As for a non-CPA accountant, the pay is significantly less around $68,000-$70,000.

However, accountancy comes in many different shapes and sizes—as mentioned above. Bearing that in mind, BLS.gov suggests that the median annual pay for an accountant in New York is around $83,000. On top of that, there are other things to consider, such as:

New York has the most accountant jobs per thousand people—which is around 12 per 1 thousand.
New York also has the highest employment number, with around 111,000 active accountants.

However, BLS also categorizes the pay earned by accountants by industry. Here are three examples taken from BLS for instance:

Accountants and Auditors earn the most in the Crude Oil industry, with a median wage of $123,000 (Source above)
Accountants and Auditors in Computers and Peripheral Manufacturing earn around $123,000 per year as well
State and Government accountants or auditors earn the least, with around $70,000—which is still significantly higher than most states in the U.S

Now, it’s important to understand that you need enrollment and a degree from the best colleges for accounting and finance to earn this sort of pay. So, once you have formidable experience (2-3 years), it’s highly likely you’ll be making around $90-100k a year.

Conclusion

These are the best colleges for accounting and finance in New York. Not only do they teach you all you’ll need to dive into a career in accounting and finance, but also provide you opportunities with internship programs. Hence, these best SUNY schools for accounting should be your top priority when getting into a finance degree.

Feature Image: Unsplash.com

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