This guide is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of accounting degree programs in the state of Wyoming. Wyoming students have a few options for undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs to help them accomplish their educational and career goals. Currently, there are no Wyoming not-for-profit colleges or universities that offer master’s in accounting programs online; however, prospective Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the state may wish to search for programs in neighboring states like Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, or North Dakota, or for online master’s in accounting programs across the country offering programs that fulfill Wyoming’s CPA requirements.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Wyoming Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Wyoming 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
University of Wyoming—BSB-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		96.8%61%$12,819$18,000$53,303

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.

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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming being 56.1%:

  1. University of Wyoming 64.6%

*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 Wyoming with Accounting Degrees

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

University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming’s (UW) College of Business offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Accounting that helps prepare students for CPA licensure. This 30-credit program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting and can be completed in one to two years on a full- or part-time basis. Students learn proper procedures for auditing and taxation, as well as developing professional communication skills through classes such as Advanced Managerial Accounting, Auditing, and Tax. After taking the required coursework, students are able to choose electives related to their areas of interest, such as international accounting, managerial fraud, or accounting information systems. GMAT or GRE scores are not required to apply and students can begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer. Graduates of this program go on to work in positions such as CPAs, chief financial officers, federal agents, and business managers.

Wyoming CPA Requirements and Steps

The Wyoming Board of Certified Public Accountants (the Board) oversees the process for becoming a CPA in the state. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and complete 24 semester hours of accounting courses and 24 semester hours of business courses. To qualify for licensure, they must complete a total of 150 semester hours of college education. There are seven main steps to complete in order to earn a Wyoming CPA license.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.
  2. Establish Wyoming residency, if necessary.
  3. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  5. Apply for a license.
  6. Receive a license.
  7. Complete an approved ethics course.

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

Completing 150 semester hours of education is the first step to becoming a Wyoming CPA. The program of education must include the award of a bachelor’s degree or higher as well as a concentration in accounting, defined as 24 semester hours in upper-division or graduate-level accounting courses, to include some or all of these subjects:

  • Accounting information systems
  • Accounting or tax research and analysis
  • Auditing and attestation services
  • Ethics
  • Financial accounting and reporting for business organizations
  • Financial accounting and reporting for government and not-for-profit entities
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Fraud examination
  • Internal controls and risk assessment
  • Managerial or cost accounting
  • Taxation

Candidates must also complete 24 semester hours of business courses at the undergraduate or graduate level, which should include:

  • Business communications
  • Business law
  • Economics
  • Ethics
  • Finance
  • Information systems or technology
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Statistics
  • Technical writing
  • Quantitative methods

2. Establish Wyoming residency, if necessary.

Unlike many other states, applicants for an initial CPA license in Wyoming must have in-state residency. Residency can be established by holding a Wyoming driver’s license, maintaining a current and valid Wyoming street address, maintaining employment or holding an employment offer from a Wyoming firm, or being a student of a Wyoming college or university.

3. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

All applicants for a CPA license in Wyoming must complete one year or 2,000 hours of work experience prior to applying for a license. The experience must be verified by a currently licensed and active CPA and must utilize skills in accounting, auditing, review, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, and/or consulting. Accounting work performed in government, industry, academia, or public accounting typically satisfies the requirements.

4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

Applicants who are ready to take the Uniform CPA Exam, which is a licensure requirement in all 50 states, should submit the Examination Application. The Uniform CPA Exam is developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Once approved to test, applicants will receive an Authorization to Test to schedule and take the exam through NASBA. All four sections of the exam must be passed within a 30-month rolling period.

5. Apply for a license.

After the Uniform CPA Exam has been passed, applicants will complete the Original Certificate Application for the CPA license. The application includes an Employer Affirmation form that must be signed by the supervising CPA as well as a Verification of Lawful Presence form verifying the applicant’s identity. Applications may be submitted by email or mail.

6. Receive a license.

After the above steps have been completed and verified by the Board, applicants will receive their license to practice as a CPA in Wyoming.

7. Complete an approved ethics course and exam.

The Board has instituted an ethics course requirement for new CPA holders. An approved course specific to Wyoming ethics and rules must be completed within six months of the CPA certificate issue date. A list of approved course providers is available on the Board website.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Wyoming CPA licenses expire on December 31 of each year and must be renewed annually. Licensed CPAs in Wyoming must complete 120 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) during each three-year period. Licensees must also take an approved ethics course once every three years. Additional information on CPE requirements is available on the Board’s website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Wyoming

Wyoming is home to many businesses and attractions that offer career opportunities for accounting graduates. Arch Resources, a leading coal producer in the US, has locations in Wyoming and is one of its top employers. Ferrellgas, the country’s largest producer of propane, is another major employer in the state. Wyoming is also home to a large number of healthcare-related companies as well as national parks and other popular recreation areas that may offer accounting job opportunities. Graduates also have the option to pursue state or local governmental accounting and CPAs may choose to open private accounting firms.

Wyoming Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Casper260$79,200
Cheyenne610$65,800

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Wyoming

  • Porter, Muirhead, Cornia, Howard (PMCH): Based in Casper, PMCH provides consulting, financial advisory, financial statement, and tax services to its clients.
  • Casey Peterson, Ltd.: With offices in Gillette, Wyoming and Rapid City, South Dakota, Casey Peterson, Ltd. provides clients with accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, audit, and consulting services as well as estate planning and guiding businesses through mergers and acquisitions.
  • McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP (MHP, LLP): Located in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Fort Collins, Colorado, MHP, LLP offers its clients services in tax planning, forensic accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, and wealth management.

Wyoming 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, Wyoming: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wy.htm
13. Wyoming Board of Certified Public Accountants: https://cpaboard.wyo.gov/