Accounting Schools in North Carolina
The following outline of accounting schools in North Carolina is designed to help you locate schools that match your skills, interests, and career aspirations. North Carolina’s universities and colleges offer many accounting programs in both general and specialized practice areas such as managerial accounting, fraud investigation, and information management. Students of all educational backgrounds should be able to find a program that fits their goals, including business novices and those seeking advanced graduate study. Working professionals may choose from flexible programs with online classes to help them achieve their education and career goals.
Quick Facts
- 88 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in North Carolina.1
- 50 schools offer a certificate in accounting.1
- 49 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.1
- 39 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.1
- 21 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.1
- 8 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.2
- 1 school ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.3
- 2 programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.4
- 8 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
- 13 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).8
- 1 school has an accounting program accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).9
Comparison of North Carolina Accounting Schools and Programs
The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in North Carolina 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 North Carolina business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
| School | Accreditation | Accounting Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate10 | Grad Rate1 | Avg Net Price1 | Median Debt*10 | Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry**10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamance Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Income Tax | N.Av. | 33% | $16,861 | N.Av. | $32,133 |
| Appalachian State University | — | BSBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; Accelerated BSBA to MS-Accounting; MS-Accounting: Analytics; MS-Accounting: General; MS-Accounting-Tax | 84.7% | 75% | $13,084 | $20,231 | $48,352 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 31% | $7,922 | $15,528 | $34,535 |
| Barton College | — | Minor-Accounting | 98.6% | 48% | $23,443 | $25,877 | $46,112 |
| Belmont Abbey College | — | BA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MBA-Accounting | 98.9% | 47% | $23,522 | $26,000 | $46,832 |
| Blue Ridge Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Bookkeeping I; UG Cert-Bookkeeping II; UG Cert-Payroll | N.Av. | 50% | $7,677 | $12,000 | $31,390 |
| Brunswick Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 40% | $7,656 | N.Av. | $31,407 |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Diploma-Accounting | N.Av. | 40% | $6,286 | $8,750 | $33,290 |
| Campbell University | ACBSP | BAS-Accounting; BBA-Accounting Minor-Accounting MAcc-Financial Planning; MAcc-Taxation | 87.3% | 56% | $24,280 | $22,500 | $51,142 |
| Cape Fear Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting Analytics; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting Fraud Analytics | N.Av. | 30% | $8,145 | $9,500 | $35,409 |
| Catawba College | ACBSP | BA-Accounting; BSBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 56.1% | 56% | $19,701 | $25,000 | $43,706 |
| Catawba Valley Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting Computerized; UG Cert-Accounting General; UG Cert-Accounting Taxation | N.Av. | 31% | $11,285 | $4,938 | $33,573 |
| Central Carolina Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Income Tax Preparer; UG Cert-Payroll Accounting; UG Cert-Small Business Financial Advisor | N.Av. | 33% | $6,311 | N.Av. | $28,894 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance: Accounting; AAS-Accounting and Finance: Financial Services; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Accounting UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Business Analytics UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Business Financial Services UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Individual Finance UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Tax Grad Cert-Accounting and Finance: Professional Accounting I Grad Cert-Accounting and Finance: Professional Accounting Certificate II | N.Av. | 23% | $6,608 | $7,925 | $33,193 |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Bookkeeping/Payroll | N.Av. | 38% | $9,278 | N.Av. | $31,867 |
