Accounting Schools in North Carolina

North Carolina Accounting Schools

North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners1101 Oberlin Road – Suite 104
Raleigh, NC 89502
Phone: 919-733-4222
Fax: 919-733-4209
Email: rbrooks@nccpaboard.gov

University level accounting courses prepare students to successfully pass the certified public accountant exam and acquire the knowledge needed for entrance into the accounting career field. When studying accounting in North Carolina, students learn the general principles of accounting as well as some standard industry practices. Here are some expected topics covered in accounting program curricula at a few of North Carolina’s top schools.

  • accounting theory
  • financial accounting
  • managerial accounting
  • cost accounting
  • accounting and information systems
  • auditing
  • income tax accounting
  • financial reporting
  • business valuation

When students choose the accounting academic discipline at a North Carolina school, they have opportunities to study specialized accounting topics and a rich mix of subjects from other business concentrations. In career settings, accounting professionals usually are aware of both the finance and business law aspects of the industry in which they work. The accountant’s foundational knowledge on these subjects is likely rooted in university course work for their major and chosen electives. Because today’s institutions of higher learning place great emphasis on developing well-rounded professionals, students also take certain courses in the humanities and natural sciences. These courses become especially beneficial to accounting professionals depending on the industry that they support. For instance, accountants working for multi-national transportation companies appreciate the time taken to learn a second language while taking humanities electives. Also, those working for scientific research firms use knowledge gained from university natural science courses to understand certain scientific or engineering terminology.

Total Accounting Schools: 103
Total Accounting Students: 42,724
Average Tuition: $8,41
Average Scholarship Package: $3,706
Average Grant Amount: $7,197
Average Classroom Size: 16 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 87
Average Online Tuition: $6,662
Online Undergraduate Programs: 83
Online Graduate Programs: 25
Top Accounting Schools:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Elon University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Largest Accounting School:North Carolina State University at Raleigh
• 4,697 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Martin Community College
• $1,394 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:Wake Forest University
• $26,156 Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in North Carolina

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of accountant jobs in North Carolina is expected to grow by 9% – that’s more than twice the projected growth rate in this profession during this time. State-level data reveals about 4,020 annual job openings in the accounting field in North Carolina during this ten-year period leading to 2028. Annual job openings during this time account for new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

As of May 2020, North Carolina’s accountants earned an average salary of $72,900, which is just slightly below the national average of $73,560 for this profession. The top earners in North Carolina’s accounting profession (90thpercentile) earned about $126,000 during this time. Accountants at the top of the pay scale usually hold graduate degrees in accounting, industry credentials like the CPA designation, and senior-level titles.

The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area came out as the top metro for its average pay of accountants as of May 2020: $80,400.

Keep in mind that these salaries reflect base salaries only and do not include salary incentives like bonuses and stock options that can dramatically increase an accountant’s salary, particularly those holding leadership and executive accounting roles.

A career in accounting usually begins by earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting. But you’ll also need to bring a set of characteristics to the profession if you want to enjoy the most success:

  1. Integrity. Doing the right thing could mean the difference between a promotion and a pink slip within the strictly regulated field of accounting.
  2. Communication Skills. Data, information, and great ideas mean nothing if one cannot adequately communicate them to key stakeholders.
  3. Intellect. Knowing accounting principles and how to apply them to different situations are essential survival tools within the accounting career field.
  4. Reliability. Accounting is a business support function so accounting professionals must always be prepared to supply managers and others with accurate, updated accounting data.

Employers in various industries desire skilled accountants with and without the Certified Public Accountantdesignation. For example, property management companies who must account for Section 8, Housing and Urban Development, and tax credits often desire employees with accounting degrees. All industries from energy to information technology rely heavily on the skills of accountants.

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.