Accounting Schools in Connecticut

Connecticut’s colleges and universities offer an array of accounting programs, including programs in general accounting as well as programs in specialties such as forensic accounting and financial operations. Students can choose from undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that offer many different concentrations. This guide to accounting schools in Connecticut provides essential information about your options for pursuing an accounting degree in the state. Continue reading below to learn more about accounting school rankings, professional certifications, and career outlooks in Connecticut.

Quick Facts

16 public colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Connecticut.¹
9 private not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Connecticut.¹
14 schools offer a certificate in accounting.*¹
10 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.*¹
12 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.*¹
11 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.*¹
1 program ranked in US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018.²
1 program ranked in US News Best Graduate Accounting Programs 2018.³
1 school ranked in the Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018.⁴
6 schools ranked in Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016.⁵

*Public or private not-for-profit colleges and universities only.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Connecticut

US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018

Fairfield University #22 tie

US News Best Graduate Accounting Programs 2018

Fairfield University #23

The Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018

Fairfield University

Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016

Fairfield University (Dolan School of Business) #43
University of Connecticut (School of Business) #72
Quinnipiac University (School of Business) #91
Sacred Heart University (Jack Welch College of Business) #92
University of Hartford (Barney School of Business) #101
United States Coast Guard Academy #104

AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs in Connecticut

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) is a globally-recognized organization that provides accreditation for undergraduate and graduate accounting programs. While over 800 business schools have been accredited by the AACSB, only 186 institutions hold AACSB accreditation for their accounting programs, having been found to meet the rigorous standards established by the AACSB.⁶ The following accounting program in Connecticut has been accredited by the AACSB:

University of Connecticut (School of Business)

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree

Each year, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.⁷ The following not-for-profit schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Connecticut in 2015 for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall average pass rate for Connecticut being 53.9%:

University of Connecticut 66.9%
Fairfield University 53.8%
University of Hartford 51.6%
Central Connecticut State University 49.1%
Quinnipiac University 48.2%
Southern Connecticut State University 45.6%

Schools in Connecticut with Accounting Degrees

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

Sacred Heart University

Students at Sacred Heart University can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. This program emphasizes the fundamental knowledge and skills, as well as practical experience, needed to understand financial information. Students learn how to apply classroom concepts in analyzing financial statements, complying with industry regulations, and making business financial decisions. Required courses include Managerial Accounting and Control, Auditing, Business Law, and Financial Statement and Cost Management. Students can also pursue experiential learning opportunities through Accounting Club, networking events, and volunteering in the community during tax season. Graduates go on to work in fields such as public accounting, financial analysis, auditing, and investing.

University of Connecticut

The School of Business at the University of Connecticut offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. Through courses such as Principles of Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Federal Income Taxes, and Assurance Services, students learn how to analyze and interpret accounting information. UConn emphasizes the use of financial information in managerial or investment decisions, and students develop leadership skills through team projects and experiential learning opportunities. Summer and winter internship opportunities are available, and students can search out positions in tax, assurance services, or financial analysis. The School of Business also offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program for students interested in pursuing the CPA designation.

Central Connecticut State University

At Central Connecticut State University, students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. This program is designed for those interested in pursuing advanced graduate study or working in public, corporate, or governmental accounting. Students complete a core curriculum that includes courses about financial reporting, auditing, taxation, cost management, budgeting, and accounting information systems. These fundamental courses emphasize how to use accounting information to control, strategize, and make decisions for organizations. Students can then choose from electives that match their career interests, such as Fraud Examination, Accounting for Lean Enterprises, Fundamentals of Corporate Taxation, or Internal Accounting. All coursework focuses on critical thinking skills, communication, and ethical and social responsibility in the field. Students can also pursue internship and networking opportunities for real-world learning experiences.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Fairfield University

The Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University offers a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) degree. This program is cohort-based, and most students attend on a full-time basis and graduate in less than a year. The curriculum is designed to both meet the educational requirements for the CPA licensure and teach advanced professional skills needed in the field. Students can choose from tracks in Assurance or Taxation, but all students take fundamental courses that emphasize critical thinking, data analysis, communication, and leadership skills. The curriculum also includes time to take the CPA examination and complete a paid internship. Graduates can take advantage of the alumni network or Career Planning Center to pursue employment opportunities, and many graduates go on to work in private accounting or CPA firms as accountants, audit associates, or tax associates.

Quinnipiac University

Students at Quinnipiac University can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). Graduate students learn both accounting theory and practical, advanced skills needed in for-profit and not-for-profit business and government. The curriculum also covers applicable business skills in public policy, corporate governance, financial analyses and global accounting practices. The core coursework is 18 credit hours, and students can then choose their electives for the remaining 12 hours. Quinnipiac also encourages students to pursue internships and networking opportunities through recruiters or alumni. Students without an academic accounting background may need to complete some prerequisites before beginning the graduate program. Those already at Quinnipiac for their undergraduate studies can apply for a dual-degree program to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just four years.

