The Big 4 Accounting Firms

Breaking down the biggest accounting and cpa firms

  • CPA Prep Courses
    • Becker CPA Review
    • Gleim CPA Review
    • Surgent CPA Review
  • Best Firms
    • The Top 10 Accounting Firms In The US: 2023
    • Top 20 Accounting Firms in The World
    • Best Accounting Firms to Work For
  • Best Schools
    • The 50 Best Accounting Schools in the USA
    • Best Forensic Accounting Programs
    • Top 20 Bachelors in Accounting Degree Schools Online
    • Best Online Accounting Degree Schools (Graduate & Undergrad)
    • Accounting Schools by State
    • Best College Admissions Consultants
  • Blog
    • Best Accounting Certifications
    • How to Become An Accountant
    • Accounting Internships
  • Discounts
    • Becker Promo Codes
  • Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors
Updated:May. 27, 2025
By Big 4 Accounting Firms
You’re our #1 priority.
100% of the time.

We believe everybody should be able to make online purchases with confidence. And while our website doesn’t feature every test prep company or review course in the universe, we’re proud that the advice we offer and the information we provide is accurate, truthful, objective - and entirely free.

So how do we actually make money? It’s simple, our partners compensate us. While this may influence which products we review and write about, and where they show up on the site, it absolutely does not influence our recommendations or guidance, which are formed by hundreds of hours of research and analysis. Check out our partners here.

What’s the bottom line? We’re on your team and are passionate about helping you achieve your career goals, even if it means we don’t make a dime.

Accounting Schools in Louisiana

More than 40 Louisiana schools offer accounting degree programs at all levels, from accounting certificates to PhD programs. Out of these, Louisiana State University was nominated as 22nd best by the 2013 Public Accounting Report survey of Master’s level accounting programs in the medium-sized institution category.

The New-Orleans-based Tulane University was ranked as 52nd best national university by US News, with its A. B. Freeman School of Business securing the 63rd place among business schools.

Prospective accountants can choose from a range of effective degree programs and benefit from good employment opportunities upon graduation, as accounting is a growing field in Louisiana.

This goes against the national trend of an ever-decreasing number of accounting professionals.

Tips for Choosing the Right Accounting Program

Accounting is a high-level profession that requires specific skills and an excellent knowledge of the business environment.

The accounting program that you choose can have a tremendous impact on your career, starting with your chances to succeed on the difficult CPA examination and ending with the job you will take as a graduate.

This is why you should carefully research all aspects of an accounting school before enrolling.

The program should be:

  • AACSBS-accredited
  • Rigorous and challenging
  • Career-oriented

There are some statistics that you can ask to see in order to assess the quality of a program: the students’ evaluations of the instructors, the CPA exam pass rate of program graduates and the graduate employment level.

Make sure you check the most recent figures and also take a look at the national standing of the school you are considering.

Employability should also be a strong focus of the ideal accounting program. Try to research extracurricular opportunities, internships and placements offered by the school, as well as the accounting firms present at the school’s careers fair.

The program should prepare you not only for the academic difficulties of the CPA exam, but also for the real-world challenges of an accounting career – which starts right on campus, with your studies.

How to Become an Accountant or CPA

Accountants are known for being well-versed in business and finances, as well as analytic and meticulous. Their activity is essential for keeping the financial records of any company in good order.

As the role comes with great responsibility, excellent qualifications are a requirement for prospective accountants and Certified Public Accountants.

A four-year Bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement for working as an accountant, but additional credits amounting to 150 semester hours have to be earned to qualify for the CPA exam.

To apply for a CPA license, you must pass all sections of the CPA exam, acquire at least one year of accounting experience, as well as complete and pass an ethics course. As a licensed CPA, you might need to undertake continuing professional education courses regularly throughout your career.

While this may seem like a difficult career path, there are many advantages to holding a CPA license, such as a wider range of employment opportunities and a higher pay level.

Louisiana CPA Requirements

In Louisiana, candidates for the CPA examination are required to hold at least a baccalaureate degree and to have completed 150 semester hours of college education.

These must include:

  • 24 credits in accounting courses
  • 24 credits in business courses
  • Including 3 hours of business law covering the topics of commercial transactions and the Uniform Commercial Code.

After you have fulfilled the educational requirements, you will need to pass all four sections of the challenging CPA examination.

One year of full-time accounting experience (2,000 hours) is also required before you can be issued a CPA certificate.

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

Accounting Salaries in Louisiana

Louisiana accountants report medium pay levels compared to the national average. In 2013, the annual medium wage for accountants and auditors in Louisiana was $63,090, almost as high as the national average of approximately $65,000.

The average salary in Louisiana can rise to $67,000-$68,000 in metropolitan areas such as Alexandria or New Orleans.

Graduates in the field of accounting benefit from good starting salaries and a significant increase of pay levels with experience. The number of accounting professionals working in Louisiana has been increasing in the past years, contrary to the national trend, and salaries have also increased at a rate similar to that of other professions.

While not in the top of US states in terms of accounting employment and pay levels, Louisiana offers good opportunities for highly skilled accountants.

