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. 24, 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 Massachusetts

Accounting is becoming more and more popular in terms of career choices for many students. A good accounting program can help you earn your Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. For example, there are over twenty different Massachusetts accounting schools to choose from.

Some of these schools include:

  • Assumption College
  • Boston College
  • Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
  • Salem State University
  • University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell
  • Suffolk University
  • Western New England University

If you are considering attending school in Massachusetts, look over these schools and make sure that they offer exactly what you are looking for.

Know What to Look for in a CPA Program

Every state has its own education and experience requirements in order to qualify for your CPA license. They all require a certain amount, so you’ll want to make sure that the program you choose can fulfill those educational requirements.

Many programs are tailored to guide students towards passing the very difficult CPA exam. The first thing you will want to do is to visit the program’s website.

  • Do they go into detail what their program is like?
  • Do they state that they are designed to help you earn your CPA license?
  • Are the faculty above average?

If a particular program has you interested, you should contact someone on the faculty and they can help answer any questions.

You might also want to get in touch with a current or former student. They can give you their honest opinion on the program and whether or not if suited their needs. Take your time researching schools as it’s the key to your professional career.

How to Get Your Career Started

Every state has its own requirements for qualifying for CPA licensure. Most are similar, though always be sure to check the exact requirements to ensure that you can meet them.

The most important factor is education. Most states require that you have a minimum bachelor’s degree with 150 semester hours. A certain number of those semester hours must be in accounting courses while another number must be in general business courses.

Some states require specific courses to be taken, be sure to acquaint yourself with that list. Some programs offer an accelerated program so that you can meet the 150 semester hours and get your masters in five years. Once you have completed your education, you must qualify to sit for the CPA exam.

Note that this exam is extremely difficult and is known for its low pass rate. Less than 50% of accounting students are successful. If you have passed the CPA exam, you must then take an ethics exam.

Once both exams are completed, you must also have a certain number of hours of work experience in accounting, finance, business, or other related fields, and your hours must be verified by a licensed CPA. Once you have all of this, you may then be eligible for your CPA license.

State Accounting Qualifications for New CPA’s

In the state of Massachusetts, in order to qualify for your CPA license, you must have a minimum bachelor’s degree with 150 semester hours. This program must have 30 semester hours in accounting courses and 24 semester hours of business courses.

If you get a graduate degree, you will require 30 semester hours in accounting and 18 semester hours in business. You must pass the CPA exam as well as the ethics exam. You also must have one full year or 1000 hours of experience working in public accounting under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA in good standing.

Massachusetts has several different work requirement/educational scenarios that are acceptable and it’s recommended that you research this information: https://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/pa/regulations/rules-and-regs/252-cmr-200.html#2.07

Massachusetts Accounting Salary (avg)
National Accounting Salary (avg)
$68,000
$57,000

Getting Paid: What to Expect

Before choosing any career, it’s important to figure out your earning potential. Basically, the average salary for a CPA ranges from $55,000 to $75,000 and upwards per year.

In Massachusetts, the average yearly income of a CPA in 2020 is around $58,708, however, that amount is a ballpark figure. Chances are you, you may not be earning that much when you first start out as a CPA. It all depends on where you are employed.

Some companies pay very good wages while others either cannot or will not pay that well in comparison. Of course, if you end up working independently or self-employed, you can command your own rates, but you must be qualified and highly skilled if you want to earn a larger salary.

Massachusetts Accounting Jobs
Average Salary
Big4 Accountant
$89,000
Senior Corporate Accountant
$82,000
Property Accountant
$59,000
Tax Accountant
$68,000
Bookkeeper
$46,000

Boston College’s Carroll School of Management

Massachusetts accounting training

Boston College’s Carroll School of Management is recognized for its accounting program.

With an emphasis on the accountant’s responsibilities beyond number-crunching, this program focuses on business strategies, tax strategies, adopting new technologies and bettering the discipline of accounting.

With impressive faculty members, this program aims to guide students towards earning their CPAs and becoming leaders in the accounting field.

Of all the programs in Massachusetts, this one, in particular, stands out for both its teaching of technical aspects of accounting and the cultivation of students’ analytical abilities. This program is suited for anyone who wants to learn everything they can about accounting and finance.

