Accounting Schools in Virginia

Virginia Accounting Schools

Virginia Board of Accountancy9960 Mayland Drive – Suite 402
Henrico, VA 05620-3402
Phone: 804-367-8505
Fax: 804-527-4409
Email: wade.jewell@boa.virginia.gov

Successful careers in accounting start with a solid educational foundation, and there are many accredited accounting degree programs from which to choose in Virginia. Whether one prefers to take traditional courses from one of the oldest and most respected universities in the country or decide on a more modern, online degree program, Virginia’s universities offer options to suit every learning style. Listed here are some typical topics one expects to encounter on the journey towards excellence in accountancy.

  • financial analysis and reporting
  • internal controls
  • strategic cost accounting
  • federal tax accounting
  • tax compliance, research, and planning

Many Virginia universities offering degrees in accounting stress the need for students to first learn about each business field and their interactions prior to introducing accounting specialty courses. This approach lays a foundation for accounting students whose future careers are likely to support many of those other business functional areas. Results oriented coursework prepares students for certified public accountant exam and state licensure success. Virginia university accounting degree programs allow students to experience real world business interactions through small group work assignments as well as corporate case studies. Study abroad and international internship opportunities are not uncommon, and these academic possibilities reflect the current business trend towards a more global economy. A feature of some Virginia accounting degree programs is an accounting discipline taught in a 100 percent distance learning format. This modern curriculum format allows students to learn anywhere at any time. Best of all, many Virginia accounting degree programs allow plenty of flexibility for students to customize their learning experience to match their interests and future career goals.

Total Accounting Schools: 72
Total Accounting Students: 33,765
Average Tuition: $12,467
Average Scholarship Package: $5,718
Average Grant Amount: $7,786
Average Classroom Size: 20 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 49
Average Online Tuition: $11,260
Online Undergraduate Programs: 46
Online Graduate Programs: 21
Top Accounting Schools:University of Virginia – Main Campus
College of William and Mary
Washington and Lee University
Largest Accounting School:Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 5,487 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Dabney S Lancaster Community College
• $3,048 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:Washington and Lee University
• $34,832 Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in Virginia

As of May 2020, accountants in Virginia earned an average salary of $79,670, beating out the national average salary for this profession by about $6,000. The top earners here— those with graduate-level accounting degrees, industry designations like the CPA, and senior-level positions— enjoyed salaries that reflected the top of the pay scale (90th), which was $135,700 during this time.

Between 2018 and 2028, the number of accountant jobs in Virginia is projected to increase by 7% – greater than the national projected growth rate of 4% during this time. The state also projects about 4,730 annual job openings in the accounting profession during this ten-year period leading to 2028 due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

While many of Virginia’s metro areas reported strong average accountant salaries as of May 2020, it was the Arlington-Alexandria metro area – home to countless federal agencies – that was home to the highest earners at nearly every level:

  • Richmond: $75,310 (average), $127,740 (90th percentile)
  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News: $71,000 (average), $106,740 (90th percentile)
  • Arlington-Alexandria: $89,220 (average), $151,040 (90th percentile)

Note that these numbers feature base salaries only and not salary incentives like bonuses and stock options that are standard fare in the accounting profession, particularly among those in senior- and executive-level roles.

It’s no surprise that Virginia is a place where academic success often meets opportunity since it is home to several multinational corporations where accounting graduates can apply their knowledge. Other local businesses advertising jobs for accountants are found across various industry sectors like health care, food and beverage, communications, information technology, and financial services. Virginia accountants often assume positions like information technology audit manager, accounting manager, accounting consultant for government contracts, staff accountant, and accounting analyst.

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.