This comprehensive guide provides important information on accounting programs in the state of Alaska. There are several public and private colleges and universities that offer undergraduate degrees in accounting.While no schools in the state currently offer graduate degrees in accounting, some schools offer Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. As an alternative to traditional on-campus programs, some students may seek out online accounting programs.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Alaska Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Alaska to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

SchoolAccreditationAccounting Degree(s)Acceptance Rate10Grad Rate1Avg Net Price1Median Debt*10Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry10
Alaska Pacific University—Minor-Accounting Finance;
MBA;
MBA-Finance;
MBA-HSA		96.0%36%$22,388$23,500$47,105
University of Alaska Anchorage—BBA-Accounting;
MBA		69.1%30%$15,609$20,210$49,846
University of Alaska FairbanksAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Minor-Applied Accounting;
UG Cert-Bookkeeping Technician;
Grad Cert-Accounting		64.7%39%$9,450$20,291$46,150
University of Alaska Southeast—BBA-Accounting;
UG Cert-Accountant;
UG Cert-Accounting Technician		56.3%25%$9,823$19,111$41,500

Table Notes:
*Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on ​​National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
**Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Alaska

College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.

US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023

  • University of Alaska-Fairbanks (#66 tie)5

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.11 The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Alaska in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in Alaska being 53.4%:

  1. University of Alaska-Southeast 70.0%
  2. University of Alaska-Anchorage 49.3%
  3. University of Alaska-Fairbanks 40.0%

Schools in Alaska with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Alaska, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

University of Alaska Anchorage

Students at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting. The BBA in Accounting teaches real-world skills like analyzing financial information, preparing budget reports and forecasts, and providing internal and external auditing services. Graduates are prepared for accounting careers in public or private accounting, government, and not-for-profits. Additionally, this degree prepares students interested in CPA licensure to pursue an advanced degree. Required courses such as Cost Accounting, Principles of Marketing, and Corporate Finance allow students to explore a wide range of accounting principles, while electives like Fraud Examination, Governmental/Non-Profit Accounting, and Individual Income Tax provide opportunities for them to personalize their degrees.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting. This 120-credit program develops analytical skills to prepare students for a variety of business-related careers and builds a strong foundation for those seeking the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. The program teaches a business core and emphasizes written and oral communication skills so graduates can properly advise businesses on important financial decisions. Students learn to investigate and quickly detect fraud to safeguard businesses against suspicious activity. Required coursework includes Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting; Internal and Government Auditing; and Advanced Cost Accounting and Controllership.

Graduate Accounting Programs

While Alaska does not currently have any graduate level accounting programs, several universities offer a Master in Business Administration (MBA) that, when properly planned, can provide the necessary credits for CPA licensure or prepare graduates for managerial-level careers in accounting.

Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University (APU) offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) that focuses on business concepts to prepare students for a variety of leadership roles in industry. The degree teaches students how to develop high-performing organizations (organizational development) and prepares them to lead a team through e-business solutions. Students develop strategic thinking skills while learning how to access qualitative and quantitative data to make confident business decisions. Concentrations in Finance and Health Services Administration are available for those who wish to pursue these specialties. The Finance concentration emphasizes portfolio and investment theory, raising capital, and valuations. The Health Administration concentration focuses on policy, finance, and ethics.

University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) that prepares students for leadership roles. This 30-credit business degree emphasizes hands-on learning and collaboration to build skills that graduates will utilize in a complex business world. By focusing on management skills, students learn how to quickly analyze and adapt to changing situations while managing a team. Most classes are held on evenings or Saturdays to accommodate working professionals. Students may choose to add a six-credit area of emphasis in Business Intelligence and Business Analytics; Leadership; Public Sector and Non-Profit Management; Health Administration; Project Management; and Global Supply Chain Management. They can also choose electives to focus on a specific area of business.

Online Accounting Programs

University of Alaska Southeast

Students at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting. This program can be completed either at the Southeast campus or entirely online. Students in this program learn general accounting concepts and more in-depth subjects like auditing, managerial accounting, taxation, and governmental accounting. Multiple professional development courses are also required to ensure that graduates are prepared to enter a competitive workforce. Graduates of this program will be prepared to sit for the Uniform CPA exam, but will need an additional 30 semester hours to qualify for CPA licensure.

