There are numerous colleges and universities in Texas offering accounting degree and certificate programs. These programs include study in in-demand areas like forensic accounting, managerial accounting, and information systems accounting, as well as many other subject areas. This guide to accounting schools in Texas presents detailed information on your options, including profiles of accounting programs and career information to support your educational decisions. Online accounting schools can also be a good fit for self-directed learners seeking scheduling flexibility. Continue reading below to learn more about accounting schools in Texas.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Texas Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Texas 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
Abilene Christian University—BBA-Accounting;
MAcc		70.1%60%$29,734$24,250$51,336
Amberton UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
BBA/MBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		N.Av.N. Av.N. Av.N. Av.N. Av.
Angelo State UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
BBA-MPAcc Integrated;
MPAcc		70.1%45%$12,835$20,000$46,355
Baylor UniversityAACSBBBA-Accounting;
MAcc;
BBA/MAcc;
MTax;
BBA/MTax		56.7%82%$46,039$23,000$62,913
Dallas Baptist UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
BBS-Accounting;
Accelerated BBA to MBA-Accounting;
Accelerated BBA to MSA		94.0%61%$27,599$21,591$53,741
East Texas Baptist University—BBA-Accounting/Finance;
MBA-Accounting		64.5%45%$23,885$23,250$47,521
Hardin-Simmons UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Fast-Track BBA-Accounting to MBA		94.6%52%$23,337$24,711$51,029
Houston Christian University—BBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		84.9%44%$20,089$22,642$53,245
Howard Payne University—BBA-Accounting;
Integrated BBA-Accounting/MBA		59.3%35%$23,603$26,793$48,283
Lamar University—BBA-Accounting;
MS-Professional Accounting;
MBA-Accounting;
Dual MS-Professional Accounting & MBA;
Grad Cert-Professional Accounting		88.1%39%$11,449$21,250$45,940
LeTourneau UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		54.2%64%$25,932$26,000$55,560
Lubbock Christian UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Accelerated BBA-Accounting to MAcc;
MAcc		95.2%43%$24,079$20,948$47,426
McMurry University—BBA-Accounting;
UG Cert-Bridge to MAcc;
UG Cert-Accounting for Decision Making;
MAcc		78.4%31%$22,098$27,000$46,461
Midwestern State University—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		94.6%47%$11,160$21,030$53,007
Our Lady of the Lake UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Accelerated BBA-Accounting to MBA;
MS-Accounting		65.8%35%$18,362$24,999$46,486
Paul Quinn College—BBA-Accounting87.4%23%$7,306$23,373$35,695
Prairie View A&M University—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
4+1 BBA to MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		77.0%42%$14,927$27,000$43,390
Rice University—MAcc;
MBA-Accounting;
PhD-Business: Accounting		9.5%92%$18,521$11,000$87,254
Saint Edward’s University—BBA-Accounting;
BBA-Accounting Information Technology;
MS-Accounting Analytics		92.2%66%$24,668$24,803$56,465
Sam Houston State University—BBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		96.6%57%$14,287$21,983$52,250
Schreiner University—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		83.8%45%$23,048$23,250$47,674
Southern Methodist University—BBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting (MSA)		53.1%82%$41,986$19,500$76,672
Southwestern Adventist UniversityIACBEBBA-Professional Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		57.5%45%$18,472$26,998$46,824
Southwestern Assemblies of God UniversityIACBEBS-Accounting85.4%43%$22,245$24,725$41,771
St. Mary’s University—BBA-Accounting;
BBA-Accounting and Data Analytics		88.5%59%$17,899$25,563$56,763
Stephen F Austin State University—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year BBA-Accounting/MPA;
MPAcc;
Grad Cert-Forensic Accounting and Analytics		83.1%53%$16,819$23,409$48,292
Tarleton State UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
MAcc		56.8%49%$13,752$19,606$49,993
Texas A&M International UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
UG Cert-Oil and Gas Accounting;
MPAcc		54.4%49%$5,155$15,000$47,235
Texas A&M University-College StationAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Professional Program in Accounting (PPA): BBA-Accounting/MS;
MS-Accounting (MSA);
PhD-Business Administration: Accounting		64.3%83%$22,253$17,804$70,877
Texas A&M University-Commerce—BBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Auditing and Forensic Accounting;
Grad Cert-Tax Accounting		86.7%42%$13,639$20,500$48,471
Texas A&M University-Corpus ChristiAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc;
MBA-Accounting		91.3%36%$14,349$23,000$49,203
