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. 29, 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 New York

top accounting programs in ny

It’s not uncommon to hear of high-quality accountants coming out of New York. Truthfully, the wide variety of accounting programs in New York offers a unique opportunity to those in the Empire State. Among some of the more well-known schools are NYU, City College of New York (Baruch), and Cornell.

That being said, don’t forget about some of the smaller programs that deliver impressive accountants:

  • State University of New York (Albany, Buffalo, Fredonia, Oswego, and others)
  • City University of New York (Brooklyn College, Queens College, and others).
  • Ithaca College
  • Long Island University
  • Syracuse University
  • Utica College

Do Your Research on Schools

You wouldn’t make any huge life decisions without doing a little research first, so treat this decision with great care. First off, you’ll want to check online to see which programs are offered in your area, or wherever you’re willing to relocate to.

Try not to settle for the school that’s most convenient for you. After all, their program may not be very good, or they may not even offer the correct program to lead you to earn your CPA.

Contact the school to see if they have any additional information for you. Furthermore, you can research the staff and see how they are rated on different websites.

Additionally, try to get in touch with an alumnus of the program. They can tell you about their experience and whether or not they would recommend it to others.

Figure out how far you want to go in your accounting career. If you want to go as high as you can, try to find a program that will prepare you for the very difficult CPA exam.

What Do You Need to Get Your Certificate?

Every state has its own requirements in order to qualify for your CPA license. You should know that it is a very long, difficult road to getting your license but very rewarding in the end.

First of all, you will require education, usually a bachelor’s degree at minimum. For the most part, at least 150 credit programs are required.

A certain amount of credits must be in accounting and another amount in business courses. There are other ways to meet the educational needs, however, as some programs offer accelerated degree programs.

Once you have completed your education, you will need to qualify for the CPA exam, which is very difficult and boasts a very low pass rate. If you pass, you will then have to write an ethics exam.

Once you have passed that, you will also need to have a certain number of hours of work experience in finance, taxes, accounting or other related jobs.

If you have completed the educational requirements, passed the exam and completed the specified number of hours of work experience, you can then qualify for your CPA license.

Minimum Qualifications for License in New York

In the state of New York, in order to qualify for your CPA, you must have a minimum bachelor’s degree with 150 semester credits. Of those, 33 semester hours must be in accounting and 36 semester hours in business. Alternatively, you could have a Master’s degree OR fifteen years experience under the direct supervision of a CPA or a New York State public accountant.

Additionally, you must take the CPA exam with a passing score of 75. All in all, you’ll need two years of full-time work experience or the part-time equivalent.

Be sure to research all of the requirements as certain subjects must be taken and there are certain steps in applying.

New York Accounting Salary (avg)
National Accounting Salary (avg)
$69,000
$57,000

Higher Salary, Higher Cost of Living

Understandably, most people would want to know what they could potentially be earning in a year before they decide what career path they want to take.

Keep in mind that you may not be making the standard amount as soon as you enter the accounting workforce as a CPA. In New York City, the average annual salary for an accountant is $65,291 in 2025.

Ultimately, it all depends on who you work for. If you’re employed with a larger company based in NYC, you’ll probably be paid well. Alternatively, a smaller company in a city like Rochester is likely to give a modest salary. Finally, expect not to make too much if you’re self-employed or starting your own small business. It all depends on what level you’re working at and where you are employed.

New York Accounting Jobs
Average Salary
Big4 Accountant
$90,000
Senior Corporate Accountant
$83,000
Property Accountant
$60,000
Tax Accountant
$69,000
Bookkeeper
$46,000

City University of New York – Baruch College

New York accounting training

City University of New York – Baruch College offers a very good accounting program through Stan Ross Department of Accountancy, providing students with the technical tools and knowledge needed to succeed in becoming an accountant.

This school prepares students for managerial and high-level positions in finance. In order to qualify for the CPA exam, you must have a certain number of credit courses, of which this program abides by.

They offer a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting or a Masters of Science in accounting or taxation, as well as other programs to achieve the desired number of credits.

