Accounting Schools in Virginia

The universities and colleges in Virginia offer a variety of accounting programs that can help you reach your career goals. Colleges and universities in Virginia provide bachelor’s, master’s, and even online accounting degree options. Students can choose between different program formats, curricula, and concentrations, making it easy to find a program that best matches their interests. This overview of accounting schools in Virginia will equip you with information on schools and programs for studying accounting in the state.

Quick Facts

• 43 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Virginia.¹
• 19 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 15 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 28 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 13 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 7 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• 2 schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• No programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• 5 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
• 8 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 4 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• 2 schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Virginia Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Virginia 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 Virginia business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

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

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Virginia

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

• Virginia Tech
• Washington and Lee University
• George Mason University
• James Madison University
• University of Richmond
• William & Mary
• Virginia Commonwealth University²

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

• George Mason University
• James Madison University³

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

• Old Dominion University (#32 tie)
• Regent University (#66 tie)
• Liberty University (#141 tie)
• Virginia Wesleyan University (#170-214)
• Bluefield University (#170-214)⁵

US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-23

• University of Virginia (#20 tie)
• Virginia Tech (#60 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 Virginia 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 Virginia being 62.2%:

1. University of Virginia’s College at Wise 90.9%
2. University of Virginia 86.5%
3. College of William & Mary 85.5%
4. Washington and Lee University 81.6%
5. James Madison University 79.9%
6. Old Dominion University 74.7%

*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 Virginia with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Virginia, 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

College of William and Mary

At the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary (W&M), students can complete a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Accounting. The core accounting curriculum includes classes such as Strategic Cost Management; Auditing and Internal Controls; and Financial Reporting and Analysis. These courses teach students business fundamentals as well as specialized accounting knowledge. After completing the required core classes, students can take the accounting electives Not-for-Profit Accounting; Control and Analysis; and International Accounting (or Advanced Accounting). These courses are designed with the input of current professional accountants, and graduates are prepared to work in accountancy in both the business and public sectors. Student organizations such as the Wayne F. Gibbs Accounting Society connect accounting students with business professionals and recruiters in addition to hosting information sessions and professional development workshops.

University of Richmond

Students at the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a major in Accounting. This degree focuses on accounting theory as well as the current complexities and challenges in the field. Students start their major with fundamental business courses before taking accounting courses such as Cost and Managerial Accounting; Federal Tax I, and Advanced Financial Accounting. The Robins School also offers optional additional concentrations in areas such as business analytics, economics business, finance, international business, management consulting, management entrepreneurship, and marketing. Through coursework and classroom experience, students learn a mix of theoretical concepts and real-world skills needed to work in the accounting profession. An Accounting Concentration is also available to complement a major or concentration in business analytics, economics business, finance, international business, management consulting, management entrepreneurship, or marketing. Richmond also offers several student-led organizations such as the Accounting Society, Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi), and Women in Business (WIB). These organizations provide business students with career information as well as networking and professional development opportunities.

University of Virginia

The University of Virginia’s (UVA’s) McIntire School of Commerce offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Commerce with a Concentration in Accounting. Students study a broad liberal arts background for their first two years before focusing on business and accounting coursework. The accounting curriculum emphasizes the analytical and conceptual skills necessary in the field, as well as how to understand and analyze quantitative information. Through courses such as Intermediate Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Federal Taxation, and Strategic Cost Management, students learn how to use accounting information to make decisions in business. UVA’s Commerce Career Center hosts events such as Commerce Career Day, Employer Engagement Days, and the “Careers In” Business Series, providing students with opportunities to network, learn about career opportunities, and prepare them for job recruiting. UVA also offers a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting for students interested in pursuing graduate study.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The Department of Accounting and Information Systems at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) offers a Master of Accounting and Information Systems (MACIS) degree. This program is ideal for those interested in professional accounting careers or those who want to pursue a professional accounting designation such as CPA. MACIS students can choose from five different tracks, including Accounting Analytics, Audit, Financial Services, Information Systems, and Tax. Students can use Virginia Tech’s professional networks, alumni associations, and faculty connections to search for possible career opportunities. The program is open to individuals with any type of undergraduate degree, but those with an undergraduate accounting or business degree may complete the program in one year while those without an academic accounting background may need to complete additional courses, finishing the program in about two years.