Texas A&M University-Kingsville—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		92.9%43%$12,028$22,934$49,528
Texas A&M University-Central TexasACBSPBBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting Information Systems and Control		95.9%N.Av.$8,089$17,750N.Av.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio—BBA-Accounting;
MPAcc		72.7%N.Av.$12,235$18,401N.Av.
Texas A&M University-Texarkana—BBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		96.0%24%$13,810$18,953$42,272
Texas Christian UniversityAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
PPA: BBA-Accounting to MAcc;
MAcc		53.6%83%$42,574$21,500$63,517
Texas Lutheran UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
BBA-Accounting/MAcy;
MAcy		62.9%54%$19,829$25,000$54,428
Texas Southern University—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		63.1%23%$9,921$29,000$36,251
Texas State UniversityAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Integrated: BBA-Accounting/MAcy;
MAcy;
MAcy-Auditing;
MAcy-Taxation		70.0%57%$16,385$21,000$53,885
Texas Tech UniversityAACSBBBA-Accounting;
UG Cert-Accounting;
Accelerated BBA to MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		67.9%63%$17,057$21,500$60,456
Texas Wesleyan University—BBA-Accounting;
Fifth-Year BBA-Accounting to MBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		57.5%26%$21,495$23,125$50,920
Texas Woman’s UniversityACBSPBBA-Accounting;
4+1 BBA-Accounting to MBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		95.7%48%$11,627$19,218$52,581
Trinity University—BS-Accounting;
5-Year BS-Accounting/MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		33.7%80%$27,356$22,954$67,418
University of Dallas—4+1 BA to MS-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		58.4%72%$25,620$23,117$56,733
University of HoustonAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
PPA: Accelerated BBA to MS-Accountancy;
MS-Accountancy;
Grad Cert-Accountancy;
Grad Cert-Applied Data Analytics in Accounting;
PhD-Accounting		65.5%62%$14,339$18,194$59,580
University of Houston-Clear LakeAACSBBS-Accounting;
Integrated BS/MS-Professional Accounting;
MS-Accounting		91.2%53%$16,737$17,831$55,946
University of Houston-Downtown—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting and Finance for Non-Business Majors;
5-Year BBA-MPAc;
MPAc;
MBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Accounting		94.8%30%$13,460$18,750$52,929
University of Houston-Victoria—BBA-Accounting;
MAcc		53.4%22%$11,375$18,973$50,692
University of Mary Hardin-BaylorACBSPBBA-Accounting;
MS-Accounting		99.3%53%$30,191$26,000$52,159
University of North TexasAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Combined BS/MS-Accounting;
MS-Corporate Accounting;
MS-Accounting: Audit and Assurance;
MS-Taxation;
PhD-Accounting		81.4%60%$11,915$19,250$54,047
University of North Texas at Dallas—BBA-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		89.9%37%$6,575$18,606N.Av.
University of St. Thomas—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
MBA-Accounting		98.4%62%$20,130$19,928$54,322
University of Texas at ArlingtonAACSBBBA-Accounting;
BS-Accounting;
Fast-Track BBA or BS to MS-Accounting;
PPIA: BBA or BS to MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting;
MPA;
MS-Taxation;
PhD-Business Administration: Accounting		92.7%51%$15,301$17,527$57,994
University of Texas at AustinAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year Integrated MPA (iMPA) (BBA-Accounting/MPA);
MPA;
PhD-Accounting		28.8%88%$16,589$20,500$72,713
University of Texas at DallasAACSBBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
BS/MS-Accounting Fast Track;
PPA: BS/MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting Cohort;
MS-Accounting Flex;
MS-Accounting: Accounting Analytics;
MBA-Accounting;
Grad Cert-Research Foundations in Accounting;
PhD-Accounting		87.2%72%$12,924$18,000$64,398
University of Texas at El PasoAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
MAcc;
Grad Cert-Accountancy;
PhD-Accounting		100.0%45%$10,538$18,000$47,101
University of Texas at San AntonioAACSBBBA-Accounting;
Integrated BBA/MACY;
MACY;
PhD-Accounting		90.5%51%$11,013$20,500$54,117
University of Texas at Tyler—BBA-Accounting;
5-Year Integrated BBA/MAcc;
MAcc;
Grad Cert-Accounting Data Analytics		93.9%42%$11,183$17,137$52,674
University of Texas Permian Basin—BBA-Accountancy;
Minor-Accountancy;
MPAcc;
MBA-Accounting		64.7%42%$9,447$17,750$54,965
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley—BBA-Accountancy;
MAcc;
MAcc: Accelerated;
MBA-Accounting		93.9%51%$6,244$12,950$47,698
University of the Incarnate WordACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s;
MS-Accounting		94.2%58%$21,161$27,000$51,494
West Texas A&M University—BBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
5-Year BBA to MPA;
MPA		97.0%46%$13,802$19,500$49,266
Wiley CollegeACBSPBBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		N.Av.27%$8,796$24,989$33,749

