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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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What is Accounting?

Though accountancy is as old as trade itself, the profession continues to grow and expand. CPAs are now found auditing IT departments, and they naturally make use of the latest technology when working in finance, or any other field. If you wish to join the elite community of accounting professionals who hold CPA licenses, you will need to undergo a rigorous path. Each state has its own standards for incoming CPA licensees, and New Mexico is no different.

An accounting function is essential to almost all businesses, small and large. A small firm may have a bookkeeper or accountant handling the task, while an organization with a large finance department may have dozens of employees handling the process. In order to make informed business decisions, various streams of accounting, such as cost accounting and managerial accounting, generate numerous reports.

Although a bookkeeper can do basic accounting, advanced accounting is typically handled by qualified accountants holding certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) in the United States. The Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified General Accountant (CGA), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designations have been merged into the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.

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Top Ranked Campus & Online Accounting Programs in New Mexico

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1

New Mexico State University

Score: 88.26

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,147
    • Out-of-State:$25,271
  • Net Price: $10,407
  • Acceptance Rate: 78%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,268
  • Undergrad Students: 11,591
  • Graduate Students: 2,677
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • New Mexico State University
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2

Eastern New Mexico University

Score: 84.09

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,863
    • Out-of-State:$8,843
  • Net Price: $8,702
  • Acceptance Rate: 28%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 41%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,106
  • Undergrad Students: 3,833
  • Graduate Students: 1,273
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Eastern New Mexico University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
3

Western New Mexico University

Score: 71.77

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,868
    • Out-of-State:$14,354
  • Net Price: $10,676
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 31%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,378
  • Undergrad Students: 2,377
  • Graduate Students: 1,001
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Western New Mexico University
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4

New Mexico Junior College

Score: 66.29

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,920
    • Out-of-State:$2,280
  • Net Price: $5,964
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 55%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,228
  • Undergrad Students: 2,228
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,500
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • New Mexico Junior College
5

University of the SouthWest

Score: 59.42

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $16,670
    • Out-of-State:$16,670
  • Net Price: $20,533
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 27%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,066
  • Undergrad Students: 369
  • Graduate Students: 697
  • Grads Salary: $64,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • University of the SouthWest
6

Central New Mexico Community College

Score: 56.86

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,934
    • Out-of-State:$8,366
  • Net Price: $4,742
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 28%
  • Total Enrollment: 19,095
  • Undergrad Students: 19,095
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,100
  • Student-to-faculty: 20:1
  • Central New Mexico Community College
7

Clovis Community College-New Mexico

Score: 56.69

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,334
    • Out-of-State:$9,454
  • Net Price: $5,005
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,772
  • Undergrad Students: 7,772
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $29,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 27:1
  • Clovis Community College-New Mexico
8

Santa Fe Community College

Score: 52.68

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $2,505
    • Out-of-State:$4,995
  • Net Price: $8,151
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 58%
  • Graduation Rate: 18%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,266
  • Undergrad Students: 3,266
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $38,200
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Santa Fe Community College
9

Luna Community College

Score: 51.48

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $1,634
    • Out-of-State:$3,050
  • Net Price: $8,089
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 19%
  • Total Enrollment: 774
  • Undergrad Students: 774
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $32,500
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Luna Community College
10

University of New Mexico-Los Alamos

Score: 29.88

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $2,214
    • Out-of-State:$5,686
  • Net Price: $10,947
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 40%
  • Graduation Rate: 30%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,009
  • Undergrad Students: 1,009
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: N/A
  • Student-to-faculty: 23:1
  • University of New Mexico-Los Alamos

Online Accounting Education in New Mexico

The largest, and most time-consuming, aspect of your journey to become a CPA is your education. New Mexico has unique standards for your undergraduate and post-grad work. Naturally, you will need a minimum of a BS degree to proceed. In fact, you need 150 semester hours to attain your license, though the Board allows you to start sitting for your CPA examination after you complete enough for a baccalaureate degree – 120 semester hours.

The Board will scrutinize your transcripts upon your application. They ask that you complete 30 hours in accounting, auditing, or related courses. Thus you will need to select your courses wisely.

The courses you might take include, but are not limited to:

  • Auditing
  • Attestation
  • Financial reporting
  • Financial analysis
  • Accounting
  • Statistics
  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Macro economics
  • Micro economics
  • Business law (maximum 3 semester hours will count)
  • Taxation
  • Government and nonprofit accounting
  • Computer science
  • Business writing and communications
  • Internal reporting

New Mexico isn't far afield from other states in their required credits or courses, but they do differ in one area: academic context. That is, they insist that at least 15 hours of your education be taken in-person and/or on a campus.

