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Accounting Schools in Oklahoma

This page provides you with information about accounting schools in Oklahoma that offer a master’s degree to help you make an informed choice on the right school for your skills, interests, and career goals. There are many Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited accounting schools in Oklahoma that offer graduate degrees in accounting as well as Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees with concentrations in accounting. Several Oklahoma accounting schools also offer online programs that may provide the accounting education you are looking for in a more flexible format than offered by some traditional on-campus programs. On this page, you will find information about how to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Oklahoma, graduate accounting program profiles and rankings, and the job outlook for accountants in Oklahoma.

Quick Facts

For not-for-profit colleges and universities with accounting degree programs.

Table of Contents

Steps to Become a CPA in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Accountancy Board (the Board) oversees the process for becoming a CPA in the state. There are eight main steps to complete in order to earn an Oklahoma CPA license.

  1. Complete 150-semester hours of college-level education in accounting.
  2. Submit an application for qualification.
  3. Submit the Candidate for Examination Application.
  4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  5. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  6. Complete the AICPA ethics course and exam.
  7. Apply for a license.
  8. Receive a CPA license from the Board.

1. Complete 150-semester hours of college-level education in accounting.

Aspiring CPAs must complete 150 semester hours of college-level education including a four-year undergraduate degree. The degree major must be accounting or an equivalent course of study as determined by the Board and include 76 semester hours of coursework at the upper division or graduate level. The coursework must include at least 30 semester hours in accounting above the introductory level, with at least one course in auditing or assurance. Additional accounting coursework can be taken in related subjects, such as the following:

  • Accounting information systems
  • Accounting history
  • Accounting theory
  • Cost accounting
  • Federal income tax
  • Financial accounting
  • Governmental or not-for-profit accounting

Candidates must also take nine upper-division semester hours from related subjects, such as:

  • Business law
  • Business communication
  • Business management
  • Computer science
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Insurance
  • Management information systems
  • Marketing
  • Risk management
  • Statistics

2. Submit an application for qualification.

After completing the education requirements, candidates must submit a Qualification Application for Eligibility (CPA) to the Board. Official transcripts from all schools attended must be sent to the Board in support of the qualification application, as well as a recent photograph. Once the qualification application is approved, candidates will receive notification that they are eligible to apply for the AICPA Uniform CPA Exam.

3. Submit the Candidate for Examination Application.

Once notified of qualification for the Uniform CPA Exam, the next step is to apply to the exam using the Candidate Examination Application. Approved candidates will receive instructions on completing the application process and submitting the required exam fees to NASBA.

4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

Once approved for the Uniform CPA Exam and upon submitting the required fees, candidates will receive a Notice to Schedule to schedule and take the Uniform CPA Exam through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), who administers it. This exam is a requirement for licensure in all 50 states. All four parts of the exam must be passed within an 18-month rolling period with a grade of at least 75 in each section in order to receive credit for passing the exam.

5. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

At least one year (1,800 hours) of experience in accounting is required to qualify for a CPA license in Oklahoma. Candidates can begin accumulating experience once they have met the educational requirements for licensure. The experience must include the provision of services and/or advice involving skills in accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, and/or consulting. Work experience in government, industry, academia or public practice are all eligible to be counted towards the licensure requirements. All experience claimed for the purposes of this requirement must be verified by a licensed CPA.

6. Complete the AICPA ethics course and exam.

The Board also requires that candidates for CPA licensure complete the AICPA Professional Ethics course and exam, which is available as a self-study course online. Candidates can order the course materials through the AICPA website.

7. Apply for a license.

Once candidates receive notification of a passing score on the Uniform CPA Exam from the Board and meet all other requirements, the final step is to apply for a license. The application must be accompanied by an Experience Verification Form signed by the candidate’s supervisor(s) or another licensed individual in a position to verify qualifying work experience. Applicants are also required to submit a national criminal reference check and proof of 40 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) completed within the previous 365 days.

8. Receive a CPA license from the Board.

The Board will issue a license certificate once the application is received in full and approved. The CPA designation cannot be used until the individual has received the license certificate in the mail with confirmation of approval.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

An Oklahoma CPA license expires annually on the last day of the individual’s birth month. The Board mails reminder notices 30 days before expiry to licensed CPAs, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the individual to ensure the license is valid. Oklahoma licensed CPAs are able to renew online through the Board’s website as early as the month prior to the birth month and are given a grace period to the end of the month following the birth month, although late fees may apply. CPAs must complete at least 120 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) for each three-year reporting period from January to December to remain in good standing, with at least 20 hours reported for each individual year. Four of these hours must be in ethics. You can find additional information on the Board’s website.

