Note (September 2026): The salary range in the original article was unsourced; it has been replaced with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for May 2025, and the article now explains current CPA licensing routes.
An accounting degree is worth it for many students because it leads to steady, well-paid work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors earned a median $83,680 a year in May 2025, and employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than average. The degree is also the usual first step toward a CPA license.
Key Takeaways
- A bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level education for accountants and auditors, according to the BLS.
- Median pay for accountants and auditors was $83,680 in May 2025 (BLS); the highest 10 percent earned more than $144,090.
- The BLS projects about 115,300 openings for accountants and auditors each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035.
- In the U.S., a degree alone is not a license: CPA candidates must also pass the Uniform CPA Examination and meet their state’s education and experience rules.
- NASBA describes a newer 120-hour pathway with two years of experience alongside the traditional 150-hour route, in states that enact it.
An accounting degree can set the students on the right track to pursue a career in the business and finance industry. Colleges and universities offer accounting programs at several levels, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for accountants and auditors.
Many students who want to work in finance choose an accounting degree because it teaches the core skills employers look for: recording transactions, preparing financial statements, understanding tax rules and auditing.
What Are the Benefits of an Accounting Degree?
Choosing the right institution matters, and some international students prefer accounting programs in Canada to kickstart their careers.
An accounting degree from a recognized Canadian institution can be a route into the profession there, but the degree alone does not make someone a licensed accountant. Canada is one study option: since October 1, 2014, the country’s accounting profession has used a single designation, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), which unified the former CA, CMA and CGA credentials. Before choosing any program abroad, check that it is recognized by the professional body in the country where you plan to work, because accounting credentials are granted nationally or, in the United States, by each state board.
Demand for qualified accountants is steady: the BLS projects employment of accountants and auditors to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 115,300 openings a year on average.
An accounting career can shape a whole professional life, because the skills transfer across industries. For most accountant and auditor jobs, a bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level requirement, according to the BLS. There are numerous career benefits of an accounting degree.
This article covers four main benefits of earning an accounting degree, followed by the licensing routes, pay figures and career paths that come with it.
1. Join a Resilient Profession
Resilience has become a necessity for businesses in a changing economy, and every business still needs its books kept, its taxes filed and its accounts checked. A resilient industry enables companies to pick themselves up and adapt to changes with ease. Accounting training teaches budgeting, cash-flow management and cost control, the skills that help a business absorb shocks and avoid costly financial mistakes.
2. Access Careers That Are in Demand
Increased career opportunity is one of the primary reasons for the popularity of accounting degrees. An accounting degree helps because employers hiring accountants and auditors typically expect a bachelor’s degree in the field, according to the BLS.
Graduates in accounting can get an opportunity to choose from a spread of job opportunities. Some of the most in-demand jobs for accounting graduates include financial analyst, accounting manager, tax analyst, management consultants, accountants, etc.
3. Higher Earning Potential
After graduating, many accounting graduates start in associate or staff accountant roles and move up from there. According to the BLS, the median annual pay for accountants and auditors was $83,680 in May 2025; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $56,020 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $144,090. Investing time and effort in an accounting degree can be a sound decision for long-term career growth.
4. Career Growth
Accounting offers a clear path to advance, from staff roles to senior, manager and leadership positions. Some senior executives began their careers in accounting, which shows how the degree can support advancement into leadership. An accounting degree can support steady employment and career progression, especially when it is combined with a professional credential such as the CPA.
Earning an accounting degree takes an investment of time, money, and effort. That makes it important to check that the chosen degree can help you get on the right career path.
The knowledge and skills gained from an accounting course can make you employment-ready. Compare accredited programs in the country where you plan to work, confirm that they meet local licensing requirements, and weigh the cost against expected pay before applying.