| Craven Community College | ACBSP | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Payroll; UG Cert-Small Business Accounting | N.Av. | 39% | $6,055 | N.Av. | $32,571 |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting Fundamentals; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Taxes | N.Av. | 36% | $7,278 | $10,500 | $32,410 |
| Durham Technical Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 24% | $7,274 | $14,750 | $32,391 |
| East Carolina University | — | BSBA-Accounting; MSA | 93.9% | 65% | $14,410 | $22,750 | $50,819 |
| Edgecombe Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Excel; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Financial Services; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Quickbooks | N.Av. | 28% | $5,996 | $15,917 | $27,985 |
| Elizabeth City State University | — | BS-Accounting | 76.8% | 42% | $4,120 | $21,463 | $37,070 |
| Elon University | — | BSA; Minor-Accounting; 4-Year BS to MSA; 5-Year BS to MSA; MSA | 77.7% | 83% | $41,527 | $20,500 | $66,617 |
| Fayetteville State University | — | BS-Accounting Minor-Accounting | 82.1% | 44% | $6,355 | $22,987 | $37,600 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Foundations; UG Cert-Computerized Accounting; UG Cert-Cost/Managerial Accounting; UG Cert-Payroll Accounting; UG Cert-Small Business Accounting; UG Cert-Tax Preparer | N.Av. | 16% | $2,948 | $11,500 | $30,503 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance: Accounting; UG Diploma-Accounting | N.Av. | 29% | $5,887 | $10,000 | $32,361 |
| Gardner-Webb University | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MAcc; Grad Cert-Accountancy | 79% | 52% | $22,339 | $24,222 | $45,181 |
| Gaston College | ACBSP | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Federal Income Tax; UG Cert-Financial Accounting; UG Cert-Managerial Accounting | N.Av. | 43% | $4,103 | N.Av. | $32,949 |
| Greensboro College | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 88.1% | 40% | $19,581 | $25,607 | $43,023 |
| Guilford College | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 82.1% | 49% | $23,882 | $26,000 | $43,545 |
| Guilford Technical Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Tax Preparation | N.Av. | 28% | $13,292 | $14,901 | $32,481 |
| Haywood Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance UG Cert-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 29% | $5,421 | N.Av. | $29,213 |
| High Point University | — | BSBA-Accounting; 5-Year BSBA-Accounting to MBA | 80.3% | 68% | $40,221 | $24,575 | $54,945 |
| Isothermal Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Computerized Accounting; UG Cert-Payroll | N.Av. | 53% | $6,756 | N.Av. | $31,875 |
| James Sprunt Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Basic Accounting; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Computerized Accounting Clerk | N.Av. | 35% | $3,907 | N.Av. | $29,925 |
| Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte | — | BS-Corporate Accounting and Financial Analysis | 82.3% | 53% | $29,238 | $26,000 | $41,886 |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; 5-Year BS to MBA-Accounting; MBA-Accounting | N.Av. | 0% | $20,242 | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; 5-Year BS to MBA-Accounting; MBA-Accounting | N.Av. | 59% | $32,801 | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Johnston Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Governmental Accounting; UG Cert-Income Tax Preparer; UG Cert-Payroll Accounting Clerk | N.Av. | 47% | $5,844 | N.Av. | $35,343 |
| Lees-McRae College | — | BABA/BSBA-Accounting | 59.2% | 46% | $24,108 | $17,375 | $41,587 |
| Lenoir Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Small Business Accounting | N.Av. | 29% | $5,584 | N.Av. | $30,926 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | ACBSP | BA-Accounting; MBA-Accounting | 85.7% | 51% | $21,843 | $26,000 | $45,633 |
| Livingstone College | IACBE | BSBA-Accounting | 51.3% | 26% | $15,914 | $31,125 | $32,344 |
| Martin Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 47% | $5,949 | N.Av. | $26,229 |
| McDowell Technical Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance: Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Income Tax Preparer; UG Cert-Payroll Accounting Clerk | N.Av. | 45% | $2,715 | N.Av. | $33,995 |
| Meredith College | — | BSBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 69.9% | 68% | $23,259 | $25,000 | $45,455 |
