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Choosing the right accounting program:
6 key factors to consider
Published: August 22, 2025
Written and reported by:
Anna Giorgi
Contributing Writer
Choosing the right accounting program can be a daunting process. It involves weighing a combination of personal, practical and professional considerations against hundreds of choices. However, reducing your list of options doesn’t have to be as stressful as it might seem. If you start the process by evaluating accounting programs based on six key factors, you will quickly find options that match your preferences and other deal-breaking considerations. Using this simple checklist can help you identify the right accounting program so you can earn the educational foundation necessary to succeed in this profession.
In this article
Factor #1: Accreditation
To ensure you receive a quality education, limit your search for accounting programs to colleges and universities with institutional accreditation. An accredited institution has satisfied strict requirements for academic excellence by demonstrating the quality of its degree-granting programs and maintaining these high standards. Attending an accredited institution can impact the quality of the degree you receive as well as your potential employment opportunities, earning potential and future career advancement.
A school’s accreditation covers both in-person and online degrees. You can check for institutional accreditation on a school’s website or by searching the following databases:
- U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Database of Institutions and Programs Accredited by Recognized U.S. Accrediting Organizations
You must earn credits from an accredited institution if you plan to transfer your credits or degree to another accredited institution in the future. This is a crucial factor to consider if you intend to apply your credits toward a higher-level degree later. Additionally, attending an accredited institution is a requirement for federal financial aid and a credential that employers value.
In addition to institutional accreditation, some schools also pursue program accreditation for their accounting programs. This is a specialized, voluntary evaluation process that schools undertake to prove their accounting programs fulfill certain quality requirements established by impartial, nonprofit accrediting organizations.
The main organizations involved in accounting program accreditation include:
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB): AACSB is widely regarded as the most prestigious accreditation body for business and accounting programs globally. In 2024, 73% of Fortune 100 CEOs and 75% of top-paid S&P 500 CEOs had a degree from an AACSB-accredited school, reports the AACSB. Search a list of AACSB-accredited accounting programs on the organization’s website.
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): ACBSP accreditation focuses on broader business program accreditation. To find ACBSP-accredited programs, search the online ACBSP member directory.
Factor #2: Curriculum
When evaluating an accounting program, consider your educational and professional goals to determine whether the courses and curriculum offered are right for you. At the undergraduate degree level, you can find accounting programs leading to the following degrees:
Associate degrees
Earning an associate degree in accounting can help you work in an entry-level accounting position while you pursue a bachelor’s in accounting part time. Your options include:
- Associate of Arts (AA): An AA may include more liberal arts courses in the humanities, such as social sciences and English.
- Associate of Science (AS): An AS may include more classes in business and natural sciences.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS): An AAS is often designed to prepare students to enter the workforce rather than serve as preparation for a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s degrees
A bachelor’s degree in accounting is the most common degree level achieved by students who want to pursue accounting practice. Your options for a bachelor’s degree include:
- Bachelor of Science (BS): A BS typically offers a more technical and focused accounting curriculum, which may help students who wish to pursue certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) after graduation.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): A BA includes a core accounting education with a broader breadth of knowledge, potentially in areas such as communication, the humanities or law.
- Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc): A BAcc provides a strong foundation in accounting rules and principles while emphasizing the analytical and critical thinking skills specific to accounting.
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (BBA): A BBA provides practical and theoretical knowledge in accounting along with a broad education in business principles.
Advanced degrees
Advanced degrees in accounting are common among accountants in leadership and specialized roles. They are also expected for those who wish to pursue C-suite roles such as CFOs and CEOs. These degrees include a master’s in accounting and a PhD in accounting.
When evaluating a school’s curriculum, consider:
- Areas of accounting specialization: Determine whether the curriculum offers opportunities to pursue coursework in your areas interest, such as forensic accounting, sustainability accounting, international taxation or accounting information systems.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam requirements: If you plan to take the CPA exam, determine whether an accounting program meets the exam’s education requirements. Since these requirements vary by state, it’s important to identify and consider these criteria. You can also review the program’s CPA exam pass rate to determine student success.
