Accounting Schools in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Accounting Schools

Rhode Island Board of Accountancy1511 Pontiac Avenue – 68-2
Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: 401-462-9550
Fax: 401-462-9532
Email: dawne.broadfield@dbr.ri.gov

As industries grow, so do opportunities for trained accountants with certified public accountant (CPA) and other professional credentials. In Rhode Island, those desiring to take advantage of these rare economic growth spurts within certain industry sectors attend accredited university level accounting degree programs as required for preparation for the CPA exam. The relatively small state of Rhode Island has eight such accounting schools from which to choose. Some of the topics associated within accounting degree programs at Rhode Island schools are listed below.

  • cost accounting
  • multi-national finance
  • accounting computer systems
  • federal tax accounting
  • auditing
  • financial accounting
  • managerial accounting
  • ethics in business
  • accounting theory and practice

Of the eight qualifying accounting schools in Rhode Island, three schools have regional or national rankings among U.S. News and World Reports survey of schools and offer undergraduate and graduate level accounting courses. University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and Salve Regina University provide students with a pathway of success for accounting certification and other career goals.

The faculty of accounting programs try and keep a forward-looking perspective on curriculum development and maintenance that factors in industry and regulatory changes. A four year accounting degree program provides students with a broad-based overview of traditional and trending accounting topics. Most accounting programs will emphasize sound, ethical accounting practices in a collaborative environment.

The graduate level accounting degree programs prepare students for the certified financial planner exam in addition to the CPA exam. Estate and tax planning concepts are also a critical part of Rhode Island College accounting degree program curriculum.

Total Accounting Schools: 8
Total Accounting Students: 9,296
Average Tuition: $24,272
Average Scholarship Package: $10,356
Average Grant Amount: $11,590
Average Classroom Size: 17 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 7
Average Online Tuition: $22,598
Online Undergraduate Programs: 6
Online Graduate Programs: 5
Top Accounting Schools:Providence College
Salve Regina University
University of Rhode Island
Largest Accounting School:University of Rhode Island
• 2,995 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Community College of Rhode Island
• $3,950 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:Providence College
• $20,375 Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s accountants earned an average salary of $79,380 as of May 2020, which is about $6,000 more than the national average. The top earners in the profession (90th percentile) here earned about $129,640 during this time. Expect to have a graduate degree in accounting through an accredited accounting school, extensive experience, and a major industry credential like the CPA to achieve a top-level salary in this profession.

The Providence metro area reported strong salaries for accountants that mirrored the state average during this time. The average salary for accountants here was $79,740, while those in the 90th percentile earned about $130,190.

Note that these salaries reflect only base salaries and not the salary incentives that are commonplace in the accounting profession, particularly among those in senior and executive roles.

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of accounting jobs in Rhode Island is projected to increase by 6% – greater than the national projected growth rate of 4% during this time. The state expects to see about 520 annual job openings during this ten-year period leading to 2028 due to a combination of new job growth, natural job turnover, and retirements.

Regulatory changes across different industry sectors reportedly are the drivers of that growth. Some of the most dynamic accounting firms in Rhode Island driving this growth include KLR, Sansiveri, Kimball & Co., LLP, and Piccerelli, Gilstein & Company, LLP.

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.