Accounting Schools in Nevada

Nevada’s public and private universities maintain a broad array of programs for students looking to earn a degree or certificate in accounting. The following outline of accounting schools in Nevada is designed to help you understand and compare your options to find the school that best fits your schedule and career goals. Read on below to find out more about school rankings in Nevada, different curricula offered by various schools, and career outlooks in the accounting industry in the state.

Quick Facts

• 6 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Nevada.¹
• 4 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 3 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 2 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 2 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 2 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
• 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
• 2 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• No schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• No schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Nevada Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada

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

• University of Nevada-Las Vegas (#203)
• University of Nevada-Reno (#214)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 Nevada 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 Nevada being 59.5%:

1. University of Nevada Reno 56.1%
2. University of Nevada Las Vegas 52.8%

*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 Nevada with Accounting Degrees

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

College of Southern Nevada

The College of Southern Nevada offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Accounting. This four-semester degree can be finished in two years. Students gain an understanding of the principles and process of organizing and running a business. Classes focus on processing accounting information through accounting systems and developing real-world skills like preparing financial statements and filing taxes. Students start with general education courses before completing core accounting requirements such as Cost Accounting, Taxation for Individuals, Business Law, and Introduction to Information Systems. The AAS in Accounting degree also includes nine credits of elective courses, with class options including Introduction to Investments, Marketing Principles, and Principles of Macroeconomics. Students also have the option to add a Skills Certificate in Bookkeeping. Many students use this degree as a stepping stone for further study in accounting, while other students seek entry-level positions in the field such as auditing assistants or payroll clerks.

University of Nevada Reno

Students at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) can earn an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting or a BS in Accounting & Information Systems. Both programs emphasize the theory and application of accounting subjects, preparing students for the many different roles accountants play in the business world. The curriculum starts with general education classes and then moves to the business core and accounting specialization courses. The core courses cover relevant topics in public, industrial, managerial, and government accounting. Those who choose to enroll in the Accounting and Information Systems major can pursue technology-based positions in managerial or financial accounting, systems consulting, electronic auditing, and forensic accounting. Accounting graduates can pursue entry-level accounting positions, start their own businesses, or continue advanced graduate studies. For those seeking CPA licensure, UNR has two graduate accounting programs; the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Accounting.

University of Nevada Las Vegas

At the Lee Business School at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), students can complete an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting. Students follow a curriculum that blends both accounting fundamentals and practical application. Coursework emphasizes accounting theory in the context of analytical decision-making in business as well as accounting and business information technology. Students frequently work in teams and complete collaborative projects, developing communication and management skills. UNLV also focuses on experiential learning opportunities, providing students with the chance to complete internships at CPA firms, industry, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. This focus allows students to develop real-world skills and professional connections before graduating and take this experience with them as they pursue different career opportunities.

Graduate Accounting Programs

University of Nevada Las Vegas

Students at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) can complete an AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree through the Lee Business School. The graduate program prepares students to work in taxation, public accounting, managerial or corporate accounting, and government. The MSA takes one to two years to complete, and can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis Those with non-accounting undergraduate backgrounds are welcome to apply, but will need to complete some prerequisites before formally beginning the program. The curriculum builds on accounting basics to teach students advanced, applicable accounting knowledge. Students learn about topics in the accounting field that are required for CPA licensure as well as new industry and business trends. Students are encouraged to work collaboratively in teams. Graduate students at UNLV who are interested in internal audit have the opportunity to add an Internal Audit Certificate to their degree.

University of Nevada Reno

The College of Business at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) offers an AACSB-accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Accounting. The MBA Accounting specialization consists of 51 credits, although up to 21 credits can be waived based on prior educational experience. To obtain an Accounting MBA from UNR, students must first complete 21 credits of core courses (called The Common Body of Knowledge), which include Statistics for Decision Making, Economics of the Firm, and Marketing Management, before moving on to Breadth and Areas of Emphasis courses. For those interested in further specializing their MBA, the accounting emphasis offers two sub-specializations; Finance and Tax. The Finance specialization requires students complete three Financial Reporting courses for their electives, while those following the Tax specialization track complete Federal Taxation; Taxation of Flow-Through Entities; and Federal Income Taxation: Policy Issues. Regardless of which track students follow, all graduates of the MBA Accounting degree will meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam and apply for licensure.

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Online Accounting Programs

Western Nevada College

At Western Nevada College (WNC), students can earn an online Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business Accounting. The curriculum first focuses on general education requirements fundamentals, and later on courses in business and accounting such as Intermediate Accounting, Financial Accounting, Business Law, and Microcomputer Accounting Systems. These courses teach students how to analyze, understand, and communicate financial information in order to make decisions. Students also learn how to research and compile accounting data in manual and automated accounting systems. Graduates understand the fundamentals of accounting technology and preparing financial statements. WNC gives students a background that they can use to pursue further undergraduate or advanced accounting education. Graduates can also pursue entry-level positions in the accounting field such as bookkeeper or auditor.

University of Nevada Reno

The College of Business at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) offers an AACSB-accredited Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree that can be completed either on-campus or entirely online. This graduate degree is ideal for those interested in pursuing the CPA designation and an accounting career in the private or public sector. Students gain an advanced but broad business foundation, learning about the functional business knowledge needed to succeed in the field. In addition to technical and professional accounting skills, students also learn teamwork, leadership, and communication strategies. Coursework focuses on current and industry-relevant techniques used in tax planning, auditing, and financial reporting as well as technological trends in information systems. This program is open to students with and without academic accounting backgrounds, but those without an undergraduate accounting degree must complete 18 credits of Background track courses before moving on to the core curriculum.

Nevada CPA Requirements

The Nevada State Board of Accountancy (the Board) requires that CPA exam candidates have either a bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited school or 18 credits of accounting courses above the introductory level to sit for the exam. To be eligible for licensure, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree including 150 hours of education including 24 credits of accounting courses above the introductory level, three semester credits of business law, and 24 credits of business at the undergraduate or graduate level covering certain subjects. While a master’s degree is not required for licensure, many candidates choose to obtain their graduate degree in order to fulfill the credit requirement for the exam and also to give themselves a competitive edge in the job market. Before they can be fully licensed, candidates must fulfill a minimum of one year, or 2,000 hours, in public accounting and have this experience verified by a licensed CPA. CPA designation must be maintained by completing 40 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) hours completed each calendar year including two hours in ethics.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Nevada

There are many possible career paths for accounting program graduates in Nevada. Graduates may find opportunities to work with large corporations such as Southwest Gas Corporation or Sierra Health Services. Nevada’s gaming industry employs a vast number of accounting and tax experts, and Nevada grads can work in the tourism industry in metropolitan areas like Las Vegas and Reno. Others may choose to start their own accounting firms or work in small, regional businesses. Accounting graduates can also pursue public accounting positions in government or nonprofit agencies in Nevada.

Nevada Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area