| Methodist University | ACBSP | AAS-Accounting; BAS-Accounting; BAS-Accounting: Health Care Administration; BAS-Accounting: Health Care Administration; BAS-Accounting: PGA Golf Management; BAS-Accounting: Professional Tennis Management; BAS-Accounting: Resort, Club & Hospitality Management; BAS-Accounting: Sport Management; Minor-Accounting | 78.6% | 41% | $28,129 | $27,000 | $45,408 |
| Mitchell Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Foundations; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Income Tax Preparer; UG Cert-Personal Finance | N.Av. | 30% | $5,403 | N.Av. | $30,025 |
| Nash Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting Fundamentals | N.Av. | 40% | $7,102 | $11,500 | $34,180 |
| North Carolina A&T State University | AACSB | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MBA-Accounting | 57.4% | 57% | $9,189 | $27,000 | $44,390 |
| North Carolina Central University | — | BBA-Accounting | 76% | 44% | $13,708 | $28,250 | $40,346 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | AACSB | BS-Accounting; BS-Accounting: Financial Analysis; BS-Accounting: Government/Nonprofit Accounting; BS-Accounting: Information Systems; BS-Accounting: Internal Auditing; BS-Accounting: Managerial Accounting; Minor-Accounting; 5-Year BS-Accounting to MAcc; MAcc; MAcc-Business and Industry; MAcc-Public Accounting: Business Reporting and Analysis; MAcc-Public Accounting: Enterprise Risk Management; MAcc-Public Accounting: Information Technology; MAcc-Public Accounting: Tax Strategy; Grad Cert-Tax Analytics and Technology | 47.5% | 85% | $14,852 | $20,121 | $65,211 |
| North Carolina Wesleyan University | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; 4-Year BS-Accounting to MBA | 28% | 38% | $18,701 | $25,000 | $44,504 |
| Pamlico Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Payroll Accounting | N.Av. | 18% | $8,256 | N.Av. | $21,359 |
| Pfeiffer University | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; BS-Accounting: Financial Fraud; Minor-Accounting | 71.8% | 35% | $21,575 | $26,163 | $45,009 |
| Piedmont Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 30% | $6,074 | N.Av. | $28,480 |
| Pitt Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance: Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Productivity Software; UG Cert-Basic Accounting; UG Cert-Managerial/Small Business Accounting | N.Av. | 28% | $7,291 | $11,977 | $35,672 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | — | BBA-Accounting | 69.2% | 69% | $29,459 | $25,000 | $58,774 |
| Randolph Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 40% | $8,104 | N.Av. | $32,243 |
| Richmond Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting/Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Payroll Accountant Specialist; UG Cert-Tax Preparer | N.Av. | 34% | $4,986 | N.Av. | $30,096 |
| Robeson Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Bookkeeping | N.Av. | 41% | $6,242 | N.Av. | $26,907 |
| Rockingham Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 23% | $3,788 | N.Av. | $30,903 |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-CPA Exam; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Government; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Insurance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Services; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance: Taxes | N.Av. | 31% | $5,919 | $9,458 | $31,621 |
| Saint Augustine’s University | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 74.8% | 20% | $20,081 | $29,669 | $35,808 |
| Sampson Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Tax Preparer; UG Cert-Payroll Clerk | N.Av. | 30% | $5,950 | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| Sandhills Community College | — | AAS-Accounting; UG Cert-Bookkeeping | N.Av. | 40% | $12,583 | N.Av. | $30,752 |
| Shaw University | — | BSBA-Accounting | 65.3% | 14% | $14,204 | $32,500 | $34,084 |
| South Piedmont Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Taxation; UG Cert-Bookkeeping | N.Av. | 32% | $9,334 | N.Av. | $31,104 |
| Southwestern Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Payroll; UG Cert-Tax Accounting | N.Av. | 45% | $8,858 | $10,500 | $31,264 |
| Stanly Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 38% | $6,063 | N.Av. | $32,048 |
| Surry Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 28% | $8,281 | N.Av. | $34,394 |
| Tri-County Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting and Finance | N.Av. | 37% | $5,592 | N.Av. | $29,035 |
| University of Mount Olive | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; MBA-Accounting | 82.6% | 49% | $17,878 | $27,209 | $44,973 |
| University of North Carolina at Asheville | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 81.6% | 59% | $14,730 | $20,500 | $44,906 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | AACSB | MAcc-Audit; MAcc-Financial Analysis & Reporting; MAcc-Tax | 20.4% | 91% | $10,614 | $14,000 | $67,765 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | AACSB | BS-Accounting; BSBA-Finance: Finance/Accounting; MAcc-Financial Accounting/Auditing; MAcc-Individualized Program of Study; MAcc-Professional Accounting; MAcc-Tax | 79.5% | 70% | $13,951 | $21,500 | $54,580 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | AACSB | BS-Accounting; 5-Year BS to MS-Accounting; MS-Accounting: Financial Reporting and Assurance; MS-Accounting: Tax; Grad Cert- Taxation | 90.8% | 58% | $10,979 | $22,858 | $46,514 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | — | BS-Accounting | 91.8% | 45% | $8,208 | $25,000 | $41,470 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | — | BSBA-Accountancy; MS-Accountancy | 68% | 74% | $18,709 | $19,500 | $52,560 |
| Vance-Granville Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting | N.Av. | 31% | $3,193 | N.Av. | $30,474 |
| Wake Forest University | AACSB | BS-Accountancy; 5-Year BS to MSA; MAcc; MSA-Assurance Services; MSA-Financial Markets & Transactions; MSA-Tax Consulting | 25.2% | 90% | $26,197 | $21,500 | $81,964 |
| Wake Technical Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Accounting Core; UG Cert-Accounting Software Applications; UG Cert-Advanced Accounting Core; UG Cert-Bookkeeping; UG Cert-Fraud Examination; UG Cert-Income Tax Preparer; UG Cert-Management Accountant; UG Cert-Payroll Accounting | N.Av. | 31% | $3,914 | $12,000 | $39,154 |
| Wayne Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Bookkeeping | N.Av. | 49% | $4,694 | $6,500 | $30,493 |
| Western Carolina University | — | BSBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MAcc; MAcc-Taxation | 79.4% | 61% | $13,022 | $21,868 | $44,755 |
| Western Piedmont Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-General Accounting; UG Cert-Computerized Accounting | N.Av. | 39% | $7,821 | N.Av. | $32,014 |
| Wilkes Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance: Accounting; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance: Accounting; UG Cert-Accounting Clerk; UG Cert-Computerized Accounting | N.Av. | 55% | $3,471 | $7,625 | $32,536 |
| Wilson Community College | — | AAS-Accounting and Finance; UG Diploma-Accounting and Finance; UG Cert-Income Tax; UG Cert-Accounting Spreadsheet; UG Cert-Accounting Payroll/Quickbooks | N.Av. | 23% | $8,322 | $10,500 | $29,684 |
| Wingate University | ACBSP | BA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MAcc | 84.5% | 57% | $18,823 | $25,000 | $51,262 |
| Winston-Salem State University | — | BS-Accounting; Grad Cert-Data Analytics | 81.5% | 50% | $14,097 | $25,000 | $40,976 |
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 North Carolina
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
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Wake Forest University
- Elon University
- North Carolina State University
- Wake Technical Community College
- Appalachian State University
- East Carolina University
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte2
Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023
- Elon University3
US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023
- Duke University (#11 tie)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (#22 tie)4
US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023
- Appalachian State University (#32 tie)
- UNC Greensboro (#44 tie)
- Western Carolina University (#66 tie)
- Campbell University (#79 tie)
- Montreat College (#157 tie)
- North Carolina Central University (#157 tie)
- Lees-McRae College (#170-214)
- Mars Hill University (#170-214)5
US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-23
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (#15 tie)
- Wake Forest University (#35 tie)6
Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases reports including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.11 The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in North Carolina 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 North Carolina being 63.4%:
- Catawba College 90.9%
- Wake Forest University 88.0%
- Davidson College 86.4%
- Barton College 77.8%
- University of North Carolina at Asheville 77.8%
- North Carolina State University 76.9%
*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 North Carolina with Accounting Degrees
To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in North Carolina, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.
Undergraduate Accounting Programs
Elon University
The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business at Elon University offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSA) that prepares students for entry-level business positions and graduate study by providing them with a solid foundation in financial and cost accounting, taxation, and auditing. Undergraduate students are required to complete an internship with an accounting firm such as Deloitte; Ernst and Young; and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Top BSA students have the option to pursue the 3+1 Program, which provides the opportunity to earn both a BSA and a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) in just four years or the five-year BSA/MSA program, which allows students to begin working towards the MSA during their senior year of undergraduate study. Elon also offers the Becker FastPass CPA review, an intensive summer course designed to prepare students for the CPA exam, helping them gain a competitive edge upon graduation. Elon has several student organizations that can help advance an accounting student’s career, including Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for financial information students and professionals. Each year, Beta Alpha Psi and the Student Professional Development Center host an Accounting Meet and Greet to help students network with working professionals.
High Point University
The Phillips School of Business at High Point University (HPU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting. This degree program is designed to prepare students for a career in professional accounting through analytical study and experiential learning. Students may engage in roundtables with the business community and participate in the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program or in student-led organizations such as Alpha Kappa Psi, the Entrepreneurs Club (eClub), and the Floyd Craven Investment Club. BSBA students may take courses like Principles of Macroeconomics; Advanced Taxation; and Mergers and Acquisitions. Those interested in CPA certification can pursue HPU’s 4+1 MBA program, which allows them to complete a BSBA and MBA in just five years. Upon graduation, alumni have entered careers at top accounting firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, and Dixon Hughes Goodman.
North Carolina State University
The Poole College of Management at North Carolina State University (NC State) offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSA) with concentrations in a variety of areas. Students may decide to have no concentration or can choose between five areas of focus: financial analysis, information systems, internal auditing, managerial accounting, and government/nonprofit accounting. All students must complete accounting core courses including Concepts of Financial Reporting, Intermediate Financial Accounting I, and Introduction to Income Taxation. NC State has many student organizations that can help students gain hands-on experience, including the Accounting Society, Internal Audit Student Club, Finance Club, and International Business Club. Individual career coaching is also offered to students, as well as mock interviews and resume building. Students interested in becoming CPAs have the option to pursue NC State’s Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) Program, which allows them to earn a BSA and Master in Accounting degree (MAcc) in just five years.
Graduate Accounting Programs
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) offers an AACSB-accredited Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree designed for students of all levels. This accounting program offers three curriculum tracks: Professional Accounting, Financial Accounting/Auditing, and Tax. Students also have the option to develop an individualized program of study. Both the professional accounting and financial accounting/auditing curriculums qualify students to sit for the CPA examination upon graduation, while students pursuing the tax concentration must complete additional electives to be eligible. Required courses for all MAcc students include Business Tax I, Financial Statement Auditing, and Accounting Data Analytics. Most students complete the program on a full-time basis in about 12 months, but a part-time option is also available. UNC Charlotte has a close relationship with the business community, including an active advisory board made up of top business professionals within the Charlotte area. The Belk College of Business offers career coaching, alumni networking, and interview tips to assist students with professional development. A bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited college or university is required to apply, as are GMAT or GRE scores.
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University’s (WCU) College of Business offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program that is designed to build on students’ existing accounting education. WCU’s MAcc curriculum focuses on subjects such as accounting theory, taxation, business law, and research. Required courses include Accounting Theory and Research; Income Tax Theory and Applications; and Advanced Accounting Information Systems. MAcc students also have the option to add a concentration in Taxation by selecting the required electives. Students can complete the program on a full-time basis in 12 to 18 months or on a part-time basis in 24 months. Core classes are offered in the evenings at the Biltmore Park campus. Graduates of this program will meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA examination. Top accounting students from AACSB-accredited schools may apply for WCU’s Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABM) Track, which allows them to take graduate courses during their senior year of undergraduate study.
Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs
East Carolina University
East Carolina University (ECU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting designed to prepare students for entry-level business positions and graduate coursework in accounting. The program is offered in both on-campus and online formats. The online accounting program at ECU includes courses such as Managerial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Taxation for Decision Making, and Internal Auditing. ECU offers career guidance and networking opportunities, including career fairs, graduate school preparation, and resume reviews. Career Services can also help students with internship placement to gain hands-on professional experience. Students may also apply for ECU’s Cooperative Education program (CO-OP) which allows students to alternate periods of academic work and professional work, giving them the opportunity to work full-time for a company while retaining full-time student status. ECU also offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) that can be completed on-campus or online. The program is open to students with or without an undergraduate degree in accounting, although students without an educational background in business or accounting must complete prerequisite courses. ECU’s MSA can be completed in as little as one year and includes classes such as Auditing, Federal Income Taxation, and The Professional Accounting Environment.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) offers a Master of Accounting (MAcc) program which can be completed either on-campus or online. This flexible format gives working professionals the opportunity to pursue their educational goals and advance their careers. The MAcc degree at UNC Chapel Hill is designed to prepare students for the Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) exam and can be completed in 12 to 36 months. Students with an extensive background in accounting may be eligible for reduced coursework. MAcc students can choose between concentrations in Audit; Financial Analysis and Reporting; and Tax, and are required to take core courses such as Applications of Financial Reporting, Data Analytics, and Managerial Accounting. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in a global immersion program to gain experience in trading regulations, tax treaties, and other topics unique to international business.
Wingate University
Wingate University offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in the business world. This program can be completed either part-time over two years or full-time in one year. Summer classes are offered via remote delivery, while students may choose to complete the fall and spring classes either in-person or through synchronous online classes and have the flexibility to alternate between the two as needed. Wingate features a state-of-the-art accounting and finance lab to provide experiential learning for students, allowing for simulated scenarios and preparation for the CPA exam. Course titles include Advanced Taxation of Business and Property; Financial Statement Concepts and Analysis; and Accounting and Tax Research. MAcc students receive resume-building help, as well as personalized job-search techniques. Students also work to build a portfolio to show to prospective employers. GMAT scores are required to apply and students without an undergraduate business or accounting degree may have to complete prerequisite courses.
Related Articles:
- Business Schools in North Carolina
- Online MBA Programs in North Carolina
- Online Business Degrees in North Carolina
North Carolina CPA Requirements
The North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners (the Board) requires a bachelor’s degree to obtain public accounting certification in North Carolina. Applicants must also have successfully completed at least 150 hours of course studies, including 30 hours of accounting coursework, at an accredited higher learning institution. A score of 75% or higher is required on all four sections of the CPA exam. Previous work experience is also required to sit for the exam, which can be achieved in a variety of ways. The first is to have one full year of supervised accounting experience. The second option is to have at least four years of unsupervised accounting experience in either the public or private sector. Additionally, individuals who have at least four years of related teaching experience may qualify.
Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to several top accounting firms, as well as state and federal government agencies that provide ample opportunity for long-term career placement for accounting graduates. Large companies like Lowe’s and Duke Energy are headquartered in the state and employ tax and accounting specialists throughout the divisions of their operations. Many financial institutions are also based in North Carolina, including Bank of America in Charlotte and Truist Bank in Winston-Salem.
North Carolina Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Accountants & Auditors Employed12 | Average Annual Salary12 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 14,490 | $94,050 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 3,260 | $87,430 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 2,950 | $82,220 |
| Raleigh | 7,760 | $84,620 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 6,620 | $75,870 |
| Winston-Salem | 1,860 | $79,410 |
Schools with Accounting Degree Programs in North Carolina
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.
