Studying accounting in the USA offers a lot of potential benefits such as quality education, career opportunities, versatility and professional recognition. The United States of America is one of the sought after destinations for students who want to pursue a career in accounting. Additionally, accounting students learn from experienced professors as well as access to cutting-edge resources and technology.
Studying accounting in the USA offers a wide range of options for students looking to build a strong foundation in financial management. You will have access to skills and knowledge that will grow you in areas such as tracking profitability, and making informed decisions. However, you must have all the requirements that are needed to start studying accounting in the USA before you can gain admission.
In this piece, I will walk you through the requirements needed to study accounting in the USA.
Requirements for Studying Accounting in the USA
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Complete your Secondary Education
You must have completed your secondary education before you can study accounting in the USA. Additionally, you must have a minimum of credits in subjects such as Mathematics, Accounting and English Language.
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English Proficiency Test
You will be required to write an English Language proficiency test if English is not your first language. Additionally, you must show proof of your English proficiency test. It can be tests such as IELTS, TOEFL. This test can vary based on the university you apply to. Additionally, each school will have the minimum score that you should have in the English test. The minimum score for IELTS is 6.0.
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Have Academic Transcripts
You must submit an academic transcript of your previous education. This transcript must contain all your courses and grades that you have studied. Additionally, this transcript must be an official one and it must be written in English.
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Have Reference Letters
You must submit at least two reference letters during your application. This reference letter should be from a teacher or an employer. Therefore, reference letters from friends or family will be rejected.
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Personal Statement
Some schools in the USA may require you to write a personal statement. This is an essay that explains why you want to study accounting in the USA and your career plans. Additionally, you should check the school’s website to know the amount of words that you are required to write in your personal statement.
Requirements to Obtain a Masters Degree in Accounting in the USA
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Have a Bachelor’s Degree
You should have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or relevant field. Additionally, you must have at least 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA from a recognized university.
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Have Academic Transcripts
You must submit an academic transcript of your previous education. This transcript must contain all your courses and grades that you have studied. Additionally, this transcript must be an official one and it must be written in English.
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Professional Experience
You need to have relevant prior professional experience as an accountant. Furthermore, you can have experience working in the business administration field. This may not be a compulsory requirement for all schools. However, it can make you stand out amongst other applicants.
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English Language Entry Requirement
You need to write an English Language proficiency test if English is not your first language. Additionally, you must show proof of your English proficiency test. The minimum score for the IELTS is 7.0 with no sub-band lower than 6.5. Additionally, the minimum score for TOEFL is 80 to 100.
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Recommendation Letters
You need to have at least three recommendation letters. It should consist of 2 academic and 1 professional letters. Furthermore, these letters must be gotten from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, recommendation letters from a friend or family will be rejected.
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Statement of Purpose
You must write a statement of purpose explaining your qualifications, your future plans as well as the reason why you are choosing to study accounting in the USA. Additionally, this essay must be 500-750 words or 1-2 pages long. This can vary depending on the university’s requirements.
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Resume/CV
You need to submit an updated resume or curriculum vitae showcasing your work experience. Additionally, you can add your professional certifications if you have any.
How to Apply
You can apply to the school of your choice through the school’s website. Most schools in the US will require you to pay for an application fee before submitting your application. The application fee varies between 50 -100USD. You can apply for an undergraduate program as well as a postgraduate program. Additionally, you need to verify each school’s requirement before filling the application form.
Duration
The duration for studying accounting in the USA varies based on the type of program and the University. A bachelor’s degree in accounting lasts for four years. However, a masters degree lasts for 1-2 years.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for studying accounting varies for international students as well as the particular university. The average amount for an undergraduate degree ranges from $9,853 to $28,099 annually. Additionally, the average amount for a postgraduate degree ranges from $11,365 to $21,890.
Universities in the USA that Offer Accounting
- Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri
- University of Texas, Austin, Texas
- Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
- The University of Illinois, Urbana and Champaign, Illinois
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts
- Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri
- University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
- Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
- University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
- University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
- Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
- Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts
- University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
- Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
- University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
- University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
- Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- University of Houston, Houston, Texas
- The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
- University of San Diego, San Diego, California
- Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
- Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
- Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas
- Baylor University, Waco Texas
- University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Webster University, Webster Groves, Missouri
In Conclusion, studying accounting in the USA can be highly competitive. This is because the US has a high standard of education which is a desire for most aspiring accountants. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have the right qualifications and documents that are needed to study accounting. Additionally, you need to verify each requirement from the school’s portal before you submit your application. You can reach out to us for furthermore inquires and assistance.
Good luck!