Discover Business

    Accounting Schools in Massachusetts

    This page provides information about colleges and universities that offer accounting degrees in Massachusetts. Some schools have undergraduate programs, such as Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting, and others offer graduate programs like Master of Accountancy (MAcc) or Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). Programs may be offered on a full-time or part-time basis, and some degrees can be completed partially or even fully online accounting programs. Read on below to find out more information about different program options, possible degree concentrations, and career opportunities in accounting in Massachusetts.

    Quick Facts

    • 24 public colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Massachusetts.1
    • 25 private not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Massachusetts.1
    • 20 schools offer a certificate in accounting.*1
    • 13 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.*1
    • 26 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.*1
    • 18 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.*1
    • 2 programs ranked in US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018.2
    • 2 programs ranked in US News Best Graduate Accounting Programs 2018.3
    • 8 schools ranked in the Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018.4
    • 8 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 Massachusetts

    US News Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2018

    • Massachusetts Institute of Technology #28 tie
    • Boston College #30 tie

    US News Best Graduate Accounting Programs 2018

    • Massachusetts Institute of Technology #18 tie
    • Harvard University #24 tie

    The Princeton Review Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2018

    • Assumption College
    • Babson College
    • Bentley University
    • Boston College
    • Boston University
    • Northeastern University
    • Stonehill College
    • Suffolk University

    Bloomberg Businessweek Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016

    • Boston College (Carroll School of Management) #3
    • Bentley University (Graduate School of Business) #10
    • Northeastern University (D’Amore-McKim School of Business) #22
    • Boston University (Questrom School of Business) #29
    • University of Massachusetts (Isenberg School of Management) #33
    • Stonehill College (Graduate School of Business) #73
    • Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Foisie Business School) #94
    • Hult University (Hult International Business School) #114

    AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs in Massachusetts

    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 Massachusetts have been accredited by the AACSB:

    • Bentley University (Graduate School of Business)
    • Suffolk University (Sawyer Business School)
    • University of Massachusetts Amherst (Isenberg School of Management)

    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 Massachusetts in 2015 for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall average pass rate for Massachusetts being 59.9%:

    1. Wellesley College 83.3%
    2. Boston College 81.0%
    3. College of the Holy Cross 66.3%
    4. Bentley University 63.1%
    5. Babson College 62.0%
    6. Northeastern College 60.9%

    Schools in Massachusetts with Accounting Degrees

    Undergraduate Accounting Programs

    Northeastern University

    At Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) or a Bachelor of Science in International Business (BSIB) degree with an Accounting concentration. This program emphasizes the technical accounting knowledge, as well as the critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and communication, necessary to succeed in the field. Students take core courses that cover subjects such as financial reporting, managerial accounting, and intermediate accounting before choosing optional elective courses. Coursework also covers the accounting information systems and practical skills used in the industry. Students can pursue experiential learning through the co-op program, where they can participate in a paid work placement related to their field of study. Undergraduate students can also pursue a combined BSBA and Master of Science in Finance that can be completed jointly in just five years.

    Hult International Business School

    Hult International Business School offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with a major in Accounting. Through core courses such as Financial Reporting, Corporate and Business Law, and Financial Statement Analysis, students learn how to make and analyze business decisions. The program emphasizes both the theoretical and practical applications of accounting in business, and students learn analytical and critical thinking skills. The general coursework includes a focus on corporate law, statistics, economics, and information technology, and students gain a foundation in data analysis. Graduates from Hult may go on to work in positions such as forensic accountant, external auditor, management accountant, and business advisor.

    Stonehill College

    Students at Stonehill College can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting. This program includes a broad-based accounting curriculum as well as general education courses and core business courses. Students study the fundamentals in accounting systems, financial analysis, tax accounting, and auditing. The coursework also focuses on critical thinking skills as well as effective business communication. Undergraduate students can pursue internship or mentorship opportunities through the Stonehill Career Development Center, and graduates from the BSBA program may go on to work in business, government, and nonprofit organizations.

    Graduate Accounting Programs

    University of Massachusetts Amherst

    At the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduate students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). This degree is ideal for those interested in advancing in their accounting careers, and it focuses on the skills necessary to succeed in the accounting field. Students can complete the program on campus or online, and the curriculum fulfills the educational requirements to apply for CPA licensure. Coursework covers accounting and business knowledge as well as technology and business writing skills. Students learn about subjects such as tax law applications, financial valuation, and business management. This program can be completed in two semesters for students attending on a full-time basis, although students can choose a part-time schedule as well. Those without academic accounting backgrounds must complete some prerequisites before beginning the program.

    Boston College

    Boston College offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) from the Carroll School of Management. The coursework focuses on foundational accounting knowledge as well as the practical application of theory. Students learn how accounting analysis can affect organizational behavior, and classes also emphasize the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to make business decisions. Students with or without accounting backgrounds are welcome to apply to this program, although those without an accounting undergraduate degree may need to complete a foundational summer program before starting the MSA curriculum in the fall.

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

    Online Accounting Programs

    University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting that can be completed entirely online. This program is 120 credits in total, but students with associate’s degrees, certificates, or other undergraduate experience can transfer up to 75 credits from a regionally-accredited institution. The core curriculum includes classes such as Quantitative Business Analysis, Financial Management, and Cost Accounting, and students learn how to use accounting information systems and technologies. In addition to knowledge of accounting, financial statements, and taxes, the coursework also emphasizes communication and critical thinking skills. Online students can seek out work experience through internship opportunities, and graduates from this program go on to work in fields from public accounting to management accounting and auditing.