Massachusetts Accounting SchoolsAddress
American International College1000 State St, Springfield, MA 01109
Assumption College500 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609
Babson College231 Forest St, Babson Park, MA 02457
Bentley College175 Forest St, Waltham, MA 02452
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA 02467
Boston UniversityBoston, MA 02215
Bridgewater State University131 Summer St, Bridgewater, MA 02324
Endicott College376 Hale St, Beverly, MA 01915
Fitchburg State University160 Pearl St, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts375 Church St, North Adams, MA 01247
Merrimack College315 Turnpike St, North Andover, MA 01845
Nichols College124 Center Rd, Dudley, MA 01571
Northeastern University360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Salem State University352 Lafayette St, Salem, MA 01970
Stonehill College320 Washington St, Easton, MA 02357
Suffolk University8 Ashburton Pl, Boston, MA 02108
University of Massachusetts – AmherstAmherst, MA 01003
University of Massachusetts – Boston100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125
University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth285 Old Westport Rd, North Dartmouth, MA 02747
University of Massachusetts – Lowell1 University Ave, Lowell, MA 01854
Western New England University1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, MA 01119
Westfield State College577 Western Ave, Westfield, MA 01085
Community CollegesAddress
Bristol Community College777 Elsbree St, Fall River, MA 02720
Bunker Hill Community College250 New Rutherford Ave, Boston, MA 02129-2925
Cape Cod Community College2240 Iyannough Rd, West Barnstable, MA 02668
Greenfield Community CollegeOne College Dr, Greenfield, MA 01301
Holyoke Community College303 Homestead Ave, Holyoke, MA 01040
Massasoit Community CollegeOne Massasoit Blvd, Brockton, MA 02302
Middlesex Community College (MA)33 Kearney Sq, Lowell, MA 01852-1987
Mount Wachusett Community College444 Green St, Gardner, MA 01440
North Shore Community CollegeOne Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA 01923-4093
Northern Essex Community College100 Elliott Way, Haverhill, MA 01830
Quincy College24 Saville Ave, Ste 106, Quincy, MA 02169
Quinsigamond Community College670 W Boylston St, Worcester, MA 01606
Springfield Technical Community CollegeOne Armory Sq, Ste 1, Springfield, MA 01105

Best Accounting Programs in Massachusetts

Boston College

Based on the rankings on the 32nd Annual Professors Survey of 2013, Boston College ranked number 39 in the runner up list of the best undergraduate accounting programs in the country. Boston College’s master’s program ranked number 41 (down from number 34 in 2012).

The only program in Massachusetts to rank in the top 25 doctoral programs was Harvard University. Boston College also placed number 17 in the top 25 undergraduate accounting programs with 16-21 full-time accounting faculty.

Boston University’s accounting program ranked number 25 for programs with 15 or fewer full-time faculty. Accounting Degree Review’s Rankings and Reviews of the Best Accounting Degree Programs listed Boston College’s Carroll School of Management at number 27.

University of Massachusetts – Amherst


One of the most reputable places to start your career as an accountant is doubtlessly the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. This AACSB-accredited institution offers a flexible and comprehensive accounting program that blends coursework with experience and is respected by employers.

The University of Massachusetts offers both on-campus, online and hybrid programs to suit all types of students.

The efficient accounting degree plan means that you can complete an undergraduate degree in seven semesters and earn an additional Master’s degree all within four years and a summer. This fast, cost-effective program may suit students on the CPA track.

The Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting at Isenberg School offers business, accounting, and business law courses and electives in taxation, business information systems, international and cost accounting.

Massachusetts Accounting Graduate Students

Graduate students wishing to fulfill CPA requirements in a time-efficient way can pursue a Master of Science in Accounting degree. The 30 credits can be earned on campus (during the summer term) and online and may take between 8 months and 2 years to complete. The curriculum covers financial analysis, financial accounting, taxation, stock analysis, information technology and other courses that will prepare you for the CPA exam.

Furthermore, students at Isenberg School can also pursue a Master of Business Administration or a Ph.D. in Accounting.

Additionally, accounting students may gain extracurricular experience through participation in clubs and societies, national case studies, internships, and study abroad programs, as well as networking events organized by the school. You can also try your hand at tutoring and mentoring or participate in programs such as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Semester in the Profession internships.

Ranked 76th best university nationwide by U.S. News, the University of Massachusetts prides itself on its high standards of teaching and research and is a great place to start your accounting journey in Massachusetts.

References:

https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/depts/accounting-home
https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/undergraduate/on-campus/student-experience
https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/undergraduate/on-campus/majors/accounting
https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/undergraduate/on-campus/majors/accounting
https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/masters/ms/accounting
https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/masters/ms/accounting/student-experience

Table of Contents

  1. Know What to Look for in a CPA Program
  2. How to Get Your Career Started
  3. State Accounting Qualifications for New CPA’s
  4. Getting Paid: What to Expect
  5. Boston College’s Carroll School of Management
  6. Best Accounting Programs in Massachusetts
    1. Boston College
    2. University of Massachusetts – Amherst
    3. Massachusetts Accounting Graduate Students

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

➤