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What is Accounting?
Accounting is the process of recording, classifying, summarizing, and interpreting financial transactions to provide meaningful information about a business or organization’s financial status. Often referred to as the "language of business," accounting is crucial for decision-making, financial planning, and maintaining legal and tax compliance. It involves a wide range of activities, from tracking income and expenses to preparing financial statements and ensuring that financial reports are accurate and adhere to established standards.
At its core, accounting helps businesses and individuals keep track of their finances by organizing financial data into clear, structured reports. These reports allow stakeholders—such as managers, investors, regulators, and creditors—to assess the financial health of an organization, evaluate its performance, and make informed decisions.
Compare Popular Online Bachelor's in Accounting Programs
Top Ranked Campus & Online Accounting Programs in New York
Binghamton University
Score: 88.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,363
- Out-of-State:$29,453
- Net Price: $19,535
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 18,312
- Undergrad Students: 14,402
- Graduate Students: 3,910
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
New York University
Score: 88.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,438
- Out-of-State:$60,438
- Net Price: $29,499
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
- Total Enrollment: 59,144
- Undergrad Students: 29,401
- Graduate Students: 29,743
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Score: 86.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,464
- Out-of-State:$15,414
- Net Price: $4,991
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 19,854
- Undergrad Students: 15,896
- Graduate Students: 3,958
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Yeshiva University
Score: 79.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $49,900
- Out-of-State:$49,900
- Net Price: $35,912
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 6,056
- Undergrad Students: 2,866
- Graduate Students: 3,190
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University at Buffalo
Score: 79.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,782
- Out-of-State:$30,572
- Net Price: $18,524
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 32,099
- Undergrad Students: 20,761
- Graduate Students: 11,338
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
CUNY Brooklyn College
Score: 78.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,452
- Out-of-State:$15,402
- Net Price: $5,972
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 14,195
- Undergrad Students: 11,661
- Graduate Students: 2,534
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Clarkson University
Score: 78.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $57,950
- Out-of-State:$57,950
- Net Price: $32,450
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 3,719
- Undergrad Students: 2,668
- Graduate Students: 1,051
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
CUNY Hunter College
Score: 78.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,382
- Out-of-State:$15,332
- Net Price: $4,848
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 22,970
- Undergrad Students: 17,256
- Graduate Students: 5,714
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Molloy University
Score: 78.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,840
- Out-of-State:$37,840
- Net Price: $27,243
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 4,807
- Undergrad Students: 3,271
- Graduate Students: 1,536
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Score: 77.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,578
- Out-of-State:$20,228
- Net Price: $13,799
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 2,842
- Undergrad Students: 1,982
- Graduate Students: 860
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Syracuse University
Score: 77.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,061
- Out-of-State:$63,061
- Net Price: $43,651
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 22,698
- Undergrad Students: 15,421
- Graduate Students: 7,277
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
SUNY at Albany
Score: 77.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,408
- Out-of-State:$28,998
- Net Price: $17,714
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 16,658
- Undergrad Students: 12,264
- Graduate Students: 4,394
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
CUNY Queens College
Score: 77.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,538
- Out-of-State:$15,488
- Net Price: $6,434
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 17,001
- Undergrad Students: 14,406
- Graduate Students: 2,595
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
SUNY College at Geneseo
Score: 77.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,966
- Out-of-State:$19,206
- Net Price: $19,557
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 4,184
- Undergrad Students: 4,110
- Graduate Students: 74
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
St. John's University
Score: 76.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $50,110
- Out-of-State:$50,110
- Net Price: $26,052
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 19,663
- Undergrad Students: 15,652
- Graduate Students: 4,011
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Touro University
Score: 76.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,810
- Out-of-State:$21,810
- Net Price: $23,960
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 11,111
- Undergrad Students: 4,860
- Graduate Students: 6,251
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Manhattan College
Score: 76.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $50,850
- Out-of-State:$50,850
- Net Price: $29,535