Alaska CPA Requirements and Steps

The Alaska Board of Public Accountancy (the Board) oversees the process for becoming a CPA in Alaska. Applicants are required to complete a baccalaureate degree with a concentration in accounting. Effective January 1, 2026, the Board repealed the 150-hour rule; in-state CPAs are no longer required to complete credit hours beyond the bachelor’s provided the bachelor’s degree held is in accounting. There are six main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license.

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Complete the AICPA ethics course and exam.
  4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  5. Apply for a license.
  6. Receive your CPA license.

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Alaska requires CPA candidates to complete a bachelor’s degree in accounting to qualify for a license. An accounting concentration must include at least 24 credit hours in subjects such as:

  • Accounting principles
  • Accounting theory
  • Advanced accounting
  • Auditing
  • Cost accounting
  • Detection of fraud
  • Governmental accounting
  • Income tax
  • Intermediate accounting

Applicants must also have completed nine credit hours across the subjects of business law; economics; statistics; computer science; and algebra, calculus, or mathematics.

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

To meet the qualifications for licensure, candidates must complete two years, or 4,000 hours, of professional accounting experience under the supervision of a currently licensed CPA. The required hours must be completed across at least one year and in not more than four years. The experience may be gained in academia, government, industry, or public practice but must include service or advice in any of the following areas:

  • Accounting
  • Attest
  • Compilation
  • Consulting Skills
  • Financial Advisory
  • Management Advisory
  • Tax
  • Related Services

3. Complete the AICPA ethics course and exam.

An ethics exam is required for CPA licensure in Alaska. The Board uses the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) self-study course and exam, Professional Ethics, to fulfill this requirement. Candidates must complete the course’s open book exam with a score of 90% or better to pass. Professional Ethics is available through AICPA’s website. The Board will waive the AICPA exam for candidates who can provide documentation of passing an exam that the Board deems equivalent.

4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

Candidates must pass AICPA’s Uniform CPA Exam. The application can be downloaded from the Board’s website. The exam is proctored by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). The four sections of the exam may be taken in any order, but all four sections must be passed within a rolling 30-month period.

5. Apply for a license.

Once candidates have completed the above requirements, they should submit an application for licensure along with all necessary fees to the Board. The application can be downloaded from the Board’s website. Education, experience, and a passing score on the AICPA Ethics and Uniform CPA exams will be verified through the application.

6. Receive your CPA license.

The Board may take several weeks to review and issue a license. At this point, the applicant may begin practice as a CPA.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

CPA licenses in Alaska expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years. In order to renew a license, CPAs must complete at least 80 hours of continuing education (CE), with at least four hours of CE in ethics. Twenty hours of continuing education are required for each calendar year. No more than 16 hours of the 80 hours of CE may be from courses defined as non-academic.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Alaska

Accounting graduates can seek employment with one of the major accounting firms in Alaska, which include Alaska Accounting Solutions, KPMG, and Deloitte. Tourism and Seafood are the largest industries in the state of Alaska, with major employers including Alaska Airlines and Trident Seafoods. Graduates may also choose to work for local or state governments or go into private practice.

Alaska Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Anchorage1,310$79,200
Fairbanks240$76,380

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Alaska

  • Swalling & Associates P.C.: With locations in Anchorage and Wasilla, the firm concentrates on offering accounting and financial services to Alaskan businesses and business owners.
  • BDO: BDO’s Anchorage office is the largest CPA firm in Alaska, offering professional services for local and national companies, government, and nonprofits.
  • Elgee Rehfeld, LLC: Based in the state capital of Juneau, Elgee offers accounting and tax services to clients in southeast and central Alaska.

Alaska Accounting Associations

  • Alaska Society of CPAs (AKCPA): The AKCPA offers members opportunities for CPE, networking, and professional growth, and provides the public with information about the accounting profession as well as a database of licensed CPAs in Alaska.
  • Alaska Society of Independent Accountants (ASIA): With a goal of promoting the accounting profession, ASIA works to promote professional ethics and standards through education and advocacy for accountants.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual Best Accounting Schools 2023: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/rankings/top-ranked/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2023 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2022.
4. US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
5. US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/online-bachelors-business-rankings
6. US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
7. Association to Advance College Schools of Business, Accredited Universities and Schools, Business & Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accredited Schools, Separate Accounting: https://acbspsearch.org/
9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education, Members: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/
10. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
11. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2019 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
12. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Alaska: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm
13. Alaska Board of Public Accountancy: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/professionallicensing/boardofpublicaccountancy.aspx