This overview of accounting schools in Pennsylvania will detail different options for pursuing an accounting degree or certificate in the state. Pennsylvania is home to numerous quality colleges and universities, many of which offer one or more accounting programs. Students can pursue online degree options, accelerated programs, or part-time options. Read on below to find out information about rankings, program details, and career opportunities for those with accounting degrees in the state of Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Pennsylvania Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Pennsylvania 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
Albright College—BBA-Accounting;
BBA-Combined Major in Accounting;
BBA-Accounting: Economics and Finance;
BS-Accounting;
4+1 Bachelor’s to MS-Business: Accounting;
MS-Business: Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		76.3%47%$20,884$27,000$55,578
Alvernia UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting57.8%65%$24,917$27,000$52,116
Arcadia UniversityACBSPBA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		82.4%62%$26,949$27,000$54,467
Bucknell University—BSBA: Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		34.5%88%$38,170$27,000$86,631
Cabrini UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 BS-Accounting/MAcc;
MAcc;
MBA-Accounting Analytics		80.0%52%$21,387$26,000$54,218
Cairn University-LanghorneIACBEBS-Accounting;
Dual Level BS-Accounting/MBA		82.3%61%$26,380$26,926$41,656
Carlow UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
BS-Forensic Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
MS-Fraud and Forensics Accounting		92.1%52%$18,638$25,500$48,929
Carnegie Mellon University—BBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting;
PhD-Accounting		13.5%93%$37,450.00$21,750$111,064
Cedar Crest CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 BS-Accounting/MBA		68.8%64%$23,501$27,000$55,062
Chatham UniversityIACBEBA-Accounting;
Integrated Degree Program (IDP): BA to MBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		73.4%63%$27,225$23,250$49,280
Chestnut Hill College—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		97.9%63%$26,658$26,389$50,257
Clarks Summit University—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		58.3%55%$17,216$18,034$38,264
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania—BSBA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc;
MBA-Accounting		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.
Delaware Valley UniversityACBSPBSBA-Accounting;
4+1 Accounting BSBA to MBA;
MBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		92.8%54%$26,807$25,000$53,163
DeSales UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Accelerated BS-Accounting: Forensic Accounting;
BS-Accounting to MBA;
MBA-Accounting		78.2%69%$27,965$25,788$57,821
Drexel University—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Dual Degree: BSBA-Accounting to MBA;
MBA-Accounting Analytics;
MS-Accounting;
Graduate Minor-Accounting		82.6%78%$26,076$25,325$79,785
Duquesne University—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year BSBA to MAcc;
MAcc		84.3%78%$34,505$26,244$71,826
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania—BS-Accounting;
4+1 Accounting BS/MS;
MS-Accounting		93.4%49%$16,674$24,218$52,913
Eastern UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
3-Year Fast Pass BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
3+1 BS-Accounting to MBA		68.7%60%$24,199$25,000$48,006
Elizabethtown CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting79.5%75%$26,534$27,000$63,220
Gannon UniversityACBSPBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		83.6%64%$22,258$27,000$57,091
Geneva CollegeACBSPBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
3+1 Accounting Scholars BSBA-Accounting/MBA		79.4%71%$19,895$25,198$49,884
Grove City CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting/BS-Finance;
BS-Accounting/BS-Business Analysis;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		72.6%88%$21,846N.Av.N.Av.
Gwynedd Mercy UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
4+1 BS-Accounting/MBA		90.6%55%$25,843$25,000$62,124
Holy Family UniversityACBSPBA-Accounting;
Accelerated MS-Accountancy		77.0%56%$11,935$25,125$60,485
Immaculata UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		79.6%69%$28,510$27,000$58,673
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusAACSBBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Professional Accountancy		94.2%56%$21,153$26,798$46,764
Juniata CollegeIACBEMAcc74.4%76%$26,493$27,000$59,092
Keystone CollegeIACBEBS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting Principles;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc;
MBA-Accounting		82.2%46%$18,692$26,000$39,466
King’s College—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Minor-Forensic Accounting		95.8%67%$27,313$27,000$58,640
La Roche UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 Accounting BS/MS;
MS-Accounting		98.1%51%$23,334$25,000$48,621
La Salle University—BS-Accounting;
4 Year Accounting BS/MBA;
MBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Fraud and Forensics Accounting		81.4%58%$24,130$25,000$64,386
Lackawanna College—BS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting: Forensic Accounting		N.Av.32%$18,489$18,075$38,461
Lebanon Valley CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
3+1 BS-Accounting/MBA		77.6%68%$26,944$27,000$56,367
Lehigh UniversityAACSBBS in Business and Economics-Accounting46.0%87%$31,539$21,960$100,559
Lincoln University—BS-Accounting;
BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		79.8%49%$14,513$28,250$39,222
Lock Haven UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting95%N.Av.N.Av.$20,000$48,116
Lycoming College—BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		74.7%67%$19,508$27,000$56,167
Mansfield UniversityACBSPBSBA-Accounting94%N.Av.N.Av.$16,767$44,818
Marywood UniversityAACSB;ACBSPBBA-Accounting81.9%70%$22,687$26,186$51,671
Mercyhurst UniversityIACBE2+2 AS/BA-Accounting;
BA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 BA-Accounting/Masters		82.4%62%$25,785$25,305$46,596
Messiah UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		77.4%77%$23,895$25,621$54,532
Millersville University of PennsylvaniaACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		96.4%57%$17,995$23,507$50,554
Misericordia UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Minor-Forensic Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		89.1%71%$23,822$26,973$59,518
Moravian UniversityACBSPBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 BA-Accounting/MBA;
MBA-Managerial Accounting;