James Madison University

Students at James Madison University (JMU) can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). This full-time, on-campus program prepares students to fulfill the knowledge requirements for the CPA examination and the educational requirements for licensure. Both undergraduate business and non-business majors can apply for this program, although non-business majors may need to complete additional foundational courses. Through classes such as Financial Management for Accountants; Tax Research and Strategy; and Accounting Theory, students learn both technical expertise and business skills. MSA students can gain experience by helping members of the community prepare taxes through the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. JMU also offers local and regional connections to students for networking and post-graduation career opportunities.

Popular Articles: Business Schools in Virginia | Online MBA Programs in Virginia | Online MBA in Forensic Accounting

Online Accounting Programs

Regent University

Regent University offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting that can be completed online or on-campus in Virginia Beach. This degree can be a foundation for accounting graduates who want to pursue further education and the CPA designation, as well as those interested in the public, private, or nonprofit business sectors. Through courses such as Managerial Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Federal Tax, and Forensic Accounting, students learn how to use accounting data to make business decisions. Coursework focuses on skills such as financial statement preparation and strategic management, and students also learn about accounting law and ethics. Both the online and on-campus degrees are 120-credit hour programs and share the same accounting core requirements. Regent also offers a BS in Business with an Accounting concentration that can be completed online or on-campus. This program is ideal for students interested in entrepreneurship and is also designed to prepare students to sit for the CPA examination upon graduation if desired. Students interested in graduate study and/or CPA certification can apply for Regent’s Master of Science (MS) in Accounting or Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting, both of which can be completed online. Students in the MS program choose a concentration in financial reporting and assurance or tax. Required courses include Advanced Cost/Managerial Accounting and Accounting Ethics. The MBA program focuses on managing business operations and students in the accounting concentration must complete 12 credits of advanced accounting coursework in addition to 36 credits of business core courses.

George Mason University

At George Mason University (GMU), students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business with an Accounting Concentration entirely online. The program is designed to prepare students for accounting careers in the public and private sectors. Students must complete 24 credits of business core classes and 21 credits of accounting coursework. Required classes include Accounting for Decision Making and Accounting Analytics. Eligible accounting students can pursue GMU’s Accelerated Advanced Accounting Pathway (A++) Program which allows them to earn both a BS and a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) in just four years. The MSA program can be completed on a full-time basis in as little as 11 months or on a part-time basis over the course of two years. For those interested in pursuing the CPA designation, this program fulfills both the requirements to sit for the CPA examination. Core courses include Advanced Issues in Financial Accounting, Fraud Examination, and Global Accounting Environment, and students are able to choose from a variety of accounting elective courses. The curriculum focuses on advanced accounting knowledge as well as leadership and management strategies. Online graduate students still gain hands-on experience through projects, real-life case studies, and an optional one-week international study tour. GMU also offers graduate certificates in forensic accounting, government accounting, and accounting for government that can be completed online.

Virginia CPA Requirements

The Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) requires that applicants complete 120 semester hours before they can qualify to take the CPA exam, although they must complete a total of 150 hours before gaining licensure. Applicants must also have at least a bachelor’s degree or higher with an accounting concentration or equivalent and have completed at least 24 hours in accounting and 24 hours in business classes. CPA candidates then must pass the CPA examination. After passing the exam, individuals should complete a year, or 2,080 hours, of accounting work that must be verified by a supervising CPA. Applicants who fulfill these requirements can apply for CPA licensure. Continuing professional education (CPE) hours are required to maintain the professional designation.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Virginia

Virginia is home to many large financial institutions, some of which employ accounting and finance program graduates from local schools. Capital One Financial is located in the state, as is Freddie Mac, a national mortgage underwriting group. Many government and military entities operate in the area as well, providing job opportunities for accounting professionals. Graduates and CPAs can also find work in local and statewide CPA firms or businesses.

Virginia Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Virginia 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.

