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

Accountancy involves recording revenue and expenses, as well as financial transactions. The accounting process involves summarizing, analyzing, and reporting transactions to regulatory agencies, tax collection agencies, and oversight agencies. Financial statements summarize the company's operations, financial position, and cash flow over a given period of time.

If you have decided that you want to become a certified public accountant in South Dakota, the profession can offer you job security and opportunities for advancement. Certified Public Accountant CPAs are well-respected professionals, whose services are needed by businesses of all sizes, ranging from small, local businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. CPAs are also in demand by educational and governmental employers. While becoming a CPA will require that you complete a rigorous education and the other requirements for obtaining licensure, doing so is within your ability. Here are the steps that you will need to complete to become a CPA in South Dakota.

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Top Ranked Campus & Online Accounting Programs in South Dakota

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1

Augustana University

Score: 79.32

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $39,190
    • Out-of-State:$39,190
  • Net Price: $23,843
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,086
  • Undergrad Students: 1,831
  • Graduate Students: 255
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Augustana University
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2

Mount Marty University

Score: 77.56

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $33,100
    • Out-of-State:$33,100
  • Net Price: $21,476
  • Acceptance Rate: 68%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,252
  • Undergrad Students: 1,080
  • Graduate Students: 172
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Mount Marty University
3

Dakota State University

Score: 76.54

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,633
    • Out-of-State:$12,735
  • Net Price: $17,977
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,241
  • Undergrad Students: 2,757
  • Graduate Students: 484
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Dakota State University
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4

Northern State University

Score: 76.52

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,845
    • Out-of-State:$11,947
  • Net Price: $17,264
  • Acceptance Rate: 78%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,344
  • Undergrad Students: 2,851
  • Graduate Students: 493
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Northern State University
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5

University of South Dakota

Score: 74.04

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,432
    • Out-of-State:$12,942
  • Net Price: $18,378
  • Acceptance Rate: 99%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,856
  • Undergrad Students: 7,132
  • Graduate Students: 2,724
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • University of South Dakota
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6

University of Sioux Falls

Score: 70.61

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $20,740
    • Out-of-State:$20,740
  • Net Price: $20,957
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 59%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,594
  • Undergrad Students: 1,325
  • Graduate Students: 269
  • Grads Salary: $64,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of Sioux Falls
7

Black Hills State University

Score: 68.23

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,000
    • Out-of-State:$12,100
  • Net Price: $16,782
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,425
  • Undergrad Students: 3,261
  • Graduate Students: 164
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Black Hills State University
8

Dakota Wesleyan University

Score: 67.05

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $32,890
    • Out-of-State:$32,890
  • Net Price: $19,825
  • Acceptance Rate: 75%
  • Retention Rate: 69%
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
  • Total Enrollment: 887
  • Undergrad Students: 723
  • Graduate Students: 164
  • Grads Salary: $55,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Dakota Wesleyan University
9

Western Dakota Technical College

Score: 63.33

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,008
    • Out-of-State:$8,008
  • Net Price: $13,239
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,267
  • Undergrad Students: 1,267
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $35,800
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Western Dakota Technical College
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10

Southeast Technical College

Score: 63.19

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,650
    • Out-of-State:$7,650
  • Net Price: $16,048
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 58%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,453
  • Undergrad Students: 2,453
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $40,100
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Southeast Technical College

Online Accounting Education in South Dakota

Your first step towards becoming a CPA in South Dakota is to research the degree programs in accountancy (associate's and bachelor's) that are offered by universities and colleges in the state. The South Dakota Board of Accountancy recognizes specific regional accreditations for accounting programs, so you should make certain that the university or college that you are considering is regionally accredited by one of them.

The accreditations that are accepted by the SDBOA include the following organizations:

  • Middle States Association of Higher Education
  • New England Association of Colleges and Schools
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Western Association of Colleges and Schools

If you took courses at an online or two-year college, they will be accepted as long as the school has regional accreditation. If you graduated from a college that was not accredited, your courses will still be accepted if you were later accepted into an accredited graduate program. Your courses may still be accepted if your school was unaccredited when you attended but is accredited when you apply for your CPA certificate as long as the requirements at the time that you attended and at the time of your application were largely the same.

The SDBOA may also accept your courses from an unaccredited undergraduate program if you completed 15 semester hours at an institution that was accredited with nine of the hours that were completed in accounting after you obtained your Bachelor's degree. Finally, if you graduated from a college or university overseas, you will need to have the program evaluated to determine whether or not your courses will be deemed to be acceptable.

