The following outline of accounting schools in Florida is designed to help you become familiar with your options for choosing an accounting program in the state. Florida’s many colleges and universities offer programs in general accounting as well as programs in specialty accounting topics like international business, managerial accounting, and fraud investigation. You may also find that online accounting schools offer similar programs with more scheduling flexibility and opportunities for independent learning.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Florida Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Florida 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
Ana G Mendez University—BBA-Accounting;
MAcc;
MBA-Accounting		N.Av.N.Av.$10,876$12,188N.Av.
Ave Maria University—BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		64.1%61%$18,643$20,776$44,873
Barry University—BSBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting;
MBA: Accounting		63.7%41%$18,390$26,997$54,203
Bethune-Cookman UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting99.8%32%$11,717$31,000$38,237
College of Central Florida—BAS-Business and Organizational Management: AccountingN.Av.45%$9,396$13,000$35,808
Daytona State College—BS-AccountingN.Av.39%$7,929$8,250$35,443
Eastern Florida State College—BAS-Organizational Management: AccountingN.Av.45%$4,775$12,250$36,306
Edward Waters UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting80.1%28%$13,228N.Av.$31,453
Flagler College—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		74%58%$24,798$24,250$46,810
Florida A&M UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting35.3%55%$12,539$23,548$43,616
Florida Atlantic UniversityAACSBBBA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Combined BBA-MAC;
MAC-Accounting Information Systems;
MAC-Tax;
MBA-Accounting;
Executive MAC-Business Valuation;
Executive MAC-Digital Accounting Forensics and Data Analytics;
Executive MAC-Forensic Accounting;
Executive MAC-Forensic Accounting and Business Valuation;
Executive MAC-Forensic Accounting and Digital Accounting Forensics;
Executive MAC-Internal Auditing;
Executive MAC-Professional Accounting;
Executive MAC-Tax;
Executive M.TX.;
M.TX.		78%55%$8,771$17,236$53,644
Florida Gulf Coast University—BS-Accounting;
5-Year Combined BS to MS-Accounting and Taxation;
MS-Accounting and Taxation: Analytics		89.2%56%$9,840$17,622$52,268
Florida Institute of TechnologyIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting and Financial Forensics		65.9%66%$32,314$27,000$53,864
Florida Institute of Technology-Online—BA-Accounting;
BA-Business Administration: Accounting;
MBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting and Finance;
MS-Accounting and Financial Forensics		100%N.Av.$24,297$27,000$53,864
Florida International UniversityAACSBBAcc;
MAcc-Assurance;
MAcc-Taxation		64%67%$9,398$16,500$57,946
Florida Southern CollegeAACSBBA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 MAcc;
Early MAcc;
MAcc		60.9%68%$25,783$25,000$49,449
Florida State UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
MAcc-Assurance and Advisory Services;
MAcc-Generalist;
MAcc-Taxation		37.1%83%$12,684$18,000$57,007
Indian River State College—BS-AccountingN.Av.50%$3,902$8,023$35,482
Jacksonville University—BBA: Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4-Year or 5-Year Bachelor’s to MBA: Accounting;
MBA: Accounting		77.6%48%$23,503$22,000$57,255
Nova Southeastern UniversityIACBEBSBA-Accounting;
4-Year or 5-Year BSBA-Accounting to MAcc;
MAcc-Accounting Analytics;
MAcc-Managerial Accounting;
MAcc-Public Accounting;
MAcc-Tax Accounting;
Dual MAcc/JD;
Grad Cert-Accounting Analytics;
Grad Cert-Public Accounting		92.5%61%$26,530$24,250$56,055
Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting-Franchise;
5-Year BS to MAcc;
MAcc-Accounting Studies;
MAcc-Audit Assurance;
Grad Cert-Accounting		89.9%61%$27,881$22,500$49,234
Saint Leo UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc;
MBA: Accounting		70.7%46%$18,336$25,278$47,428
Santa Fe College—BS-AccountingN.Av.56%$11,341$11,310$41,929
Southeastern UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting and Finance		44.9%51%$27,536$21,500$42,006
St. Thomas University—BBA-Accounting;
MAcc-Forensic Accounting;
MAcc-Taxation;
MBA: Accounting;
Grad Cert-Forensic Accounting;
Grad Cert-Management Accounting;
Grad Cert-Taxation		70.9%41%$28,550$19,125$55,391
Stetson UniversityAACSBBBA-Accounting-CPA Focus;
BBA-Accounting: Corporate Accounting;
BBA-Accounting: Data Analytics;
BBA-Accounting: Financial Planning;
Minor-Accounting;
Fast Track MAcc;
MAcc-Assurance/Reporting/Analytics;
MAcc-Tax		91.6%63%$20,278$23,250$50,835
University of Central FloridaAACSBBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MSA-Assurance;
MSA-Management;
MSA-Taxation		36.4%75%$11,575$18,190$54,850
University of FloridaAACSBBSAc;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year BSAc to MAcc;
MAcc-Auditing;
MAcc-Taxation;
JD/MAcc		30.1%91%$9,809$15,000$69,468
University of MiamiAACSBBSAF;
BBA-Accounting;
BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4.5-Year or 5-Year BBA-Accounting to MS-Accountancy;
4.5-Year or 5-Year BBA-Accounting to MS-Taxation;
MS-Accountancy: Assurance;
MS-Accountancy: Corporate;
MS-Taxation;
Grad Cert-Accounting Practice		28.5%84%$34,492$17,500$71,739
University of North FloridaAACSBBBA-Accounting;
MAcc;
MAcc-Taxation		77.5%67%$7,746$15,531$52,114
University of South FloridaAACSBBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accountancy and Analytics;
MS-Accountancy and Analytics: Assurance;
MS-Accountancy and Analytics: Corporate;
MS-Accountancy and Analytics: Tax		49.4%75%$11,419$17,988$54,364
University of Tampa—BS-Accounting;
BS-International Business and Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year BS to MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		53.6%62%$34,720$24,211$57,297
University of West FloridaN.Av.BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated BSBA to MAcc;
MAcc-Analytics;
MAcc-Business Analysis and Reporting;
MAcc-Information Systems and Controls;
MAcc-Taxation		52.8%52%$10,344$16,624$45,884
Webber International University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA: Accounting		45.7%24%$26,710$25,250$45,652

