Accounting Schools in Kansas
Accounting schools in Kansas offer a broad array of programs to match the needs and interests of students from diverse backgrounds. These programs can prepare you for a satisfying career in a range of accounting roles, such as public accountant, controller, tax accountant, and auditor. Accounting programs range from broad undergraduate degrees to specialized graduate degrees, and students can choose from different specializations, tracks, and electives. Continue reading below to find out more information about school rankings, career outlooks for accounting graduates, and professional accounting licensure in the state of Kansas.
Quick Facts
- 21 public colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Kansas.1
- 15 private not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Kansas.1
- 6 schools offer a certificate in accounting.*1
- 13 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.*1
- 22 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.*1
- 7 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.*1
- No programs ranked in US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018.2
- No programs ranked in US News Best Graduate Accounting Programs 2018.3
- No schools ranked in the Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018.4
- 1 school 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 Kansas
Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016
- Kansas State University (College of Business Administration) #82
AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs in Kansas
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 Kansas have been accredited by the AACSB:
- Kansas State University (College of Business Administration)
- University of Kansas (School of Business)
- Wichita State University (W. Frank Barton 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 schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Kansas in 2015 for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall average pass rate for Kansas being 58.4%:
- Kansas State University 70.8%
- Emporia State University 62.5%
- University of Kansas 60.6%
- Wichita State University 59.1%
- Friends University 57.1%
- Midamerica Nazarene University 57.1%
Schools in Kansas with Accounting Degrees
Undergraduate Accounting Programs
Wichita State University
At Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business, students can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting. This program is ideal for those interested in further graduate study in accounting and a career in the field. Undergraduate students are required to take courses such as Financial Accounting and Reporting, Accounting for Decision Making and Control, Taxation of Business Entities, and Principles of Auditing. Undergraduates study how to measure costs, perform business analysis, prepare budgets, and do business and tax planning. Through this coursework, students learn accounting skills necessary to making business decisions in the real world. Wichita State also offers a Master of Accountancy degree with an optional Tax or Accounting Information Systems concentration.
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) degree in Accounting. The curriculum focuses on the skills needed for a successful career in the accounting industry. Students start with a broad business foundation before moving on to specialized accounting courses. Through customizing electives, students can choose a specialization, such as Business Law, Management, International Business, or Information Systems. Courses encourage entrepreneurship, and many students choose to pursue further graduate accounting studies. Many complete an internship prior to graduation, and the KU also provides networking and professional development opportunities. Graduates from this program can go on to work in academia, government, industry, and public accounting.
Friends University
Students at Friends University can pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. This degree provides a foundation for a career in accounting, and the coursework emphasizes accounting knowledge as well as leadership and management skills. Students learn accounting and business theory in their classes, but the curriculum also focuses on applying this knowledge to decision-making and critical analysis. The core curriculum covers taxation, auditing, cost management, and research. All students learn how to research, prepare, and communicate financial data from an accounting perspective. Graduates from this program frequently go on to pursue the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation or further graduate study to achieve the CPA designation.
Popular Articles: Business Schools in Kansas | Online MBA Programs in Kansas
Graduate Accounting Programs
Kansas State University
Kansas State University’s College of Business Administration offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. This one-year graduate program teaches students the advanced accounting knowledge needed to succeed in the industry. The curriculum includes a few core classes, but most of the courses in the program are electives. Depending on a student’s career goals and areas of interest, he or she can choose from electives such as Fraud and Forensics, International Accounting, Merger and Acquisition Taxation, and Advanced Management Accounting. Students can also supplement their coursework with experiential learning opportunities, from internships to study abroad programs. For post-graduation opportunities, students can take advantage of a large alumni network and university connections with corporate partners. Undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting program at KSU can enroll in the MAcc program and apply some academic credit to both degrees.
University of Kansas
At the University of Kansas, students can earn a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree. This program is open to those with or without academic accounting backgrounds. Accounting undergrads can complete this graduate degree in as little as a year, and non-accounting undergraduates can finish the program in a year and a half to two years. The curriculum focuses on the skills needed to succeed in the accounting profession as well as the subjects covered by the educational requirements for CPA licensure. Students can take advantage of experiential learning opportunities by completing short-term study abroad programs or volunteering in the local community. Through tailoring their electives, students can also choose between multiple tracks, such as Advising and Consulting Services, Assurance/Audit, Corporate, and Tax. Graduates can go on to work in international public accounting firms, regional and local public accounting firms, industry, government, and academia.
