Accounting Schools in Georgia

This guide to accounting schools in Georgia provides high-level information on your options for pursuing the accounting degree you need to move your accounting career forward. This page will help you find the right program for your personal interests and career goals with overviews of popular programs and degrees offered in the state. Georgia has many options for students to gain real-world experience and learn from top accounting professionals. Atlanta is a major business capital and hosts the headquarters for a number of large corporations, including Home Depot and Delta. Many schools in Georgia encourage internship experience or provide networking opportunities in Atlanta. Georgia also has some online accounting schools, which may offer scheduling options and flexibility better suited to your needs.

Quick Facts

• 52 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Georgia.¹
• 19 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 23 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 30 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 10 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 5 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• 1 program ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.⁵
• 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.⁶
• 6 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 6 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• No schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Georgia Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Georgia to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options. For further school statistics, including median SAT, ACT, and GMAT scores, see the tables on our Georgia business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Table Notes:
*Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on ​​National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
**Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Georgia

College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.

College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023

• Emory University
• University of Georgia
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Southern University
• Kennesaw State University²

US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023

• Emory University (#34 tie)⁴

US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023

• Valdosta State University (#63 tie)
• University of West Georgia (#79 tie)
• Columbus State University (#141 tie)⁵

US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023

• University of Georgia (#14 tie)
• Emory University (#20 tie)⁶

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

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.¹¹ The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Georgia in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in Georgia being 60%:

1. LaGrange College 85.7%
2. University of Georgia 79.1%
3. Emory University 75.6%
4. Shorter University 80%
5. Mercer University 70.7%
6. Georgia Institute of Technology 69.1%

*As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.

Schools in Georgia with Accounting Degrees

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

Emory University

Emory University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Students choose a more primary area of study, which includes core courses and four elective courses. Those who choose Accounting as their primary area of study may complete one of two accounting tracks: one in Financial Accounting and Analysis (non-CPA) or one in Professional Accounting (CPA). Students in the CPA focus are required to take courses in Financial Reporting; Advanced Business Combinations & Multinational Operations; Federal Income Tax; and Auditing. Emory offers career development seminars beginning in your junior year to learn from corporate leaders about interdisciplinary leadership skills. All students also participate in one-on-one career skills building and professional leadership training. Students may choose to participate in Alpha Kappa Psi, the BBA Council, or the Honor Council. Emory offers students the opportunity to work on Case Competitions as a way to gain hands-on experience solving real-world business problems.

Georgia State University

Georgia State University’s (GSU) Robinson College of Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting that prepares students for entry-level positions in accounting or graduate degrees in accounting, business, or finance. Students gain a strong foundation in business and accounting courses, allowing them to use these skills in a variety of different fields and career paths. Courses include Cost Managerial Accounting; Legal Transactions and Risk; Technology and Values in the Accounting Profession; and Introduction to Federal Income Taxes. Georgia State University offers students many opportunities to engage with business professionals throughout Atlanta. Business leaders participate in Executive Career Coaching and may also host a student for a day. Executive Roundtables and Advisory Councils give professionals a forum to meet with students and faculty to discuss current topics in business and accounting. This gives students a great opportunity for networking and gaining insight into the corporate world.

Mercer University

Mercer University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting that provides students with a solid foundation in business. Students take 39 to 40 credit hours of business foundation courses and 17 credit hours of accounting courses. Course titles include Financial Accounting, Auditing, and Tax Accounting. Mercer students are also given opportunities to apply accounting practices in real-world applications, such as participating in the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Preparation program. Graduates have gone on to work for top accounting firms such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mercer also offers professional development opportunities, including resume building, career fairs, and an online network for current students and alumni. The BBA in Accounting is also available online or in an evening class format for full-time working individuals.