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 3,575
- Undergrad Students: 3,066
- Graduate Students: 509
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
D'Youville University
Score: 75.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,560
- Out-of-State:$33,560
- Net Price: $21,755
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 2,518
- Undergrad Students: 1,378
- Graduate Students: 1,140
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
Niagara University
Score: 75.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,135
- Out-of-State:$38,135
- Net Price: $18,165
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 3,858
- Undergrad Students: 2,709
- Graduate Students: 1,149
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
CUNY Lehman College
Score: 75.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,410
- Out-of-State:$15,360
- Net Price: $4,974
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 13,015
- Undergrad Students: 11,211
- Graduate Students: 1,804
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
State University of New York at New Paltz
Score: 75.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,524
- Out-of-State:$18,434
- Net Price: $19,592
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 6,964
- Undergrad Students: 6,090
- Graduate Students: 874
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
St. Joseph's University-New York
Score: 75.04
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,535
- Out-of-State:$34,535
- Net Price: $18,001
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 4,348
- Undergrad Students: 3,556
- Graduate Students: 792
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
St. John Fisher University
Score: 74.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,666
- Out-of-State:$39,666
- Net Price: $28,312
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 3,621
- Undergrad Students: 2,629
- Graduate Students: 992
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Siena College
Score: 74.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,405
- Out-of-State:$44,405
- Net Price: $30,842
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 3,648
- Undergrad Students: 3,516
- Graduate Students: 132
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Adelphi University
Score: 74.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,290
- Out-of-State:$47,290
- Net Price: $26,953
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 7,252
- Undergrad Students: 5,055
- Graduate Students: 2,197
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Accounting/CPA Education Requirements in New York
The educational requirements to become a licensed accountant are very specific. One of the first steps is to obtain a Bachelor's degree and complete a minimum of 150 credit hours including 33 hours in accounting courses and 36 hours of business courses. Each of these requirements must be fulfilled as follows and all classes must be above the introduction level:
The 33 hours of accounting courses must be from the following subjects:
- Accounting information systems
- Auditing and attestation services (must be earned from junior, senior, or graduate level; also satisfies the Ethics and Professional Responsibilities requirement. Minimum one course required)
- Cost or managerial accounting (may be earned at a community college, minimum one course required)
- Financial accounting and reporting (junior, senior, or graduate level, minimum one course)
- Fraud examination
- Internal controls and risk assessment
- Taxation (may be earned at a community college; also satisfies the Accounting Research requirement; minimum one course required)
Each required subject has a wide range of course titles to choose from so you can customize your study to the area of accounting in which you plan to practice.
Here are some course examples of each area of accounting study:
-
Financial accounting and reporting:
- Accounting for governmental and nonprofit purposes
- Accounting principles
- Advanced accounting
- Accounting theory
- Corporate financial reporting
- Financial accounting
- Financial reporting
- Financial statement analysis
- Intermediate accounting
- Principles of accounting
-
Cost or managerial accounting:
- Advanced cost management
- Cost accounting
- Cost management
- Managerial accounting
-
Taxation
- Advanced taxation
- Basic taxation
- Business taxation
- Corporate taxation
- Individual taxation
- International taxation
- Taxation of business entities
-
Auditing and attestation services:
- Advanced auditing
- Auditing
- Auditing and assurance services
- Auditing and attestation
- Principles of auditing
-
Accounting research:
- Accounting research
- Accounting theory
- Auditing
- Corporate taxation
- Individual taxation
- Tax research
The 36 hours of general business courses must be a combination of the following subjects:
- Business law
- Business statistics
- Business strategy
- Computer science
- Economics
- Finance
- Information technology and systems
- Management
- Marketing
- Operations management
- Organizational behavior
- Quantitative methods
In addition, these two specific subjects are required and may come from the business areas or may be taken from the Liberal Arts department:
- Ethics and Professional Responsibilities
- Business and Accounting Communications
The Ethics and Professional Responsibilities requirement can be met with a class such as:
- Business ethics
- Business law
- Commercial law
Samples of classes that will meet the Business and Accounting Communications are:
- Accounting communications
- Business communications
- Business writing
- International business communications
- Managerial communications
- Professional speaking
Find Your Online Accounting School
Degree Options
Once you have your bachelor's degree and have met the educational requirements you will be eligible to sit for the CPA Exam. However, there are a variety of degree options that can allow you to start a career in accounting at various levels.
