Colleges with Accounting Degree Programs in Montana

Montana Accounting Degrees Online and On-Campus

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

There are 41 accounting degree programs in Montana in our directory (17 Associates, 13 Bachelors, 5 Masters, and 0 Doctorate).

No institutions in the state of Montana have online opportunities for prospective students seeking graduate accounting programs. Employment and salary estimates fall on the lower end when compared across the country, but are similar to other locations in the region.

AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs in Montana

There are three institutions that hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in the state of Montana. The University of Montana is the most popular university located in Missoula, and it also holds a specific accounting accreditation. Montana State University has two locations - the flagship campus at Bozeman and Billings - with different business colleges that offer these programs.

Holding this designation from the established organization ensures students that they will receive a high quality education with a reviewed curriculum that meets strong criteria and having the resources needed to succeed in their business career. In total, only five percent of business schools around the world receive accreditation by the AACSB.

University of Montana - Master of Accountancy

The College of Business offers higher education in accounting that allows students to prepare for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. This typically results in passing the examination by over 30 percent from the national average at 49 percent. Faculty members have all been certified in some form of business specialty, such as internal auditing or management.

30 total credits are needed to complete the program, with 18 credits reserved for the accounting topics and the remainder for electives. Examples of core courses include Advanced Audit, Financial Topics, and Accounting Theory. Size of course will be between 18 to 30 students to keep the educational experience intimate and give more opportunities for conversations with faculty members.

Foundational courses in business and accounting are needed before entering the program. This includes basic concepts of business law, operations management, taxation, and auditing. Students must send their official transcripts, three letters of resume, statement of purpose that describes goals and achievements all within one page.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores should also be submitted if they have been completed in the last five years. This requirement may be waived for students that were able to obtain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their AACSB-accredited undergraduate program or hold the same GPA within their main accounting course.

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Are there online accounting degree programs in Montana?

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

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Montana State University - Master of Professional Accountancy

Students can pursue the MPAc program and have further education within the topics of accounting law and ethics, auditing, and taxation. This program will complete the process of preparing for the CPA exam and getting state licensure. All graduates were able to break into a full-time or part-time job, or continued their education, within the first two years of graduation.

Courses are typically offered throughout the day and there are no graduate courses within accountancy available at night or online. Some background business courses that are required before fully entering the program do have online options during the summer at this time. Students taking at least nine credit hours will be considered as full-time enrollment.

There are six total required courses that all students will take, and the remaining 12 credit hours are reserved for elective options. Some examples of these courses include Estate and Gift Taxation, Tax Research and Planning, and Fraud Examination. Students must complete all their courses with a 3.0 cumulative GPA to receive their degree.

Numerous background courses are needed before entering the full program, but prospective students that have completed an AACSB-accredited Bachelor's degree in business or accounting will likely meet this requirement. Other needs in the application process include GMAT or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, three letters of recommendation, and one-page statement of purpose.

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Online Master of Accounting Programs in Montana

At this time, there are no institutions in the state of Montana that offer an online Master of Accounting program. The University of Montana does offer an online Master of Business Administration that is also accredited by the AACSB. This is the only MBA program that is offered in the state.

This curriculum can be customized to subjects like cyber security, entrepreneurship, and more. Students can choose to attend physical courses, online courses through Zoom, or access on-demand lectures at any time throughout the semester. This MBA program’s flexibility with courses being offered at night is geared toward those that are going to simultaneously work while pursuing the degree.

In addition to elective options that can tailor the program to a specific career, students can choose to pursue a joint program that pairs the MBA with a Doctorate of Jurisdiction, Physical Therapy, or Pharmacy. This offers a blend of business management with advanced legal or medical opportunities. For credit hours that are shared between programs, students must earn a B grade or higher.

Montana Accounting Careers Salary Information

Similar to surrounding states, Montana is lower in annual average salary for accountants and auditors with an estimate of $66,170 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Great Falls is one of the top-earning locations for accountants with an annual average salary of $81,020. Overall, it is estimated that over 3,380 workers represent accountant positions.

Practical Taxes

Located in Billings, Practical Taxes will help prepare income tax statements and performs accounting needs for small businesses. This can include consulting needs to review and prepare tax documents accurately, or performing bookkeeping and payroll needs that may not be suitable for some organizations to do on their own. While always available during business hours, they are able to work around different schedules for various clients.

Online Accounting Degrees Accepting Applicants

Schools with Accounting Degrees in Montana