Hawaii’s colleges and universities offer a range of programs in accounting. The following guide to accounting schools in Hawaii allows you can compare the accounting schools and programs available to find the right fit for you. Read on below to find information about school rankings, professional accounting licensure, and career outlooks for the accounting industry in Hawaii.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Hawaii Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Hawaii 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
Brigham Young University-Hawaii—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		87.7%66%$15,835$9,413$50,616
Chaminade University of HonoluluIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		90.1%66%$27,315$23,250$44,509
Hawaii Pacific University—BSBA-Accounting85.3%45%$30,501$22,000$55,349
University of Hawaii at Hilo—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
UG Cert-Accounting		92.2%42%$13,867$20,500$45,518
University of Hawaii at Manoa—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
3/2 Accelerated BBA-Accounting/MAcc;
MAcc;
MAcc-Data Analytics;
MAcc-Financial Reporting;
MAcc-Tax;
PhD-Business Administration: Accounting		70.0%62%$13,639$18,500$56,055
University of Hawaii-West OahuACBSPBABA-Accounting94.6%33%$9,103$14,500$52,531

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 Hawaii

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

  • Kapiolani Community College (#147)2

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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii being 46.9%:

  1. Hawaii Pacific University 77.8%
  2. Brigham Young University Hawaii 58.1%
  3. University of Hawaii-Manoa 40.4%

*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 Hawaii with Accounting Degrees

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

Brigham Young University Hawaii

Brigham Young University Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting degree. The curriculum teaches students general business knowledge as well as specialized accounting skills. Students also learn critical thinking and teamwork skills in courses such as Managerial Accounting, Federal Taxation, Auditing, and Accounting Information Systems. Course content focuses on the software and technical approaches commonly used in the accounting industry so students are prepared to enter the workforce. BYU-Hawaii also emphasizes written and oral communication and interpersonal skills. Undergraduates have the opportunity to complete an academic internship, where they learn how to combine their classroom skills with real-world experience. Graduates from the program may go on to pursue advanced study in accounting or business programs before working in public accounting, private business, or not-for-profit organizations.

University of Hawaii Hilo

The College of Business and Economics at the University of Hawaii Hilo (UH-Hilo) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting degree. This degree consists of 121 semester hours and is ideal for those interested in pursuing further graduate study and finding work in public, private, or governmental accounting. Students first study a broad base of general education subjects before completing a business and accounting core. Accounting majors learn theory and technical skills that allow them to translate and communicate the information behind complex financial data. The curriculum also prepares students to pursue further study and/or pass licensure and certification examinations such as CPA. Many undergraduate students work part-time at local firms while completing their degree, and graduates can go on to work in entry-level positions such as auditor, budget analyst, financial reporter, tax accountant, and accounting clerk.

Graduate Accounting Programs

University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s (UH-Manoa) Shidler College of Business offers a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree. This 30-credit program prepares students to sit for the CPA examination through classes in advanced accounting subjects. Students learn about subject areas such as taxation, financial accounting, auditing, and data analytics. The curriculum focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to work in public practice, business, government, and other organizations. Shidler emphasizes conceptual knowledge as well as research skills so that students are equipped to adapt to a changing accounting field. Additionally, the MAcc program offers three concentration options for those looking to further specialize their degree; Data Analytics; Financial Reporting, and Tax. For post-graduation opportunities, students can complete an optional internship for academic credit or take advantage of the resources offered by the career development services office. Graduates interested in a career in academia can take advantage of UH-Manoa’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

Online Accounting Programs in Hawaii

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University of Honolulu’s IACBE-accredited School of Business and Communication offers a competitive Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting program that prepares students for careers as accountants. The 36-credit hour program is offered in a hybrid format, with each of its 12 core classes being offered online at some point in the academic year. While the 18-month program is designed for students who hold undergraduate degrees in accounting, students with a bachelor’s degree in another field may also apply provided they first take foundational coursework to prepare them for the program (which will extend the length of completion). The MBA in Accounting helps students meet the 150-hour education requirement to sit for the CPA exam in Hawaii. Core coursework includes Leading People in Organizations, Advanced Accounting Theory; and Corporate and Partnership Taxation. Chaminade University of Honolulu’s School of Business and Communication boasts small class sizes and emphasizes ethical responsibility and entrepreneurship.