You can get an accounting degree online through a New York college. They offer many different degree options for you to choose from. This can be a convenient and affordable way to earn your accounting degree. Programs are available at the associate level through advanced degrees. Check with a school near you to see if their accounting courses are available online.
Online Associate Degree in Accounting
An associate degree in accounting will teach you things like business communication, how to understand financial components, spreadsheets, accounting systems, and the accounting cycle. While this degree will usually not grant you access to higher level career options, it can get you an entry-level position, such as a bookeeper role, through which you can earn vital work experience while you complete a higher-level degree.
University HQs Top 25 Online Associate National RankingsOnline Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
With a bachelor's degree, you will advance your accounting knowledge by learning about additional accounting practices, taxation, auditing as well as financial information systems and financial reports. This degree is enough to earn you a position in a small to large firm and allow you to earn promotions. A certification may be necessary if you want to hold supervisory positions or enter the C-suites, but with enough experience, this may be the last degree you need to earn.
University HQs Top 25 Online Bachelors National RankingsOnline Master's Degree in Accounting
An advanced master's accounting degree will teach you skills in managerial finance, data modeling, decision making that is data-driven, planning and control, corporate taxation, and financial accounting. With a master’s, you’ll be able to earn promotions and hold supervisory positions.
University HQs Top 25 Online Masters National RankingsOnline PhD Degree in Accounting
Individuals pursuing their PhD in Accounting can expect to thoroughly cover topics like modern economic theory in addition to financial theories concerning today's corporate and financial markets. While doctorates are not necessarily required for most accounting positions, many students who earn doctorates move into high-level academia positions.
Exam Requirements
The New York CPA Exam is overseen by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) so CPA candidates first step will be to register an account with the association, which can be done online using a credit card. If CPA candidates are not sure whether they meet the academic requirements they offer an Advisory Evaluation; otherwise, CPA candidates need to submit the application, applicable fees, and school transcripts. Transcripts must be submitted directly from the school or schools the CPA candidates attended to CPA Exam Services (CPAES) and NASBA allows 45 days for the process. If CPA candidates need special accommodations due to disability CPA candidates should submit the request at this time, too. Once all documentation is received CPA candidates receive an acknowledgement of completion via email and within two to four weeks the application will be processed.
- Fees
The CPA Exam consists of four parts that can be taken individually or all at once. CPA candidates need to score at least 75 percent on each section and may take a failed section again but must pass all four sections within an 18-month time frame. Besides the initial application fee there is a fee for each test section as well as a registration fee to sit for the exam.
The test sections and fee structure is as follows:
Application fee $150.00 Examination Fees: - Auditing and Attestation (AUD) $208.40 Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) $208.40 Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) $208.40 Regulation (REG) $208.40 Because the registration fee is for the testing facility it is the same amount whether you register for one test section or all four.
You should plan to only register for the test sections you can complete within a six month time frame:
1 examination section $75.00 2 examination sections $75.00 3 examination sections $75.00 4 examination sections $75.00 If you fail one or more sections of the test you will be required to pay an additional testing fee as well as a registration fee but not the application fee.
- How to sit for the exam
Once your application is complete, all fees are paid, and your application has been processed you'll receive a Notice to Sit (NTS). You're required to show the NTS in order to be admitted to the exam location so keep it in a safe place.
New York Certified Public Accountant CPA exams are given at Prometric Test Centers which are located throughout New York City as well as Albany, Buffalo, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, and Rye. Once you receive your NTS you'll schedule your exams via the Prometrics website.
You should plan to arrive at the testing site about an hour before your scheduled testing time. You'll be required to show a valid photo identification as well as your NTS to enter the exam and will be allowed no other personal items during the test. Prometrics will supply a secure locker for your other personal items.
Each exam section is allotted four hours to complete. Both AICPA and NASBA offer resources to help you practice for the test sections and you should plan to study hard before attempting the test.
You'll receive your scores anywhere for 48 hours to two weeks after the exam; Prometrics will have a schedule posted to let you know when scores will be available.
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Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Requirements
In New York you'll need to renew your CPA license every three years. During the first renewal cycle you won't be required to complete any professional continuing education (CPE) but after the first renewal you'll be required to complete the following CPE each year of the three-year period:
A minimum of 40 hours of formal education in the accepted subjects or a minimum of 24 hours of accepted formal education in a single accepted subject.
