This guide to accounting schools in Alabama provides key information to help you understand and compare your options for obtaining a degree or certificate in accounting in the state. There are numerous public and private colleges and universities in Alabama with accounting programs to prepare students for professional practice in general accounting or specialty practice areas such as personal finance or business valuation. Alabama schools offer programs that range from general undergraduate degrees to specialized graduate degrees. More information about programs, school rankings, professional opportunities, and accounting licensure in the state of Alabama can be found below.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Alabama Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Alabama 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 Entry**10
Alabama A&M University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		71.6%28%$12,921$31,000$39,059
Alabama State UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		98%28%$12,875$31,000$34,018
Athens State UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Minor-Forensic Accounting;
MAcc		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$18,051$45,311
Auburn UniversityAACSBBSBA-Accountancy;
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABMAcc);
MAcc		71.2%81%$23,873$21,000$61,042
Auburn University at MontgomeryAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
MAcc		96.8%36%$14,322$25,000$43,743
Birmingham-Southern College—BS-Accounting65.9%70%$22,888$25,000$55,236
Faulkner UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting64.6%19%$19,439$23,000$41,523
Huntingdon College—BS-Accounting69.3%44%$23,664$27,000$47,328
Jacksonville State University—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		76.3%50%$13,426$22,189$41,504
Miles CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		N.Av.24%$14,868$31,217$30,847
Oakwood UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting71.9%49%$22,484$27,000$41,219
Samford University—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
BSBA to MAcc;
MAcc		83.9%79%$31,871$19,500$54,742
Spring Hill College—BBA-Accounting71.5%56%$21,781$27,000$51,166
Troy UniversityAACSB; ACBSPBSBA-Accounting;
BS-Global Business: Accounting & Finance		95.3%52%$12,486$25,000$41,691
Tuskegee University—BS-Accounting34.2%57%$36,907$27,000$43,878
University of AlabamaAACSBBS-Professional Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc;
Master of Tax Accounting;
PhD-Accounting		78.9%72%$21,263$22,750$56,118
University of Alabama at BirminghamAACSBBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting;
MAcc		88.5%62%$16,990$22,300$50,907
University of Alabama in Huntsville—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		73.7%61%$17,302$20,705$56,901
University of MobileACBSPBS-Accounting: Corporate/Non-Profit;
BS-Accounting: Public Accounting;
BS-Accounting to MBA		64.1%51%$21,638$26,500$43,640
University of Montevallo—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		90.1%52%$17,207$24,000$40,439
University of North Alabama—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s-Accounting;
MAcc;
MBA-Accounting		90%51%$12,379$22,077$42,601
University of South AlabamaAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
MAcc		70.8%47%$14,984$24,929$45,018
University of West AlabamaACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		74.3%39%$15,435$24,944$38,617

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 Alabama

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.

College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023

  • Auburn University
  • Samford University
  • University of Alabama-Birmingham
  • University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa2

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

  • Auburn University
  • University of Alabama-Birmingham3

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

  • University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa (#25 tie)
  • University of Alabama-Birmingham (#42 tie)5

US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023

  • Auburn University (#50 tie)
  • University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa (#50 tie)6

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rates With a Bachelor’s Degree

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases reports including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.11 The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Alabama in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall average pass rate for Alabama being 62.2%:

  1. Auburn University 78.0%
  2. University of Alabama-Huntsville 70.8%
  3. Samford University 69.5%
  4. Spring Hill College 66.7%
  5. University of Alabama 65.8%
  6. Troy University 64.8%
  7. University of Montevallo 64.3%

*As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.

Schools in Alabama with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Alabama, 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.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Auburn University

Students at Auburn University’s Raymond J. Harbert College of Business can pursue a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. This program can be finished by full-time students in three semesters, online or on-campus, and working professionals can complete the degree part-time in five semesters online. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in accounting or have completed the equivalent courses before beginning advanced classes such as Research in Accounting, Federal Tax, and Advanced Auditing and Assurance Services. Graduate students learn technical skills needed in the accounting field, research and communication skills, and the functional knowledge necessary to pass the CPA examination.

