Colleges with Accounting Degree Programs in South Carolina

South Carolina Accounting Degrees Online and On-Campus

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There are 159 accounting degree programs in South Carolina in our directory (48 Associates, 54 Bachelors, 21 Masters, and 4 Doctorate).

There are a handful of professional educational opportunities in South Carolina to pursue accounting programs that have been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

This designates multiple higher education options as meeting high standards within business and will prepare graduates for their career or help them advance to a more managerial or executive role.

AACSB-Accredited Accounting Programs in South Carolina

There are three institutions that have been accredited by the AACSB in the state of South Carolina specifically toward accounting. All of them provide higher education through a direct Master's degree in accounting or specific subjects within a Master of Business Administration. Online learning is limited throughout the state, so it is best to be within the locations of Charleston, Clemson, or Columbia.

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Are there online accounting degree programs in South Carolina?

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

Click to jump to all South Carolina schools offering accounting degrees.

College of Charleston - Master of Science in Accountancy

Students can select from three tracks when completing their MSA program: Financial Reporting and Assurance, Taxation, and International. The first track is geared toward those interested in pursuing a traditional career in the public or private sector, which includes auditing and banking positions. The taxation track is more focused on organizational tax preparation or consulting, and the international track will emphasize accounting principles on a global scale. There are two courses required for all students in the program: Accounting Theory and Contemporary Accountancy. Regardless of track, this program will help all students prepare for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

It is expected that students will be enrolled full-time into the program and they will be able to complete the degree within a year. There is a unique opportunity to study abroad during the summer with courses in European Origins of Modern Accountancy and European Financial Markets. Admission requirements include holding an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and GMAT scores above the 50th percentile. A group of basic accounting courses are needed before pursuing the graduate program, and these prerequisites can be taken at the school if credit is not met.

Clemson University - Master of Professional Accountancy

The School of Accountancy provides a top educational experience in accounting with a faculty roster that all hold at least a Master's degree or certification in the field. This program will satisfy most CPA requirements and prepares students for the exam at the conclusion of the curriculum. 30 total credit hours are needed to complete the degree, divided in half with core courses and elective options. There are four CPA exam review courses that can be taken for no credit. There is an optional study abroad program at Oxford University for those that are looking to pursue an international emphasis.

Prerequisites to get into the program include accounting principles, business law, economics, finance, management, and marketing. Students that have an undergraduate degree and studied in a business or accounting discipline have likely met these needs. All courses are not available in every semester, so students must work with their advisors to determine the best path to complete the program. Organizations that have employed graduates from Clemson's accounting program include the Big Four accounting firms like Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers, BDO, Duke Energy, and RSM.

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Online Master of Accounting Programs in South Carolina

At this time, there are no fully online programs for business professionals or those looking to begin their career in the accounting field. The best course of action for mid-level professionals looking to advance is to consider the Professional MBA program at the University of South Carolina. There are local classrooms across the region and recorded lectures available on-demand. This program is geared toward working professionals with classes available in the evening and Saturdays.

University of South Carolina – Professional Master of Business Administration

The Darla Moore School of Business has a variety of options for students to complete the program, but the Professional MBA provides the most flexibility for established professionals. These classes can be taken on location at regional classrooms, on-demand video recordings, or at on-campus residencies at the Columbia campus. There are a variety of specializations that students can choose from, including a specific certification in business analytics. Students are admitted into the program in January and August, and average completion time is around 28 months.

While there is no prerequisites needed to get into the program, students are expected to have a strong background in accounting. There are 16 total courses needed to complete the program, with nearly half of those reserved for elective choices. Example courses that all students will take include Quantitative Methods, Financial Policies, and Strategic Management. A faster MBA option is the 10-month program where students can complete a course each month, but this requires full-time immersion on the Columbia campus.

South Carolina Accounting Careers Salary Information

South Carolina has a healthy amount of employment within accounting and auditing where there are over 15,000 positions according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Columbia metropolitan area accounts for over 3,500 employees alone. In terms of salary, this is lower when compared to the national average and is set at $64,750. That is also significantly lower to its neighboring states, North Carolina and Georgia.

Top South Carolina Accounting Firms

Elliott Davis is a Southwest-based professional services firm that provides services such as tax preparation, auditing, and assurance.

They will review and audit employee benefit plans to determine the best options available and what the company can offer their workers. Personal financial services can manage family office business plans or individual income tax planning in order to gain a better understanding of their finances, determining they are in compliance and deducting proper taxes, and being able to adjust based on potential income and cost inconsistencies.

Online Accounting Degrees Accepting Applicants

Schools with Accounting Degrees in South Carolina