The Best Accounting Schools

Whether you are interested in becoming a certified public accountant or a payroll manager, an accounting degree can help you land a job that provides a good deal of personal satisfaction and financial compensation. Attending one of the best accounting schools can give you a competitive advantage when it comes to finding employment, so choose your school carefully. Cost is certainly a consideration, but it is also important to choose a school based on its accounting degree curriculum, access to professional development opportunities, and job placement statistics.

If you live in the United States, you have plenty of options when it comes to finding an excellent accounting program. U.S. News & World Report publishes a list annually of the world's best accounting schools, and five U.S. schools secured top-ten spots on the 2013 list. Harvard University was ranked number one on the list due to its excellent reputation with employers. Another U.S. school, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, took second place on the list of top schools. MIT received an overall score of 94.2 based on its academic reputation and reputation with employers. Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Chicago were ranked fourth, sixth, and ninth, respectively.

If you are unable to enroll in an accounting degree program at one of the schools in the top ten slots, you still have a number of options. The University of California, Los Angeles, Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, New York University, Duke University, Northwestern University, and the University of Michigan also appeared on the 2013 list. Bloomberg Businessweek took a different approach to ranking the best schools in the country. Undergraduate students helped determine the rankings by filling out an online survey and grading their business programs. Brigham Young took the top spot on this list, followed by Notre Dame, and UC Berkeley.

If you have already completed an undergraduate accounting degree, a master's in business administration with a focus on accounting can help you advance your career. "Economist" magazine recently ranked the top ten executive MBA programs in the country. Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management was ranked first in the country for its one-year program, which is designed for mid-career and senior executives. Kellogg also has MBA programs for managerial accounting and financial accounting. The University of Texas, Austin, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the University of Southern California also have high-quality accounting degree programs.

Choosing the right school can help you create a rewarding career in the accounting field, especially if you have access to internships and mentoring opportunities. If you are interested in getting an undergraduate or graduate accounting degree, review each school's program outline and policies carefully. Pick the school that best matches your career goals and budget and you will be more likely to have a satisfying educational experience.

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