Grad Cert-Managerial Accounting		78.1%68%$32,020$26,793$64,389
Mount Aloysius CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting: Forensic Accounting in Criminal Investigations;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		92.4%53%$21,793$24,287$42,489
Muhlenberg College—BA-Accounting67.8%82%$30,920$25,455$70,439
Neumann UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 Accounting BS/MS-Forensics and Fraud Detection;
4+1 BA-Criminal Justice/MS-Accounting: Forensics and Fraud Detection;
MS-Accounting: Forensics and Fraud Detection;
Grad Cert-Accounting: Fraud and Forensics		84.2%49%$28,325$27,000$54,198
Peirce CollegeACBSPBS-AccountingN.Av.11%$13,714$31,250$49,485
Pennsylvania College of TechnologyACBSPBS-AccountingN.Av.50%$23,146$23,961$49,047
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Minor-Information Sciences and Technology for Accounting;
Integrated Accounting BS/MAcc;
MAcc;
MAcc-Accounting Analytics		92.3%72%$24,012$25,000$61,185
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$25,000$61,185
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona—BS-AccountingN.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$25,000$61,185
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$25,000$61,185
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MPA		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$25,000$61,185
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Great Valley—MPA;
MBA-Management Accounting;
Grad Cert-Financial Accounting;
Grad Cert-Management Accounting		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$25,000$61,185
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Information Sciences and Technology/Accounting;
Integrated BS-Accounting/MBA;
MPA;
MBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$25,000$61,185
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus—BS-Accounting;
MPA;
Grad Cert-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting Foundations		N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.$25,000$61,185
Pennsylvania Western UniversityACBSP BSBA-AccountingN.Av.N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.N.Av.
Point Park UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
Post-Bacc BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		82.3%61%$25,004$27,000$44,613
Robert Morris UniversityAACSBBSBA-Accounting94.0%65%$23,183$26,950$56,943
Rosemont College—BS-Accounting;
4+1 BS-Accounting/MBA;
4+1 BS-Accounting/MS-Healthcare Administration;
4+1 BS-Accounting/MS-Strategic Leadership		80.0%50%$25,644$27,000$48,596
Saint Francis UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting: Business Analytics;
BS-Accounting: Entrepreneurship;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated BS-Accounting/MBA;
5-Year BS-Accounting/MBA;
MBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		73.3%74%$28,883$27,000$62,067
Saint Joseph’s UniversityAACSBBS-Accounting;
4+1 Accounting BS/MPA;
MPA;
Grad Cert-Accountancy		83.1%83%$33,438$25,500$74,933
Saint Vincent CollegeACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		73.0%73%$23,361$27,000$58,731
Seton Hill UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting: CPA;
BS-Accounting: non-CPA;
BSBA-Accounting: CPA;
BSBA-Accounting: non-CPA;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination		73.8%67%$22,424$27,000$50,129
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania—BSBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		93.1%58%$21,077$25,000$51,372
Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaACBSPBSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 BSBA-Accounting/MAcc;
MAcc;
Grad Cert-Accounting		79.5%68%$12,364$25,000$49,804
Susquehanna University—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Minor-Professional Accounting		76.6%74%$28,130$27,000$59,894
Temple University—BBA-Accounting;
BBA-Accounting: Data Analytics;
Accelerated BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		72.3%75%$23,224$24,395$60,306
Thiel College—BA-Accounting;
BA-Forensic Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		88.0%47%$22,883$27,000$46,325
Thomas Jefferson UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
MS-Taxation;
MBA-Accounting		78.1%71%$24,227$14,744$71,676
University of Pennsylvania—BS-Economics: Accounting;
MBA-Accounting;
PhD-Accounting		5.9%96%$14,578$15,715$112,761
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		73.3%36%$16,597$24,250$61,744
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg—BS-Management Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		90.9%34%$17,644$24,250$61,744
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown—BS-Management Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		91.9%49%$17,627$24,250$61,744
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus—BSBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting and Business Analytics;
MBA-Accounting;
PhD-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		66.7%84%$22,996$24,250$61,744
University of Scranton—BS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting: Forensic Accounting;
BS-Accounting: Accounting Analytics;
Minor-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting Administration;
Minor-Forensic Accounting;
5-Year BS-Accounting/MAcc;
5-Year BS-Accounting/MBA-Accounting;
MAcc;
MBA-Accounting;
PhD-Accounting		80.3%79%$35,913$27,000$70,238
University of Valley Forge—BSBA-Accounting82.0%56%$23,944$27,000$36,232
Villanova UniversityAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc: Data Analytics;
Master of Business Taxation (MBT): Data Analytics;
Grad Cert-Accountancy		25.2%91%$33,123$25,874$96,129
Washington & Jefferson College—BA-Accounting;
BA-Business Administration: Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		83.7%76%$27,101$27,000$69,233
Waynesburg UniversityIACBEBSBA-Accounting;
BSBA-Forensic Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Integrated 5-Year BSBA/MBA;
MBA-Accounting		75.0%67%$22,070$27,000$55,757
West Chester University of Pennsylvania—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated BS-Accounting/MS-Applied Statistics		89.4%73%$14,133$23,500$56,602
Westminster College—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		82.1%73%$20,258$26,060$53,244
Widener University—BSBA-Accounting;
BSBA-Accounting: Forensics Accounting;
4+1 BSBA-Accounting/MBA;
MS-Taxation & Financial Planning;
Grad Cert-Taxation		84.5%68%$25,343$27,000$68,879
Wilkes UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		94.8%61%$30,155$26,000$61,498
Wilson College—BS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		92.9%53%$22,200$26,328$41,326
York College of PennsylvaniaACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc		77.7%66%$22,543$26,000$57,528

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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania (#1)
  • Lehigh University (#5)
  • Villanova University (#11)
  • Drexel University (#13)
  • Bucknell University (#19)
  • University of Scranton (#32)
  • Saint Joseph’s University (#36)
  • University of Pittsburgh (#54)
  • Muhlenberg College (#92)
  • Duquesne University (#96)
  • Temple University (#103)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania (#130)
  • La Salle University (#192)
  • King’s College (#202)
  • Widener University (#234)2

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

  • Bucknell University
  • Drexel University
  • Duquesne University
  • Lehigh University
  • Penn State University-University Park
  • Temple University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Washington & Jefferson College3

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

  • University of Pennsylvania (#2)
  • University of Scranton (#18)
  • Pennsylvania State University (#22 tie)
  • Saint Joseph’s University (#34 tie)
  • Carnegie Mellon University (#44 tie)4

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

  • Pennsylvania State University-World Campus (#3 tie)
  • Drexel University (#12 tie)
  • Temple University (#12 tie)
  • Duquesne University (#58 tie)
  • Saint Joseph’s University (#58 tie)
  • La Salle University (#79 tie)
  • St. Francis University (#79 tie)
  • Chatham University (#127 tie)
  • Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (#127 tie)
  • Geneva College (#157 tie)
  • Eastern University (#170-214)
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology (#170-214)5

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

  • University of Pennsylvania (#6 tie)
  • Carnegie Mellon University (#20 tie)
  • Saint Joseph’s University (#26 tie)
  • Pennsylvania State University (#28 tie)
  • University of Scranton (#44 tie)
  • Villanova University (#50 tie)
  • Bucknell University (#60 tie)
  • Lehigh University (#60 tie)6

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rates 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania being 55.1%:

  1. University of Pennsylvania 92.9%
  2. Thiel College 90.0%
  3. Lehigh University 78.5%
  4. Clarion University of Pennsylvania** 77.8%
  5. Villanova University 75.4%
  6. Duquesne University 73.2%

*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.
**Became part of Pennsylvania Western University-Clarion in 2021.

