Study Accounting in Florida

Florida has some of the most recognizable colleges in the nation, like the University of Florida and Florida State. But throughout its borders are other high-quality colleges offering accounting programs that can help jumpstart your career.

Whether you want a degree from a large or small school, Florida offers numerous online accounting programs. What’s more, you can get an undergraduate or master’s degree online and take advantage of challenging curricula and job training whether you reside in Florida or not. The list below offers some of the popular options for your consideration!

Best Accredited Online Accounting Degrees and Schools in Florida - Associate's, Bachelor's and Masters

Online Accounting Degrees in Florida

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online accounting degrees in Florida:

  • University of South Florida
  • University of West Florida
  • Florida Atlantic University
  • Florida Gulf Coast University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Florida Tech Online
  • Hodges University
  • Saint Leo University
  • Purdue Global

University of South Florida

Online BS in Accountancy

The University of South Florida’s online accounting major is unique in that you’re required to have junior status before you can enroll. In other words, you either need to have already completed an associate’s degree or have completed the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida (USF).

This program is structured as an online degree completion opportunity for working professionals. Without the need to attend on-campus classes, you can use the flexibility of the online format to your advantage – study when it’s convenient for you and work through your classes at your own pace.

You will need roughly 60 credits to complete this program. Since you must have completed the general education component, the coursework you will focus on is in accountancy and business. There are five categories of coursework you must complete:

  • Business Foundation Courses
  • Supporting Required Courses
  • Major Core Courses and Electives

The business foundation courses include 27 credits of general studies. You will take courses like Law and Business, Basic Marketing, and Principles of Risk Management. Other courses in this portion of the program include Principles of Finance, Strategic Management and Decision Making, and Information Systems in Organizations. You must also take a Computers in Business course as well as a Business Workplace Skills and Best Practices course.

There are five supporting required courses for a total of 15 credits. These courses, which include Professional Writing, Public Speaking, and Professional Writing, are supplementary areas that prepare you to be a more effective accountant. Also included in this section are courses in Ethics, Behavioral Science, and international topics of your choice.

You will complete 18 credits of major core courses, too. This is where you will learn essential accounting skills, such as:

  • Intermediate Financial Accounting
  • Cost Accounting and Control
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Auditing
  • Concepts of Federal Income Taxation

Two elective courses are required for graduation. You may choose from more than half a dozen elective options, including upper-level auditing, cost accounting, and financial accounting classes. Other elective courses include Fraud Examinations, Selected Topics in Accounting, and an Accounting Internship.

An IRS VITA internship is also available. This two-part course includes academic work focusing on professional development skills and an internship in which you gain at least 120 hours of hands-on training. This training occurs within the IRS’ VITA program, where you will learn how to prepare tax returns for low and moderate-income taxpayers.

The Muma College of Business at USF further offers undergraduates in this program the opportunity to participate in relevant research. Your research can be done either for credit or no credit, depending on the other coursework you’ve completed to satisfy graduation requirements. If you choose to conduct research, you will work with a faculty mentor who will help guide your work.

The USF application for undergraduate admission is available online. You must meet the following requirements to apply:

  • Have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher in a curriculum including four units of English, four units of math, three units of natural science, 3 units of social science, and two units of a world language
  • Have SAT scores of 490 or higher on the evidence-based reading and writing section and a 480 or higher in math, or an ACT score of 19 or higher in reading, 17 or higher in English, and 19 or higher in math
  • Have a 2.5 GPA or higher for all college-level coursework
  • Submit official high school transcripts
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended

University of West Florida

Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) at the University of West Florida combines studies in accounting with opportunities to learn marketing, management, and business as well. This is beneficial to you as a future accountant, as you will gain a better understanding of how accounting is used in all sectors of business.

This degree, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, prepares you to take the CPA exam in Florida. That preparation involves 60 credits in business and accounting that form the basis of your knowledge in this field.

This program is divided into several components, each of which helps you develop the necessary skills and competencies to be a successful accountant. You must complete at least 60 credits in the accounting major, which are divided equally between required core courses and accounting specialization courses.

