by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you find it fun and easy to keep track of your favorite sports team's records in order to forecast how their season is going to play out? Accountants do just that, except in the business setting. They gather information, examine records, decode, and communicate information to individuals or organizations in order to improve their financial risk and performance. A program in Accounting will prepare students to perform related business functions and practice the profession of accounting.
There are many different concentrations within this major; they include Auditing, Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Business/Management, and Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. While studying this major you will be taking courses in Business Law, Cost accounting, Tax accounting, Accounting information systems, and Auditing. This major is commonly offered as a Bachelor's degree.
A degree in Accounting explores Accounting And Related Services. Read on to learn the important information every accounting student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering accounting programs.
Nationwide, accounting draws strong interest, with 81,835 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Accounting Schools ranking analyzes these 1,936 schools to determine the best overall colleges for accounting students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of accounting programs later in this article.
Coursework for Accounting emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations accounting graduates commonly enter.
Attention to detail will be a helpful skill as you work with numbers and variables that can be misinterpreted and thrown off by one mistake. Strong mathematical skills and an analytical mind will help you in both your college classes and your career.
If you have the chance, it is helpful to take courses in Business, Computer applications, Calculus, Statistics, and Microeconomics while still in high school. This program is not only offered as a Bachelor's Degree, but students can continue onto higher education and receive a Master's or Doctorate in this major.
Skills built by a accounting program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a accounting major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several accounting degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3,885 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 10,324 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 40,816 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 26,233 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 43 |
People currently working in careers related to accounting tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 14.2% |
| Master’s degree | 9.8% |
| Some college courses | 9.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| First professional degree | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in accounting careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
While accounting is a general topic, specialization is important. Many accountants specialize in auditing, taxes, or consulting. Depending on your focus you can become a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, or a Certified Internal Auditor. In order to become a Certified Accountant, you must take a national exam to obtain a license. Graduate can also become Budget Analysts and Financial Analysts. These Analysts create, study, and oversee the budgets and finances for organizations. The demands for these Analysts are increasing rapidly.
Majoring in accounting prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to accounting.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to accounting.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 1,690,967 | 13.5% |
| Statistical Assistants | 1,573,967 | 6.9% |
| Brokerage Clerks | 1,304,264 | 6.2% |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | 684,551 | -3.8% |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | 554,994 | -0.7% |
| Budget Analysts | 509,913 | -2.6% |
| Accountants and Auditors | 388,087 | 3.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of accounting graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,191 |
| 4 years | $61,213 |
| 5 years | $69,643 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for accounting graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers accounting grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Treasurers and Controllers | $162,461 |
| Investment Fund Managers | $157,819 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $127,364 |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Financial Examiners | $117,139 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $82,666 |
| Budget Analysts | $80,859 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
With 1,936 different accounting programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased accounting school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in accounting, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Accounting | 58,956 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping | 17,375 |
| Accounting and Finance | 3,502 |
| Accounting and Business/Management | 1,270 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other | 554 |
| Auditing | 178 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 402,942 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 62,236 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 57,976 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 57,564 |
| Marketing | 53,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 25,424 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 16,153 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 14,306 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,333 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 12,092 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
