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 host 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

• 39 public colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Georgia.¹
• 15 private not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Georgia.¹
• 25 schools offer a certificate in accounting.*¹
• 24 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.*¹
• 31 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.*¹
• 12 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.*¹
• 1 program ranked in US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018.²
• No programs ranked in US News Best Graduate Accounting Programs 2018.³
• 2 schools ranked in the Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018.⁴
• 3 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 Georgia

US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018

• University of Georgia #12

The Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018

• Agnes Scott College
• Emory University

Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016

• Emory University (Goizueta Business School) #15
• Georgia Institute of Technology (Scheller College of Business) #39
• University of Georgia (Terry College of Business) #67

AACSB Accredited Accounting Programs in Georgia

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 programs in Georgia have been accredited by the AACSB:

• Georgia Southern University (College of Business Administration)
• Georgia State University (J. Mack Robinson College of Business)
• Kennesaw State University (Coles College of Business)
• University of Georgia (Terry College of Business)
• University of West Georgia (Richards College of Business)
• Valdosta State University (Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration)

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 schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Georgia in 2015 for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall average pass rate for Georgia being 57.2%:

1. University of Georgia 84.5%
2. Emory University 75.6%
3. Dalton State College 62.5%
4. Georgia College and State University 55.4%
5. Georgia Institute of Technology 54.6%

Schools in Georgia with Accounting Degrees

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

Emory University

Emory University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and is ranked in Bloomberg Businessweek’s Best Undergraduate Business Schools and Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors. Students choose one or more primary area depth, which includes core courses and four elective courses. Those who choose Accounting as their focus area may focus in Professional Accounting to prepare for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam or opt for the Non-CPA area depth. Those who choose to pursue the CPA focus are required to take courses in Financial Reporting, Advanced Financial Accounting, Federal Income Taxation, 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 Robinson College of Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accountancy 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 Globalization and Business Practice, Corporate Finance, Cost Managerial Accounting, and Introduction to Federal Income Tax. 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 40 credit hours of business foundation courses and then 20 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.

Popular Articles: Business Schools in Georgia | Online MBA Programs in Georgia

Graduate Accounting Programs

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University offers a cohort-based 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 six core credits followed by 24 credits of a chosen track: Financial Reporting and Auditing, Tax, and Advisory. Depending on the concentration, MAcc students may take courses like Theory of Business Reporting, Transaction Processing and Controls, and Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination. Kennesaw State University 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 undergraduate degree, preferably in business or accounting, is required to apply, as are GMAT scores. Professional work experience is encouraged.

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University offers a 30-hour Master of Accounting (MAcc) that can be completed either on-campus or online. This accounting degree is designed to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, while also offering the opportunity to earn a certificate in Taxation or Forensic Accounting. These certifications can be incorporated into the curriculum and help set graduates apart during their career search. An undergraduate degree in accounting is not necessary to apply, but students without one may have to fulfill prerequisite coursework. GMAT scores are required to apply. 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, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and the National Association of Black Accountants.

Online Accounting Programs

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia’s Tull School of Accounting offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting which is ranked #13 in the US News Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs and #67 in Bloomberg Businessweek’s Best Undergraduate Business Schools. 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 BBA in General Business fully online.

Georgia Southwestern University

Georgia Southwestern University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting that will prepare students for a future in business. Students who already hold an associate’s degree can choose to complete this program entirely online. This AACSB-accredited 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, Not-for-Profit Accounting, and Internal Controls and Auditing. 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 join Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honor society for students in AACSB-accredited business schools.

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, 150 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 Grads 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

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of March 2018.⁸

Schools with Accounting Degree Programs in Georgia

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.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College
2602 College Dr
Phenix City, AL 36869
(334) 291-4900
https://www.cv.edu/

Student Review: “I thoroughly enjoy their accounting program. It is decently challenging and very rewarding. The teaching staff is excellent and the amount of work involved is admirable. Also the professors are very approachable and have great office hours for students who want to come in for help. The times and days offered for their classes are very accommodating. Also at Chattahoochee Tech they have a staff dedicated to getting students a job. The staff sponsors career fairs and internships and create other opportunities for accounting students. In the program, students learn about things like auditing, information systems, and managerial accounting. They also offer online courses for people who cannot make it to classes. I personally did not take any online classes but I hear they are pretty good.” -Student at Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Dalton State College
650 College Dr
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 272-4436
https://www.daltonstate.edu/index.cms

Georgia Piedmont Technical College
495 N Indian Creek Dr
Clarkston, GA 30021
(404) 297-9522
https://www.gptc.edu

