Which Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania Have the Best Programs?
Accounting is one of the most sought-out degrees today. So, which schools in Pennsylvania are the best for it?
Accounting is a widely pursued degree around the globe. It’s considered chiefly a safe bet, as it doesn’t require one to be a genius in mathematics to become an accountant. However, there’s more to an accounting career than playing with just numbers.
And that’s why one needs a good-quality school and degree. So, what does it take to becoming a CPA in P.A. state? Moreover, what are the best accounting schools in Pennsylvania? Today’s article will help you find the right school for you if you are in the State of Independence.
Thus, let’s understand the reasons to becoming an accountant and find out basic salaries and job opportunities in P.A. And then talk about the best accounting schools in P.A. So, let’s get started.
Why Should I Get an Accounting Degree in Pennsylvania?
Experts of the field project accounting and finance requirements to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029. This simply means a greater job outlook and more opportunities for higher and mid-level salaries. The Coal State doesn’t only offer outstanding opportunities but also some of the schools.
That’s why you can easily find the top choices of undergraduate accounting programs in Pennsylvania that’ll help you get a secure job. Besides that, you’ll also need minors in the basics of any degree, such as business administration, law, finance, mathematics, etc.
These choices are strictly optional in most of the best undergraduate accounting programs in Pennsylvania. You can also choose to focus on one major area of study below.
- Forensic accountant
- CPA auditor
- Corporate accountant and bookkeeper
- Executive accountant
Moreover, a degree from one of the top accounting schools in Pennsylvania open more choices for further education in this field, whether you choose to go for a masters or a PhD degree in the future.
Which Are the Best Accounting Schools in Pennsylvania
There are good schools, and then there are great schools. Good schools offer lucrative programs, but great school offers longevity in career and prosperity. Our focus for this list was to find the best accounting schools in Pennsylvania in terms of quality, fees, and locations spread throughout Keystone State. So, here are the best finance schools in PA:
1. Penn State/Smeal College of Business – University Park, Pennsylvania
Penn State is often spoken in the same vein as MIT, Harvard, Berkley, Stanford, etc. That’s because of this university’s incredible programs, and two of those fall under the accounting category:
The BS in Accounting at Penn State is widely spoken of as one of the best accounting programs in the U.S., not just in Pennsylvania. It has an outstanding curriculum which offers courses such as:
- Managerial Accounting: Economic Perspective
- Introduction to Problem-Solving with Spreadsheet Analysis and Information Systems Management
- Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making
- Principles of Taxation I and II
- Forensic Accounting
Besides that, there are three major master’s accounting programs, including Integrated MAcc, a One-Year Master of Accounting, and a One-Year Master’s in Accounting Analytics concentration. These factors make it one of the leading forensic accounting schools in Pennsylvania.
2. University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia is one of the leading accounting schools in Philadelphia. The university offers many great courses within its Castle-like building. Two of those courses are its incredible accounting programs:
The BS in Accounting is an all-around accounting course that covers all the important areas of this field. The university does this by including these courses in the curriculum:
- Calculus, Part I, and II
- Taxes and Business Strategy
- Accounting for Mergers, Acquisitions, and Complex Financial Structures
- Accounting and Business Analysis
And then, you have the lucrative accounting MBA program, which also offers a great curriculum. It has great courses such as:
- Cost Management
- Financial Reporting and Business Analysis
- Accounting for Mergers, Acquisitions, and Complex Financial Structures
- Financial Disclosure Analytics
- Taxes and Business Strategy
Making it an ideal option for both post and undergraduate students which is why it is considered one of the best accounting schools in P.A.
3. Villanova University – Villanova, Pennsylvania
Villanova University in the city of the same name is another great option for people in this vicinity. The university offers a wide range of great programs, and its accounting program is perhaps the best:
The BSBA in Accounting Major isn’t exactly scarce in the United States today. However, the Villanova BSBA in accounting major has become a significantly popular program in the state. That’s because it offers courses such as:
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Federal Income Tax
- Auditing
- Accounting Information Systems
- Accounting for Real Estate
And then the master’s program is best for graduate students who wish to up the ante by earning one of the most recognized and accredited master’s program in accounting. Moreover, this master of accounting program also includes a data analytics specialty.
4. Drexel University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Drexel University is another great institution in the State of Independence. It offers most of its business degrees under LeBow College of Business.
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting Major (BSBA)
- Master of Science in Accounting
The BSBA offers an Accounting Major with great courses. These courses include:
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Accounting Information Systems
- The New Age of State and Local Taxation
- Tax and Business Strategy
And then, the Master of Science in Accounting program is unlike any other in Pennsylvania. It’s targeted towards those who wish to become CPAs or CMAs.
5. Bucknell University – Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Bucknell University sits in the middle of the quiet Lewisburg. That’s why it’s ideal for those who wish to kick-start their accounting career and need a peaceful place to be. But it’s the sought-after accounting program here that makes it even better:
The BSBA major in Accounting and Financial management is one of a kind program that’ll prepare you for any challenges in accountancy. It has an outstanding curriculum that is woven to help you in becoming a professional accountant with a high paying job.
What’s Next–After Graduation
One of the reasons most students choose a top accounting school in Pennsylvania is because they expect to land a high paying accounting job. However, that’s not going to happen overnight. Excluding internships and training programs, you can start with entry-level positions which are usually a prelude to the actual high-paying job(s). So, these entry-level jobs usually last anywhere from 6 months to 18 months—depending on the organization.
Once done, the employee is then promoted to the next/mid-level. Your mid-level career offer tons of diversification including gear towards CPA, financial accountant, company finance manager, banker or corporate accountant aside from pursuing a specialized career like becoming a forensic accountant.
What Are the Accountant Salaries and Employment Rates in Pennsylvania?
Accounting salaries and employment rates in Pennsylvania are quite on the hefty side. BLS suggests there are around 55,000 accountants and auditors active in Pennsylvania. BLS data also suggests that Pennsylvania has around 9.5 accountants per thousand.
Pennsylvania is home to 55,000+ accountants at a 9.5 employment ratio per 1000 and an annual mean wage of $78,000. Source: BLS
This means there’s no shortage of jobs for accountants in Pennsylvania. And with the job outlook increasing by 6% until 2031, one can safely assume there’ll always be accounting jobs for people in Pennsylvania.
Conclusion
These are the best programs and best finance schools in P.A. that you can find today. It’s important to understand that each of these universities offers something great. So, this list may not be ranked as all of these schools and programs hold their own. That’s why it comes down to your preference and the type of accounting program that you wish to pursue. These universities can be your ticket to becoming a CPA in P.A.
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