- Certificate options: If you have a degree in another field, consider whether earning an accounting certificate can provide the education you need to achieve your professional goals.
Factor #3: Cost
A significant part of finding the right accounting program involves finding a program that you can afford. Consider the following information on college costs reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
For the 2022-23 school year, average tuition and fees (without room and board) at a four-year institution were:
- $9,800 for public institutions
- $18,200 for private for-profit institutions
- $40,700 for private nonprofit institutions
For the 2022-23 school year, average tuition and fees (without room and board) at a two-year institution were:
- $4,000 for public institutions
- $16,300 for private for-profit institutions
- $19,500 for private nonprofit institutions
Many students complete their education using a combination of the following strategies to help meet the costs of attending an accounting program:
Maximize opportunities for scholarships and grants
- Consult with college financial advisers to determine whether you qualify for school-sponsored scholarships or awards
- Apply for scholarships from professional accounting organizations and local community groups
- Negotiate your financial aid package after acceptance
- Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for government-sponsored aid
Consider ways to reduce your education costs
- Look for accounting programs that offer credit for work experience to reduce the number of courses you need to earn a degree
- Commute to local colleges or choose online classes to avoid on-campus housing costs
- Choose public in-state vs. private or out-of-state institutions
- Consider completing general coursework at a community college to earn general credits and prerequisites
Factor #4: Faculty expertise
The expertise of the faculty in an accounting program can have a significant impact on a program’s overall value. This feature can directly impact the quality of education and career preparation you receive.
Faculty with relevant accounting experience and professional certifications, such as a CPA, can bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice. They can enrich the learning environment in many ways by providing the following benefits:
- Real-world insight into current trends, challenges and best practices based on their professional experience
- Stronger CPA exam preparation with relevant concepts, rules and exam-taking strategies
- Networking and career opportunities with professional connections for students seeking internships and employment prospects
- Current and relevant curriculum based on their involvement in research and professional development
- Professional mentorship and academic support to foster career exploration and career readiness in areas that employers desire
Factor #5: Career services
In addition to a quality education, the right accounting program should provide the type of resources you need to find and achieve employment after graduation. A quality career services program typically offers the following types of support:
- Resume and cover letter guidance tailored to the types of roles you desire
- Facilitation of connections with potential employers
- Opportunities to interact with hiring managers through school-sponsored career fairs
- Strategies for securing interviews and securing a position
- Coaching and practice in interview techniques
Accounting programs supported by comprehensive career services can provide proof of their success. Discuss the track record of the school’s career services department with your adviser or an admissions specialist. If possible, speak with a representative of the career services department to inquire about their success rate in helping accounting students find employment after graduation. Seek honest input on a school’s career services by talking to recent accounting program graduates about their experiences.
Factor #6: Alumni network
An active alumni network can complement an accounting program’s career services by providing mentorship opportunities and an accessible route for graduates to find positions.
Schools that cultivate a high level of alumni participation can leverage this network to provide students with industry-specific advice, professional connections and real-world insights.
Programs with strong alumni networks lead to enhanced professional networking and opportunities for throughout your career. Tapping into a well-connected alumni network can be worthwhile as you try to break into the accounting profession or search for new opportunities as a seasoned professional. Studies indicate that about 70% of all open job roles are not published on public job sites and up to 80% of positions are filled through networking relationships.
By interacting with alumni through events, online resources and informational interviews, you can develop career routes and acquire insights from seasoned professionals who understand your student experience. Having these options available can help you connect and find support, which are necessary for success beyond college. Considering key factors and conducting thorough research can help you find the accounting program that best aligns with your priorities and circumstances. Ultimately, taking time to find the right accounting program will help you feel confident in your choice and enthusiastic about taking this new step in your professional journey.