University of Alabama

The Culverhouse College of Commerce at the University of Alabama (UA) offers a Master of Tax Accounting (MTA) degree. This program is designed for those interested in working in the tax industry. Students follow an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates law, finance, accounting, and business subjects. The curriculum includes courses such as Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders, Partnership Taxation, and Advanced Corporate Taxation. MTA graduates learn about accounting theory, the taxation system, tax law, and the tools used in research and communication in taxation and are prepared to do tax research utilizing accounting databases to solve tax problems.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Auburn University

Auburn University offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting that is designed for those who are seeking a second undergraduate degree. Graduates with an AACSB-accredited business degree can complete this BS in Accounting in five semesters while working full-time. The 30-semester hour program is ideal for those interested in a career change or those who want to fulfill the educational requirements for the CPA examination. Students can study part-time through online courses, video recordings, and independent classwork that is identical to the on-campus curriculum. Online students follow the same calendar and complete the same coursework as their on-campus counterparts.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

At the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), students can earn an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting through the Collat School of Business. This program is ideal for those interested in working in accounting in banks, private companies, nonprofits, insurance companies, or government agencies. The curriculum focuses on accounting principles, business communication, financial management, information systems, and quantitative analysis, and students learn the technical knowledge relevant to the industry. Through coursework and real-world experience, students also gain leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship skills. Graduates of the online program have access to UAB’s worldwide alumni network with numerous networking opportunities.

Alabama CPA Requirements and Steps

The Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy (ASBPA) requires that CPA candidates complete 150 semester hours and hold at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or an equivalent subject. There are seven main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.
  2. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  3. Complete the AICPA ethics course.
  4. Receive a CPA certificate.
  5. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  6. Register as a CPA with the Board.
  7. Begin practicing as a CPA.

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

The first step to becoming a CPA in Alabama is to complete 150 semester hours of college-level coursework that includes at least a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting. The Board requires 33 semester hours of accounting coursework at the upper-division undergraduate- or graduate-level (introductory courses are not counted). The Board also requires 27 semester hours of additional business coursework at the undergraduate- or graduate-level from among the following subject areas:

  • Business ethics
  • Business law
  • Communication skills
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Legal and social environment of business
  • Marketing
  • Organization, group, and individual behavior
  • Quantitative applications in business

2. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

The Uniform CPA Exam, developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), is a standardized exam required for CPA licensure in all 50 states. To sit for the exam in Alabama, the individual must complete 120 semester hours of college-level education, including the completion of a bachelor’s degree and 24 semester hours each of acceptable accounting and business courses. CPA candidates will also need to submit the CPA Examination Application to be approved to sit for each exam section. The Board will review the candidate’s coursework to determine if the education requirements have been met. Applicants will then need to register with Prometric to schedule a time to take the Uniform CPA Exam. Applicants must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam with a score of 75 or higher within an 18-month rolling period. After completing the Uniform CPA Exam, candidates have 36 months to complete the full education requirement.

3. Complete the AICPA ethics course.

After passing the Uniform CPA Exam, Alabama CPA candidates are required to complete the AICPA ethics course and exam entitled Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course, available online through the AICPA’s website. The course and exam must be passed with a score of 90% or higher to qualify.

4. Receive a CPA certificate.

The state of Alabama has a two-tier system for CPAs. Once candidates have completed the education requirements and passed the CPA exam, the state will first grant a CPA certificate. The CPA certificate does not allow individuals to practice or represent themselves as a CPA until the experience requirements are met.

5. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

To obtain a CPA permit, candidates must accumulate one year of full-time public accounting experience or two years of full-time work experience in the accounting industry, business, government, or teaching college accounting. All work must be done under supervision deemed acceptable by the Board.

6. Register as a CPA with the Board.

Candidates who have passed the Uniform CPA Exam and the work experience may submit a registration form, a record of work experience, and all relevant fees to the Board.

7. Begin practicing as a CPA.

Once a CPA has registered with the Board and met all CPE requirements, CPA practice may begin.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

CPE requirements begin on October 1 following the passage of the Uniform CPA exam. Permits are renewed annually, with renewals and continuing professional education (CPE) due by September 30. All permitted CPAs must complete 40 hours of CPE each year, including eight hours of accounting and auditing and two hours of ethics. No more than 12 hours of personal development courses may be counted.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Alabama

Students who graduate from accounting programs in Alabama have several career avenues open to them. In addition to opening their own accounting business or working as a self-employed accountant, graduates can pursue careers with major accounting firms such as Warren Averett and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Graduates can also seek employment with financial services companies such as Regions Financial Corporation, Harbert Management Corporation, and PNC Financial Services. Several opportunities exist at the government level for accounting graduates as well, including with the IRS, FBI, and State Department. Graduates with accounting degrees in Alabama may find many different opportunities to work within the state after finishing their studies.

Alabama Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Columbus GA-AL790$75,580
Huntsville2,760$80,400
Mobile1,950$73,490
Montgomery2,290$71,800
Tuscaloosa870$74,020

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Alabama

Alabama Accounting Associations

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 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, Alabama: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_al.htm
13. Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy: https://www.asbpa.alabama.gov/