Accounting Schools in Hawaii

Hawaii’s colleges and universities offer a range of programs in general accounting as well as programs designed to help students prepare for careers in other accounting roles like payroll preparer and tax preparer. The following guide to accounting schools in Hawaii allows you can compare the business schools and programs available to find the right school for you. Hawaii schools offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees with various areas of specialization, curricula, and schedule formats. Read on below to find out more information about school rankings, professional accounting licensure, and career outlooks for the accounting industry in Hawaii.

Quick Facts

• 11 private not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Hawaii.¹
• 6 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 5 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 6 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 2 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 1 school ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• No programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.⁵
• No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.⁶
• No schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 2 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• 1 school has accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Hawaii Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Hawaii to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options. For further school statistics, including median SAT, ACT, and GMAT scores, see our Hawaii business schools page.

Table Notes:
*Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on ​​National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
**Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Hawaii

College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.

College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023

• Kapiolani Community College (#147)²

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.¹¹ The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Hawaii in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in Hawaii being 46.9%:

1. Hawaii Pacific University 77.8%
2. Brigham Young University Hawaii 58.1%
3. University of Hawaii-Manoa 40.4%

*As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.

Schools in Hawaii with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Hawaii, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

Brigham Young University Hawaii

Brigham Young University Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting degree. The curriculum teaches students general business knowledge as well as specialized accounting skills. Students also learn critical thinking and teamwork skills in courses such as Managerial Accounting, Federal Taxation, Auditing, and Accounting Information Systems. Course content focuses on the software and technical approaches commonly used in the accounting industry so students are prepared to enter the workforce. BYU-Hawaii also emphasizes written and oral communication and interpersonal skills. Undergraduates have the opportunity to complete an academic internship, where they learn how to combine their classroom skills with real-world experience. Graduates from the program may go on to pursue advanced study in accounting or business programs before working in public accounting, private business, or not-for-profit organizations.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

At the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH-Manoa), students can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting. Students start with general education requirements before studying business and specialized accounting courses. Accounting major classes include Accounting Information Systems, Federal Individual Income Taxation, and Auditing. This curriculum provides a foundation for a wide range of positions within the accounting field. Some graduates go on to work in auditing, tax, or advisory services in public accounting, while others may find positions in private businesses, not-for-profit organizations, or government. Those interested in earning their CPA license may use this undergraduate degree to advance to further graduate study. UH-Manoa also offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. Students interested in earning both degrees can choose an accelerated path and finish in five years.

University of Hawaii Hilo

The College of Business and Economics at the University of Hawaii Hilo (UH-Hilo) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting degree. This degree consists of 121 semester hours and is ideal for those interested in pursuing further graduate study and finding work in public, private, or governmental accounting. Students first study a broad base of general education subjects before completing a business and accounting core. Accounting majors learn theory and technical skills that allow them to translate and communicate the information behind complex financial data. The curriculum also prepares students to pursue further study and/or pass licensure and certification examinations such as CPA. Many undergraduate students work part-time at local firms while completing their degree, and graduates can go on to work in entry-level positions such as auditor, budget analyst, financial reporter, tax accountant, and accounting clerk.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Chaminade University of Honolulu

At Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH), students can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting. The program can be completed on-campus, through evening courses, or entirely online. Students are prepared to work in public or private accounting, and the curriculum meets the academic requirements for CPA licensure. The advanced coursework is combined with management classes, and students are encouraged to seek out leadership or project management roles in the accounting industry. Accounting majors can also add additional concentrations in Not-For-Profit or Island Business. This degree is primarily aimed at students with accounting undergraduate degrees, though some may be able to take prerequisite courses for admission into the program.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s (UH-Manoa) Shidler College of Business offers a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree. This 30-credit program prepares students to sit for the CPA examination through classes in advanced accounting subjects. Students learn about subject areas such as taxation, financial accounting, auditing, and data analytics. The curriculum focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to work in public practice, business, government, and other organizations. Shidler emphasizes conceptual knowledge as well as research skills so that students are equipped to adapt to a changing accounting field. Additionally, the MAcc program offers three concentration options for those looking to further specialize their degree; Data Analytics; Financial Reporting, and Tax. For post-graduation opportunities, students can complete an optional internship for academic credit or take advantage of the resources offered by the career development services office. Graduates interested in a career in academia can take advantage of UH-Manoa’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

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Online Accounting Programs in Hawaii

Leeward Community College

Through Leeward Community College, students can earn an Associate in Science (AS) in Accounting degree entirely online. Students take courses such as Principles of Accounting; Payroll and Hawaii General Excise Tax; Business Income Tax Preparation; and Introduction to Managerial Accounting. These classes teach students skills how to organize accounting systems, prepare financial statements, and compose business documents. Courses also teach the theory behind understanding, managing, and communicating accounting information. Classwork emphasizes analytical and problem-solving skills as well as technical computer programs and applications. Graduates from the associate’s program may go on to pursue further accounting education or find entry-level accounting positions in accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, inventory, or bookkeeping.

Hawaii Pacific University

At the College of Business at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting entirely online or through a blended on-campus and online option. This degree prepares students to pursue further graduate study and the CPA designation in addition to careers in public accounting, private industry, government service, and not-for-profit organizations. Students learn from a curriculum that focuses on real-world skills, such as financial reporting, auditing, and tax strategy. Online students also have the option to complete an internship for elective credit, allowing them to graduate with experience in the field. HPU also offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, and all graduates can take advantage of alumni and industry networking opportunities for post-graduation career plans.

Hawaii CPA Requirements

The Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy (the Board) requires that CPA candidates complete at least 150 semester hours and at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 24 of these semester hours must be in upper-division accounting courses and 30 must be in business courses. To be eligible to sit for the CPA exam, however, applicants do not have to meet the 150-hour requirement; they only need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a bachelor’s degree with at least 18 semester hours of upper-level accounting classes. Once candidates have completed all required semester hours and passed the Uniform CPA examination, they must complete at least 1,500 hours of related experience in an accounting firm. This experience must be verified by a licensed CPA. Candidates can then apply for licensure, and this licensure must be maintained through continuing professional education (CPE) hours completed on a regular basis.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Hawaii

Graduates with accounting degrees may find many different opportunities within the accounting field in Hawaii. They can work for major accounting firms in Hawaii such as Deloitte, KMH LLP, and Ernst & Young. Some graduates also choose to work for small, local firms or open their own firm or consultancy. Major corporations and companies are also a great source of employment opportunities for graduates, providing possible positions in finance and accounting management. Major employers in Hawaii include Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Petroleum, and Servco Pacific. Accounting grads may also find positions in governmental positions in the state’s treasury department, transportation department, FBI, state and local government, or armed forces.

Hawaii Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area