The required core component of this program is where you learn related business and management concepts. For example, you will take courses in Managerial Finance, International Business, and Management Fundamentals. You will also complete coursework in Operations Management, Marketing Fundamentals, and Strategic Management, to name a few.

Practical studies are included in the required core as well. For example, you will take a Writing for Business class that helps you build the necessary skills to be an effective written communicator. You will do so by learning essential business communication theories and putting them into practice throughout the course.

As another example, you’re required to take an e-Business System Fundamentals class. This course focuses on internet-based and other computing technologies and their place in doing business. You will learn how to harness the power of electronic business tools to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Within the accounting specialization, you will take the typical undergraduate-level accounting courses, including:

  • Intermediate Financial Accounting
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Accounting Theory
  • Cost Accounting
  • Taxation of Individuals

You will also take a course dedicated to auditing, as well as your choice of a Corporate Income Tax or Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting course. Additionally, you’re required to take one upper-level accounting elective. This elective must be approved by your advisor and be one of the following courses:

  • Commercial Law
  • Corporate Income Tax
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Forensic Accounting
  • Accounting Internship

As a result of your studies, you will graduate from this program with the ability to apply accounting concepts in various business-related situations. You will also possess the skills to communicate numbers effectively, practice ethically, and identify critical accounting problems by using problem-solving techniques.

If you wish to expedite your accounting education, the University of West Florida offers an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program that allows you to complete the BSBA and a Master of Accounting degree in less time. This option is only available for exceptionally qualified students with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and a 3.5 GPA or higher in all accounting coursework.

The admissions requirements for the accounting program are as follows:

  • Complete all lower-division general education requirements and prerequisite coursework with a C or better
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended
  • Provide official ACT or SAT scores
  • Submit a completed departmental application form
  • Submit a completed residency application form

Florida Atlantic University

Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is yet another popular option for completing an accounting degree remotely. Florida Atlantic offers this degree as a Bachelor of Science as well to give you additional flexibility.

Like other online accounting degree options, this one is a degree completion program. So, rather than declaring an accounting major when you begin college your first year, you must wait until you’ve completed 60 college credits to apply to the program.

The first 60 college credits you earn are general education courses. Whether you complete these credits at FAU or transfer them as part of an associate’s degree, you must demonstrate mastery of basic concepts in a wide range of subjects. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • College-level math
  • Natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry)
  • College-level English
  • Social sciences (e.g., art, history, psychology)

Furthermore, you’re required to complete coursework in a world language and civics before you are eligible to apply for this program.

Once you’re admitted to this AACSB-accredited accounting program, you will take 30 credits of business core courses that explore everything from accounting to business law to management information systems. Furthermore, you will take classes on specific business topics, such as Management and Organizational Behavior, Principles of Marketing, and Operations Management. FAU also requires you to complete coursework in Financial Management, Financial Markets, and Quantitative Methods in Administration.

Alongside the global business courses listed above, you will also take classes in specific accounting topics. For example, you will complete classes in Cost Accounting, Federal Taxation, and Intermediate Theory. Additionally, you will take courses in Accounting Applications of Data Analysis, Accounting Information Systems, and Auditing and Assurance Services.

You must further take two of the following elective options:

  • Government and Nonprofit Accounting
  • Business Law II
  • Taxation II

By completing these and other curricular activities, you will develop the ability to audit financial records, prepare tax returns and other financial reports, and ensure compliance with government financial regulations. You will also be able to identify, measure, and communicate economic-related information and provide managers and other organizational leaders with strategic recommendations based on your examination of the company’s finances.

Moreover, with this program’s focus on financial reporting, cost allocation, income taxation, and other essential accounting principles, you will be well on your way to becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Florida. You can also pursue other certifications, including:

  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFM)

It should be noted that additional education, training, and experience might be required to seek the certifications listed above. For example, to become a CPA, you must complete an additional 30 hours of higher education beyond your bachelor’s degree. You must also gain at least one year of work experience in accounting, which is to be supervised by a licensed CPA. These work hours cannot be accrued until after you’ve met the 150-hour education requirement to take the CPA exam.

