Accounting Schools in Utah

Students in Utah can choose from a variety of quality programs for earning a degree or certificate in accounting. The colleges and universities in this state offer a broad array of program options, from general undergraduate accounting degrees to specialized graduate degrees in concentrations like tax or business analytics. Some universities offer part-time schedules or entirely online degree options. The following outline of accounting schools in Utah provides information about program rankings, professional certifications, and job outlooks in the accounting industry in Utah.

Quick Facts

• 12 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Utah.¹
• 7 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 3 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 10 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 8 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 4 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• 1 school ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• 1 program ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.⁵
• 1 school ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.⁶
• 4 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
• No schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Utah Accounting Schools and Programs

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

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

• Brigham Young University (#26)
• Western Governors University (#120)
• University of Utah (#139)
• Westminster College (#156)²

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

• Brigham Young University³

US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023

• Brigham Young University (#4)⁴

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

• Utah State University (#44 tie)
• Weber State University (#66 tie)⁵

US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023

• Brigham Young University (#3)⁶

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 Utah 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 Utah being 71.1%:

1. Brigham Young University 80.5%
2. University of Utah 75.2%
3. Southern Utah University 70.2%
4. Utah Valley University 69.4%
5. Western Governors University 61.5%

*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 Utah with Accounting Degrees

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

At the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University, students can earn an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. The accounting curriculum has been developed with the input of industry professionals and accounting educators and it teaches fundamental competencies needed in the accounting field. Required courses include Accounting Information Systems, Financial Statement Auditing, and Fundamentals of Taxation, and students can also choose from electives such as Global Supply Chain Management for Accountants; Cost and Managerial Accounting; Strategy and Economics; or Business Law in the Environment. Through these classes, students learn conceptual knowledge and technical skills in accounting, written and oral communication, teamwork, and a global approach to business. Undergraduates are encouraged to join accounting clubs to learn more about the industry and find networking opportunities and many work as interns in the summer between their junior and senior years.

Utah State University

The Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University (USU) offers both a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting degree and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting. These degree programs are ideal for those interested in working in public or private accounting or as internal auditors, tax specialists, or financial managers. The core curriculum for both the BA and BS in Accounting includes courses such as Intermediate Financial Accounting and Reporting; Individual Taxation; and Systems Strategy and Problem Solving, and emphasizes how to understand and communicate financial information. Students can also choose from a variety of business and accounting electives.. Those interested in obtaining their BA in Accounting must also reach proficiency in at least one foreign language. For future job opportunities, students can join university clubs, participate in networking events, or volunteer to prepare taxes in the community. USU also offers a dual major in accounting and economics.

Utah Tech University

Students at Utah Tech University (UT), formerly Dixie State University, can earn an ACBSP-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. Students first fulfill general education requirements and business core requirements before taking specialized accounting courses. In core classes such as Tax Accounting, Auditing, Intermediate Accounting, Business Calculus, and Forensic Accounting, students learn how to interpret accounting information to make informed business and tax decisions. UT teaches students how to apply accounting concepts through experiential learning opportunities. They can work on accounting projects for local businesses, volunteer in the community during tax season, or complete internships. Graduates can go on to work in entry-level positions in the accounting field, but most continue to pursue graduate studies in accounting. UT also offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree.

Graduate Accounting Programs

University of Utah

At the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah (UofU), students can earn an AACSB-accredited Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. Students in this graduate program learn advanced principles of accounting in addition to competencies in related business disciplines. The program can be completed on a full-time basis in two semesters or part-time through evening classes in four semesters. Graduate students learn business and leadership skills that are applicable to the accounting industry and are prepared to take the CPA examination. UofU’s MAcc program allows a great deal of course flexibility, with up to 18 of the 30 credits being electives. There are also five unique tracks for MAcc students; Audit, Tax, Managerial, Accounting Business Analytics (with a joint graduate certificate in Business Analytics), and Accounting Information Systems (with a joint graduate certificate in Information Systems). UofU also supports post-graduation career opportunities through organizing career fairs, recruiter visits, and networking events. Many graduates become CPAs and pursue careers within business, public, government, or nonprofit accounting.

Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University (UVU) offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students have three schedule options to complete their MAcc: a standard full-time schedule that takes three semesters, an accelerated full-time schedule that takes two semesters, and a part-time schedule that takes five semesters of twice-weekly evening courses. Graduates of UVU’s MAcc program are prepared to sit for the Uniform CPA exam and to pursue a variety of other licensing options, including Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Required courses prepare students to be leaders in the accounting industry and consist of both accounting and financial core classes. For the final nine credits of their program, students may choose from seven elective courses, including Information Systems Auditing, Partnership Tax, and Management Control Systems.

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Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Southern Utah University

Students can earn a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) either on-campus or entirely online through Southern Utah University (SUU). This program can be completed in just one year (two semesters), and graduates will have fulfilled the 150-credit educational requirement for CPA licensure. The curriculum emphasizes the quantitative analysis and information technology skills needed to understand tax code, government regulation, and monetary regulation in a rapidly changing business world. Students also learn professional skills and practice teamwork, management, and communication. Through a multidisciplinary curriculum, students develop the ability to apply advanced accounting concepts with a global perspective. Graduate students without an academic accounting background may need to take some prerequisite courses, also available online, before admission to the program. A dual MAcc/Master of Business Administration (MBA) is also available online through SUU and can be completed in as little as three semesters.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is an entirely online university that offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy (MAcc). WGU offers rolling monthly enrollment, so students can start either program on the first of any month. Self-paced courses allow students to graduate ahead of standard schedules. The BSBA in Accounting prepares students for an entry-level career in accounting, auditing, or bookkeeping with courses such as Cost and Managerial Accounting; Principles of Management; Quantitative Analysis For Business; and Managing in a Global Business Environment. Those interested in CPA licensure can meet the education requirements through WGU’s MAcc program, which provides the final 30 credits needed to meet the 150-credit minimum. Those enrolled in the MAcc also have access to Wiley test preparation to help prepare for the Uniform CPA exam. Courses covering accounting, finance, strategy, and management are all included in the MAcc program, which is completed in an average of two years.

Utah CPA Requirements

The Utah Commerce Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) requires that CPA candidates hold at least a bachelor’s degree and 120 semester hours of academic credit, including 24 hours of specific accounting coursework, to sit for the CPA examination. Candidates must complete all four parts of the Uniform CPA exam within 18 months and receive a score of 75 or higher on each part to qualify for licensure. Once they have passed the examination, the state requires students to complete an additional 30 credits (for a total of 150 semester credits). 2,000 hours of work experience must also be completed under the supervision of a qualified professional accountant. Finally, licensed CPAs must complete and report continued professional education (CPE) hours through educational efforts and industry events.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Utah

Utah has many possible opportunities for graduates with an accounting degree. Several large companies are located in the state, such as Adobe and Discover Financial Services, and these companies and other regional businesses may have opportunities for those with a background in accounting. Local CPA firms, such as Tanner LLC and Cook Martin Poulson (CMP) PC, or local banks, like Bank of Utah or Central Bank, may offer positions in public accounting. Accounting graduates may also work for small CPA firms or in local, state, or federal government agencies in Utah. Others may start their own businesses in the state.

Utah Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area