Kentucky accounting students can choose between over 35 institutions offering accounting degrees at all levels. These include two universities ranked in the top 200 in the country by US News.
For example, a past survey from Public Accounting Report rated the University of Kentucky very highly. In fact, it named this school the 23rd best medium-sized institution with an undergraduate accounting program.
Ultimately, Kentucky accounting schools don’t have the best rankings nationwide. However, their accounting courses and degree programs offer plenty of viable choices for aspiring full-time professionals. As an accounting graduate, you’ll find yourself in a lucrative and rapidly growing field!
Although accounting salaries are below average in Kentucky, accountants can increase their pay level significantly depending on the career path they choose, which can lead anywhere between being a public accountant and the CEO of a major company.
Identifying The Top CPA Schools
Like many high-level professions, an accounting career starts at university. You’ll need advanced skills, an analytic mind, and a great deal of experience in order to succeed as an accountant. Furthermore, employers at accounting firms will expect you to hold all of these assets as a graduate.
The first thing to remember when choosing an institution is that accounting isn’t easy. For that matter, neither should the accounting program you attend!
Choose the most challenging and rigorous program you think you can handle. Look for award-winning faculty and students as well as high CPA exam pass rates. Additionally, make sure the program will allow you to meet the credit requirements for taking and passing the CPA exam. Even if you don’t intend to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) right now, this will come in handy if you change your mind later!
Secondly, an accounting program should turn you into a professional ready for on-the-job success. Look at the school’s graduate employment rates and starting salaries and check whether the curriculum involves real-world experience in accounting through internships or field study projects.
Student organizations and a busy careers fair can also provide insight into the opportunities you will have as a student.
Finally, don’t forget to look beyond rankings for the right blend of advanced technical competence and hands-on experience that can drive you to the very top of your profession.
The First Step Towards Becoming a Pro
Accountants are more in demand than ever. This has mainly to do with a changing business world: new and complex problems brought about by globalization and economic fluctuations. Do you have a flair for business and an aptitude for financial analysis? If so, an accounting background can take you far in your career. Accounting majors have a bright future working at CPA firms or other business administration positions.
You’ll need at least a four-year Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field in order to work as an accountant. However, to become a CPA you will be required to complete at least 150 credit hours of college education. Typically, this includes a certain number of accounting and business courses.
You’ll also need to pass all four sections of the notoriously difficult CPA examination. As previously mentioned, you’ll need to fulfill some requirements before you can apply for your license. The standard is that you must acquire one or two years of accounting experience. However, this can vary depending on your state’s requirements.
While becoming a licensed CPA involves additional challenges, it can bring you significant advantages in terms of pay and employment opportunities and can help you build a rewarding and exciting future.
Kentucky CPA Standards
Do you want to be eligible to take the CPA exam in Kentucky? According to their state board of accountancy, you’ll need to hold a baccalaureate or higher degree with an accounting concentration. This is defined as at least 39 hours in business-related courses, including 27 hours in accounting.
You don’t need to fulfill the 150-credit requirement to take the exam itself. However, you will have to complete the 150 hours in order to be granted a license.
After you have passed the CPA exam and met the education requirements, you will also need to acquire one year of accounting experience before you can apply for a CPA license. There is no residency requirement in this state, but candidates for licensure have to be at least 18 years old.
Average Payscale for Kentucky
Kentucky ranks among the states where being an accountant is more lucrative than average. As of 2020, the average annual salary for a Kentucky accounting professional is $56,560. Furthermore, accountants working in a metropolitan area such as Lexington-Fayette can expect to earn even more.
Such a difference is typical of a profession with huge variations in pay depending on the area, experience, skills, and employment sector.
Kentucky has seen a steady increase in the number of accounting professionals, as well as a growing need for young CPAs able to incorporate technology and new insights into their practice.
Qualified graduates are thus in a great position to start their career and opportunities abound even though Kentucky does not stand out in terms of average accounting salaries and employment levels.
| Kentucky Accounting Jobs | |
|---|---|
| Big4 Accountant | |
| Senior Corporate Accountant | |
| Property Accountant | |
| Tax Accountant | |
| Bookkeeper |
The University of Louisville: A In-depth Look
Ranked as 161st nationwide by US News, the University of Louisville offers an alternative to prospective accounting students.
The AACBS-accredited College of Business offers a BSBA in Accountancy with the possibility to undertake an additional concentration in Information Systems.