The following activities are considered as CPE:
- Taking a live CPE course within the state
- Taking a live CPE course outside the state that is presented by a NASBA approved provider
- Completing a self-study course by a New York registered provider
- Preparing and teaching a sponsored CPE college course (first time only)
- Authoring an article that is published in a journal
- Publishing a book in a CPE subject area
Approved subjects for CPE requirements are:
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Advisory Services
- Attestation
- Specialized knowledge and applications pertaining to specialized industries
- Taxation
Four hours of continuing education in professional ethics must be included in each three-year window.
You will be required to maintain detailed records of your CPE work so you should verify the following as you complete each course:
- The title of the course
- The sponsor's name
- The sponsor's New York ID number
- The name of the program
- The course subject area
- The number of CPE credits awarded
- The date and location of the course
You are required to retain your CPE records for a five-year period.
Working in the Field
To become licensed in New York, you must pass all four sections of the CPA exam. Afterward, you’ll need to complete one year of full-time experience (35–40 hours per week) under the supervision of a licensed CPA. Alternatively, you can work part-time (at least 20 hours per week), with two weeks counted as one toward the year requirement.
Your work experience must meet specific requirements, too. It must involve the practice of accounting consultation or services using skills related to:
- Accounting
- Auditing and attestation
- Compilation
- Financial or tax consulting
- Management advisory services
The work must be documented and performed under the supervision of a licensed CPA or accountant; it can be performed at a range of industries such as:
- Education
- Government
- Private industry
Once your work experience is met you'll fill out a Certification of Employer form and give it to your employer. Your employer in turn will submit it directly to the New York State Board of Education. If you've had more than one employer during your year of experience, you'll need to submit a separate form for each employer.
Potential Careers for Accounting Graduates
Accountants and auditors earn more than in more rural states in the country. The annual mean wage for these workers is $79,880. Here are the roles you might have access to with a degree in this field.
- Certified Professional Accountant (CPA)
- Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable Specialist
- Bookkeeper
- Budget Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Business Consultant
- Capital Accountant
- Comptroller Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Forensic Accountancy
- Government Accountant
- IRS Agent
- Managerial Accountant
- Tax Accountant
- Senior Accountant
- Staff Accountant
New York Accounting Frequently Asked Questions
What accounting jobs are available in this state?
There are numerous career paths available in the accounting field.
Here are some of your options in New York:
- Senior Auditor
- Controller
- Tax Manager
- Program Finance Accountant
- Independent Asian Forensic Accounting Analyst
- Claims Analyst
- Legal Billing Coordinator
- Restaurant Management Analyst
- Investigative Auditor
- Payroll Coordinator
- Accounting Supervisor
- Education-Related Evaluations and Billing Coordinator
- Senior Audit Advisor
- Full Charge Bookkeeper
What is the salary expectation with an accounting degree?
Salaries vary based on the field you have chosen.
Here are some salary range examples:
- Budget Analyst - $58,000-$75,000 | The average annual income is around $64,700.
- Accountant - $50,000-$128,000 | The average annual income is $76,800.
- Controller - $100,000-$210,000 | An average of $146,500 can be earned annually
- Chief Financial Officer - $154,000-$400,000 | The average annual salary is $230,000.
- Payroll Coordinator - $93,000-$142,762 | The average annual income is $118,300.
Do colleges in the state offer online degrees?
Yes! You can earn your accounting degree online from schools like:
- Niagra County Community College
- Finger Lakes Community College
- Jamestown Community College
- Erie Community College
- Genesee Community College
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute
- New Paltz University College
- Old Westbury University College
- Empire State College
How long does it take to earn an accounting degree?
It will take you 2-6 years to earn an accounting degree generally, depending on whether you want an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate. The field of study you choose can also contribute to the time it takes to complete a degree, but most accounting fields do not require much extra time to complete.
Are there scholarships available for accounting students?
There are multiple scholarships available to accounting students who meet specific criteria. Some of the best scholarships available come from the AICPA and the NYSSCPA, who specifically support accounting and CPA-focused majors. You can check with your high school counselor or your college's financial aid office for more information on scholarships available or you can do your own research and find scholarship offerings from all over the US online.
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