Oklahoma Accountant Salary and Job Outlook

There are 14,020 accountants and auditors currently working in Oklahoma with an average annual salary of $74,130 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).10 The majority of Oklahoma’s accountants work in the metro areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, which account for 6,000 and 4,510 positions respectively.10 In the state capital of Oklahoma City, accountants earn a slightly higher average salary of $77,090; however, earnings are also higher in other areas of the state.10 In fact, northeastern Oklahoma is the top paying nonmetropolitan area in the country with 1,030 accountants earning an average of $81,360 annually.11 Job openings for accountants and auditors in Oklahoma are projected to grow by 6% through 2028, which is slightly below the national average of 6.4% during the same period.12

Oklahoma CPA Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaNumber Employed10Average Annual Salary10
Enid140$68,670
Fort Smith480$60,460
Lawton160N.Av.
Oklahoma City6,000$77,090
Tulsa4,510$73,700

Top-Ranked Schools with Master’s in Accounting Programs in Oklahoma

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors* 2020

  • University of Oklahoma

*With master’s in accounting programs.

Public Accounting Report’s Top 50 Master’s Accounting Programs 2019

  • Oklahoma State University (#38)

Oklahoma Master’s in Accounting Program Comparison

Below we have compiled a table including information about all not-for-profit Oklahoma colleges and universities offering a master’s degree in accounting. The graduation rate is for first-time undergraduates seeking a bachelor’s degree, but since it is widely considered to be an indicator of a school’s overall success, we have included it for comparison. Also please note that tuition per credit is based on in-state, on-campus tuition; per-credit rates may vary for out-of-state and online students.

School NameAccreditationCPA Exam Pass Rate6Master’s in Accounting Degree(s)Acceptance Rate13Grad Rate1Online Options?Tuition per Credit
East Central UniversityACBSPN.Av.Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)N.Av.37%$315
Mid-America Christian UniversityN.Av.MBA-CPA AccountingN.Av.33%$618
Northeastern State UniversityACBSPN.Av.Master of Accounting and Financial Analysis (MAFA);
MBA-Managerial Accounting & Finance
N.Av.33%Yes$250
Oklahoma Christian UniversityACBSP0.0%Master of Accountancy (MAcc);
MBA-Accounting
N.Av.55%Yes$625
Oklahoma City UniversityAACSBN.Av.Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)100%64%$590
Oklahoma State UniversityAACSB85.7%MS-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting
67.1%65%$437
Oral Roberts UniversityACBSPN.Av.MBA-AccountingN.Av.55%$737
Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityAACSBN.Av.MBA-AccountingN.Av.35%Yes$330
University of Central OklahomaAACSBN.Av.Post-Bachelor’s Accounting CertificateN.Av.36%$292
University of OklahomaAACSB75.0%Master in Accountancy (MAcc)73%70%Yes$289
University of TulsaAACSBN.Av.Master of Accountancy (MAcc)80.5%72%$1,310

  • — indicates none.
  • N.Av. indicates no data available.

Select Schools in Oklahoma with Master’s in Accounting Programs

Traditional Programs

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University is home to an AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program with an optional additional Certificate in Financial Fraud and Forensic Accounting. The 30-credit program is delivered via evening classes that are taught by professors with experience in their fields. The degree curriculum focuses on the skills necessary to pass the Uniform CPA Exam including up to six credits of exam preparation coursework. The core curriculum consists of three courses and students are able to choose the remaining elective courses from areas such as energy accounting, digital forensics, and international accounting. The certificate in Financial Fraud and Forensic Accounting is open to any student and requires the completion of 15 credits of electives specifically from the area of fraud and forensic accounting.

Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University (OSU) offers numerous AACSB-accredited graduate-level options for aspiring CPAs, including two master’s degrees and a doctoral degree. The Master of Science (MS) in Accounting is a 33-34 semester credit degree available at the Stillwater campus with concentrations in Tax; Financial Reporting and Auditing; Data Analytics and Systems; or Corporate Finance. This degree takes only one year of full-time study to complete for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. The program begins in the summer and has a cohort structure in which each incoming class progresses through the program together. Examples of courses in the MS program include Advanced Federal Income Taxation, Financial Accounting Research, and Financial Statement Analysis. Students can also participate in an international study abroad class to learn about and compare national and global accounting issues. OSU also offers a 36-credit Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration with an option in Accounting that prepares graduates for careers in accounting research or teaching.

University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that is accredited by the AACSB and has tracks in tax and auditing. In this program, students receive in-depth training in accounting theory and practice as well as an understanding of the wider business environment. Admission to the 33-credit hour program is open to students of all undergraduate majors and the degree can be completed in as few as three semesters of full-time study. The curriculum enables students to choose courses that fit their accounting interests with only nine semester credits of required accounting core, including Advanced Accounting; Income Tax Accounting II; Accounting Theory and Research; and a non-credit professional development course. Students also complete 12 credits of accounting electives, and 12 credits of business electives in areas such as management, economics, or marketing. An on-campus Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting is available to students interested in research or academic careers in accounting. In addition to the traditional MAcc program offered at the Norman campus, the MAcc degree is also available fully-online with three admission dates throughout the year.