Appalachian State University
287 Rivers St
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2000
https://www.appstate.edu/
Student Review: “Participating in the Appalachian State University accounting degree program at the Walker School of Business has been one of my greatest journeys. The program seemed at times overwhelming, however; I can now look back and see that the program prepared me to easily enter and transition into a graduate program and prepared me for the hard deadlines in my current profession. The program is and has been for years now ranked at the top among accounting degree programs for both regional and state-supported universities. The program offers great access to instructors and their teacher assistants (TA’s), access to other resources and the opportunity to gain valuable and relevant work experience that can be of great benefit to those students who choose to take advantage of these excellent opportunities and place these relevant experiences on their resumes or CV or record them on their applications for graduate or other professional school applications. I am sincerely grateful for the learning experience that the accounting program offered and am even more sincerely grateful to those instructors and other individuals that I was exposed to during my journey at Appalachian State University who inspired and had a helping hand in the building of the happy, fulfilled life I live today.”
North Carolina State University
1005 Capability Dr
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919)-515-2011
https://www.ncsu.edu/
Student Review: “The NC State accounting program was one of the best after talking with fellow friends at other colleges. The opportunities, accessibility, and helpfulness of the program is what kept me going and interested in the program. The professors in the program are all excellent and have real world experience to back up their teaching. The staff’s main goal is to assist students in job placement and passing the CPA exam (we have a great passing rate!). In addition, the program provides all the tools to prepare students for work life after graduation.” – student at North Carolina State University
Campbell University
143 Main St
Buies Creek, NC 27506
(800)-334-4111
https://www.campbell.edu/
Student Review: “My experience with the accounting program at Campbell University was a pleasant one. At times I wondered if I should have gone to a larger university but I believe if I did I would not have had as great of an experience as I did at Campbell. One of the best parts I believe about attending a smaller university are the class sizes, as well as the relationships you are able to build with your professors. I had some classes with as little as ten or twelve students which made that learning experience much more personal. This also allowed for close relationships with professors to form to the point where you were a student whom they actually cared about rather than just another name on the attendance sheet. The knowledge and education I gained from the accounting program at Campbell has enabled me to excel career wise in that field. Also, the exposure from the program such as alumni connections, internship opportunities, and the multitude of incoming guest speakers and other professors allowed for networking opportunities, the ability to build relationships, as well as being able to speak with others about how the classroom experiences relate to real world application.” – student at Campbell University
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
1400 Spring Garden St
Greensboro, NC 27412
(336) 334-5000
https://www.uncg.edu/
Student Review: “I have attended UNCG for 4 years and am an accounting major. When I first enrolled in the major I was unsure if it was what I really wanted to do in life. However, the instructors in the accounting department soon showed me how satisfying the practice can be. With the exceptions of graduate assistants, every instructor was an expert in their field. Every time I had a question about a topic (such as prime cost or audit procedure) I was met with a friendly and helpful answer. I felt less like a student and more like a peer. Graduate assistants are always available to tutor students in the accounting program. Overall I have enjoyed my experience here and can’t wait to begin my career in the field!” -Andrew M., student at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Student Review: “The University of North Carolina offers an excellent business program. What I believe is so great about the university is that it has its own business department called The Bryan School of Business and Economics. This department is especially focused on the whole business aspect of the degree. As a freshman, I had a special advisor that worked only in the business department of the university so I didn’t have to worry about taking the wrong courses or taking courses that wouldn’t help me progress in my major. The university offers both online and classroom/lecture classes. The classes are challenging, but they are not too difficult. The professors that I have had so far are amazing. They listen to you and they are often times willing to help you with any questions or problems you may incur while taking their course.” -Shakori B., student at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Related Accounting Degree State Pages:
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual Best Accounting Schools 2023: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/rankings/top-ranked/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2023 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2022.
4. US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
5. US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/online-bachelors-business-rankings
6. US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
7. Association to Advance College Schools of Business, Accredited Universities and Schools, Business & Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accredited Schools, Separate Accounting: https://acbspsearch.org/
9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education, Members: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/results/
10. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
11. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2019 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
12. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, North Carolina: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nc.htm