Louisiana Accounting Jobs
Average Salary
Big4 Accountant
$64,000
Senior Corporate Accountant
$59,000
Property Accountant
$43,000
Tax Accountant
$49,000
Bookkeeper
$33,000

Accounting Program Sneak Peek

Louisiana accounting training

The E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University is ranked as the 65th best in the country by US News and highly rated by the 2013 PAR survey.

The school offers accounting study options at all levels: a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Master of Science in Accounting that allows students to qualify for taking the CPA exam, as well as a PhD program in the field.

Students benefit from plenty of opportunities to gain work experience during their studies through the accounting internship program and the activity of student organizations on campus.

An efficient careers center connects students to employers and helps graduates shape their career. The school reported a 90% graduate employment rate in 2013, with the highest percentage of students employed in accounting and finance.

While the CPA exam rates at the Louisiana State University are below average, the program could help motivated accounting students launch their careers by providing them with experience and advanced skills.

Louisiana Accounting SchoolsAddress
Centenary College of Louisiana2911 Centenary Blvd, Shreveport, LA 71104
Dillard University2601 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70122
Grambling State University403 Main St, Grambling, LA 71245
Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LA 70803
Louisiana State University – Shreveport1 University Pl, Shreveport, LA 71115
Louisiana Tech University305 Wisteria St, Ruston, LA 71272
Loyola University – New Orleans6363 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118
McNeese State University4205 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605
Nicholls State University906 E 1st St, Thibodaux, LA 70310
Northwestern State University of Louisiana444 Caspari St, Natchitoches, LA 71457
Southeastern Louisiana University500 Western Ave, Hammond, LA 70402
Southern University at Baton Rouge801 Harding Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70807
Tulane University6823 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118
University of Louisiana at Lafayette104 E University Ave, Lafayette, LA 70504
University of Louisiana at Monroe700 University Ave, Monroe, LA 71209
University of New Orleans2000 Lakeshore Dr, New Orleans, LA 70148
Xavier University of Louisiana1 Drexel Dr, New Orleans, LA 70125
Community CollegesAddress
Baton Rouge Community College201 Community College Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70806-4156
Bossier Parish Community College6220 E Texas St, Bossier City, LA 71111
Delgado Community College615 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
Louisiana Delta Community College7500 Millhaven Rd, monroe, LA 71203
Louisiana State University- Eunice2048 Johnson Hwy, Eunice, LA 70535
South Louisiana Community College320 Devalcourt St, Lafayette, LA 70506
Southern University at Shreveport3050 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Shreveport, LA 71107
Sowela Technical Community College3820 Senator J Bennett Johnston Ave, Lake Charles, LA 70615-6950

Top Ranked Accounting Program in Louisiana

The Freeman Business School at the University of Tulane was awarded 12th place in the Businessweek ranking of 2012 for its undergraduate accounting program.

Students at the Freeman School may choose to pursue a major in accounting designed to prepare them for public or corporate accounting, as well as for the CPA examination.

The school also offers a 30-credit Master of Accounting degree covering advanced topics. Master’s graduates are qualified to sit for the CPA exam and become licensed CPAs.

Graduates of the Freeman Master of Accounting program report a 95% rate of employment three months after graduation, with a median starting salary of $55,000.

A broad range of recruiters target graduates of this program, including the “Big Four” firms.

Comprehensive and career-oriented, the University of Tulane accounting program opens to students a wealth of opportunities in the thriving New Orleans business world and beyond.

References:

https://www.accountingcoach.com/careers/colleges-universities-accounting-degrees
https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/news/documents/PARSurvey2013-BaruchRankings.pdf
https://www.accountingcoach.com/careers/cpa-requirements
https://cpaboard.state.la.us/becoming-a-cpa/
https://www.bls.gov/oes/2013/may/oes_la.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132011.htm#(1)
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Public_Accountant_(CPA)/Salary
https://www.accountingdegreetoday.com/schools/louisiana/
https://www.educationnews.org/career-index/accounting-schools-in-louisiana/
https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/tulane-university-freeman-01099
https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/louisiana-state-university-baton-rouge-ourso-01092
https://www.freeman.tulane.edu/programs/macct/

Table of Contents

  1. Tips for Choosing the Right Accounting Program
  2. How to Become an Accountant or CPA
  3. Louisiana CPA Requirements
  4. Accounting Salaries in Louisiana
  5. Accounting Program Sneak Peek
  6. Top Ranked Accounting Program in Louisiana

Accountant Training

  • 50 Best Accounting Schools
  • Top 25 Accounting Certifications
  • Top 20 Firms in The World
  • Accounting Internships 101
  • Top 10 US Accounting Firms
  • How to Become an Accountant
  • Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors
  • CPA Prep Courses
  • Best Firms
  • Best Schools
  • Blog
  • Discounts
  • Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors

Part of the McClatchy Media Network
Copyright © 2025 · Careers · About Us · Policies and Disclosures · Terms of Service · Contact Us · Editorial Policy · Advertise With Us

CFA® Institute does not endorse, promote or warrant the accuracy or quality of big4accountingfirms.org. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA® Institute

➤