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 Texas

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

  • Texas A&M University-College Station (#9)
  • University of Texas at Austin (#16)
  • Texas Christian University (#35)
  • Baylor University (#39)
  • Southern Methodist University (#42)
  • University of Texas at Dallas (#71)
  • Texas Tech University (#86)
  • University of Houston (#123)
  • El Centro College (#127)
  • University of North Texas (#148)
  • Trinity University (#150)
  • University of Texas at San Antonio (#199)
  • Texas State University (#225)2

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

  • Baylor University
  • Southern Methodist University
  • Texas A&M University-College Station
  • University of Houston
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Texas at Dallas3

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

  • University of Texas at Austin (#1)
  • Texas A&M University-College Station (#40)
  • Rice University (#44 tie)4

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

  • Abilene Christian University (#66 tie)
  • Texas A&M University-Commerce (#66 tie)
  • Houston Christian University (#91 tie)
  • Dallas Baptist University (#98 tie)
  • West Texas A&M University (#98 tie)
  • Lamar University (#157 tie)
  • University of the Incarnate Word (#170-214)5

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

  • University of Texas at Austin (#1)
  • Texas A&M University (#15 tie)
  • Baylor 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 Texas 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 Texas being 64.8%:

  1. Rice University 93.4%
  2. University of Texas-Austin 90.6%
  3. Abilene Christian University 81.3%
  4. Southern Methodist University 80.5%
  5. Trinity University 80.0%
  6. Texas Christian University 78.3%
  7. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 76.2%

*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.

Schools in Texas with Accounting Degrees

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

Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University (SMU) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Accounting. BBA students start with general education courses and then move on to business core courses. Accounting majors are required to complete seven to eight accounting-specific courses, such as Cost Accounting, Federal Income Tax, and Accounting Systems/Auditing. Students can also choose to add a business specialization, such as Entrepreneurship or Risk Management and Insurance. This program emphasizes the academic foundations necessary in the field as well as the practical experience and professional connections that help graduates find positions in accounting. Graduates work in fields such as public or industrial accounting, consulting, or government. SMU also offers a Master of Science in Accounting that BBA graduates can complete to fulfill Texas CPA requirements.

Texas Christian University

Students at Texas Christian University (TCU) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting in four years. This degree helps prepare students to work in many different financial careers, such as auditing, management accounting, and budget analysis. The core curriculum is designed with the input of accounting industry professionals and accounting alumni so the content stays relevant to the field. Students learn how to prepare financial statements, analyze revenues and costs, and use accounting information to understand management, investments, and tax strategy. The coursework also teaches students the information technology commonly used in the field. An 18-credit-hour Accounting minor is available to those students pursuing a different business major. Those interested in a graduate accounting degree can choose an accelerated track and complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in five years and be prepared to take the Uniform CPA Examination. Otherwise, a stand-alone Master of Accounting (MAc) is available with concentrations in four areas: MAc Core; Audit and Assurance Services; Taxation; and Financial Reporting and Valuation.

University of Texas at Austin

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting degree. By focusing on both business foundations and accounting knowledge, this program prepares students for a variety of accounting careers. Students take general education courses and core business classes before beginning specialized accounting classes such as Managerial Accounting, Auditing and Control, and Financial Statement Analysis. These classes teach relevant accounting skills, such as how to prepare taxes, how to organize financial records, and how to make business decisions based on accounting information. Students have the option to combine the BBA program with the integrated Master in Professional Accounting (iMPA) track and finish both in five years. UTA also offers an Econ-MPA in which students may earn a BBA in Economics as well as their MPA. An accounting Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is available as well for those students who are interested in the research side of accounting.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Baylor University

Baylor University offers a 33-credit hour Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. Students learn functional accounting knowledge as well as the practical skills necessary in the field. The core curriculum starts with courses such as Financial Statement Analysis, Management Accounting, Tax Considerations in Business Decisions, and Cases in Accounting, and students also complete additional financial electives. Graduates gain the knowledge and tools to work as accountants, analysts, auditors, and consultants. For students interested in tax accounting in particular, Baylor also offers a Master of Taxation (MTax). Those without an undergraduate degree in accounting must complete some prerequisites before applying to either program. The Baylor University Hankamer School of Business also offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting for 124 credit hours.

Texas State University

At the McCoy College of Business at Texas State University (TXST), students can complete a 30-credit Master of Accountancy (MAcy) degree. The MAcy can be taken without a concentration, but concentrations are available in Auditing, Information Technology, or Taxation for students who wish to further specialize their degree. The MAcy program requires students to have undergraduate accounting coursework, but not a major in accounting. TXST also offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting, which includes coursework in Financial Accounting and Reporting, Survey of Income Tax, and Auditing and Internal Controls. Undergraduate students enrolled in the BBA in Accounting program are eligible to apply for the BBA/MAcy five-year integrated program once they have completed at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate coursework. The MAcy degree satisfies the educational requirements for the CPA exam in Texas.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

Texas A&M University

At the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). This program is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in accounting and is available both in person and online. The curriculum includes core and track-specific courses such as Financial Statement Analysis, International Accounting, Business Law, and Accounting Information Systems, and students can also choose from numerous electives. Students learn about financial reporting, business decision-making, and relevant accounting information systems, and graduates are prepared to sit for the CPA examination. The MSA program also emphasizes leadership development, focusing on communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Students have the option to specialize in audit or taxation. Mays Business School offers support, connections, and resources to students for finding post-graduation opportunities in the accounting field. An undergraduate major in accounting is also available as well as a Professional Program in Accounting (PPA), which allows students to complete the BBA and MSA degrees in a combined, five-year course of study. Graduate students may also be interested in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

University of Texas Dallas

At the University of Texas at Dallas’ (UT Dallas) Naveen Jindal School of Management, students can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting online. This degree focuses on how to analyze and communicate accounting information to make business decisions, as well as how to organize and audit an organization’s finances. Students take foundational courses such as Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Auditing, and Fundamentals of Tax before choosing from electives like Business Valuation or Accounting Information Systems. This curriculum prepares students with a thorough knowledge of corporate accounting, auditing, and tax accounting. Undergraduate students at UT Dallas can combine the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with the MS in Accounting and complete both degrees in less time in either a Fast-Track format or Professional Program in Accounting (PPA). Students have the choice to complete the MS degree entirely online or as a mix of on-campus and online courses, but those preparing for the CPA examination should be aware that Texas requires 15 of the 30 hours of advanced accounting courses to be completed on campus. Related programs include a Minor in Accounting, an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management Science: Accounting, and a Graduate Certificate in Research Foundations in Accounting.

Texas CPA Requirements and Steps

In Texas, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) requires applicants to have earned at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and completed at least 150 credit hours. There are eight main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license in Texas.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.
  2. Submit the Application of Intent to take the CPA Examination.
  3. Complete national and state fingerprint background checks.
  4. Submit the Eligibility Application and pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  5. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  6. Complete the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct Exam.
  7. Apply for a license.
  8. Receive a license.

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

Individuals hoping to become a CPA in Texas must complete a bachelor’s degree or higher. The applicant must complete at least 150 semester hours of university or college education including 30 credits of upper-level accounting courses, with at least 15 of the upper-level accounting credits delivered through face-to-face methods; 24 credits of upper level business courses; and three credits of business ethics. The accounting courses may include:

  • Financial accounting and reporting including a maximum of nine semester hours of intermediate accounting, advanced accounting, and accounting theory
  • Managerial or cost accounting beyond the introductory level
  • Auditing and attestation services
  • Internal accounting control and risk assessment
  • Accounting research and analysis
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Taxation (maximum of 12 semester hours)
  • Financial accounting for government or not-for-profits
  • Accounting information systems (maximum of 12 semester hours)
  • Fraud examination
  • International accounting and financial reporting
  • Accounting internship program (maximum of three semester hours)

At least two semester hours of upper-level accounting or tax research and analysis and/or taxation are required.

2. Submit the Application of Intent to take the CPA Examination.

Once the requisite education has been completed, candidates should submit the Application of Intent package to obtain approval to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam in Texas. Approved applicants will receive further instructions on scheduling the Uniform CPA Exam. Note that candidates must sit for at least one section of the Uniform CPA Exam within two years of submitting this application.