Popular Articles:

• Business Schools in Georgia
• Online MBA Programs in Georgia

Graduate Accounting Programs

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University offers a cohort-based 2 in 2 Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree that prepares students to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. This AACSB-accredited program can be completed in two semesters of full-time courses. Students complete 18 core credit hours and 12 credits of specialized courses in either the Audit/Advisory or the Tax Specialization. Depending on the concentration, MAcc students may take courses like Corporate Tax and Shareholders; Advanced Risk Analytics and Forensic Auditing; and State and Local Taxation. Students will sit for all four parts of the CPA Exam during the program in conjunction with their Capstone courses. Kennesaw State offers networking opportunities with the Big 4 accounting firms as well as local firms and businesses in Atlanta. Students may participate in a variety of organizations to advance their career goals, including Beta Alpha Psi, Internal Audit Student Organization, and the National Association of Black Accountants. An academic background with a concentration in accounting is required to apply, as are a resume and GMAT scores (or a GPA waiver).

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University (GSU) offers a 30-hour Master of Accounting (MAcc) that can be completed either on-campus or online. This accounting degree consists of 18 core credit hours in accounting and law courses and 12 elective credit hours designed to allow students to personalize their degree to align with their career goals. The MAcc is also designed to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. An undergraduate degree in accounting is not necessary to apply, but students without one may have to fulfill prerequisite coursework. Students must also demonstrate a certain level of professionalism through their coursework, professional work experience, and extracurricular involvement. Course titles include Law and Ethics for Accountants, Taxation of Corporations, and Fraudulent Financial Reporting. Students may participate in Beta Alpha Psi, the Accounting Association, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the National Association of Black Accountants.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia’s Tull School of Accounting offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting. Students have the option of pursuing a five-year BBA in Accounting with a Master of Accountancy. This program prepares students for careers in auditing, budget analysis, and tax accounting. Students may take courses such as Managerial Accounting, Taxation, and Auditing; Risk Management; and Control. The University of Georgia offers organizations for students to gain further real-world experience, including the National Association of Black Accountants and Beta Alpha Psi. Interview prep, resume building workshops, and networking events catered towards business students also help prepare for post-graduation success. Students have gone on to work at Amazon.com, Citigroup, Trinity Accounting Group, and Wells Fargo. The University of Georgia offers several of its accounting classes online and offers the option of obtaining a Master of Business and Technology fully online.

Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting that will prepare students for a future in business and can be taken either on-campus or completely online for students that already hold an associate’s degree. This accounting degree gives students a solid foundation to enter the business world or to pursue higher education to achieve a CPA certification. Undergraduate courses offered include Quantitative Management, Cost Accounting, Governmental Accounting, and Fraud Examination. Several student organizations are available to help gain hands-on experience and networking opportunities, including ENACTUS, a student team organization that utilizes community outreach to solve business problems. Students can also complete an 18-credit-hour Accounting minor, which is also available on-campus and online for eligible students.

Georgia CPA Requirements

While a CPA designation is not required for employment in business and accounting, this certification does help recent graduates stay competitive and expand their career opportunities. In the state of Georgia, the Georgia State Board of Accountancy (GSBA) requires 150 semester hours of applicable coursework is required to sit for the CPA exam. This includes 30 semester hours in accounting above the introductory level and 24 semester hours in related business coursework. One year of continuous experience in accounting supervised by a CPA is also required.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Georgia

Accounting graduates can choose from one of many career paths in Georgia. Atlanta is a major business hub with innumerable opportunities for recent graduates, and smaller cities such as Savannah and Athens also offer many career opportunities for accounting graduates. In addition to opening their own practice, accountants can work for major accounting firms in Georgia including Ernst & Young, KPMG, Grant Thornton, and CBIZ Atlanta. Several Fortune 500 companies call Georgia home as well. Accountants can seek employment with major companies like Home Depot, Coca-Cola, and Delta Air Lines. Government employment opportunities include positions with state correctional facilities, the public school system, FBI, and the Department of Defense. Many opportunities exist throughout the state for accounting grads, making Georgia a great state to find an accounting job.

Georgia Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area