Colleges with Accounting Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Accounting Degrees Online and On-Campus

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There are 484 accounting degree programs in Pennsylvania in our directory (115 Associates, 204 Bachelors, 73 Masters, and 11 Doctorate).

A handful of institutions in the state of Pennsylvania offer higher education within accounting and finance that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Locations holding these accredited colleges and universities include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton, and Villanova.

AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs in Pennsylvania

Having a designation from the AACSB denotes that the program's curriculum has passed rigorous review and is one of the best programs to pursue and gain a degree in the business discipline.

Graduates will have a competitive advantage when looking for employment opportunities, and their achievements will be recognized around the world. There are 26 total institutions that are accredited in the state of Pennsylvania.

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Are there online accounting degree programs in Pennsylvania?

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

Click to jump to all Pennsylvania schools offering accounting degrees.

Villanova University - Master of Accounting with Data Analytics

The School of Business at Villanova has a unique Master's degree that has an emphasis on data analytics when performing accounting duties. This 30-credit curriculum utilizes the trending category of big data and how it relates to risk assessment, measuring business success, and how it can more inform leadership positions. The university offers professional development services, such as resume building, internship information, workshops to aid in education, and meetups with the Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, etc.).

Prerequisite courses needed to enter into the program includes two levels of Intermediate Accounting, Federal Income Tax, and Auditing. There are four different times that students will be administered, and applications are due at the end of November, January, March, and June. Since the program contains a rigorous schedule, students must be full-time participants, but the degree can be completed in a calendar year. 12 credits from the completion of this program can be transferred over the MBA flex track. There is also a Master of Taxation that is offered along with the School of Law.

Lehigh University - Master of Science in Accounting and Information Analysis

At the College of Business, Lehigh offers a program that does not require an undergraduate discipline in the field. They administer students that have shown exemplary work at other institutions that are accredited. It requires full-time admittance to pursue the degree, but students can complete the program over a span of 12 months. They must earn 36 credit hours to fulfill the curriculum. There is an opportunity to take an eight-week paid internship that can also lead to career opportunities. While the program is not fully online, coursework within the summer session will be completed on the ClassroomLive management system.

Example courses in the program are Business Skills for Accounting Professionals, Data Analytics for Accountants, and Reporting and Auditing Fair Value Estimates. Requirements for the admissions process include the submission of an application with fee, personal essay that details what outcome is desired in pursuing this program, updated resume, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. It is optional to submit GRE or GMAT scores, but they can help in the application process.

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Online Masters Programs in Pennsylvania

University of Scranton – Master of Business Administration

The full MBA program is available online with many specializations to choose from, including Accounting and Finance. 36 credit hours are needed to graduate from the program, which includes seven core courses and three electives. The flex curriculum allows students to switch out three core courses for more electives. There is a possibility to choose multiple specializations to create a flex curriculum, or there is a general MBA to receive education from many different subject areas. When applying to the program, there is no need to submit GRE or GMAT scores.

Specifically in the Accounting concentration, core courses include Accounting for Management, Managerial Economics, and Financial Management. At least two of these courses will need to be taken by all Master’s degree pursuers, and there will be at least one in operations and analytics, and management and marketing. Elective subjects under the Accounting umbrella includes auditing, taxation and regulation, law and ethics, and international accounting. The curriculum will prepare students to take the Certified Public Accountants examination.

La Salle University – Master of Business Administration

The School of Business also offers an MBA with an Accounting specialization that requires between 33 to 39 credit hours and can be completed in 14 to 16 months. This program still provides interaction with faculty and student peers in a virtual setting and can be customized toward specific concentrations. Completing the program will prepare graduates for many sectors, including finance, health care, and the government. Accounting specialization courses are Accounting Information and ERP Systems, Decision Making Using Management Accounting, and Financial Accounting Theory and Current Practices.

Students that do not have a background in a business discipline will need to take foundational marketing courses and must pass with a B grade or higher. Along with the core and specialization courses, there is a unique “executive perspectives” category that focuses on leadership skills, making decisions, and financial statement analysis. The capstone project is Competitive Strategy, which gives students the knowledge needed to use analytical tools and how to make their organization gain a competitive advantage.

Pennsylvania Accounting Careers and Salaries

Accountants make an average salary of $75,250 in the state of Pennsylvania according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is above the median average across the nation, but on the lower end of the spectrum when compared to other neighboring states in the Northeast.

Typical salaries can jump over $82,000 when approaching bigger cities, specifically in the Philadelphia area. This amount becomes even lower when looking at taxation employment with an average salary of $48,580. They do provide the fifth-most job opportunities in the nation.

Top Pennsylvania Accounting Firms

The former Philadelphia-based accounting firm, ParenteBeard, merged with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause and still has many offices across the state, consistently looking for account service specialists, auditors, and risk assessment.

Accounting consultants will work with clients directly, and analyze and determine recommendations to improve their processes, be it in marketing, the supply chain, and more. They will need to have the ability to travel frequently and maintain a strong relationship with their clients.

Online Accounting Degrees Accepting Applicants

Schools with Accounting Degrees in Pennsylvania