Online Accounting Programs
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with a major in Accounting that can be completed entirely online or on-campus. Both formats follow an identical curriculum that emphasizes theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills necessary for an accounting career. Coursework focuses on how to communicate accounting information, and students also learn the computer applications and software commonly used in the industry. Students first complete a general education core, then specialized accounting courses. Accounting majors can also choose from numerous electives ranging from Governmental and Institutional Accounting to Advanced Tax Procedure and Fraud Examination. Graduates can go on to work in entry-level positions in the accounting field or pursue advanced degrees in the field.
Emporia State University
Students can earn a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) entirely online through Emporia State University. This graduate degree is based around accelerated 7-week courses, and it can be completed in as few as 12 months. Students follow a curriculum of advanced courses in taxation, management accounting, budgeting and pricing, and tax accounting. Emporia emphasizes the application of accounting theory in business strategy, and graduate students learn the financial reporting and decision-making skills needed for their careers. This degree meets the educational requirements for CPA licensure in most states, and many graduates choose to sit for the examination. The MAcc degree prepares graduates for roles in public accounting, internal auditing, controllership, forensic accounting, and many other positions in the accounting industry.
Kansas CPA Requirements
The Kansas Board of Accountancy requires that CPA candidates complete 150 semester hours in both accounting and business studies. Many students pursue a master’s degree in accounting to meet the educational requirements and prepare for the CPA examination. After passing the examination, applicants must complete at least 2,000 hours of work in public accounting that is verified by a licensed CPA. Those who have met all the application conditions can then apply for CPA licensure, and practicing CPAs must fulfill Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours to maintain their licensure.
Career Opportunities for Accounting Grads in Kansas
There are many opportunities for Kansas accounting grads to start their own accounting firms or work in public, private, or government accounting. Berberich Trahan & Co., P.A. in Topeka and Grant Thornton, in Wichita are two of the biggest CPA firms in Kansas. Graduates may find opportunities with these large CPA firms or with other firms around the state. Other large companies, such as aerospace company Spirit AeroSystems and telecommunications company Embarq, are based in the state and may have positions for accounting graduates with financial expertise. Students can find opportunities to work in local businesses or start their own, and Kansas is also home to many different governmental or nonprofit agencies. Those with accounting degrees in the state can find many different opportunities to work in accounting roles after graduation.
Kansas Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Accountants & Auditors Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 11,770 | $68,480 |
| St. Joseph | 280 | $64,990 |
| Topeka | 1,330 | $58,790 |
| Wichita | 2,630 | $64,610 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of March 2018.8
Kansas 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.
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 469-8500
https://www.jccc.edu/
Student Review: “All my classes were 100% online, which was important for me, since I worked during the day. The professors responded to emails within 24 hours and were always willing to assist with questions or problems. The online format worked well for me and the classes had a strict schedule for students to follow as to not get behind. One problem that I encountered frequently was that the grading on tests and quizzes were often wrong. For example, I would answer a question correctly but the answer would be marked as incorrect. A simple email to the professor was able to solve that problem.” -student at Johnson County Community College
Friends University
2100 W University St
Wichita, KS 67213
(316) 295-5000
www.friends.edu
Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount St
Wichita, KS 67260
(316) 978-3456
http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/
The University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-2700
https://www.nwciowa.edu/
Student Review: “I have greatly enjoyed my experience at the University of Kansas. Their accounting program offers many options for courses and they offer a MAC program that coincides with taking the CPA exam. They like students to take a course to familiarize themselves with opportunities that an accounting degree can provide. This class prepares students to have an idea of what they will use the degree for along with valuable interview skills that can be used at the schools business career fair. The companies at the business career fair offer great opportunities and if nothing else plenty of practice interviewing. Most of the professors I have had are great but like any school, I would imagine, some of the courses are taught by grad students. I would recommend researching grad students on an individual basis as some are good and others will leave you learning the majority of the material on your own or worse. Most of the professors are wonderful and really make sure you learn what you need to know. It isn’t easy to get in to the school of business but the opportunities are well worth the hard work. The advanced business electives allow students the opportunity to explore some fun and interesting applications in accounting. KU is a great school and I guarantee that if you graduate from the University of Kansas you will have had a wonderful college experience. Over 90% of students who graduate with a Masters are able to get jobs within their first year out of college.” -Amelia H., student at University of Kansas
Washburn University
1700 SW College Ave
Topeka, KS 66621
(785) 670-1010
http://www.washburn.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, Kansas: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ks.htm