You must satisfy the following requirements to be considered for admission: Complete at least 60 undergraduate credits with a grade of C or higher and submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.

Florida Gulf Coast University

Online Master of Science in Accounting

The Master of Science in Accounting from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is an advanced degree option that can help you meet your academic and career goals. Building on the foundation of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, this program will help you develop even stronger competencies in auditing, taxation, cost accounting, and more.

This AACSB-accredited program requires you to complete 30 or more credits to graduate. Those credits are divided into multiple categories: Foundation Courses, Required Courses in the Major, Restricted Electives in the Major, and Concentration Courses.

As you might assume, Foundation Courses explore basic concepts in accounting and taxation but at a higher level than your undergraduate studies. You will take courses in Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Systems Auditing, and Taxation I to prepare you for continued graduate-level work in other areas.

The Required Courses in the Major include six courses with 18 total credits. These classes explore topics such as Accounting Theory, Advanced Accounting, and Advanced Accounting Information Systems. You will also take Independent Audit II, Law and Business II, and Tax Research and Planning courses. These classes expand your knowledge and understanding of these advanced topics, which enable you to provide competent services to your clients as an accountant.

Your learning doesn’t stop there, though. You must take an additional 12 credits – three credits of restricted electives and nine credits within your chosen concentration. You can choose from nearly a dozen possible elective classes, ranging from Advanced Accounting Analytics to Corporate Tax Issues to International Tax Issues. You can also take part in an internship to satisfy the three-credit elective requirement.

As for the concentration, you can choose to pursue a nine-credit analytics specialization, which requires you to take the following classes: Advanced Accounting Analytics, Predictive Analytics, and Data-Driven Decision-Making. If you don’t choose this concentration, you must take Flow-Through Entities, Contemporary Tax Topics, and a third course outside of accounting, business law, or taxation.

FGCU offers an analytics concentration because of the ever-evolving landscape in accounting. There has been a dramatic shift towards data analytics in recent years, and that will likely continue in the coming years as well. With an analytics background, you will benefit from increased skills and abilities that should make you more marketable in the present and future workforce.

This program, combined with a 120-credit bachelor’s degree, satisfies the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Florida. Assuming you need four years to finish your undergraduate degree and two years to complete this graduate program, you will be ready to take the exam within seven years after you meet the experiential requirement of working for a year in a supervised accounting setting.

However, since this program is designed to be flexible, you can likely finish it in less than two years. All classes are taught 100 percent online, so you can take more or fewer classes each term as your schedule allows. Some students complete the 30 required credits in as little as three semesters (spring, summer, and fall).

The following admissions requirements must be met first, though:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA or higher for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended
  • Earn a 450 or higher on the GMAT or an equivalent score on the GRE (your score cannot be more than five years old)
    • The GMAT/GRE requirement is waived if you have a doctoral or another terminal degree, a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or a bachelor’s degree from an AACSB-accredited business program in which you earned a 3.0 GPA or higher in your last 60 hours of undergraduate work
  • Submit proof of English language proficiency if English is not your native language

You might be considered for admission if your GPA is below 3.0, provided you have a higher GMAT score than noted above.

Grand Canyon University

Online Master of Science in Accounting

The Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Science in Accounting degree, designed to complement your existing undergraduate degree. This program consists of 34 credits, which you can complete within one year of full-time studies.

As an online master’s program, you will benefit from the flexibility to complete your classes through Grand Canyon’s advanced online campus. This platform utilizes interactive tools to facilitate collaboration and connection with your classmates and professors. For instance, your courses include discussion forums where you can interact individually with your professors and work on projects with your classmates.

Grand Canyon provides various support resources, tools, and services to enhance your online learning experience. You will have access to online tutoring, electronic books, and 24/7 technical support. Additionally, student services counselors are available online to assist and guide your studies throughout the program.

