Rhode Island’s colleges and universities offer a variety of accounting programs, from undergraduate degrees to advanced graduate degrees. Schools in the state offer programs for part-time and full-time schedules as well as traditional, hybrid, and online options. Students can choose between different curricula, areas of specialization, and internships for credit. The following outline of accounting schools in Rhode Island provides information about state programs, professional designations offered, and career outlooks for accounting in the state.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Rhode Island Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Rhode Island 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
Bryant University—BSBA-Accounting;
BSBA-Managerial Accounting and Finance;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated BSBA to MSA;
4-Year BS to MBA;
MSA-Analytics;
MSA-General;
MSA-Tax;
MS-Taxation		73.6%83%$40,361$26,849$89,490
Johnson & Wales University-Online—BS-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		45.5%N.Av.$20,242$26,000$41,886
Johnson & Wales University-Providence—BS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting: Early Enrollment;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated BS to MBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		88.4%59%$32,801$26,000$41,886
Providence College—BS-Accountancy;
Minor-Accountancy;
5-Year BS to MBA;
MBA-Accounting Cohort		58.0%86%$43,970$27,000$79,628
Rhode Island CollegeIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MPAc-Financial Accounting;
MPAc-Financial Planning		84.8%44%$11,014$20,500$50,237
Roger Williams University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year BS to MBA		91.0%66%$37,964$26,940$68,306
Salve Regina UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year BS to MBA		73.4%76%$37,997$27,000$77,189
University of Rhode IslandAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
MSA;
Grad Cert-Data Analytics for Accounting and Auditing		76.5%72%$20,695$22,250$67,398

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 Rhode Island

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

  • Bryant University (#84)
  • Providence College (#89)2

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

  • Bryant University3

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

  • Johnson & Wales University (#112 tie)5

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

  • Bryant University (#60 tie)6

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island being 50.6%:

  1. Bryant University 68.8%
  2. Providence College 61.4%
  3. University of Rhode Island 46.8%
  4. Johnson & Wales University 37.9%

*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 Rhode Island with Accounting Degrees

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

Bryant University

Bryant University offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree with the choice of a General MSA or with a Tax or Analytics concentration. This full-time, in-person program can be completed in as few as two terms. The curriculum has been developed with the input of professionals in the accounting industry to include relevant, cutting-edge knowledge and skills. Depending on the concentration, coursework may include classes such as Accounting Analytics; Data Mining and Predictive Analysis; or Individual Income Taxation. Bryant assists students with post-graduation career opportunities through access to alumni and industry networks and professional development support. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in accounting or business can apply to the program but may need to complete some prerequisite courses. Graduates of this program meet the educational requirements for CPA licensure. Top undergraduate accounting students at Bryant can begin taking MSA classes during their senior year, allowing them to complete both degrees in as few as four and a half years.

University of Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island’s (URI) College of Business offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree that can be completed in one to two years on a full- or part-time basis. The MSA program has three start dates throughout the year and offers daytime, evening, and weekend class options. Students learn advanced accounting skills preparing them to adapt to future tax structures and a changing regulatory environment. The curriculum covers specialized subjects in financial reporting, auditing, and tax law. Students also gain a foundation in oral and written communication skills and team-building strategies. Courses include real case studies and industry-relevant material that gives students a global perspective on today’s international business and accounting field. Many graduates go on to work in management or leadership roles in public accounting firms, industry, and government organizations. Those without an undergraduate background in accounting may need to complete additional prerequisite courses before beginning the graduate program. URI also offers a Data Analytics for Accounting and Auditing Graduate Certificate program.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Salve Regina University

Salve Regina University offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program that can be completed entirely online. Students follow an interdisciplinary curriculum that covers major business subjects, such as accounting, economics, financial management, and quantitative analysis. The MBA program also emphasizes interpersonal skills in team building, communication, and management. Students complete accounting courses such as Managerial Accounting and Financial Management in addition to broad business classes like Business Law and Managing Business Operations. In addition, graduate students can choose from a number of different elective courses depending on their area of interest. Many graduates go on to pursue leadership positions in public, private, and governmental organizations. Undergraduate accounting students at Salve Regina can pursue the five-year pathway, which allows them to complete an MBA with just one additional year of study.