Moreover, the university’s Flight Plan is designed to help students stay on track and finish their degree within four years.
Students aiming for CPA certification may study for the Master of Accountancy degree that provides advanced expertise in taxation, audit, corporate accounting and reporting, as well as information systems, data analytics, and research tools.
The degree also prepares students for the CPA exam by incorporating the Becker CPA Review course. Thanks to Kentucky state legislation, candidates can take the CPA exam while studying for their Master’s degree.
If you have an undergraduate degree in a different field, the University of Louisville offers you the possibility to complete a Certificate in Accounting in order to prepare for the CPA exam.
| Kentucky Accounting Schools | Address |
|---|---|
| Bellarmine University | 2001 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY 40205 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | 521 Lancaster Ave, Richmond, KY 40475 |
| Kentucky State Unversity | 400 E Main St, Frankfort, KY 40601 |
| Kentucky Wesleyan College | 3000 Frederica St, Owensboro, KY 42301 |
| Morehead State University | 150 University Blvd, Morehead, KY 40351 |
| Murray State University | 102 Curris Center, Murray, KY 42071 |
| Northern Kentucky University | 100 Louie B Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY 41099 |
| Pikeville College | 147 Sycamore St, Pikeville, KY 41501 |
| Thomas More College | 333 Thomas More Pkwy, Crestview Hills, KY 41017 |
| University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY 40506 |
| University of Louisville | 2301 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40292 |
| Western Kentucky University | 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101 |
| Community Colleges | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashland Community & Technical College | 1400 College Dr, Ashland, KY 41101 |
| Big Sandy Community & Technical College | One Bert T Combs Dr, Prestonberg, KY 41653 |
| Bluegrass Community & Technical College | 470 Cooper Dr, Lexington, KY 40506-0235 |
| Elizabethtown Community & Technical College | 600 College Street Rd, Elizabethtown, KY 42701-3199 |
| Gateway Community & Technical College | 500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042 |
| Hazard Community & Technical College | One Community College Dr, Hazard, KY 41701-2402 |
| Henderson Community College | 2660 S Green St, Henderson, KY 42420 |
| Hopkinsville Community College | 720 North Dr, Hopkinsville, KY 42241-2100 |
| Jefferson Community & Technical College | 109 E Broadway, Louiseville, KY 40202 |
| Madisonville Community College | 2000 College Dr, Madisonville, KY 42431 |
| Madisonville Community College | 2000 College Dr, Madisonville, KY 42431 |
| Maysville Community & Technical College | 1755 US Hwy 68, Maysville, KY 41056 |
| Owensboro Community & Technical College | 4800 New Hartford Rd, Owensboro, KY 42303 |
| Somerset Community College | 808 Monticello St, Somerset, KY 42501 |
| Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College | 1845 Loop Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101 |
| Southeast KY Community & Technical College | 700 College Rd, Cumberland, KY 40823 |
| West Kentucky Community & Technical College | 4810 Alben Barkley Dr, Paducah, KY 42002-7380 |
Gatton College of Business and Economics: Our Favorite Kentucky Program
The Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky is rated as the 100th best in the country by US News and made the PAR 2013 listing of best accounting programs in the medium-sized institution category. Students can earn a 120-credit Bachelor of Science and a 30-credit Master of Science in Accounting at this prestigious school.
If you wish to sit for the CPA exam, the Master of Science in Accounting offers you the opportunity to take the exam while earning the degree. You will need at least 24 hours in accounting in order to enroll on this demanding course.
The program had an incredible 2013 CPA exam pass rate of 100% for candidates who sat for all four sections in the year of graduation.
The Gatton College also boasts good graduate employment rates, with the “Big Four” firms recruiting significant numbers of graduates every year. With coursework designed to prepare you for the CPA exam and to equip you with advanced accounting skills, a Gatton education will place you at a definite advantage in the job market.
References:
https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/university-of-kentucky-gatton-01090
https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings/undergraduate_mba_profiles/kentucky.html
https://www.becker.com/cpa-review/resources/about-exam/requirements/kentucky-cpa-exam-requirements
https://www.educationnews.org/career-index/accounting-schools-in-kentucky/
https://business.louisville.edu/master-of-accountancy/
https://business.louisville.edu/accountancy/
https://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-louisville-1999
https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/2014/02/youth-technology-will-drive-the-next.html?page=all