To graduate from this program, you must complete 34 credits. Most of the classes are eight weeks long, approximately half the length of traditional courses. You will learn essential accounting skills, including those relevant to auditing, financial research, managerial accounting, and compliance.

The curriculum begins with an Introduction to Graduate Studies in the College of Business course, preparing you for graduate-level learning. Following this, each course focuses on different areas of accounting. For example, you will take Accounting Research, Advanced Data Analytics, and an Accounting and Data Analytics Core that cover conducting research, analyzing accounting data, and reporting findings.

Other core coursework includes:

  • Advanced Accounting
  • Tax Core
  • Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
  • Advanced Managerial and Cost Accounting

A three-part capstone class is also required. This course, typically completed toward the end of the program, reviews common concepts in accounting, particularly those on the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam Business Analytics and Reporting discipline.

The capstone review has two components. First, you will complete exam questions similar to those on the CPA exam. Secondly, you will participate in simulations of essential accounting tasks and procedures, solidifying the skills you have learned and helping you understand how to apply them in real-world accounting situations.

This built-in exam preparation will ensure you are ready to sit for the CPA exam while still a student at GCU. This is advantageous because the accounting knowledge you will be tested on is fresh in your mind. If you pass the test, you will have the credentials needed to pursue a career as a CPA immediately after graduation.

You can apply to Grand Canyon University’s graduate school at any time, with no application fee. Grand Canyon commits to evaluating your transcripts within 24 hours and providing you with a customized study and graduation plan. To apply, you must:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Have a 2.8 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher
  • Submit transcripts from every college or university you have attended
  • GRE/GMAT scores are not required

What are the Requirements to Become a CPA in Florida?

Basic Requirements

To meet the CPA licensure requirements in Florida, you must initially complete 120 semester credits before taking the CPA examination. Within these credits, 24 must be from upper-division courses specifically in auditing and cost accounting, including a minimum of three credits each in taxation and financial accounting, based on U.S. standards.

Additionally, you must undertake 24 credits in general business courses, ensuring that at least 21 of these credits are from upper-division courses and include three credits in U.S. business law. Extra accounting courses taken can also count towards fulfilling the general business credit requirement.

CPA Exam

To sit for the CPA exam, you must apply and, upon approval, you will receive a Notice to Schedule. This notice allows you six months to schedule and sit for the first part of the CPA exam at a Prometric testing center. If you don’t schedule the exam within six months, you will need to reapply.

The CPA exam consists of four sections, which you can take simultaneously or over an 18-month period, needing a minimum score of 75 to pass each.

Additional 30 Credits

Following the CPA exam, you are required to complete another 30 credits (in form of a master’s degree in accounting or standalone courses). Of these, a minimum of six credits should be from upper-division courses in auditing or cost accounting, and at least 12 credits should be in general business.

Work Experience

To satisfy work experience requirements in Florida, you must complete one year of work experience, consisting of at least 20 hours per week for no more than 104 weeks, or up to 40 hours per week for no more than 52 weeks. This experience must be in fields like accountancy, attestation, compilation, financial advising, taxation, or consultation. Your supervisor will need to verify your work. Supervised work experience can be done either before or after taking the CPA exam.

Once your experience is verified, you can submit your final application package and fees to the Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for licensure. Florida does not require CPA applicants to be state residents or U.S. citizens, but you must provide a Social Security number. Unlike many other states, Florida does not require an Ethics Exam.

How Long Does It Take to Become a CPA in Florida?

As mentioned above, to become a CPA in Florida, you first need to earn a bachelor’s degree, typically requiring about four years of full-time study. Most bachelor’s degree programs include 120 credit hours, but Florida requires 150 credit hours to qualify for the CPA licensure.

You may need an additional year of study to achieve these extra 30 credits, which could be through earning a master’s degree in accounting or by taking separate courses. Additionally, Florida requires one year of  supervised experience, a period during which you will likely also prepare for and take the CPA examination.

Overall, from the start of your bachelor’s degree, the path to becoming a CPA in Florida typically takes at least six years.

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