Accounting Schools in Iowa

Iowa Accounting Schools

Iowa Accountancy Examining Board1920 SE Hulsizer Avenue
Ankeny, IA 46204-2246
Phone: 515-281-7468
Fax: 515-281-7411
Email: toni.bright@iowa.gov

For anyone interested in earning an accounting degree in Iowa they have a choice of excellent higher education colleges from which to choose. Community colleges offer certificate programs and associate degrees. Four year colleges and universities have curriculum tracks from an associate to a doctorate degree. Introductory courses in general requirements and accounting are offered at the community colleges for credits earned toward associate degrees. These credits earned in such courses as business communications and introduction to financial accounting may be transferable to four year institutions if a Bachelor’s or beyond degree is desired.

Degrees for a Bachelor’s or Master’s require courses in calculus, statistics, economics, business law, business ethics, marketing and corporate finance. To become a licensed accountant- a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – in Iowa, a candidate must pass the CPA exam. The CPA license must be renewed every three years, along with an earned 120 hours of continuing education.

Total Accounting Schools: 56
Total Accounting Students: 21,166
Average Tuition: $16,292
Average Scholarship Package: $7,106
Average Grant Amount: $8,907
Average Classroom Size: 16 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 45
Average Online Tuition: $14,777
Online Undergraduate Programs: 4
Online Graduate Programs: 22
Top Accounting Schools:Drake University
Coe College
Dordt College
Largest Accounting School:Iowa State University
• 5,048 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Western Iowa Tech Community College
• $3,444 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:Coe College
• $18,882Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in Iowa

Iowa’s accountants are expected to enjoy a very strong job market in the coming years, according to state-level data. Between 2018 and 2028, the number of accounting jobs here is projected to increase by 10% – that’s about two and a half times the national projected growth rate in this profession during this time. Through 2028, the state expects to see about 1,290 annual job openings in Iowa’s accounting field due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

As of May 2020, accountants in Iowa earned an average salary of $64,720 and a top (90th percentile) salary of about $105,570. Those in the 90th percentile in this field largely come with a graduate degree like the master’s in accounting, significant experience, senior-level titles, and the coveted CPA designation. Iowa City rises to the top among the state’s metro areas with the highest earners at the 90th percentile: $112,810.

Note that the salaries featured here include only base salaries and not salary incentives like stock options and bonuses that are part of many accountant salaries, particularly among those in senior-level roles.

Accountants are hired by large companies and corporations, whether public or private. Local, state, and federal government agencies also employ accountants. Bookkeepers fall under one sub-category of accounting. Smaller companies usually hire bookkeepers for purchasing, payroll, and benefits. All categories of accounting employees must detail oriented and extremely disciplined.

Other accounting specialties include:

  • Budget Analysts– Employees in this field of accounting assess the available resources of a company. Whether public, private or government, they help to organize the finances of their company. After the company’s data has been assessed, they take their analysis and develop a viable budget. Their findings and the budget is then reported to the managers for approval and implementation.
  • Cost Estimators– People employed in this category collect data on how the company or government agency compensates its workers and distributes its assets. They then analyze the data and make recommendations to improve performance of the company or agency.
  • Economist– Studying the supply and demand of a company’s goods and/or services is the work of an economist. Evaluation of the markets for the goods or services produced by their company and the historical consumer wants is made for future predictions. The financial shape of the company is their main concern.

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.