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 Florida

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

  • University of Miami (#37)
  • Florida State University (#58)
  • University of Florida (#77)
  • University of South Florida (#90)
  • University of Central Florida (#101)
  • Florida International University (#149)
  • Florida Atlantic University (#188)
  • Nova Southeastern University (#215)
  • University of Tampa (#218)
  • Florida State College at Jacksonville (#250)2

US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023

  • University of Florida (Warrington) (#40 tie)4

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

  • University of Florida (#1 tie)
  • University of Central Florida (#9)
  • Florida International University (#24 tie)
  • Florida Atlantic University (#44 tie)
  • Florida Institute of Technology (#66 tie)
  • Florida Southern College (#98 tie)
  • St. Petersburg College (#112 tie)
  • Saint Leo University (#127 tie)
  • Daytona State College (#141 tie)5

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

  • University of Florida (#10)
  • Florida State University (#44 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 Florida 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 Florida being 62.1%:

  1. Palm Beach Atlantic 88.9%
  2. Florida State University 72.3%
  3. University of Florida 69.3%
  4. University of North Florida 69.1%
  5. Hodges University 66.7%
  6. University of Miami 62.8%
  7. University of South Florida 62.4%
  8. University of Central Florida 62.3%

*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 Florida with Accounting Degrees

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

Florida Southern College

Located in Lakeland, Florida Southern College (FSC) is a United Methodist institution that offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting on campus, online, or through a hybrid of both. Students complete a broad range of accounting courses and are guaranteed an internship during the program if desired. Examples of course titles include Cost Accounting, Federal Taxation, and Managerial Finance. Previous internships have been held at Publix, NASA, and the Detroit Tigers. Students interested in graduate study can apply for the 4+1 Master in Accounting (MAcc) program allowing graduate-level study during the senior undergraduate year or the Early MAcc program which allows students to graduate with both a BS in Accounting and a MAcc at the same time. FSC offers many clubs and groups to get students involved in real-world accounting activities, such as the Accounting Student Association, Beta Alpha Psi, and the Dean’s Advisory Council.

