Accounting Schools in Colorado

Colorado Accounting Schools

Colorado State Board of Accountancy1560 Broadway – Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-894-7800
Fax: 303-894-2310
Email: dora_accountancyboard@state.co.us

As the economy recovers, accountants are starting to be in high demand by businesses of all types and sizes. This is why accounting degree programs are very popular in Colorado right now. Accounting programs in the state are very rigorous, and they require extensive knowledge of finance, business and mathematics. For example, A University may offer a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree, which will prepare students for careers in:

  • auditing
  • financial accounting
  • oil and gas accounting
  • research
  • and other topics

The required courses for a program may include multiple classes in financial accounting, data processing auditing, and cost accounting. These courses are pretty typical of any accounting degree program in the state of Colorado. Once the accounting degree is achieved, students must still become Certified Public Accountants (CPA) in the state. This can only be obtained with a degree in accounting along with some specific work experience. If one wants to obtain more education, advanced degrees go into more depth on some theories of accounting and even prepare students for certain specialties.

Total Accounting Schools: 74
Total Accounting Students: 12,251
Average Tuition: $10,924
Average Scholarship Package: $3,687
Average Grant Amount: $5,438
Average Classroom Size: 18 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 37
Average Online Tuition: $10,424
Online Undergraduate Programs: 36
Online Graduate Programs: 16
Top Accounting Schools:University of Denver
Regis University
University of Colorado Denver
Largest Accounting School:University of Northern Colorado
• 2,218 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Community College of Aurora
• $2,707 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:University of Denver
• $17,706 Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in Colorado

Growth in Colorado’s accounting field is projected to remain exceptionally strong in the coming year. In fact, between 2018 and 2028, the number of accountants in the state is expected to grow 20% —that’s about five times the projected national growth rate in this profession during this time. During this ten-year period leading to 2028, the state projects about 5,000 annual job openings due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

As of May 2020, Colorado’s accountants earned an average salary of $76,720, which is about $4,000 more than the national average. The top earners in the state (90th percentile), which largely represent those with advanced degrees like the master’s in accounting, senior-level titles, and the coveted CPA designation, earned about $133,250 during this time. The Northwest Colorado nonmetro region’s accountants were among some of the highest paid in the state as of May 2020, with those in the 90th percentile earning about $163,730 during this time. These numbers include base salaries only and not the salary incentives that are commonplace in the accounting profession, particularly among those in leadership and executive positions.

As an accountant, your day will involve going over financial statements and making sure that there is nothing out of the ordinary. This involves some knowledge of Colorado’s financial laws. Furthermore, the business you work for must pay taxes, and you are the person that will have to calculate the amount of taxes that are owed to the government and make sure that they are paid on time. As the accountant, the keeping and organizing of financial records will fall on your shoulders, and your managers will listen closely to your suggestions on how to reduce costs and improve profit margins. Today, many companies are criticized for evading taxes and falsifying financial records. This means that an accountant’s work is highly visible and is an important part of the company’s image.

If you like working with numbers, then accounting is surely the right career for you. With some hard work and perseverance, you can be sure that you can obtain your degree and start working for a company in less time than you think. Once you see your name with the letters “CPA” after it, you will realize that your hard work was well worth it.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market data for accountants and auditors represents state data, not school-specific information.

Job growth projections for 2018-2028 sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored O*Net database represents state data, not school-specific information.

Conditions in your area may vary. Data Accessed May 2021.