Colleges with Accounting Degree Programs in Iowa

Iowa Accounting Degrees Online and On-Campus

Click for all featured online accounting programs currently taking applications for 2024.

There are 212 accounting degree programs in Iowa in our directory (63 Associates, 87 Bachelors, 27 Masters, and 6 Doctorate).

Many of the top institutions across the state have accredited business programs that will prepare students for an accounting career. Around 10,000 workers in accounting and auditing are represented across the entire state.

AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs in Iowa

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) emphasizes that the business school at a university has gone through a rigorous review process to best prepare their eventual graduates into their career. Categories that are reviewed include if the program has a specific mission and career outlook for their students, faculty members that have professional experience, and many resources for students to build their career potential.

There are four institutions in the state of Iowa that have received accreditation from the AACSB. Northern Iowa University holds a traditional business accreditation. The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and Drake University have the specialized accounting designation.

Iowa State University - Master of Accounting

The Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business offers a variety of different paths to obtain an education toward an accounting career. One is pursuing the full Master of Accounting program, which requires 30 credit hours to complete and is able to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Students can also pursue a five-year program that includes the undergraduate accounting program.

For the accelerated five-year program, this combines part of the programs so that one semester overlaps, and the final three semesters consist of coursework in Master's degree and a CPA prep course. The preparation will give students the ability to sit for the CPA exam in order to get state licensure. There are other requirements that may different depending on the state receiving the licensure.

Students have the opportunity to study in London during the summer months. They will complete a management and accounting elective while studying abroad in a different country. Fees cover the tuition of the courses, housing, meals, and sightseeing tours.

As an alternative, students may consider pursuing one of the Masters of Business Administration formats. The full-time MBA program requires 10 total core courses and 6 electives for a total of 48 credit hours gained. One of the concentrations students can choose is Accounting, with courses such as Taxes and Business Strategy, Corporate Financial Reporting, and International Accounting.

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Are there online accounting degree programs in Iowa?

Yes, here is our list of some of the top online accounting degrees in Iowa.

Click to jump to all Iowa schools offering accounting degrees.

University of Iowa - Master of Accountancy

The Tippie College of Business offers the Master of Accountancy, providing a curriculum that has resulted in very high pass rates for the CPA exam on the first try - 91 percent. There are specialization opportunities in Business Analytics, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Tax. Students may also consider taking the MBA program for online flexibility if needed.

Students have the ability to complete this degree in one or two years depending on if they already have a background in accounting. Those that have studied a different discipline will typically need more credit hours to complete the program in addition to the 30 credit hours in the main program. Core courses include Financial Reporting, Advanced Auditing, and Taxes and Business Strategy.

In addition to having a strong CPA passing rate, all graduates were employed in 2015 and 2016 within three months after completing the program. Employment has been achieved at the Big Four accounting firms (PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, etc.), as well as State Farm, Renewable Energy Group, and John Deere. Each fall on campus, students organizers hold a Meet the Firms night for networking opportunities.

While the Business Analytics is available, all concentrations must complete the following courses: Introduction to Modeling with VBA, and Data Management and Visual Analytics. This satisfies analytical courses that are specific to accounting and general business professionals. There is also an opportunity to complete a full Master's degree in business analytics as a full-time or part-time student.

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Online Master of Accounting Programs in Iowa

Upper Iowa University – MBA in Accounting

At this time, there are no AACSB-accredited online programs from the state of Iowa that offer an education in the Master of Accountancy. Students looking for an online opportunity can look toward universities within the region or those that accept admissions nationwide. There is also an opportunity to pursue an online MBA with a specialization in Accounting through Upper Iowa University, which is rated highly among military and veterans.

The School of Business and Professional Studies at UIU does not require any on-campus residencies and students can complete the program within two years. There is an opportunity to partake in physical courses during evening hours at remote locations when available. 36 credit hours are needed to satisfy curriculum requirements, and the university allows for up to 12 transfer credits.

Students pursuing the Accounting concentration will take courses in corporate taxation, forensic accounting, and advanced topics in accounting information systems. Courses can be taken during one of the five eight-week sessions or the abbreviated six-week session in the summer. This program is designed to prepare students for the CPA exam, but students should review their state’s requirements.

Drake University – Master of Business Administration

There is an AACSB-accredited program based in Iowa that can be completed completely online, and that is Drake’s MBA program. Students can select accounting and finance topics from other programs to customize their degree. Students will be able to build networking opportunities with alumni thriving in the profession, and the curriculum offers the latest skills in data analytics and technology.

39 credit hours are needed to complete the degree and it is geared toward part-time students who will maintain their professional work. Through this method, students can complete the program in a span of two years. The curriculum is divided up into foundational courses of corporate governance and data, 21 credit hours of core content, and 9 credit hours of electives chosen by the student.

Here is a sampling of core courses and electives that can be chosen for the MBA program:

• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Corporate Finance
• The Law of Business Organizations
• Strategic Business Processes

In order to be administered into the program, students will need to submit their transcripts, updated resume, one-page statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and GRE or GMAT scores for those that have less than a 3.25 cumulative GPA. These exams can also be waived the student has five years of work experience or nine credit hours worth of quantitative analysis.

Iowa Accounting Careers Salary Information

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for accountants in Iowa is $66,500, and that can grow to nearly $100,000 in the top 10 percent. There are over 9,300 workers that are representing accounting and auditing positions across the state. Some of the more popular areas for this position is in the capital city of Des Moines and in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, which spreads into Nebraska.

Denman and Company

Located in West Des Moines, Denman and Company is an accounting firm that employs CPAs with an expertise in both helping individuals and organizations with their finances and in communicating with others. Services offered include tax preparation, auditing financial reports, and wealth management. A number of industries have been served by the firm, including government agencies, higher education institutions, physicians, and car dealerships.

Online Accounting Degrees Accepting Applicants

Schools with Accounting Degrees in Iowa