Accounting Degree Salary by Industry
Pay for accountants and auditors varies by employer type. The BLS reports these median annual wages for May 2025 in the largest industries employing accountants and auditors:
| Industry | Median annual wage (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | $93,290 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $91,940 |
| Government | $83,350 |
| Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services | $81,490 |
| All accountants and auditors | $83,680 |
The BLS counted 1,595,200 accountant and auditor jobs in 2025 and projects an increase of 79,400 jobs by 2035. These are national medians; pay in a specific city or firm can be higher or lower.
Does an Accounting Degree Make You a CPA?
No. An accounting degree is the foundation, but a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in the United States is granted by a state board of accountancy after the candidate meets education, examination and experience requirements. The AICPA develops the Uniform CPA Examination, NASBA administers it, and each state board issues licenses.
The 150-hour and 120-hour CPA pathways
According to NASBA, the traditional route is a bachelor’s degree in accounting plus 30 additional semester credits (150 semester hours in total), one year of experience and a passing CPA Exam score. The newer pathway is a bachelor’s degree in accounting (120 semester hours), two years of professional experience and a passing CPA Exam score. Each state must pass its own law to adopt the new pathway, and effective dates vary, so check your state board’s current rules.
| Route | Education | Experience | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional pathway | 150 semester hours | 1 year | Uniform CPA Exam |
| New pathway (where enacted) | 120 semester hours (bachelor’s degree) | 2 years | Uniform CPA Exam |
What is on the CPA Exam?
The Uniform CPA Examination has three required core sections and one discipline section chosen by the candidate:
- Core: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Taxation and Regulation (REG).
- Discipline (choose one): Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR), Information Systems and Controls (ISC), or Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP).
For how the exam is marked, see this guide to the CPA Exam scoring system.
What Jobs Can You Get With an Accounting Degree?
An accounting degree leads to roles in public accounting firms, corporate finance teams, government and consulting. Common starting points and later moves include:
- Staff or associate accountant: prepares journal entries, reconciliations and financial statements.
- Auditor: examines financial records for accuracy and compliance, internally or at an external firm.
- Tax analyst or tax accountant: prepares returns and plans around tax rules.
- Financial analyst: uses financial data to support investment and business decisions.
- Accounting manager or controller: leads the accounting function of a company.
- Management consultant: advises organizations on performance and financial processes.
Routine tasks are increasingly automated, so data and technology skills add value; see how AI is changing bank reconciliation in accounting and how AI is changing career paths and job skills.
Is an Accounting Degree Right for You?
An accounting degree suits people who like working with numbers, rules and detail, and who want a qualification with a clear path to a license. It may suit someone less well if they want a broad business education without a technical focus.
- Pros: a defined career ladder, pay above many entry-level fields, jobs in almost every industry, and a direct route to professional credentials.
- Cons: licensing takes extra study and experience beyond the degree, busy seasons can mean long hours, and rules differ by state and country.
If you are weighing study formats or the value of a degree in general, compare classroom and online degrees and read how important a college degree is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an accounting degree worth it?
An accounting degree is worth it for many students because it leads to in-demand work with solid pay. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $83,680 for accountants and auditors in May 2025 and projects 5 percent job growth from 2025 to 2035.
How much do accountants make?
Accountants and auditors in the United States earned a median $83,680 a year in May 2025, according to the BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $56,020 and the highest 10 percent more than $144,090.
Do you need 150 credit hours to become a CPA?
Not everywhere. The traditional CPA route requires 150 semester hours and one year of experience, but NASBA describes a newer pathway of 120 semester hours plus two years of experience that states can adopt by law. Check your state board for current rules.
Can you be an accountant without a CPA license?
Yes. Many accounting jobs, such as staff accountant or financial analyst, are open to degree holders without a CPA license, though the license is required for work that state law reserves to CPAs and often helps with promotion.
What is the CPA designation in Canada?
In Canada, the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation unified the former CA, CMA and CGA credentials, with the integration completed on October 1, 2014. CPA Canada is the national organization that represents the profession.