Liberty University
1971 University Blvd
Lynchburg, VA 24515
(434) 582-2000
https://www.liberty.edu/

Student Review: “I loved my time at Liberty University! I especially loved the experience and work that I was able to do in the accountancy program. I have to admit that I was very apprehensive about getting an accountancy degree from an online school. One of the more comforting things about Liberty University is the fact that they have an enormous campus with thousands of students, as well as online programs with more than 60,000 students. I was able to visit the campus in Lynchburg, VA upon graduation of my accounting degree and was so impressed with the campus life, faculty and other students in the program. The accounting program and corresponding curriculum was very difficult online, and I can certainly see how I would have benefited from being able to actually be in the class with other students learning the material, rather than attempting to do it all on my own online. Overall, I enjoyed the accounting program very much and now have a meaningful career in accounting that I would not be able to enjoy if it were not for Liberty University. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!” -Student at Liberty University

Northern Virginia Community College
6699 Springfield Center Dr
Springfield, VA 22150
(703) 323-3000
https://www.nvcc.edu/

Student Review: “I truly am enjoying my time at Northern Virginia Community College. I find that the classes offered really meet my busy schedule. The teachers I have been in classes with have been so terrific they provided me with such great understanding of the material and lessons. I have a better grasp on many different subjects now that are gearing me towards a great career. I find the campuses, and I have been to several, very attractive and appealing to the eye. NVCC has some of the newest technology and state of the art equipment. I find that I feel protected and safe while I am on campus and if I ever need any type of assistance I can receive it from the campus police, who are always around.” -Renee C., student at Northern Virginia Community College

Old Dominion University
1 Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
https://www.odu.edu/

Student Review: “I really enjoyed the accounting program at Old Dominion University. Some of the teachers were heartfelt and truly cared for the students; others were only there for a paycheck and it showed. Whether passionate or not, every teacher I had was extremely knowledgeable about accounting and most had real world experience. It seemed that part of the curriculum was to relate lessons to real world applications; I think this helped me greatly. Accounting isn’t the most exciting topic but the teachers still made it interesting. I didn’t care for the amount of pre-requisite courses that were required. Due to the large number required, I graduated a semester later than I could have. I’m not complaining, however; college was the most exciting and adventurous time of my life.” -Student at Old Dominion University

University of Virginia
1400 University Ave
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434)-924-0311
https://www.virginia.edu/

Student Review: “The accounting program at the University of Virginia is top notch. It is a part of the McIntire Commerce School and students apply to it during their second year at the school. In the accounting program, the professors are excellent. Unlike many of the other classes I have taken, the accounting courses have actually been taught by the professors and not a TA. In addition to the great professors, the accounting program has already helped me in terms of job prospects. All of the Big 4 utilize on campus interviewing and take an astronomical number of students for both internships and full time jobs. I have also really enjoyed the guest lecturers that have spoken during my accounting classes. Finally, the guest speakers brought into the program have been fantastic. My favorite was a partner from PWC and that lecture convinced me to go the accounting track.” -Calvert B., student at University of Virginia

Student Review: “The University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Business is considered by several rating systems as one of the best undergraduate business programs in the United States. I chose to attend this program even though I lived about an hour’s drive away. The University is a very writing-intense school. It did surprise me a bit to find that many of my assignments were not to calculate math problems but to write essays comparing and contrasting company reports and financial statements, such as explaining the use of balance sheets versus income statements rather than performing the quick assets ratio. We still learned all of the ratios but with the meaning behind why we would perform such calculations. Most of the professors were more than happy to talk to students regarding any of the assignments, accounting in general, and school in general. There are also many opportunities to work with businesses using accounting knowledge through school groups such as Enactus (formerly known as SIFE). There was no resource I might have needed that wasn’t offered at this University.” -Michelle S., student at University of Virginia

Virginia Tech
1007 Pamplin Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-6596
https://vt.edu/

Student Review: “For me, the accounting program at Virginia Tech was very challenging but highly rewarding. An accounting degree can be obtained from just about any university, but what set Virginia Tech apart for me was the quality of the teachers as well as the extensive networking opportunities they provided. Many of my classmates (myself included) found jobs and interning opportunities through our teachers’ contacts. Not to mention, the Pamplin School of Business has an extensive career fair every September called “Business Horizons” in which the Big 4 accounting firms recruit heavily. Being close to the DC area allows many VT accounting grads to work in the city for the government, government contractors, or private firms.” -Conor C., student at Virginia Tech

Student Review: “The Virginia Tech accounting program has been a great experience for me. Through the years I have learned a great amount due to the passionate group of teachers that work in the department. For being such a large university, the professors in the department make it feel like a small tight knit community. They are available whenever you need to talk to them. The class offerings are plentiful and I have not taken a class that I did not enjoy.” -Craig L., student at Virginia Tech

Related Accounting Degree State Pages:

• Kentucky
• Maryland
• North Corlina
• Tennessee
• Washington DC
• West Virginia

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, Virginia: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_va.htm