You will need to make certain that you choose the correct classes in your undergraduate or graduate accounting program. In South Dakota, you must complete at least 150 credit hours in college and have your Bachelor's or graduate-level degree.

Your courses must include a minimum of 24 semester hours of business courses other than accounting as well as 24 credit hours of accounting classes, including the following courses:

  • Principles of accounting
  • Cost accounting
  • Audits
  • Taxation
  • Intermediate or advanced accounting

Online Associates (AS)

Earning your associate degree in accounting means you’ll be able to compile reports, prepare financial documents and discuss your employer’s financial picture with stakeholders. While this degree may only earn you access to entry-level positions, the experience you gain is priceless.

Online Bachelors (BS)

A bachelor’s-level accounting program will help you learn the general principles of accounting, financial planning, taxes and auditing, as well as management consulting services. It can also provide you with enough education to earn not only entry-level positions, but also higher-level promotions and an increase in salary.

University HQ National Rankings - Online Bachelors

Online Masters (MS)

In a master’s degree, you’ll be able to receive specialized training in the accounting field. Additionally, if you plan to become a CPA, this program gives you all the educational credits you need to sit for the CPA Exam.

University HQ National Rankings - Online Masters

Online Doctorate (PhD)

In this type of program, you’ll work on advanced graduate accounting principles, finance, or whatever other subject you are interested in. This degree is especially helpful if you plan on working in academia or government, as it can prepare you to teach, research, and create financial policy.

Online Degree in Accounting

If you aren’t sure you have the time to earn an on-campus degree, you might want to consider earning an online degree instead. You should look for a program that offers the concentration you desire so that you can easily get started in whatever industry or position you have in mind.

Learn more about accounting resources and scholarships

South Dakota CPA Exam Requirements

If you are 100 days or less of completing your required accounting education to become a CPA, you are able to register to take the CPA Exam. You can do this by downloading the application from the SDBOA's website and completing it. Along with your application, you will need to submit your application fee. Your fee must be paid by a certified check or a money order from a U.S. bank. Make your check or money order out to the South Dakota Board of Accountancy for the exam sections that you are taking. If you have a disability that requires accommodations when you take the CPA exam, you will also need to submit the Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation form. Finally, you will also need to send your sealed, official transcripts along with your other materials to the SDBOA. Once your application has been reviewed and approved by the SDBOA, you will be sent a payment coupon from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. You will then send your payments with this coupon to the NASBA.

The NASBA will send you a notice in the mail to schedule your CPA exam after it receives your payment. You can schedule your CPA exam date by going to Prometric's website. Your exam must be scheduled no more than one year after the date of your notice to schedule your exam. Save your notice and bring it with you on the day of your CPA exam. After you take the CPA exam, your results will be mailed to you.

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Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Requirements

In South Dakota, a CPA license is renewed on a tri-annual basis. You will be required to complete 120 hours of continuing professional education credits during each three-year period. In any specific year, the minimum number of CPE credits that must be completed is 20. In a three-year period, you may have a maximum of 60 credits in teaching accounting courses or a maximum of 24 credit hours in motivational or behavioral courses. If you have received your CPA license within one year of when it is scheduled to be renewed, you will not have any CPE requirements for that period. Each year runs from July 1 to June 30 for calculating your CPE hours.

For all of your CPE credit hours, you are required to retain records of them for a minimum of four years. Your records should include details of the name of the course, its location, a description, the date it occurred and the address and name of the Certified Public Accountant CPA sponsor. You will also need to include information about how many CPE credits you earned by taking the course.

For applications for renewal that are submitted on time, you will need to pay a fee of $50. Late applications have a fee of $100. If the CPE provider is one that is listed in the National Registry, you can complete your renewal application online. If your CPE sponsor is not listed on the National Registry, you will need to complete the non-sponsor CPE verification form and submit it to the SDBOA.

Once you have become a licensed Certified Public Accountant CPA in South Dakota, it is a good idea for you to join professional organizations, including the South Dakota Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. These organizations offer a wealth of resources, including CPE opportunities, networking and professional development.

While becoming a certified public accountant in South Dakota will take a lot of work, you have the ability to pass the CPA. Make sure that you complete the education and experience requirements, take your CPA exam and apply for your Certified Public Accountant license. After you are licensed, keep your CPA certificate current by taking the required number of CPE credits each year. When you complete everything that is required of you, you will be able to enjoy a career in a highly respected profession.

Become an Accountant in South Dakota

Once you pass the CPA Exam sections within a period of time that lasts for 18 months or less, you will need to take the professional ethics exam and course that is offered by the American Institute of CPAs. You are required to take this ethics exam when you are within three months or 90 days of when you will or have completed the required experience.

