Accounting and Related Services: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Accounting and Related Services encompasses a broad range of academic and professional training focused on financial record-keeping, analysis, reporting, and compliance. This program prepares individuals to interpret, manage, and communicate financial information within diverse organizational contexts, supporting strategic decision-making and regulatory adherence.
- Financial Accounting: The systematic process of recording, summarizing, and reporting financial transactions to external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and compliance with standardized frameworks like GAAP or IFRS.
- Managerial Accounting: The development and use of financial data to support internal planning, performance evaluation, and operational decision-making within organizations.
- Cost Accounting: A specialized area focused on tracking, analyzing, and controlling costs associated with production, services, and business operations to improve efficiency and profitability.
- Taxation: The study and application of federal, state, and local tax laws, including compliance, planning, and reporting for individuals and entities across various business structures.
- Auditing: The independent examination of financial statements and records to verify accuracy, fairness, and adherence to accounting standards and legal requirements.
- Accounting Information Systems: The integration of technology and accounting processes to collect, store, process, and report financial data efficiently and securely.
- Government and Nonprofit Accounting: Specialized accounting practices tailored to public sector entities and nonprofit organizations, emphasizing fund accounting, budgetary control, and compliance with unique regulatory standards.
- Ethics and Professional Standards: The exploration of ethical principles, governance frameworks, and professional conduct expected of accountants, including adherence to codes from bodies like the AICPA or CPA.
Accounting and Related Services Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Accounting and Related Services Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Accounting and Related Services degrees, including . These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for Accounting and Related Services by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 43 institutions offering Accounting and Related Services programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Accounting and Related Services is found at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (144 graduates), Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) (63 graduates), Tidewater Community College (TCC) (48 graduates), Germanna Community College (GCC) (40 graduates), and J Sargeant Reynolds Community College (34 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 554 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
144 | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
63 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
Tidewater Community College (TCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
48 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | tcc.edu |
Germanna Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
40 | Locust Grove, Virginia | Public | germanna.edu |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | reynolds.edu |
Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
20 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
McDaniel College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
Franklin University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
13 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | franklin.edu |
New River Community College (NRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Dublin, Virginia | Public | nr.edu |
Brightpoint Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Chester, Virginia | Public | brightpoint.edu |
North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Master's
|
11 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Roanoke, Virginia | Public | virginiawestern.edu |
Evangel University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | evangel.edu |
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Public | hccc.edu |
Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Weyers Cave, Virginia | Public | brcc.edu |
George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Hampton, Virginia | Public | vpcc.edu |
Zane State College (ZSC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Zanesville, Ohio | Public | zanestate.edu |
Amberton University |
Master's
|
6 | Garland, Texas | Private | amberton.edu |
Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
6 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Branchburg, New Jersey | Public | raritanval.edu |
Pennsylvania State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Public | behrend.psu.edu |
Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Other Award
|
4 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Martinsville, Virginia | Public | patrickhenry.edu |
Rappahannock Community College (RCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Glenns, Virginia | Public | rappahannock.edu |
Indiana Wesleyan University |
Master's
|
4 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
Saint Xavier University (SXU) |
Master's
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | sxu.edu |
Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | pvcc.edu |
Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Cedar Bluff, Virginia | Public | sw.edu |
Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Abingdon, Virginia | Public | vhcc.edu |
University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
Hartwick College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Oneonta, New York | Private | hartwick.edu |
Laurel Ridge Community College |
Associate's
|
2 | Middletown, Virginia | Public | laurelridge.edu |
Sussex County Community College (SCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Newton, New Jersey | Public | sussex.edu |
Point University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
Mount St. Mary's University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Emmitsburg, Maryland | Private | msmary.edu |
Prince George's Community College (PGCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Largo, Maryland | Public | pgcc.edu |
University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Public | umsl.edu |
Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings) |
Associate's
|
1 | Billings, Montana | Public | msubillings.edu |
Rocky Mountain College (RMC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Billings, Montana | Private | rocky.edu |
William Paterson University of New Jersey |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Wayne, New Jersey | Public | wpunj.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Accounting and Related Services programs
Which universities have the largest Accounting and Related Services programs?
Currently 44 accredited institutions offer Accounting and Related Services degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (144 graduates), Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) (63 graduates), and Tidewater Community College (TCC) (48 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Accounting and Related Services growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,842 in 2010 to a peak of 756 in 2020, before declining slightly to 554 in 2023-24. This represents a 70% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
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