Hawaii Pacific University

At the College of Business at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting entirely online or through a blended on-campus and online option. This degree prepares students to pursue further graduate study and the CPA designation in addition to careers in public accounting, private industry, government service, and not-for-profit organizations. Students learn from a curriculum that focuses on real-world skills, such as financial reporting, auditing, and tax strategy. Online students also have the option to complete an internship for elective credit, allowing them to graduate with experience in the field. HPU also offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, and all graduates can take advantage of alumni and industry networking opportunities for post-graduation career plans.

Hawaii CPA Requirements and Steps

The Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy (the Board) requires that CPA candidates hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that includes at least 24 semester hours in accounting courses and 24 semester hours in upper division accounting and business courses. There are five main steps to complete in order to earn a first-time CPA license in Hawaii.

  1. Complete at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  4. Apply for a license.
  5. Receive a CPA license.

1. Complete at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

The Board requires CPA candidates to complete at least a bachelor’s degree consisting of 120 credit hours. The degree completed to qualify for a license must include 24 semester hours in accounting, including financial accounting, auditing, and taxation; 18 hours must be upper-division or graduate-level. An additional 24 semester hours of upper division accounting or business-related courses are also required. Acceptable business-related courses include:

  • Business ethics
  • Business law
  • Communication skills
  • Computer science
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Functional fields of business (finance, production, marketing, personnel relations, business management)
  • Globalization
  • Legal and social environment of business
  • Management Services
  • Marketing
  • Organizational, group, and individual behavior
  • Quantitative applications in business
  • Total quality management

Candidates whose bachelor’s degree does not include the required coursework may qualify for a CPA license by completing those credits post-bachelor’s.

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

The required hours of experience vary based on the candidate’s education. Candidates on the 120 semester hour licensure track must complete three years of full-time professional work experience in accounting consisting of 35 hours or more per week. Candidates with 150 semester hours must either earn 1,500 experience hours in auditing that are chargeable to clients while working full-time (at least 35 hours per week) over one year or earn two years (3,000 hours) of experience in public accounting practice, private industry, government, or education. In all cases, experience hours must be verified by the candidate’s supervisors using the Certification of Public Accountancy Experience form found in the license application packet on the Board’s website.

3. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Uniform CPA Exam is a requirement for CPA licensure in all 50 states and is administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Candidates for the examination may apply to NASBA to schedule and take the exam after meeting the education requirement. All four sections of the exam must be passed with a score of 75 or above within a 30-month rolling period.

4. Apply for a license.

After the Uniform CPA Exam has been passed, candidates may apply to the Board for a CPA license. The application packet includes a Certificate of Competence form to be completed by three responsible references who are not related to the applicant. The Coursework Form must also be submitted along with the Certification of Public Accountancy Experience form. Forms and further information can be found on the Board’s site.

5. Receive a CPA license.

Once Uniform CPA Exam scores have been received, the application packet will be reviewed and approved by the Board at the next Board meeting. The license card will be issued to applicants within two to three weeks of the meeting and a certificate will be mailed within four to six weeks. Before licensees can begin practicing, they must apply for a Permit to Practice at least 30 days before the date on which the permit will become effective.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Hawaii CPA licensees must renew their licenses and permits on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Renewal applications are automatically sent out 30 days prior to the deadline. CPAs must be sure to complete the required 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE), including four hours of ethics, for each two-year renewal period to comply with Hawaii statutes. You can find additional information on the Board’s website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Hawaii

Graduates with accounting degrees may find many different opportunities within the accounting field in Hawaii. They can work for major accounting firms in Hawaii such as Deloitte, KMH LLP, and Ernst & Young. Some graduates also choose to work for small, local firms or open their own firm or consultancy. Major corporations and companies are also a great source of employment opportunities for graduates, providing possible positions in finance and accounting management. Major employers in Hawaii include Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Petroleum, and Servco Pacific. Accounting grads may also find positions in governmental positions in the state’s treasury department, transportation department, FBI, state and local government, or armed forces.

Hawaii Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Urban Honolulu3,860$72,820
Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area790$72,520

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Hawaii

  • Deloitte LLP: Regularly designated one of the best places to work by Fortune and Businessweek, Deloitte LLP hires recent graduates to work in its offices in Honolulu.
  • Ernst & Young: Offers graduates a world-class career experience working with established business and entrepreneurs alike.
  • Spire Hawaii LLP: A locally-based firm with wide-reaching international resources.

Hawaii 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 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, Hawaii: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_hi.htm
13. Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/accountancy/