Best Accounting Schools in Tennessee with C.P.A. Programs

by Alex Morgan · March 30, 2023

Tennessee is one of the jewels of the south and one of the prettiest states in the United States. There are many different professions in this state, and one of them is accountancy. According to B.L.S., there are 19,000 active C.P.A. accountants in the Volunteer State.

So, how to become a Certified Public Accountant in Tennessee? Well, you simply need to enroll in the best colleges in Tennessee for accounting. Then, you will have to gain your C.P.A. certificate. So, let’s find out the best colleges for C.P.A. programs in Tennessee.

Why Apply to an Accounting School in Tennessee?

One of the reasons why you should apply to an accounting school in Tennessee is because it is near you, if you are the state. Moreover, for fresh out of high-schools students, it is advisable to be near your home when you first attend a business school. For graduates, it is a matter of finding the right accountancy program that will complete your journey of studying and gaining knowledge about a CPA.

That said, Tennessee has some of the choicest accounting schools with CPA programs. Even if you are not opting for a career in CPA in Tennessee you’d still end up with a degree in accountancy that will let you to enter the local job market without a hitch. Not only that, you’ll be eligible to pursue higher certification and degrees as well.

5 Best Accounting Schools in Tennessee with C.P.A. Programs

Now without further ado, let’s talk about the five best accounting schools in Tennessee with C.P.A. programs.

1. University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN

University of Tennessee in Knoxville is one of the most renowned universities in the United States and the most famous university in the Volunteer State. This is widely considered the best accounting school in Tennessee as it offers two programs for C.P.A. hopefuls:

BS in Business Administration – Accounting Major
Master of Accountancy

The first program is B.S. in Business Administration or a BSBA program focusing on accounting. This is ideal for C.P.A. hopefuls, as it comprises courses such as Written Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, and Social Sciences—only in the first year.

Then you have the Master of Accountancy, which is an additional 10-month program for BSBA graduates to ensure they get C.P.A. as quickly as possible.

2. Tennessee State University — Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University is another great option for resident students of the state. It’s an accredited university and one of the best accounting schools in Tennessee today. This is on the back of the fact that it offers two great programs, which are:

Bachelor of Business Administration – Concentration in Accounting
Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with a concentration in Accounting

The first program, Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting, is ideal for anyone looking to become a C.P.A. in Tennessee. The course curriculum features subjects such as Accounting Information, Auditing Theory, Business Law, etc.

Then you have the M.B.A. with a concentration on accounting, which has one of the best curriculums in the entire state. This 36-credit-hour master can speed up the process for C.P.A. contenders.

3. Middle Tennessee State University — Murfreesboro, TN

The Middle Tennessee State University is one of the best accounting schools in Tennessee which offers two of the best programs:

B.B.A. in Accounting
Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.)

B.B.A. in Accounting major focuses on the accounting profession’s nooks and crannies, and the course that this university provides thoroughly reflects that. The university claims that their bachelors earn an average salary of around $58,000. Besides that, you have a Master of Accountancy program, which can elevate your accounting abilities even more.

4. Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is for graduate accountants who wish to become C.P.A.s and apply to the biggest firms and companies in the United States. The university has no graduate or beginner programs, and the two offered by it are called:

Master of Accountancy Valuation (MAcc)
Master of Accountancy Assurance (MAcc)

An accountant graduate can apply to either of these programs, but how are they different? Valuation MAcc focuses on the business aspect of accounting, such as brand value, intellectual properties, etc. This is for C.P.A.s who aim to have careers involving profession in public, government, consulting or financial organizations, etc.

Whereas MAcc Assurance focuses on the general accounting element of a business/company. Therefore, it’s more aimed at accountants who wish to become business pros.

5. Bethel University – McKenzie, TN

Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee, is a great option for high-school students who wish to start their accountancy journey properly. The degree you should opt for is called:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

The Bachelor of Science In Accounting is perhaps the most unique program on this list, as it focuses on the science and impact of accounting rather than what we know traditional accounting to be. Therefore, it’s ideal for those who wish to start off with a bang in their graduate program and become a C.P.A. as soon as possible.

Reasons to Enroll In A CPA Program

The promise of a safe job aside, an accounting degree also offers a stable and steady income. That’s why this is the most common option that a lot of post-high-school students choose. According to experts, there are around 639 thousand Certified Public Accountants in the United States.

Besides that, accountants are paid well for their services, with the highest-paying city being San Jose, California in the United States offering around $112,000 for certified accountants. This is one of the prime reasons for students to flock to colleges to enroll in a C.P.A. programs in Tennessee and across the United States.

Accounting Job Opportunities in Tennessee and Employment Rate

There are plenty of employment opportunities and the chance to earn a hefty salary as an accountant in Tennessee. According to B.L.S., Tennessee is home to around 42,000 accounting professionals (not only C.P.A.s), who earn around $40,000 per year on average.

So, why should you pick this career in Tennessee? Because stats point towards one thing; high-paying jobs and stability for accountants in Tennessee. According to a U.S. News article, the average base salary of an accountant from the University of Tennessee is around $98,000 per year.

When you put that into perspective, in comparison with the highest-paying city (San Jose) in the United States for accountants–the prospects are quite bright for students who aspire to this profession. Besides that, the U.S. News article also mentions that graduates from the University of Tennessee have a high employment rate of around 71 percent.

Therefore, that should answer why you should become an accountant in Tennessee, as it offers a high average salary for accountants in Tennessee. And it also offers some of the best accounting universities in Tennessee. So, let’s keep going to find out which ones they are.

Conclusion

These are some of the best programs for people who wish to become C.P.A.s in Tennessee. We explored advanced programs and also peaked into programs ideal for beginners. Therefore, it comes down to which of these universities, programs, and courses are ideal for your aims.