    University of Massachusetts Boston

    Through the College of Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston, students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). This 30-credit program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, and classes meet in the evening, late afternoon, weekend, or online. Students can choose flexible scheduling, and most classes only meet once per week. Core courses include Federal Tax Planning, Organizational Analysis and Skills, and Financial and Managerial Auditing. The curriculum covers business disciplines as well as specialized accounting knowledge and analysis, and students are prepared to take the CPA examination. Students also learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills in addition to communication and leadership strategies. Those without an academic accounting background may need to complete some prerequisites before beginning this program.

    Massachusetts CPA Requirements

    The Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy allows CPA applicants to sit for the CPA examination when they have completed at least a bachelor’s degree and 120 semester hours. Once students pass the examination, they must complete at least a full 150 semester hours before applying for licensure. These hours must include 21 hours of accounting courses and nine semester hours of business courses. Students must pass the CPA examination before pursuing their professional experience requirements, which are made up of 2,000 hours of accounting experience certified by a CPA. After gaining licensure, CPAs must complete continuing professional education (CPE) hours to maintain their professional designation.

    Career Opportunities for Accounting Grads in Massachusetts

    Massachusetts offers many opportunities for graduates with accounting degrees to work within the state. Major accounting firms such as Deloitte & Touche and Ernst & Young have offices within the greater Boston area, and smaller firms like BDO USA and Wolf & Company have locations in the state as well. Other financial companies, such as Fidelity Investments, have headquarters in Boston. Graduates may find opportunities to work in the state’s large biotechnology and information technology industries in accounting roles, and many accounting positions are also available in statewide and regional small businesses. Those with accounting degrees may find many different opportunities to work in the state’s financial industry after graduation.

    Massachusetts Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

    Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors EmployedAverage Annual Salary
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton24,040$82,410
    New Bedford400$72,840
    Pittsfield310$70,550
    Providence-Warwick4,810$80,080
    Springfield2,160$66,470
    Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard nonmetropolitan area60$71,140

    Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of March 2018.

    Schools with Accounting Degree Programs in Massachusetts

    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.

    Northeastern University
    360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
    (617) 373-2000
    https://www.northeastern.edu/

    Student Review: “My masters of accounting program was geared toward liberal arts majors with no accounting background, basically starting from scratch with debits and credits. However, there were a few students who had taken several accounting courses or even majored in accounting, which put them at a serious advantage compared to the rest of the students in the program. My experience is slightly clouded by how things have turned out for me, as I have discovered that I am not that interested in the accounting profession, yet have no choice but to continue in the field due to the large amount of student loans I took on to pay for my degree. Looking back, it was a very large commitment to a career that I knew little about, which was a very poor decision on my part. The program itself was good, and I was definitely prepared through the financial preparation and taxation courses, as well as an internship at a large regional accounting firm during busy season. But if I could go back in time, I would have done something differently.” -Student at Northeastern University

    Northwestern University
    633 Clark St
    Evanston, IL 60208
    (847) 492-3741
    http://www.northwestern.edu/

    Bentley University
    175 Forest St
    Waltham, MA 02452
    (781) 891-2000
    https://www.bentley.edu/

    University of Massachusetts
    181 Presidents Dr
    Amherst, MA 01003
    (413) 545-0111
    http://www.umass.edu/

    University of Massachusetts Lowell
    1 University Ave
    Lowell, MA 01854
    (978) 934-4000
    https://www.uml.edu/

    Student Review: “This was a good program in a nationally ranked business school. The accounting department is under the Isenberg School of Management and all of my accounting classes were located in the Isenberg building right in the middle of campus. The classes were challenging but not too hard for me. I know other students who couldn’t handle the material but I don’t mind math like they did. Managerial accounting was probably the hardest course I took. The class was basically a summary of material from three previous classes I took squeezed into one class. One aspect of the accounting department I hated was the size of the classes. Every class was overcrowded and finding a seat was nearly impossible. Also enrolling in classes was frustrating because they would fill up very quickly.” -Jordan S., student at University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Student Review: “I recently completed a degree in Accounting from UMass Lowell. I was generally satisfied, but I think that there could be more resources available for students. I liked that the school’s curriculum provided broad and diverse classes. I took a number of business and general education classes, some of which were not related to my field. This gave me a wider perspective and helped me develop additional skills, which can differentiate me from other job candidates. For example, a database class I took senior year taught me some basic SQL and Access skills. The classes were challenging, but manageable. The most difficult class, Accounting Information Systems, is easily graduate-level work, and I believe it is required for master’s candidates with a bachelor’s in something other than accounting. A change I think could be made would be to add work-study summer classes that could also count for credits. I did work-study for two years and only had one assignment that really demonstrated my relevant abilities. Overall, I think it was a good experience. I did not take advantage of all my opportunities, but someone dedicated to actively working their hardest will find this program to be a great value.” -Zach C., student at University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Suffolk University
    73 Tremont St
    Boston, MA 02108
    http://www.suffolk.edu/

    Popular 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, Massachusetts: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ma.htm