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Updated:May. 29, 2025
By Big 4 Accounting Firms
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Accounting Schools in Colorado

colorado accounting programs
For many, the idea of a career in accounting is very appealing, but it is not an easy road to take. There are very strict requirements that must be met, most importantly, education.

It’s important to find a good accounting program. In the state of Colorado, there are about a dozen accounting programs to choose from:

  • Adams State College
  • Colorado State University
  • Fort Lewis College
  • University of Colorado (3 locations: Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver)
  • University of Denver
  • Western State College of Colorado

Where to Start in Colorado

If you are planning on going the whole way with accounting and qualifying for your certified public accountant (CPA) licence, you must be very good at accounting. In order to gain the knowledge and expertise to become a CPA you will require a good education that challenges you to learn some very complex financial concepts.

The CPA exam is extremely difficult, so you must choose your schooling carefully. Be sure to put a lot of time into your research when looking for the right accounting program for you. Check the program’s website.

  • What kinds of courses do they offer?
  • Do they tailor their program to prepare students for their CPA?
  • Do they have an accelerated program? Are their faculty any good?

You can contact the school for more information or even to arrange a tour to see for yourself. It also wouldn’t hurt to get into contact with a current or former student and to hear what they have to say about their experience there.

Finding the right school is very important and should not be done at the last minute, as this is your future.

What You Need to Succeed

Every state has its own requirements for becoming a CPA. While most states are similar in their requirements, it’s important to check the list for whichever state you are hoping to practice in. The most important thing is education.

Most states require that you complete a minimum bachelors degree with 150 semester hours.

A certain number of those hours must be in accounting courses while another amount must be in high level business courses. Once you’ve completed your schooling, you must take the infamous CPA exam.

This exam is known to be very difficult to pass and boasts a very low pass rate. Almost half of all accounting students fail the exam. If you pass the exam, you must then take an ethics exam.

On top of all this and your schooling, you will also need a certain number of hours of experience working in accounting, taxes, finance, management or other similar positions and your hours must be verified by a licensed CPA. Once you have met all of the requirements, you are eligible to apply for your CPA license.

Accounting Requirements for Colorado Professionals

In Colorado, in order to qualify for your CPA license you have the choice of either entering with a mixture of education and experience or just education.

For the former, you must have a minimum bachelor’s degree with twenty four semester hours in accounting, three semester hours in audit, and twenty one semester hours in general business related courses, with no more than six hours in any subject.

You must also have a minimum of one year or 1800 hours in finance, accounting, taxes or other related services under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA.

In order to enter with education alone, you must have a masters degree, doctoral degree, or bachelor’s degree with thirty additional semester hours. You must have thirty nine semester hours in accounting, six hours in audit, and thirty six hours in general business related courses with no more than nine hours in each subject.

You will need to pass both the CPA exam and ethics exam. You must pay a fee as well. In order to find out more about qualifying for your CPA in Colorado, please see: https://nasba.org/licensure/nasbalicensing/colorado/

Colorado Accounting Salary (avg)
National Accounting Salary (avg)
$51,000
$57,000

Typical Colorado Annual Salaries

Money is often the motivator when people make important life decisions. Choosing your career carefully, you will want to make a decent wage. In the US, the average yearly income for a CPA is anywhere between $55,000 to $75,000 per year.

In Colorado, the average salary for a CPA is $72,500 per year. This is not necessarily how much you would be making right away, but it is a ballpark figure for the average CPA.

Your annual salary would depend on several factors including demand for your services, your level of expertise, what kind of company you work for, whether they are a larger company who can afford to pay you generously, or a smaller company with smaller purse strings, and if you work independently, you may charge as you see fit.

Colorado Accounting Jobs
Average Salary
Big4 Accountant
$66,000
Senior Corporate Accountant
$61,000
Property Accountant
$44,000
Tax Accountant
$51,000
Bookkeeper
$34,000

Colorado State University

Colorado accounting trainingColorado State University’s accounting program is within their College of Business. They have a very high success rate in job placement after the program.

With much emphasis on research, this program offers students a comprehensive approach to complex financial concepts.

In order to complete the required 150 semester hours for the CPA qualifications, it is advised that you speak with an academic advisor to help you fulfill your requirements.