Stetson University

At Stetson University, students can complete the four-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting program with four concentrations to choose from: CPA Focus, Corporate Accounting, Data Analytics, and Financial Planning. This is an AACSB-accredited program that comprises 32 credits, including liberal arts, accounting foundations, and experiential learning activities. Students must take six core accounting courses, including Financial Accounting I, Federal Taxation of Individuals, and Accounting Information Systems. Students must also complete an accounting colloquium to enhance their knowledge of various professional topics, such as ethics, regulations, and career opportunities. Stetson encourages students to participate in hands-on learning activities, such as volunteer tax clinics or internships during the program to enhance their learning. The accounting major can also be combined with another relevant major or minor, such as finance. Stetson also offers an online graduate program in accounting.

University of Miami

Miami Business School at the University of Miami (UM) offers three undergraduate accounting degrees with a global perspective drawing on the multicultural community and international businesses located in the city. Both the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting require 120 credits in liberal arts, business, and accounting courses; however, the BSBA requires more concentrated study in quantitative skills, such as calculus and programming, while BBA students are allowed a higher number of electives. The Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance (BSAF) curriculum comprises 125 credits and is the equivalent of a double major in Finance and Accounting. UM has several special interest clubs to get involved in such as Women in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Canes Investing Association. Graduate programs are offered, including a five-year combined undergraduate and graduate degree program for students with exceptional GPAs.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Florida State University

The Department of Accounting in the College of Business at Florida State University (FSU) offers a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree that builds expertise in quantitative analysis, research, and skills. Students can choose from one of three concentration areas: Assurance and Advisory Services, Generalist, or Taxation. Graduates of the accounting undergraduate program can complete the program in one year, or three full-time semesters, by completing the 30 required credits. Applicants without an undergraduate accounting degree must first complete 51 foundational credits in business and accounting before continuing to the concentration curriculum. All students take classes in Auditing Theory and Challenges in Professional Accounting regardless of concentration. Successful completion of the program prepares students to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing exam.

University of Florida

The Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida (UF) is a highly-ranked business school for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree is offered through the Fisher School of Accounting with optional concentrations in Auditing or Taxation. The program can be taken simultaneously with the Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSAc) degree program to complete both in five years. Applicants from other institutions are expected to have prior accounting education or else preparatory work may be required before beginning the program. The program is designed to prepare students to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in Florida. Students benefit from professional resources, such as the International Accounting & Auditing Center, which conducts world-class research and hosts accounting scholars from around the world.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting fully online. This is a degree-completion program enabling students to apply after completing two years of general education and pre-business study at the institution of their choice. Students wishing to take advanced accounting courses also need to pass the school’s Accounting Competency Exam with a score of 70% prior to entry. Courses include Cost Accounting, Federal Taxation I, and Business Law I & II. A total of 120 credits are required to graduate from the program. Online students complete the same curriculum and are taught by the same professors who teach on campus. FAU also offers Executive Master of Taxation (M.TX.) and Executive Master of Accounting (MAC) programs that can be completed online. Executive MAC students can choose from concentrations in Business Valuation; Digital Accounting Forensics and Data Analytics; Forensic Accounting; Forensic Accounting and Business Valuation; Forensic Accounting and Digital Accounting Forensics; Internal Auditing; Professional Accounting; and Tax. Those looking for an on-campus experience can pursue FAU’s traditional MAC degree with optional concentrations in Accounting Information Systems and Taxation, M.TX., or MBA with an Accounting Concentration.

Florida Institute of Technology-Online

The online accounting degree options at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) Online include a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting degree. Both programs teach students a broad range of accounting skills to prepare them for a generalist career in accounting. The BA program requires more electives in accounting while the BBA program requires more electives in business and is designed to help students prepare for further study and licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Students in the bachelor’s degree programs must complete 121 credits including advanced accounting coursework and general education. Florida Tech offers a wide range of online degrees and helps students prepare for the online learning environment through the mandatory Mastering eLearning course.

Florida CPA Requirements and Steps

Like in many other states, in Florida, an individual hoping to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) must successfully pass the Uniform CPA Exam administered by NASBA. Licensure is overseen by the Florida Department of Business & Public Regulation (DBPR). A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 120 credits is required to sit for the exam. There are five main steps to complete in order to become a CPA.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Apply for and take the Uniform CPA Examination.
  4. Apply for a license.
  5. Receive a CPA license.