Schools in Pennsylvania with Accounting Degrees

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

Saint Joseph’s University

Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major in Accounting. The accounting program emphasizes the application of classroom knowledge to the real world, and students learn the skills necessary to succeed in the industry. The core classes of the degree cover the basics of financial and managerial accounting as well as accounting information systems and business ethics. This curriculum prepares graduates to continue their education and eventually sit for the CPA examination. SJU offers a 4+1 option through which students pursuing the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting can apply their last year’s coursework to a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) degree. The MPA can also be pursued independently of the BS. For those who wish to take the CPA exam, a 36-credit post-baccalaureate certificate is available to fulfill the additional academic requirements.

University of Pennsylvania

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economics with a Concentration in Accounting. This program is built on a broad liberal arts foundation, and the general education requirements include mathematics, economics, finance, humanities, and behavioral and natural sciences. After accounting majors complete this core coursework, they can take accounting courses such as Accounting and Business Analysis; Valuation; and Financial Measurement and Disclosure. Penn also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting that can be completed in 20 months, including a summer internship. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting degree is also available, focusing on academic research.

University of Scranton

At the University of Scranton (Scranton), students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. Students start their general education with liberal arts course requirements before taking accounting classes, which emphasize finance and accounting concepts, theory, and their applications to everyday business. Accounting majors can choose from three tracks: general accounting, forensic accounting, or accounting analytics. Several minors are available as well, including Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, and Forensic Accounting. Scranton also offers two five-year combined programs–a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting and a BS and Master of Accountancy (MAcc). Both master’s degrees can be completed entirely online. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting is also available.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Duquesne University

At the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University, students can earn a Master of Science in Accountancy (MAcc). This 30-credit graduate program can be completed in one year of daytime and evening courses, or in two years with just evening courses. The curriculum focuses on subjects like forensic accounting, financial reporting, information systems, and common ethical issues in the field. Students learn communication strategies and develop leadership skills through small, hands-on classes. Accounting courses include subjects such as Fraud Examination, Internal Audit, Contemporary Topics in Financial Reporting, and Non-Profit and Governmental Accounting. Through this curriculum, and in combination with an undergraduate degree, students earn the minimum 150 credit hours and learn the skills necessary to sit for the CPA examination. Duquesne also offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with an Accounting concentration as well as an Accounting Minor. Some students are eligible to complete both their BSBA and their MAcc in just three and a half years while completing an additional semester in a paid co-op with a major accounting firm.

University of Pittsburgh

The Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) offers a 30-credit Master of Science (MS) in Accounting. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing leadership positions in financial and managerial accounting. Students complete the core curriculum, which includes classes in Forensic Accounting; Business Law; and Corporate Tax Accounting and Planning; before choosing electives within the business school. The coursework prepares students to sit for the CPA examination upon graduation. The MS program requires some accounting prerequisites, but students do not need to complete all of these fundamental courses before applying for the program. A 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a major in Accounting is available that focuses on an arts and sciences foundation. For students who have a non-accounting bachelor’s degree, an undergraduate Certificate in Accounting is available. In addition, there are two accounting-focused Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees: Accounting and Accounting and Business Analytics. A 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Accounting and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting are available as well.

Online Accounting Programs

Carlow University

Carlow University offers several accounting programs online, including a Bachelor of Science in Accounting for undergraduate students. This 120-credit-hour program offers an interactive online classroom atmosphere in which students will learn the fundamentals of accounting through coursework such as Accounting Information Systems and Auditing. Up to 90 credits can be transferred from another institution, allowing students to graduate in less than four years. An online graduate certificate is also available at Carlow in Fraud and Forensics. This certificate prepares students for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) certification. Several online master’s degrees are also available at Carlow, including a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in Fraud and Forensics, a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting, and an MS in Fraud and Forensics.

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

Pennsylvania State University’s (Penn State) online World Campus offers a Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) degree. This degree is designed for those with an undergraduate academic background in business or accounting, and some prerequisite courses are required. The 30-credit-hour curriculum includes courses such as Business Tax Planning Theory and Practice; Strategic Cost Management; Financial Reporting; and Auditing Theory and Practice. The coursework prepares graduates to sit for the CPA examination and fulfills the state’s educational licensure requirements. Students also have the option of pursuing two Graduate Certificates: one in Accounting, which can also apply to the MPA degree, and one in Accounting Foundations. The Accounting Foundations Certificate is intended for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in accounting, but wish to move into a role with more accounting-intensive work or even into an accounting master’s degree. The Accounting Certificate is intended for students who already have a background in accounting and wish to pursue more advanced-level work. An online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting is also available.