3. Complete national and state fingerprint background checks.

All initial applicants for the Uniform CPA Exam must complete fingerprint background checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Division. Instructions and information about the fingerprinting process are sent to applicants upon receipt of the Application of Intent package.

4. Submit the Eligibility Application and pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

CPA candidates in all 50 states must take and pass the Uniform CPA Exam to qualify for a license, which comprises four independent sections. The Uniform CPA Exam is developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and administered by NASBA. Once the Application of Intent is approved, Texas candidates must submit the online eligibility application to be able to take each section of the exam. Once the eligibility application is approved, the applicant must write that section of the exam within 90 days. All four sections of the exam must be passed within an 18-month rolling period from the date that the first section was passed.

5. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

All candidates for CPA licensure in Texas must complete the required work experience to qualify for a license. Candidates must complete one year of full-time experience, which is no fewer than 2,000 hours. Applicants also have the option to complete their hours part time on a timeline between one and three years. In all cases, the experience must be performed under the supervision of a CPA who has experience in the non-routine accounting area where the candidate is working. Experience hours may only be counted in specific roles and areas; more details can be found on the TSBPA website.

6. Complete the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct Exam.

Finally, candidates must pass the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct Exam. Those who successfully pass the Uniform CPA Exam will automatically be emailed a copy of this exam along with the rules of professional conduct to study. The exam has an open-book format. Note that this exam is in lieu of the AICPA exam required in many other states.

7. Apply for a license.

Once the TSBPA receives notification from NASBA that a candidate has passed all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam, they will send the successful candidate an application packet for a license. All forms within the packet must be completed and returned to the TSBPA along with the $50 CPA Certificate fee in order to receive a CPA license.

8. Receive a license.

The application packet will be reviewed by a member of the Qualifications Team. If it is complete, the candidate will be approved and registered as a CPA and assigned a unique CPA number. The TSBPA will send approved candidates a letter with a license notice. Applicants must pay the final registration fee before they can use the CPA title. Approved candidates will also be invited to attend a swearing-in ceremony that is held twice per year. At the ceremony, a wall certificate will be distributed; if a candidate cannot attend the swearing-in ceremony, the wall certificate will be mailed.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Once licensed, Texas CPAs must complete at least 120 hours of continuing education (CE) during any three-year period, with a minimum of 20 hours occurring during each calendar year. CE should be provided by an approved CE sponsor or are subject to approval by the TSBPA. Documentation of CE requirements must be kept for at least five years. CE credit can also be earned for writing articles or books, presenting at conferences, or teaching advanced courses. CPAs who have been certified for less than 12 months do not have any CPE credit requirements until the second year of certification. CE and annual renewals are submitted through the TSBPA online portal. Renewals are accepted up to six weeks prior to the submission deadline. Exact renewal dates vary depending on the applicant’s birthday. Renewals are processed on the next business day if all requirements are met.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Texas

Texas is home to many large and small companies, many of which offer employment opportunities for those with accounting degrees. Government organizations, including public land and recreation sites, may provide positions for accounting program graduates in the state. Several large Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Texas, such as ExxonMobil and retail giant JCPenney. Other national companies like American Airlines and AT&T have headquarters in the state. Financial institutions such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo have corporate centers in Texas, and other statewide banks and regional financial companies offer accounting positions as well. Accounting graduates find many opportunities for success in their field through these companies or through statewide accounting firms or self-employed CPA work.

Texas Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed12Average Annual Salary12
Austin-Round Rock11,850$85,970
Corpus Christi1,020$76,930
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington36,580$89,560
El Paso1,720$69,020
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land26,610$94,320
San Antonio-New Braunfels7,440$84,840

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Texas

  • Maxwell Locke & Ritter: The largest locally-owned and managed accounting firm in the Austin metro area, which takes pride in helping its staff further develop their skills and career opportunities through mentorship and is frequently hiring.
  • Patten Thiebaud: A long-running local accounting firm based in Dallas specializing in tax services and wealth management.

Texas Accounting Associations

  • Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA): This professional organization provides professional development and training opportunities to members across 20 regional chapters. Members have access to free continuing education programs, networking opportunities, and educational resources.
  • Texas Association of Certified Public Accountants (TACPA): This professional organization runs a program called BoardWatch, which provides members with up-to-date information on CPA licensing regulations and changes. It also advocates for professional concerns and runs professional development events.

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, Texas: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm
13. Texas State Board of Public Accountancy: https://www.tsbpa.texas.gov/