Accounting Schools in Maine

The colleges and universities of Maine offer a wide variety of programs in accounting. Schools may offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting with various areas of specialization. Students can choose from full-time, part-time, or online formats, and some schools promote internship opportunities and other real-world experiences. Read on below to find out more information about specific accounting programs, professional accountancy certifications, and the career outlook for accounting careers in Maine.

Quick Facts

• 11 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Maine.¹
• 2 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 4 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 7 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 3 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• No schools 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
• 3 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 Maine Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Maine 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 the tables on our Maine business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

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 Maine

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.

US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023

• University of Maine (#44 tie)
• University of Southern Maine (#63 tie)
• University of Maine-Augusta (#79 tie)⁵

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 Maine 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 Maine being 49.6%:

1. University of Maine 63.2%
2. University of Southern Maine 63.2%
3. Thomas College 45.5%

*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 Maine with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Maine, 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

Husson University

At Husson University’s College of Business, students can complete an IACBE-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. Students first study a broad general education curriculum before taking accounting courses. Accounting classes emphasize foundational skills and specialized knowledge, such as analyzing, understanding, and interpreting accounting data. The program prepares graduates with problem-solving skills, research methods, and critical-thinking approaches that are applicable to the accounting industry. Students are also encouraged to complete paid internships that provide experience in the field as well as opportunities to develop business communication skills. Those interested in advanced graduate study can combine their bachelor’s degree with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Husson and complete both degrees in just five years. This dual degree program provides the 150 credits required for CPA licensure and prepares graduates to sit for the CPA examination.

Thomas College

The Business and Management Department at Thomas College offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting degree. This degree focuses on accounting theory and technique as well as foundational knowledge about business. The core curriculum includes courses such as Business Finance, Cost Accounting, Federal Personal Income Taxation, Principles of Accounting, and Business Law. Students learn a mix of conceptual knowledge and professional practice, as well as the standard reporting procedures for accountants. Undergraduates can also choose further specialization through an additional concentration in Managerial Accounting; Public Accounting; Accounting and Financial Analysis; or Forensic Accounting. Those interested in an advanced degree in accounting at Thomas College can combine their bachelor’s degree with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting.

University of Maine

At the Maine Business School at the University of Maine (UMaine), students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting. The curriculum covers basic accounting principles and their applications in the industry at large. Students learn how to prepare, understand, and report financial data for making business decisions within organizations. Coursework emphasizes data analytics for planning and control in the accounting sector through both accounting and business courses, including Accounting Information Systems, Principles of Marketing, and Financial Accounting. Students gain real-world experience through encouraged internships with local public accounting firms, which also begins to prepare graduates for further graduate study and eventual CPA licensure. Many graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees, such as UMaine’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting, or entry-level positions in corporate, public, or governmental accounting.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Thomas College

The Business and Management Department at Thomas College offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Accounting. This 33-credit degree prioritizes career-focused curriculum and leadership development, preparing graduates for careers in financial management or as public accountants. Core courses include Advanced Fraud and Forensics; Operations Research Techniques; and Advanced Financial Statement Reporting. In an effort to provide plenty of experiential learning opportunities, all MBA classes are limited to a small-group format. Students can complete this accelerated degree in as little as a year, and graduates are prepared to sit for the CPA exam. Undergraduate students at Thomas College enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting program maintaining a 3.4 GPA have the option to accelerate their MBA even more. The 3+1 program at Thomas College allows high-performing students to complete their BS in Accounting in three years and their MBA in Accounting during their fourth year, making it possible to complete both degrees in just four years.

University of Maine

The Maine Business School at the University of Maine (UMaine) offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting. This degree is open to accounting and non-accounting students. Those without an accounting degree can complete the necessary foundational coursework through UMaine’s distance learning classes. The MBA consists of eight advanced accounting courses that make up the core curriculum, including Tax Planning for Small Business Owners; Accounting Theory & International Accounting; and Advanced Managerial Accounting. Students then choose three electives to complete their degree requirements. Both the elective and required courses emphasize accounting principles and management techniques. The graduate curriculum also focuses on research skills, critical thinking techniques, and problem-solving methods. Many graduates go on to work in accounting roles in small businesses, startup companies, corporations, governmental agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.

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Online Accounting Programs

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJC) offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree that can be completed entirely online. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the CPA examination, and the curriculum meets the educational requirements for the professional designation. Students learn advanced accounting knowledge as well as integrative skills in critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. The online coursework draws from projects, real-world examples, and case studies. Students learn how to apply concepts and technical skills in solving accounting problems, and there is an emphasis on topics of research, taxation, auditing, and finance. Those without an undergraduate degree in accounting are welcome to apply, but may need to complete some prerequisite accounting courses before being accepted into the program. Students with an accounting background may finish this program in an accelerated format in just one year.

University of Maine at Augusta

Through the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA), students can complete an online Bachelor of Science of Business Administration (BSBA) with a major in Accounting. The curriculum covers a number of interdisciplinary subjects relevant to the accounting industry, such as finance, economics, strategic management, operations research, and computer information systems. Students learn accounting concepts as well as general business and management theory through courses like Business Law, Survey of Accounting, and Accounting Fraud Analytics. Coursework also emphasizes critical thinking, written and oral communication skills, and technical applications of accounting information systems. The BSBA degree also offers a major in Management, and both Accounting and Management majors learn a variety of leadership techniques applicable to the business world. Many graduates from the online BSBA degree program go on to work in financial services in the private and public sectors.

Maine CPA Requirements

The Maine Board of Accountancy (the Board) requires that CPA candidates complete at least 150 semester hours and at least a bachelor’s degree. Applicants may sit for the CPA exam after completing 120 semester hours and a bachelor’s degree, so long as they have completed at least 15 combined hours in accounting, auditing, and ethics courses. After completing these education requirements, graduates must pass the four sections of the Uniform CPA examination with a 75 or higher. Then, CPA applicants must complete at least two years of full-time CPA work experience that must be verified by a licensed accountant. Once all of these conditions are met, individuals can apply for CPA licensure. This designation must be updated through continuing professional education (CPE) hours to stay current in the industry.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Maine

Maine accounting grads may start careers in public, private, or government accounting. Statewide CPA firms such as Chasse & Company, Baker Newman Noyes, and BerryDunn may offer many different positions for graduates with an accounting degree and CPA licensure. Others may choose to start their own CPA firm or small consultancy. Graduates may also have the opportunity to work in accounting positions in large companies based in the state, such as WEX Inc. or Fairchild Semiconductor. Governmental agencies or nonprofits like hospitals or community organizations may offer roles in accounting as well.

Maine Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area