Pennsylvania CPA Requirements and Steps

CPA candidates in Pennsylvania must complete 150 credit hours and have at least a bachelor’s degree from a Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy (SBOA)-approved or accredited institution. There are five main steps to complete in order to earn a Pennsylvania CPA license.

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

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

To qualify for a CPA license in Pennsylvania, a candidate must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree and completed 150 semester hours of college education. The 150 semester hours must include at least 24 semester credits in accounting topics such as:

  • Accounting and auditing
  • Business law
  • Finance
  • Tax

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

All CPA candidates in Pennsylvania must complete at least 1,600 hours of experience in accounting that should be acquired over at least 12 months. The experience must be accumulated during the 60 months preceding the application date to qualify for a license. Experience may include areas such as attest, preparation of tax returns, financial advisory, management advisory, public accounting, and compilation. For more details on the experience requirement in Pennsylvania, visit SBOA’s website. All work must be supervised by a currently licensed CPA to qualify.

3. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

SBOA uses NASBA to administer the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Uniform CPA Exam application and testing process. Candidates who are qualified and prepared to take the exam may apply through the NASBA web portal. Pre-evaluation is also available for candidates who are not certain that their education qualifies to test. All four sections of the exam must be passed with a score of 75 or higher within an 18-month rolling period.

4. Apply for a license.

Once all other requirements have been met, candidates may submit the Certified Public Accountant Certification Application along with an application fee via the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) portal. Verification of education and experience must be submitted as part of the application. Applicants must also submit state and federal criminal reference checks from any state where they have lived, studied, or worked in the past five years.

5. Receive a CPA license from SBOA.

Applicants can check the status of their license application on the PALS portal. Once SBOA has received and reviewed all required documentation, the license will be issued and will show up on the individual’s online PALS profile. Applicants cannot use the CPA title until the license is issued.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Pennsylvania CPAs must renew their licenses on a two-year cycle beginning January 1 of even-numbered years until December 31 of odd-numbered years. Licenses can be renewed online up to 60 days prior to expiry. License renewal requires the completion of 80 hours of continuing education (CE), with at least 20 hours of CE in each calendar year. For individuals engaging in attest activity, a minimum of 24 hours of CE must be in the area of accounting and attest. All renewal applicants must complete at least four CE hours in professional ethics. You can find additional information about acceptable CE sources on the SBOA website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania is filled with job opportunities for accounting, tax, and finance experts. Several Fortune 500 companies are located in Pennsylvania including Comcast, Rite Aid, and Aramark. These companies and others may offer roles in internal auditing, corporate tax preparation, accounting roles, and financial reporting. Graduates can also pursue positions in government, public accounting, or not-for-profit organizations. The major cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Lancaster are home to numerous CPA offices and consulting firms. Graduates with degrees in accounting may find opportunities to work in companies, firms, or organizations all across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton2,970$80,580
Harrisburg-Carlisle3,170$74,500
Lancaster1,920$76,790
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington29,800$87,000
Pittsburgh10,930$76,490
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazelton1,640$72,590

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Pennsylvania

  • McKonly & Asbury LLP: One of the largest accounting firms in Pennsylvania and a top CPA firm in the Mid-Atlantic, McKonly & Asbury LLP offers consulting, audit, assurance, and tax assistance to its clients.
  • Boyer & Ritter LLC: With offices in Camp Hill, Carlisle, Chambersburg, and State College, Boyer and Ritter is a leader in tax, accounting, and consulting services.
  • BBD LLP: An independent, boutique accounting firm serving the greater Philadelphia area, BBD prides itself on developing personal relationships with clients and a high level of partner and manager involvement.

Pennsylvania Accounting Associations

  • Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA): A professional organization with over 20,000 members across 11 regional chapters in the state, PICPA supports licensed and aspiring CPAs with exam support, continuing education opportunities, and numerous networking and leadership events throughout the year.
  • Pennsylvania Society of Tax & Accounting Professionals (PSTAP): A professional resource organization designed specifically for small tax and accounting practices in Pennsylvania, PSTAP develops practical resources and toolkits for its members and publishes the PA Accountant magazine and eNewsletter.

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, Pennsylvania: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_pa.htm
13. Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/accountancy-board