South Dakota requires that you pass the CPA Exam and complete 2,000 hours of work experience practicing as an accountant while you are under the supervision of a Certified Public Accountant CPA in the state. If you will be writing reports about financial statements, 375 of the hours must include auditing, review and compilation experience. CPA candidates experience must be obtained over a time period that lasts from one to three years, and the work must be completed in public accounting, with the government, in industry or in academia. When you have gained the required experience, you will need to fill out the certificate of your experience and have the supervising CPA sign it. This certificate will be submitted when you apply for your Certified Public Accountant CPA Exam.

Getting Your CPA License in South Dakota

Once you have completed all of the required education and experience and you pass the CPA exam, you can apply for your South Dakota CPA Exam. You can get the application for an initial certificate on the SDBOA website. Complete the application and submit it together with your application fee of $50. You will need to mail your application and fee to the SDBOA at 301 E. 14th St., Ste. 200, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104. The SDBOA will send your license to you via postal mail.

If you are licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in a different state that is considered to be substantially equivalent to South Dakota but want to establish a principal place of business in South Dakota, you may apply for a reciprocal license. You will simply complete and submit the application for a reciprocal certificate and the authorization to exchange information forms. Once the SDBOA verifies with your current state that your license is in good standing, you will receive your South Dakota CPA certificate in the mail. If your license is from the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is not considered to be substantially equivalent.

In order to qualify for reciprocity, you must be able to show the following:

  • In the past 10 years, you have had at least four years of experience working as a CPA after getting your license in the other state;
  • Your license is in good standing; and
  • Your continuing education credits are current.

To become a Certified Public Accountant CPA in South Dakota, fill out and submit the authorization for interstate exchange of information and the application for a reciprocal certificate.

If you are currently licensed in Hong Kong, Mexico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland, you can apply for international reciprocity. To obtain your South Dakota license, you will need to take the international exam through the National Associations of Boards of Accountancy. After you have taken and passed the exam, you will then need to apply for your South Dakota CPA license.

If you are licensed in a different country other than those that are previously listed, you will need to have your education evaluated and then take the Uniform CPA Exam. Your application will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Careers for Accounting Graduates

    South Dakota Average Accountant Salary

    South Dakota may be rural and remote, but it's been named one of the top states for business. Chalk that up to loose regulations and low state taxes. Accountants in South Dakota can take advantage of this great business climate and earn healthy salaries. If you're in Rapid City or Sioux Falls, accountants earn an annual mean wage of up to $48,500, and even remote Eastern South Dakota accountants are earning in the high $50k range. However, if you earn your CPA and move up to a C-level position, you might be able to earn as much as $142,956/year working for a mid-sized company. CFOs in larger Sioux Falls corporations earn up to $316,426.

    City Annual Median Wage
    Rapid City $50,900
    Sioux Falls $48,500
    Entry Level Mid Career Late Career
    $40,200 $55,000 $56,500
  • South Dakota Average Cost Estimator Salary: $56,000
  • South Dakota Average Auditor Salary: $50,000
  • South Dakota Average Budget Analyst Salary: $61,600
  • South Dakota Average Credit Analyst
  • South Dakota Average Financial Analyst Salary: $59,100
  • South Dakota Average Personal Financial Advisor Salary: $60,000
  • South Dakota Average Financial Examiner Salary: $61,700
  • South Dakota Average Tax Examiner, Collector, or Revenue Agent
  • South Dakota Average Tax Preparer Salary: $50,300
  • South Dakota Average Actuary Salary
  • South Dakota Average Forensic Science Technician
  • South Dakota Average Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk
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South Dakota Accounting Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average pay of an accountant in South Dakota?

At the beginning of your accounting career, you can expect to earn $36,000 on average each year. However, by mid-career, their average salary increases to closer to $60,000. This, of course, will be affected by where you live, your level of employment, and your past experience.

What is the job outlook for accountants in South Dakota?

Between 2019 and 2029, the employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by around 4%, the same rate as all US occupations. A stronger economy and complex tax regulations contribute to the demand for these professionals, and they are also needed in every industry.

Can I find any online-only accounting degree programs in South Dakota?

Yes, you can. If your job and personal life don’t allow you to attend classes and complete a degree program in person, then several South Dakota colleges and universities do offer online accounting degree programs. And these programs are becoming more and more common.

Is an internship required for an accounting degree in South Dakota?

While an internship may not be mandatory, it’s certainly a good idea to find and participate in one. What you learn in your placement strengthens your skillsets and leads to more interested employers.

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