Rhode Island CPA Requirements and Steps

The Rhode Island Board of Accountancy (the Board) requires CPA candidates to have 150 semester hours, with a minimum of 24 semester hours in accounting and 24 hours in business courses, and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. There are six main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license in Rhode Island.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education with a concentration 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 a CPA license from the Board.

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

Prospective Rhode Island CPAs must first complete 150 semester hours of college-level education, with an award of at least a bachelor’s degree, including a concentration in accounting. Candidates with a graduate degree should complete 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate level or 15 semester hours in accounting at the graduate level, or an acceptable combination thereof. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree must complete at least 24 semester hours of accounting in addition to 24 semester hours in business courses outside of accounting. In all cases, the accounting curriculum must include:

  • Advanced financial accounting and reporting
  • Auditing
  • Fundamental accounting
  • Intermediate financial accounting and reporting
  • Tax accounting

If business courses are used to meet the requirements, they must include at least three semester hours in both business law and economics.

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

The Board requires prospective CPAs to complete one year (equivalent to at least 1,820 hours) of experience across any of the following areas to qualify for a CPA license:

  • Accounting
  • Attest
  • Management advisory
  • Financial advisory
  • Tax
  • Consulting skills

The experience must be supervised by a licensed CPA or public accountant. Any combination of work in public practice, government, industry, or academia (upper-division collegiate courses only) may count toward the experience requirement. Further details about the Board’s experience requirements can be found on the Board website.

3. Complete the AICPA ethics course and exam.

All first-time CPA applicants in Rhode Island must complete the AICPA ethics course and exam. This self-study course can be ordered through the AICPA website. In Rhode Island, a score of at least 90% on the exam is required to satisfy licensure requirements.

4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

The AICPA Uniform CPA Exam is a requirement for CPA licensure in all 50 states. In Rhode Island, a prospective CPA applicant may apply to take the Uniform CPA Exam once at least 120 semester hours of college-level education meeting the above educational requirements have been completed; however, the license will not be issued until all education and experience requirements have been met. The Board uses the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) to administer the application and testing process. Candidates may apply to the exam through the NASBA website. All four sections of the exam must be passed with a grade of 75 in a 30-month rolling period.

5. Apply for a license.

An applicant can apply for a license once NASBA has sent the exam results to the Board. The Board accepts applications for new CPA licenses through its e-licensing portal or via paper forms available on the Board website. Confirmation of the applicant’s supervised experience must be sent directly to the Board by the supervising CPA using the forms provided.

6. Receive a CPA license from the Board.

The Board reviews complete applications at Board meetings held periodically throughout the year. Once approved, the candidate will be notified in writing (for paper applications) or via the online portal. Applicants cannot use the CPA designation until their application has been approved by the Board.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

CPA licenses in Rhode Island are renewed on a triennial basis and expire on June 30. Renewal notices are sent via email and licenses cannot be renewed until the email is received. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure the Board has an up-to-date email address. CPAs must complete 120 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, including at least six hours of ethics training. You can find additional information on the Board’s website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Rhode Island

Graduates with accounting degrees may find many different opportunities to work in Rhode Island’s accounting field. The state is home to several large corporations that employ many accounting degree graduates in the state. Citizens Financial Group and Providence Equity Partners both have their headquarters in Rhode Island, providing many possible finance and accounting jobs each year. Other large employers in the state include Textron, Amica Mutual Insurance, and the Hasbro toy company. Many of the state’s publicly certified accountants hold integral positions in top firms. Others find success in running their own independent accounting firms or tax centers. Rhode Island also has many government outfits, which are often in need of qualified financial and tax experts.

Rhode Island Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI650$82,690
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA6,650$93,390

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Rhode Island

  • Clifton Larson Allen: A New England accounting and business advisory firm with an office in Cranston, Rhode Island, as well as Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Washington DC.
  • KLR: With offices in Newport, Pawtucket, and Providence, KLR provides comprehensive tax and accounting services across Rhode Island.
  • Sansiveri, Kimball & Co. LLP: A full-service business and accounting firm serving industries such as construction, healthcare, and nonprofit from the Providence-based office.

Rhode Island 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, Rhode Island: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ri.htm
13. Rhode Island Board of Accountancy: https://dbr.ri.gov/building-design-fire-professionals-board-accountancy/board-accountancy