The Board will recognize pass/fail courses, CLEP, and community college work provided that the institutions were appropriately accredited. Though you might wish to take one or more CPA examination preparation courses, the Board does not recognize commercial courses of this sort. However, if you take a preparation course through an accredited institution, and the course is not redundant on your transcript, you may count those credits toward your licensure requirements.

Since you will need a total of 150 semester hours to apply for your licensure, consider your first 120 hours carefully. You might choose a different major altogether and then finish off your requirements with 30 hours in accounting and/or business. You could also consider completing your requirements in graduate school.

  • Accrediting standards of the New Mexico Public Accountancy Board

    While you must complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree and 150 semester hours, including 30 hours of accounting courses, the board wants an assurance that your education is of an acceptable quality. One primary way to show this is by attending a school that is accredited by an accrediting agency deemed acceptable by the Board.

    Make sure that your coursework has been approved by one of the following accrediting agencies:

    • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
    • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
    • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
    • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
    • Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools

    If your college or university is accredited by some other institution, ask your academic adviser if your work will satisfy the New Mexico Board. Some business departments have been accredited by subject-specific agencies and the Board will likely recognize them.

Online Associates (AS)

A two-year degree in accounting is a terrific way to enter the field as a bookkeeper or accounting clerk.

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Online Bachelors (BS, BAcc or B.Acy)

This is perhaps the ideal degree for new accountants. A bachelor’s degree qualifies accountants for the CPA examination and can be useful in the pursuit of many other careers and certifications.

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Online Masters (MS, MAcc or M.Acy)

Students who go the distance and complete a master's degree in business or accounting will be able to write their ticket straight to the C-suites. There are many online accounting master’s degrees available nationwide.

University HQ National Rankings - Top 25 Online

Online Doctorate (PhD)

This option is usually reserved for those who wish to pursue a career as a college professor or doing some sort of academic research. However, many accounting firms will be thrilled to hire such a highly credentialed professional.

Online Degree in Accounting (Online)

An online degree can deliver the same outcomes as any other traditional degree. Further, online accounting degrees are often cheaper and are far more flexible than traditional campus degrees.

Check out our Financial Aid Guide Learn more about accounting resources and scholarships

New Mexico CPA Exam Requirements

Before you qualify to sit for the CPA examination in New Mexico, you must first complete a minimum of 120 credits for your baccalaureate degree. When you feel you are ready, have your official transcripts sent to the offices of CPA Examining Services (CPAES):

CPA Examination Services
New Mexico Coordinator
P.O. Box 198469
Nashville, TN 37219

To complete the rest of your application, visit the CPAES website. There, you can submit your application and pay all of your fees via a secured credit card transaction.

Find Online Accounting Schools

Once the CPAES has received and accepted your application, you will receive a Notice to Schedule your exam. You can schedule your exam with a local Prometric site.

In New Mexico, you can find a testing site in one of these towns:

  • Los Cruces
  • Albuquerque
  • Santa Fe
  • Four parts of the Uniform CPA examination

    The CPA exam is difficult for many reasons. One of which is that it's a multi-stage process. There are four parts to the exam and you must pass each of them. Note that once you pass one portion, you must pass the other three within 18 months.

    The four parts take four hours each and they are:

    • Business Environment and Concepts:
      This portion is comprised of 62 multiple-choice questions, 4 simulations, and 3 written items. Your knowledge of financial reporting, taxes, audits, and attest will be put to the test. You will also need to demonstrate a high level of verbal ability.
    • Financial Accounting and Reporting:
      When you sit for the FAR portion, you will face 66 multiple-choice questions and 8 simulations. You will be tested on your knowledge of several reporting standards, including the SEC.
    • Regulation:
      This exam is composed of 76 multiple-choice questions and 8 task-based simulations. Here, your ethical, professional, and legal responsibilities will be put to the test. The test covers federal and state laws, as well as the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
    • Auditing and Attestation:
      This four hour test is comprised of: 72 multiple-choice questions and 8 task-based simulations. You will need thorough knowledge of the International Accounting Standards as well as auditing standards in the United States. You will also need to have a firm grasp on auditing standards for government agencies, non-profits, publicly held corporations, and private industry. Remember to demonstrate your ethical values during this exam.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Requirements

After you have your license, your work is not over. The Board requires that all CPAs undergo 120 hours of continuing education every three years. You must also take a minimum of 20 hours per year. There are specific guidelines for these hours.

