Thousands of accredited U.S. colleges and universities offer undergraduate and/or graduate programs in accounting. About 170 have additional specialized accreditation in accounting from AACSB International (www.aacsb.org), the most well-established of several professional groups involved in accreditation in degree programs in business-related areas. Evaluation for this type of accreditation is optional—business schools may choose to have their programs evaluated only under the AACSB's regular business accreditation standards (over 550 hold this type of accreditation), or they may wish in addition to receive accreditation in accounting under the more rigorous standards that AACSB has established for this area.

Also available are two-year associate degrees and a variety of executive and continuing education programs, professional certifications, and other nondegree training opportunities related to accounting. For the English language student, specialized programs exist both for the pre-M.B.A. student and for business professionals.

Undergraduate Application and Study

If you’re interested in a degree program, you’ll want to start early. High school courses in mathematics, computer applications, and (if available) business areas can be valuable career preparation but to build a foundation for U.S. study, also take classes in English and other languages, history, biology, chemistry, and physics. Ideally, start the university application process a year or more before you plan to start classes. You need time to find the right program for you and have the best chance at admission and financial aid.

For undergraduate programs, admissions requirements are the same as for other majors. First, you need to demonstrate proficiency in English (typically by taking the TOEFL test). Some universities offer “conditional admission” if you are not quite good enough in English but meet other entrance requirements—this means that you would start in an English language program and then could continue immediately on to degree study once you successfully complete the training and/or achieve acceptable TOEFL scores.

Schools will also generally want to see your original high school transcripts, or notarized copies if originals are not available. You will need to fill out an application form and pay a processing fee. Often scores on the SAT and/or two or three SAT Subject tests will be requested, though some schools do not require these of international students, and others do not require them from any applicants. More selective institutions often have such additional requirements as recommendations from teachers, information on extracurricular activities, and a written statement of purpose or other essay.

At the undergraduate level, accounting majors do not typically specialize in a particular accounting area but explore a wide range of areas such as auditing, cost accounting, business valuation, taxation, international accounting, accounting information systems, forensic accounting, government/nonprofit accounting, and financial statement analysis. Except in specialized vocational programs (typically lasting only two years and intended for entry-level employment rather than transfer to other degree study), students will also be expected to establish a foundation of knowledge in other fields, taking courses in English and humanities areas, a foreign language, the social sciences, and the sciences.

Graduate Admissions and Study

It is not necessary to earn an undergraduate degree in accounting in order to attend a U.S. graduate accounting program. All undergraduate majors are acceptable, though strong quantitative skills and related course work will be expected.

The GMAT is usually a required entrance test for graduate programs, though some programs ask for the GRE instead or accept it as an alternative. Applicants will also generally be asked to write a “statement of purpose” and sometimes additional essays as well as submit references from their professors and/or employers.

Work experience is a very important factor in admission to graduate programs. Many programs expect at least two years of full-time work experience. However, it is possible for students to enter a program directly from undergraduate school. Some accounting programs enroll mainly this type of student.

Applicants can choose between master of business administration (M.B.A.) programs, which provide a survey of all areas of business with some time for concentration in a specialization such as accounting, and master of science (M.S.) programs more exclusively focused on accounting and allowing more in-depth study. It’s also possible to earn a specialized degree in such areas as auditing, accounting information systems, financial advising, or forensic accounting.

M.S. programs are usually more research-oriented than the M.B.A. and in some cases are intended to lead to doctoral study. Doctoral management programs usually award the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, and provide preparation for an academic or research career.

Professional Certification

Professional certification is often important in this field. To practice as a public accountant, independently advising clients on a wide range of accounting matters, most U.S. states require qualification as a Certified Public Accountants (CPA). The criteria for CPA certification are established by state boards of accountancy and vary from state to state, but usually include passing the Unified CPA Examination developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, university study at minimum equivalent to an undergraduate major in accounting, and at least two years of professional practice as an accountant. The Unified CPA Examination is currently only administered in the United States.

Certification and other professional credentials are also available for many other accounting areas. For example, one can become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), among many other options. Like the CPA certificate, most of these credentials are awarded through a combination of education, experience, and testing requirements.

To maintain professional certifications and state licensure, accountants must complete continuing education to maintain current knowledge of the field. Many sponsors therefore offer such training, but programs are often too short (lasting one or two days) to be worth traveling from overseas to attend. To find appropriate nondegree training options, international accountants and accounting students may want to explore programs offered through university summer sessions, business school executive education centers, and professional associations as well as distance education options.