Take a look at their website to see what they are all about, what they offer, and what you need to do to apply there: https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/ugradprograms/acc.htm

If you decide to go with this school, be sure to go to their campus and see what they’re all about first. Perhaps you will find that this is the perfect place for your career as an accountant to begin.

New York Accounting SchoolsAddress
Adelphi University1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
Alfred University1 Saxon Dr, Alfred, NY 14802
Canisius College2001 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14208
Columbia University116th St and Broadway, New York, NY 10027
CUNY – Baruch College55 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010
CUNY – Brooklyn College2900 Bedford Ave, New York, NY 11210
CUNY – Hunter College695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065
CUNY – Lehman College250 Bedford Park Blvd W, New York, NY 10468
CUNY – Medgar Evers College1650 Bedford Ave, New York, NY 11225
CUNY – Queens College65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367
Daemen College4380 Main St, Amherst, NY 14226
Dowling College150 Idle Hour Blvd, Oakdale, NY 11769
Fordham UniversityBronx, NY 10458
Hartwick College1 Hartwick Dr, Oneonta, NY 13820
Hofstra University1000 Fulton Ave, Hempstead, NY 11550
Houghton College1 Willard Ave, Houghton, NY 14744
Iona College715 North Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Ithaca College953 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
Le Moyne College1419 Salt Springs Rd, Syracuse, NY 13214
Long Island University – Brooklyn Campus1 University Plaza, New York, NY 11201
Long Island University – C.W. Post Campus720 Northern Blvd, Brookville, NY 11548
Manhattan College4513 Manhattan College Pkwy, Riverdale, NY 10463
Marist College3399 N Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Mercy College555 N Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
Mount Saint Mary College330 Powell Ave, Newburgh, NY 12550
Nazareth College of Rochester4245 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14618
New York Institute of Technology1855 N Broadway, New York, NY 10023
New York University70 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012
Niagara University5795 Lewiston Rd, Niagara Univ, NY 14109
Pace University1 Pace Plaza, New York, NY 10038
Rochester Institute of Technology1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester, NY 14623
Russell Sage College65 1st St, Troy, NY 12180
Siena College515 Loudon Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211
St. Bonaventure University3261 W State Rd, St Bonaventure, NY 14778
St. Francis College180 Remsen St, New York, NY 11201
St. John Fisher College3690 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14618
St. John’s University8000 Utopia Pkwy, Queens, NY 11439
St. Thomas Aquinas College125 New York 340, Sparkill, NY 10976
SUNY at Albany1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222
SUNY at Binghamton4400 Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, NY 13902
SUNY at Buffalo12 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260
SUNY at New Paltz1 Hawk Dr, New Paltz, NY 12561
SUNY College at Brockport350 New Campus Dr, Brockport, NY 14420
SUNY College at Fredonia280 Central Ave, Fredonia, NY 14063
SUNY College at Geneseo1 College Cir, Geneseo, NY 14454
SUNY College at Old Westbury223 Store Hill Rd, Old Westbury, NY 11568
SUNY College at Oswego7060 New York 104, Oswego, NY 13126
SUNY College at Plattsburgh101 Broad St, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome100 Seymour Rd Utica, NY 13502
Syracuse University900 S Crouse Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210
Utica College1600 Burrstone Rd, Utica, NY 13502
Wagner College1 Campus Rd, Staten Island, NY 10301
Yeshiva University500 W 185th St, New York, NY 10033
Community CollegesAddress
Adirondack Community College640 Bay Rd, Queensbury, NY 12804
Borough of Manhattan Community College199 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007
Broome Community College907 Upper Front St, Binghamton, NY 13902
Cayuga County Community College197 Franklin St, Auburn, NY 13021-3099
Clinton Community College (NY)136 Clinton Point Dr, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Corning Community CollegeOne Academic Dr, Corning, NY 14830
Dutchess Community College53 Pendell Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601
Fulton-Montgomery Community College2805 State Hwy 67, Johnstown, NY 12095
Genesee Community CollegeOne College Rd, Batavia, NY 14020-9704
Herkimer County Community College100 Reservoir Rd, Herkimer, NY 13350
Hudson Valley Community College80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180
Jamestown Community College525 Falconer St, Jamestown, NY 14701
Jefferson Community College1220 Coffeen St, Watertown, NY 13601
Kingsborough Community College2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11235
LaGuardia Community College31-10 Thomson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Mohawk Valley Community College1101 Sherman Dr, Utica, NY 13501
Monroe Community College1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623-5780
Onondaga Community College4585 W Seneca Tpke, Syracuse, NY 13215
Orange County Community College115 South St, middletown, NY 10940
Queensborough Community College222-05 56th Ave, Bayside, NY 11364
Rockland Community College145 College Rd, Suffern, NY 10901
Stella and Charles Guttman Community College50 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018
Tompkins-Cortland Community College170 North St, Dryden, NY 13053-0139
Ulster County Community CollegeStone Ridge, NY 12484-0557
Westchester Community College75 Grasslands Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595