You will need to account for 96 of these CPE hours in technical courses, including, but not limited to:

  • Auditing
  • Attestation
  • Taxation
  • Management advisory
  • Financial advisory
  • Reporting

You must also complete 4 hours studying ethics and the remaining 20 hours should be spent in relevant seminars or courses. Note that 50 minutes is equivalent to an hour's worth of CPEs.

Appropriate courses can be found through accredited colleges or universities, the AICPA, NMSCPA, or other professional organizations. You can complete many hours while attending accounting conferences.

Become an Accountant in New Mexico

The New Mexico Board requires one full year of accounting experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. You can complete your work experience in government, industry, academia, or public practice.

Upon completion of your tenure, you should have a completed account of the skills you have employed in a professional context. Your supervisor should then sign off on your work in a notarized document. Specifically, you will need to submit a Work Verification Form from the Board.

The skills you should account for can include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

  • Accounting
  • Attestation
  • Financial advisory
  • Management advisory
  • Consultation
  • Tax preparation
  • Accounting-related software programming and development.
  • Ethics prerequisite
    A prerequisite for the experience portion of your CPA license application is the ethics exam. This is a take-home exam that is offered by the AICPA. It's a necessary part of the licensure process and your future employers will appreciate that you have completed it. You may order the test from the AICPA or from the New Mexico Society of CPAs. The NMSCPA offers the independent-study course in two formats: text and electronic. The electronic version costs $20 less and is accessible within 24 hours of payment. You'll have to wait for the paper version. Note that all standard web browsers except for Internet Explorer support the electronic version.

Getting Your CPA License in New Mexico

The four basic components of a successful licensure application in New Mexico are: education, experience, examination, and ethics.

You should hold a bachelor's degree with a major concentration in accounting and a total of 150 semester hours of college or graduate work. Included in your official transcripts the Board will look for a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework in accounting or business.

Your experience should be one full year under the supervision of a licensed CPA in either private industry, public accounting, government, or academia. Upon completion of the experiential portion, you must submit a Work Verification Form that you can receive from the Board.

To become a CPA, you will need to pass all four parts of the Uniform CPA Examination as given by the AICPA. You will take all four parts at a Prometric site at your convenience. Note that once you pass one part, you must pass the other three exams within 18 months.

New Mexico also requires that you pass an ethics exam. You can purchase the materials for this course and test through the NMSCPA, a state association of CPAs. This test should be taken prior to embarking on the experiential portion of the process.

Potential Careers for Accounting Graduates

New Mexico’s accountants and auditors earn less pay than in other areas of the country. Job titles range from bookkeeping and tax preparation to payroll services and accounting. In Albuquerque, the annual mean wage for accountants is $77,060, with an employment ratio of 8.05 to 1,000 jobs. The state of New Mexico employs around 6,800 accountants with an annual mean salary at the low end of $48,330 up to the high end of $115,800.

New Mexico Accounting Frequently Asked Questions

What are the educational requirements for a CPA in New Mexico?

Every CPA in New Mexico must have at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting and 150 total credit hours earned. Of those hours, 30 must be in courses related to accounting, auditing, and related courses. Three credit hours from business law may also apply. Since a typical bachelor's degree is 120 hours, students should consider completing the requirements with graduate-level courses.

How much experience does an accountant need to become a CPA in New Mexico?

Not only must CPAs pass one of the most rigorous professional examinations and major in accounting, but the New Mexico Board of Accountancy has an experience requirement, too. To qualify for licensure, candidates must complete one year of full-time work under a licensed CPA. They must also pass the AICPA's ethics examination.

Can I get an online Accounting degree in New Mexico?

Yes, there are several options for online degrees in NM. Students at Eastern New Mexico University, for instance, can pursue an online bachelor's degree in accounting. ENMU also offers an online MBA to help business professionals reach the C-suites. Since an online accounting degree is accessible from any connected laptop, students can seek out any online program that suits them. There are online degrees available from many state and private institutions nationwide, though out-of-state tuition rates may apply.

How much do professionals in the Accounting profession earn in New Mexico?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 6,000 accountants and auditors in New Mexico. Their average salary is $65,000. While this is under the national average salary of $72,000, the cost of living in much of the state is lower than many other places. Thus, accountants in, say, Albuquerque, may earn far more than those in small desert towns.

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