Accounting Schools in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Accounting Schools

Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy1000 Washington Street – Suite 710
Boston, MA 04333
Phone: 617-727-1806
Fax: 617-727-0139
Email: Victoria.D.Fernandes@state.ma.us

The field of accounting has many offshoots and specialties. It doesn’t matter which specialty you choose, the compensation for your work can be very good. If job security is important to you, accounting and finance will keep you working when other industries are shrinking their personnel to stabilize payrolls.

From Boston to the Berkshires, anyone desirous of working in the field of accounting can find a nearby school, college or university offering the courses necessary. Boston is the city of colleges and universities with many of them offering an Accounting Degree.

The best known institution for majors in accounting and finance is Boston’s Bentley University. These undergraduate degrees are available from Boston University, Northeastern University, Suffolk University and the University of Massachusetts Boston. Community Colleges and Business Schools offer associate degrees or certificates, which prepare its students for positions as accounting clerks or junior accountants.

Total Accounting Schools: 51
Total Accounting Students: 33,290
Average Tuition: $20,917
Average Scholarship Package: $9,566
Average Grant Amount: $11,207
Average Classroom Size: 17 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 44
Average Online Tuition: $20,228
Online Undergraduate Programs: 41
Online Graduate Programs: 26
Top Accounting Schools:Northeastern University
Boston College
Brandeis University
Largest Accounting School:University of Massachusetts Amherst
• 4,657 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Bunker Hill Community College
• $3,384 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:Boston College
• $29,050 Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in Massachusetts

Growth among Massachusetts’ accountants is projected to remain strong between 2018 and 2028, growing at a rate of 4%, which mirrors the national projected growth rate for this profession during this time. The state expects to see about 3,850 annual job openings for accountants during this ten-year period leading to 2028 due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

This state is also marked by strong salaries for accountants. As of May 2020, Massachusetts’ accountants earned an average salary of $81,190, which is $7,000 more annually than the national average for this profession. Top earners in Massachusetts (90th percentile) earned about $136,490 as of May 2020. Accountants who reach this salary level (and beyond) are likely those with advanced degrees, those holding the esteemed CPA designation, and those with significant experience.

The Boston-Cambridge-Nashua (MA-NH) metro area remains a hot spot for accountants in terms of salary, with an average salary here of $82,720 and a top salary (90th percentile) of $140,300.

Note that the salaries posted here reflect only base salaries and do not include salary incentives like bonuses and stock options that can significantly boost an accountant’s salary.

The growth in the finance sector is the result of larger numbers of people turning to personal financial planners and advisors to grow investment portfolios. Accountants do more than crunch numbers all day and their compensation reflects the fact that society is willing to reward them handsomely with good salaries and benefits.

Today, there are many directions an accountant can travel to establish a lifelong career. Some of the most common accounting roles include:

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.