Online and Hybrid Programs

Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University (NSU) offers two degree options for aspiring CPAs, a Master of Accounting and Financial Analysis (MAFA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Managerial Accounting and Finance. The 36-credit MBA can be completed online or as a hybrid degree combining classes at the Broken Arrow campus. This degree teaches students about a broad range of business functions while also providing the opportunity to develop an area of specialization. Eight core courses are required for all MBA students, including Strategic Management, Managerial Finance, and Marketing Strategy. Students must also take 18 semester credits in the concentration area, such as Accounting and Finance Analysis Seminar I; Investment Analysis and Portfolio Theory; and Financial Statement Analysis. The program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis and completed in as little as two years. The 30-credit MAFA degree must be completed at the Broken Arrow campus and prepares students for careers in accounting, financial services, and financial reporting.

Oklahoma Christian University

The ACBSP-accredited Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree at Oklahoma Christian University is offered fully-online or as a hybrid degree in combination with evening classes in Oklahoma City. The degree is designed to meet the requirements for the Uniform CPA Exam and can be completed in as little as one year of full-time study. The 30-semester-credit curriculum includes core coursework in economics, ethics, and financial services as well as specialized accounting courses such as Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics; Advanced Financial Accounting; and Advanced Tax Accounting. Students will gain advanced knowledge in accounting practices and prepare for careers in corporate and public accounting. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree that includes at least 30 credits of accounting and three hours of finance, macroeconomics, and microeconomics each. Oklahoma Christian University also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting comprising 36 semester credits, including nine core business courses and three electives in accounting.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU) offers a fully-online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting that is accredited by the AACSB. In this program, students learn about various business functions and focus on accounting skills, such as auditing and fraud detection, that can be used in corporate settings. The degree requires 36 semester credits and can be completed in as little as 12 months of full-time study. The 24-semester-credit core curriculum focuses on business topics, such as finance, marketing, and strategic management. The Accounting concentration requires the completion of an additional 12 semester credits, such as Auditing for Managers and Forensic Accounting for Managers. Applicants are accepted from diverse educational backgrounds; however, those without a business-related undergraduate degree may be required to complete prerequisite coursework in Economics, Accounting, Finance, or Data Analysis before entering the program. Six start dates are offered throughout the year.

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Oklahoma

  • Hogan Taylor LLP: A large business and accounting services firm with offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, as well as Arkansas.
  • Finley & Cook PLLC: A Shawnee-based CPA firm offering accounting, assurance, tax, and consulting services.
  • Gillispie & Ogilbee: Started in 1985, Gillispie & Ogilbee is a full-service accounting firm with expertise in tax planning and preparation.

Oklahoma Accounting Associations

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a CPA in Oklahoma?

There are numerous required steps to become a CPA in Oklahoma. All candidates must complete 150 college-level semester hours including a bachelor’s degree and specified coursework. The requirements also include passing the Uniform CPA Exam, the AICPA ethics exam, and accumulating at least 1,800 hours of supervised accounting experience. A complete application must then be sent to the Oklahoma Accountancy Board to become licensed as a CPA.

How many CPAs are in Oklahoma?

According to the BLS, there are 14,020 accountants in Oklahoma.10 Almost 75% of all Oklahoma CPAs work in the Oklahoma City (6,000) and Tulsa (4,510) metro areas.10 The remaining positions are spread across other metro areas, such as Fort Smith (480), and nonmetropolitan areas of the state, such as the Northeast (1,030), Northwest (600), and Southwest (420), and Southeast (1,020).10

How do I take the CPA exam in Oklahoma?

After completing the required education, exam candidates must submit several forms to the Board to be approved to take the Uniform CPA Exam, including the Qualification Application for Eligibility (CPA) and the Candidate Examination Application. Once approved by the Board, candidates must schedule to take each section of the exam directly through NASBA. Scores will be sent directly to the Board by NASBA.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Forbes Best Business Schools 2019: https://www.forbes.com/business-schools/list/2/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
4. Public Accounting Report 2019 Top 50 Master’s Accounting Programs: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/par-grad-2019.pdf
5. US News & World Report Best Accounting Programs 2020: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
6. National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. The NASBA Report on the CPA Exam: Candidate Performance on the Uniform CPA Examination, 2018 Edition. National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, Inc., 2019.
7. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International: https://www.aacsb.edu/
8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): https://acbsp.org/
9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE): https://iacbe.org/
10. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Oklahoma: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ok.htm
11. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2019 Occupational Employment and Wages, Accountants and Auditors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132011.htm
12. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
13. US News & World Report Best Business Schools 2020: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools