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Updated:Mar. 26, 2023
By Big 4 Accounting Firms
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Accounting Schools in Kentucky

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 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.

Kentucky Accounting Salary (avg)
National Accounting Salary (avg)
$49,000
$57,000

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
Average Salary
Big4 Accountant
$63,000
Senior Corporate Accountant
$58,000
Property Accountant
$42,000
Tax Accountant
$49,000
Bookkeeper
$33,000

The University of Louisville: A In-depth Look

Kentucky accounting training

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 SchoolsAddress
Bellarmine University2001 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
Eastern Kentucky University521 Lancaster Ave, Richmond, KY 40475
Kentucky State Unversity400 E Main St, Frankfort, KY 40601
Kentucky Wesleyan College3000 Frederica St, Owensboro, KY 42301
Morehead State University150 University Blvd, Morehead, KY 40351
Murray State University102 Curris Center, Murray, KY 42071
Northern Kentucky University100 Louie B Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY 41099
Pikeville College147 Sycamore St, Pikeville, KY 41501
Thomas More College333 Thomas More Pkwy, Crestview Hills, KY 41017
University of KentuckyLexington, KY 40506
University of Louisville2301 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40292
Western Kentucky University1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Community CollegesAddress
Ashland Community & Technical College1400 College Dr, Ashland, KY 41101
Big Sandy Community & Technical CollegeOne Bert T Combs Dr, Prestonberg, KY 41653
Bluegrass Community & Technical College470 Cooper Dr, Lexington, KY 40506-0235
Elizabethtown Community & Technical College600 College Street Rd, Elizabethtown, KY 42701-3199
Gateway Community & Technical College500 Technology Way, Florence, KY 41042
Hazard Community & Technical CollegeOne Community College Dr, Hazard, KY 41701-2402
Henderson Community College2660 S Green St, Henderson, KY 42420
Hopkinsville Community College720 North Dr, Hopkinsville, KY 42241-2100
Jefferson Community & Technical College109 E Broadway, Louiseville, KY 40202
Madisonville Community College2000 College Dr, Madisonville, KY 42431
Madisonville Community College2000 College Dr, Madisonville, KY 42431
Maysville Community & Technical College1755 US Hwy 68, Maysville, KY 41056
Owensboro Community & Technical College4800 New Hartford Rd, Owensboro, KY 42303
Somerset Community College808 Monticello St, Somerset, KY 42501
Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College1845 Loop Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Southeast KY Community & Technical College700 College Rd, Cumberland, KY 40823
West Kentucky Community & Technical College4810 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.

Featured Accounting Programs

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

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