Student Review: “Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a wonderful post-secondary institution for those looking to obtain a degree and further their career. The accounting program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College prepares students for a variety of careers in accounting of course, but this school specializes in preparing students for today’s technology-driven workplace. In the accounting program you will learn a plethora of other skills in addition to accounting, such as income tax preparation, record keeping, and data interpretation in planning and controlling businesses. The degree program generally takes about two years to complete, including summer semesters. The instructors are more than adequate to educate, and the classrooms are environments best suited for learning. I have enjoyed every minute that I have spent at GPTC, and would recommend the school to anyone.” -Timothy P., student at Georgia Piedmont Technical College

Middle Georgia State College
100 College Station Dr.
Macon, GA 31206
(478) 471-2700
https://www.mga.edu/

Student Review: “Middle Georgia State offered an adequate and inexpensive education, and the accounting program, though challenging, definitely prepared me for the workforce and helped me develop relevant and immediately usable skills. The accounting faculty do a good job of requiring you to really know the material and not shortchanging you. It isn’t always fun to spend hours and hours studying, but you do learn. As evidence of the accounting programs strength, I recently completed an internship and was able to do all the tasks handed me with no problem. When I finished, my boss complimented me on my accounting knowledge. Though MGS isn’t a big name, you save a lot of money and you can advance with a degree from it. I recently was accepted to grad school at UGA. There is a reason I only gave my school 3 stars. Some of the non accounting staff for the business core are just place fillers who don’t do anything. The administration is new, and not very well organized yet. You will have many frustrating visits to financial aid, the registrar, etc. Overall, if you work hard and build your resume while in school, MGS is a great platform.” -Student at Middle Georgia State College

University of Georgia
210 S Jackson St
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-3000
https://www.uga.edu/

Student Review: “The accounting program at the University of Georgia is amazing. It is very easy to form an extensive network with both staff, students, and professionals in the business world. Speakers often come to campus to recruit and give students insight into various companies that they can work for, and there are several events held each semester for accounting majors only. Courses are challenging but offer a comprehensive overview of all areas of accounting, such as tax accounting and financial accounting. The only improvement is that more classes should be offered so that a graduating student would have enough credits to take the CPA exam right after graduation. Also, there should be more online accounting courses available instead of just the entry level courses.” -Hannah Z., student at University of Georgia

Student Review: “The Terry School of Business at University of Georgia is one of the most arduous and prestigious programs in the South. The accounting program definitely lives up to its reputation. To be even accepted and be competitive as an accounting major, a student has to get a B or higher in their Accounting One and Accounting Two classes. The Accounting One class at Terry was, in the history of all my classes, the hardest class I ever took. If any aspiring accounting major has intentions of going through with their accounting education, that class will test their willpower.” -Student at University of Georgia

University of West Georgia
1601 Maple St
Carrollton, GA 30118
(678) 839-5000
https://www.westga.edu/

Student Review: “I went to the University of West Georgia for a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. The program was everything that I expected it to be when I first started going to school there. I’d always loved math as a kid so it felt like the right field to get into for me. My first two years were mostly just core classes so I didn’t have a strong impression of the program during that time. However, in my last two years, I really grew to like the environment and the professors that I had for the required courses. I found them to be very dedicated people who were willing to help me out if I needed it and visited their offices. The school had an internship program for accounting as well, but I was unable to get involved with that because of a scheduling conflict. Overall I rated the experience as a 4 out of 5 because I felt that my core classes in my earlier years weren’t all that necessary in the end.” -Student at University of West Georgia

Student Review: “I attended the University of West Georgia for a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. Overall I’d describe the experience as being fairly eventful and very opportunistic. Initially I was uncertain of what I wanted to do for my major but I ended up settling with accounting after talking with several friends and an advisor about it. My first two years consisted almost entirely of core classes that I didn’t really enjoy, such as literature, history, general mathematics, etc. However, after my initial 2 years at UWG, I got involved in my accounting courses and then I really started to grow an interest in my schoolwork. My professors helped out in that aspect as well, since most of them seemed enthusiastic about their work as compared to my general classes. I could have gone to a few other schools in my area for this degree but I chose UWG for financial reasons and I’m glad I did in the end. I made a lot of friends during my time here and I got to learn more than I imagined I would thank to my helpful professors.” -Student at University of West Georgia

Related Accounting Degree State Pages:

• Alabama
• Florida
• South Carolina
• Tennessee

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, Georgia: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ga.htm