Online Accounting Programs

University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut offers a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting that can be completed almost entirely online. All required courses are available in an online, asynchronous format except for the four-day in-residence orientation class on the Storrs campus that takes place at the beginning of the program. After that introduction, students can complete the courses on a full-time or part-time basis according to their own schedule. The core curriculum focuses on the information and knowledge necessary to be successful in the accounting field, and students also learn professional communication and management skills. After completing the core courses, students can choose from accounting electives such as Global Financial Reporting and Analysis, Taxes and Business Strategy, Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, and Evaluating Internal Controls.

University of Hartford

At the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford, students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting and Taxation (MSAT) entirely online. This program is designed for those interested in a career in taxation or accounting in private, public, government, or not-for-profit organizations. The online degree can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis ranging from seven months up to five years. Many part-time, working professional students take the spring tax-season semester off and still complete their degree in about two years. The University of Hartford offers two academic tracks, Financial and Assurance Services or Taxation, and students can also choose from numerous different electives. The curriculum fulfills the educational requirements for CPA licensure, and many graduates go on to work in management or leadership roles in accounting firms and businesses.

Connecticut CPA Requirements

Connecticut’s State Board of Accountancy requires that CPA applicants complete 150 semester hours and at least a bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is accredited from an approved regional accrediting organization. 36 of the semester hours must be accounting courses, and 30 semester hours must be business or economics courses. Graduates who fulfill these requirements can sit for the Uniform CPA examination. After passing the examination, candidates must complete two years, or 104 weeks, of work experience in the accounting field that should be verified by a licensed CPA. After all conditions are met, applicants can apply for licensure, and they must maintain this licensure through completing Continued Professional Education (CPE) hours.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Grads in Connecticut

Accounting graduates can choose from many different career paths in Connecticut. Many choose to open their own public accounting practice, work as a consultant, or manage the finances of local or statewide businesses. Others can pursue positions with major Connecticut accounting firms such as BlumShapiro, Marcum LLP, and Whittlesey & Hadley. Corporations also provide many possible accounting positions, and businesses like Covidien, Unilever, and Bic Corporation are based in the state. For those interested in public accounting, government jobs may be available in the state government, public school system, state treasury, IRS, FBI, and armed forces. Graduates with accounting degrees in Connecticut may find many opportunities all over the state or in the major cities of Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Bridgeport.

Connecticut Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro Area	Accountants & Auditors Employed	Average Annual Salary
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk	5,440	$89,640
Danbury	560	$86,770
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford	5,490	$78,730
New Haven	1,630	$78,200
Norwich-New London-Westerly	580	$70,110
Springfield	2,160	$66,470
Worcester	1,870	$74,040

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of March 2018.⁸

Connecticut Schools with Accounting Degree Programs

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Rd
Fairfield, Connecticut 06824
(203) 254-4000
https://www.fairfield.edu/

Quinnipiac University
275 Mt Carmel Ave
Hamden, CT 06511
(203) 582-8200
https://www.qu.edu/

The University of Connecticut
2131 Hillside Rd Unit 3088
Storrs, Connecticut 06269
(860) 486-2000
https://uconn.edu/

Student Review: “The University of Connecticut’s accounting program was a very good experience for me. The curriculum is very thorough and prepares you well for the CPA exam. Almost all of the professors have worked as partners in Big 4 accounting firms, so the program provides a great deal of advice to help students acquire positions at these firms. At the time of graduation, 99% of the accounting class I was in (roughly 500 students) had job offers. Of these, the vast majority were Big 4 accounting positions, which are the most sought after in the profession. The program also has a great internship program set up to help students get relevant accounting experience before graduating. The time spent interning can also be used for college credits, which is extremely helpful in reaching the credit requirement for the CPA license. Overall my experience with the University was great! If I had to do it all over, I would not change a thing.” -student at The University of Connecticut

Student Review: “I earned a degree in accounting at the University of Connecticut. My experience there was nothing but pleasurable. Accounting is a skill I have used in both the business world and in my personal finances. The university’s program has so far prepared me for every challenge I have encountered in my career. However, getting a good professor in my classes was sometimes difficult. I found using teacher review websites I could avoid the bad teachers. The good professors I did have class with were amazing. They were very approachable and most classes were clear and straightforward. Class projects were one of the most challenging and rewarding things I did at University of Connecticut. There is also a wide reaching cast of notable alumni in the business world who are eager to make connections with recent graduates of the University of Connecticut program.” -student at The University of Connecticut

The University of New Haven
300 Boston Post Rd
West Haven, CT 06516
(203) 932-7000
http://www.newhaven.edu/

Yale University
New Haven, CT 06520
(203) 432-4771
https://www.yale.edu/

Related Accounting Degree State Pages:

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. US News & World Report Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
3. US News & World Report Best Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
4. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2018 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2017.
5. Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016: https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-best-undergrad-business-schools/
6. AACSB-Accredited Universities and Schools, Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
7. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2015 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
8. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Connecticut: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ct.htm