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

The first step towards becoming a CPA in Florida is to complete at least 150 semester hours of college-level education resulting in a baccalaureate degree or higher. Included in the 150 hours of education should be at least 30 semester hours of upper-division accounting coursework in auditing and cost accounting; three semester hours of financial accounting; and three semester hours of taxation. The coursework must also include 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) of general business coursework, including three semester hours of business law.

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

To qualify for a CPA license, at least 2,000 hours of work experience, completed over one year of full-time work experience (at least 40 hours per week) or two years of part-time work experience (at least 20 hours per week), must be accumulated and verified by a currently licensed CPA or approved chartered accountant. The hours of experience may begin after the applicant has completed 120 semester hours of coursework concentrating on accounting and business from an accredited school. The experience may include public, private, or government practice, or may be in academia.

3. Apply for and take the Uniform CPA Examination.

The accounting boards of all 50 states require that prospective CPAs take the Uniform CPA Exam developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to earn certification and to practice as a CPA. In Florida, once the required education has been completed, CPA candidates must apply to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Certified Public Accounting for authorization to take the Uniform CPA Exam. Once authorization has been granted, candidates may apply online with NASBA to schedule and take the exam. All four parts of the exam must be passed within a rolling 18-month period.

4. Apply for a license.

Applicants must create an account with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to apply for a license. They must provide evidence that they have met all education and work requirements for licensure, pay an application fee, and submit their exam results and completed license application to the DBPR. The license must be applied for within three years after passing the exam. Applicants may apply through the online portal or the printable application form.

5. Receive a CPA License.

After applying to the DBPR, applicants will receive an email verifying the receipt of their application. Upon approval of the license, applicants will be able to sign on to their DBPR account to print their license. Within three to six weeks of approval, applicants should receive a wall certificate.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

For CPA license renewals, the DBPR requires all CPAs to complete 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every two years, with at least eight of these hours in accounting and auditing and four hours in an ethics course approved by the Board. The four main categories for Florida CPE include:

  • Eight hours minimum in accounting and auditing
  • Technical business
  • Behavioral coursework (no more than 20 hours)
  • Four hours minimum in ethics

You can find additional information on the DBPR website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Florida

In addition to opening their own accounting office, accounting graduates can choose from many employment opportunities in Florida. Major accounting firms in the state include KPMG, Carroll & Company, and Carr Riggs & Ingram (CRI). Job seekers can also choose to work for top employers in the state including American Express, Marriott International, Darden Restaurants, and Carnival Corporation. Government positions are available at the state and local levels and include administrative government, the FBI, the armed forces, and state-owned health facilities.

Florida Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Gainesville980$72,950
Jacksonville7,090$78,580
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach29,930$83,640
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford12,450$81,210
Tallahassee2,410$61,030
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater14,860$82,370

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Florida

  • Berkowitz Pollack Brant (BPB): Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Miami, BPB is one of the largest accounting firms in South Florida with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, serving entrepreneurs and publicly traded companies with expertise in tax, audit, forensic accounting, and business advisory services.
  • Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs (THF): A leading Florida-based regional firm headquartered in Tallahassee with offices in Tampa and Panama City, THF provides audit, tax, and advisory services with recognized specialty niches in government, insurance, and nonprofit sectors.
  • Withum: One of Central Florida’s largest advisory and accounting firms and ranked 22nd largest nationally by Accounting Today, Withum’s Orlando office actively invests in the next generation of accounting professionals through sponsorships and scholarships at Florida universities.

Florida Accounting Associations

  • Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA): Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Orlando, the FICPA is the premier professional organization for Florida’s more than 18,500 CPA and accounting professionals, offering continuing education, legislative advocacy, networking through 26 statewide chapters, and scholarships through its Educational Foundation.
  • Florida Board of Accountancy: The official state body overseeing CPA licensure in Florida, the Board of Accountancy is an essential resource for accounting graduates seeking information on exam eligibility, education requirements, continuing education standards, and license renewal.

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, Florida: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_fl.htm
13. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/certified-public-accounting/