Best Accounting Programs in New York

Baruch College Wins in New York

According to the 32nd Annual Professor’s Survey of 2013, City University of New York – Baruch College ranked at number fifteen, (up from number 24 in 2012) for the top 25 undergraduate programs in the country.

New York University made it on the runner up list. CUNY’s Baruch College also ranked at number eighteen (up from 26 in 2012) for its Master’s program but did not place for the doctoral program.

It also placed number eleven in the top 25 schools with 22+ full-time accounting staff for the undergraduate program, and number twelve for the Master’s program. Overall, Baruch College has the best-ranked accounting program in New York.

New York University


New York University ranks 32nd among national universities according to U.S. News, while the accounting department of its Stern School of Business is listed as 9th best nationwide.

Students at the Stern School of Business can pursue a business degree with a major in accounting, covering areas such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, financial statement analysis, and financial reporting.

Prospective Certified Public Accountants can opt for the BS-MS program which allows them to earn the required credits through a Master’s degree with advanced coursework in accounting, auditing, and taxation. The prestigious MBA offered by Stern school will provide expertise in accounting topics as well as broad business knowledge. Alternatively, students may consider the undergraduate CPA track.

New York University also offers a Ph.D. in Accounting ranked 7th best nationwide by U.S. News which does not require applicants to hold an MBA. A bachelor’s degree and strong research-related skills are the main criteria for admission.

Cornell University


The prestigious Ivy League Cornell University ranks 15th among national universities. Furthermore, its Samuel Curtis Johnson School of Management is listed as 17th in the country by U.S. News.

Undergraduate students at Cornell’s Charles H. Dyson School can earn a BS in Applied Economics and Management with a concentration in Accounting. This AACSB-accredited program covers a wide range of accounting topics, including:

  • Financial analysis
  • Cost accounting
  • Managerial accounting
  • Business law
  • Taxation
  • Auditing
  • Assurance

Ultimately, students interested in a CPA career may find Cornell University an attractive option. It consistently ranks among the top 5 schools in the country in terms of CPA exam pass rates.

Alternatively, accountants looking to start their career in academia can pursue Johnson School’s prestigious doctoral program in accounting. They’re ranked 21st in the country by Public Accounting Report just a few years ago.

References:

https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/academic-departments/accounting/academic-programs/mba/course-descriptions
https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/academic-departments/accounting/academic-programs/phd-overview
https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/academic-departments/accounting/academic-programs/master-course-schedule/2014-2015/graduate-spring-2015-0
https://www.stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/undergraduate/academics/business-program/areas-of-study
https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/academic-departments/accounting/academic-programs/undergraduate
https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/new-york-university-stern-01152
https://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/cornell-university-johnson-01149
https://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/cornell-university-2711
https://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/academics/fields-of-study/field/management
https://dyson.cornell.edu/undergrad/concentration.php#accounting
https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/PHD-Program/Areas-of-Study/Accounting

Table of Contents

  1. Do Your Research on Schools
  2. What Do You Need to Get Your Certificate?
  3. Minimum Qualifications for License in New York
  4. Higher Salary, Higher Cost of Living
  5. City University of New York – Baruch College
  6. Best Accounting Programs in New York
    1. Baruch College Wins in New York
    2. New York University
    3. Cornell University

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

➤