The accounting curriculum does meet the 150 semester hour educational background requirement for sitting the CPA exam. This program has been recognized as a good program choice for accounting students.

Colorado Universities


Adams State College208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81102
Colorado State UniversityFort Collins, CO 80523
Colorado State University - Pueblo2200 Bonforte Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81001
Fort Lewis College1000 Rim Dr, Durango, CO 81301
Mesa State College1100 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Metropolitan State College of Denver890 Auraria Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
University of Colorado at BoulderBoulder, CO 80309
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
University of Colorado at Denver1250 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
University of Denver2199 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80208
University of Northern Colorado1700 9th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631
Western State College of Colorado600 Adam St, Gunnison, CO 81230

Colorado Community Colleges


Arapahoe Community College5900 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80160-9002
Colorado Mountain College802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Colorado Northwestern Community College500 Kennedy Dr, Rangely, Co, 81648
Community College of Aurora16000 E CentreTech Pkwy, Aurora, Co 800119036
Community College of DenverDenver, CO 80217-3363
Front Range Community College3645 W 112th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031-2199
Lamar Community College2401 S Main St, Lamar, Co 81052
Morgan Community College920 Barlow Rd, Fort Morgan, , CO 80701
Northeastern Junior College100 College Ave, Sterling, CO, 80751

The Best Colorado Programs for Accounting

Colorado University

According to the 32nd Annual Professors Survey of 2013, Colorado State University’s undergraduate program was ranked 43rd in the runner up list. It also placed number nineteen in the top 25 undergraduate schools with 1621 full-time accounting faculty.

University of Colorado placed number nineteen in the top 25 undergraduate schools with 15 or fewer full-time accounting faculty. Colorado State University Global Campus is also respected for its online accounting degree program that offers a BS in accounting. Colorado does not have that many programs, though some definitely are better than others.

University of Denver


The University of Denver ranks 88th nationwide according to U.S. News. Its prestigious Daniels College of Business made the top spot in Colorado for both its undergraduate program and its part-time MBA in the 2013 Businessweek ranking. With additional recognition from sources such as Forbes, Princeton Review and Huffington Post, this AACSB-accredited school is a great place to kick-start your career as an accountant.

Founded in 1908, the well established Daniels School of Accountancy at the University of Denver offers a major and a minor in Accounting as part of its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. Alternatively, students can opt for the competitive Bachelor of Science in Accountancy offering core business courses and in-depth knowledge of accounting topics.

Students on the CPA track may pursue the unique 40-credit Master of Accountancy program. The degree plan consists of core accounting courses, accounting electives in valuation, taxation and IT, and Daniels Compass courses to give you a flavor of enterprise software and business ethics.

The Daniels Master of Accountancy program boasts a 95% graduate employment rate including positions with the Big Four.

What is more, motivated students wishing to fulfill CPA requirements faster may earn a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Accountancy within five years (226 credits) by enrolling on the intense 3/2 program.

The Daniels College of Business also offers great opportunities for extracurricular experience. Students can get involved in accounting organizations such as Beta Alpha Psi and participate in community service (such as volunteer income tax assistance for low-income individuals and international students or accounting services for community events). Networking opportunities abound and a strong alumni network will ensure support even after you graduate.

With an excellent reputation and professional connections and continuously accredited by AACSB since 1923, Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver has all the hallmarks of an excellent accounting program that can set you apart in a competitive business world.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniels_College_of_Business#Rankings
https://daniels.du.edu/about/rankings/
https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-graduate-schools/university-of-denver-127060
https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/university-of-denver-daniels-01038
https://www.du.edu/learn/graduates/degreeprograms/
https://daniels.du.edu/masters-degrees/accountancy/
https://daniels.du.edu/masters-degrees/accountancy/overview/

Table of Contents

  1. Where to Start in Colorado
  2. What You Need to Succeed
  3. Accounting Requirements for Colorado Professionals
  4. Typical Colorado Annual Salaries
  5. Colorado State University
  6. Colorado Universities
  7. Colorado Community Colleges
  8. The Best Colorado Programs for Accounting
    1. Colorado University
    2. University of Denver

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