Accounting Schools in Alabama

Alabama, home to booming aerospace and automotive industries, offers more than Southern charm — it’s also a strong environment for career growth. The state secured $7 billion in new capital in 2024, fueling thousands of jobs across key sectors.

Earning an accounting degree in Alabama positions you for stable, in-demand careers as an accountant, budget analyst, or financial manager. You can gain valuable support with accredited programs at schools such as the University of Alabama and Auburn University, plus scholarships from the Alabama Society of CPAs. Explore tuition, delivery formats, certified public accountant (CPA) requirements, and the career outlook in Alabama.

Alabama’s rich landscape of universities, including the University of Alabama, Auburn, and Alabama State, among others, combines strong academic programs with flexible online and hybrid options. For example, Alabama State offers a master of accountancy program with a data analytics focus that meets Uniform CPA Examination educational requirements.

Enrollment in Alabama’s public universities is rising, with dual enrollment growing significantly. The University of Alabama recently recorded more than 42,000 students, setting a new record.

As an accounting student in Alabama, you can also take advantage of several scholarships. The Alabama Society of CPAs offers general and diversity scholarships to support aspiring accountants in the state. Meanwhile, several universities in the state also offer accounting scholarships, including the University of Alabama.

Accounting education in Alabama aligns with regional business needs, with programs often connected to local industries like manufacturing, finance, and government. This allows you to find relevant internships and networking opportunities close to home. If you plan to stay in Alabama, attending school here offers advantages such as lower cost of living, state-specific licensure prep, and meaningful connections that can benefit you in school and beyond.

Alabama supports a robust higher education system with 34 universities and 25 community colleges. The state invests heavily, allocating more tax revenue per student to higher education than the U.S. average.

Enrollment in distance education is also higher in Alabama, at 57.9% vs. 53.2% nationally. While more adults hold associate degrees in Alabama than the U.S. average, bachelor’s and graduate degree attainment lag behind national figures.

Choosing an accredited college ensures employers recognize your degree, you qualify for financial aid, and your degree is recognized by employers and licensing boards. Institutional accreditation applies to an entire college, while programmatic accreditation is optional and covers specific programs such as business or accounting.

Since 2020, there is no distinction between regional and national institutional accreditation. In Alabama, most colleges are institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For accounting programs, look for programmatic accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Selecting an accounting program requires considering your goals, schedule, and learning style. Nearly 58% of Alabama students enroll in distance education courses, compared to 53.2% nationally. This indicates a strong embrace of online learning alongside traditional options.

The learning format you choose shapes your educational experience and the connections you build in the state’s professional community, making it an important decision. We dive into your options below to better understand what they entail and help you make a confident decision.

Traditional campus-based programs in Alabama provide face-to-face interaction with faculty and fellow students, direct access to career centers, and internship opportunities through partnerships with local industries. If you thrive in a structured environment and want to immerse yourself in campus life, this is likely the best option.

Online accounting programs in Alabama offer the same degrees as campus-based options but with added flexibility. If you’re a working professional, career changer, or someone balancing family responsibilities, this could be an ideal option for you. You’ll benefit from growing investment in distance education while still accessing faculty expertise.

Hybrid programs combine the convenience of online coursework with occasional in-person classes or residencies. This format also provides the flexibility of distance learning while offering the benefits of campus resources, networking events, and hands-on learning. Hybrid learning is an ideal option if you want the best of both worlds

The cost of an accounting degree in Alabama varies, but several financing options are available to ease your burden. To cover costs, consider exploring financial aid, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and loans.

Alabama-specific opportunities include awards from the Alabama Society of CPAs and state programs like the Alabama Student Assistance Program for need-based aid. Individual universities, including Auburn and the University of Alabama, also offer merit-based awards.

These resources, combined with federal aid awarded after submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), make higher education more accessible.

In Alabama, tuition varies widely based on your state residency. Alabama residents who attend a public four-year institution generally pay less than nonresidents, whose tuition may be two to three times higher. To reduce this gap, some schools offer border-state or regional discounts. Alabama also participates in the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market, which lets students from partner states pay in-state tuition for approved programs.

As an accounting student, this can be an especially valuable option, as it makes Alabama’s accredited programs more affordable while providing opportunities to network in a state with growing business and finance sectors.

Alabama’s cost of living index is 88.6, roughly 11% lower than the U.S. average, meaning goods and services typically cost less. Housing is especially affordable, which can make a big difference if you live outside university housing. Utilities, groceries, and healthcare costs are closer to the national average, so budgeting well for those remains important.

While the savings in everyday living can stretch your budget further, especially outside higher-cost metro areas, you still need to plan for tuition, rent, food, transport, textbooks, and extras.

Accounting careers nationally are stable and expanding, with many revolving around fast-growing roles in finance, auditing, and advising services.

Big Four firms have less impact in Alabama than in other major financial hubs, but you can find opportunities working with the largest statewide firms, such as Warren Averett, and with regional and local firms serving healthcare, education, government, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.

Industries like advanced manufacturing, biospace, agribusiness, retail, and financial services require accounting professionals for cost control, auditing, financial analysis, internal controls, and compliance. Alabama’s growing economy, paired with a competitive cost of living, makes it an appealing state to consider starting a career.

Accounting careers in Alabama are projected to grow by 6.4% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the national average of 4.4% and signalling steady demand for these professionals. Entry-level roles for payroll clerks remain plentiful but pay below national averages. In contrast, some careers requiring a bachelor’s degree, such as those for budget analysts, exceed the national average wage.

If you plan to stay in Alabama after graduating, pursuing at least a bachelor’s degree opens the door to higher-paying, in-demand roles, making advanced education a strategic investment.

The Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy sets rules for becoming a CPA in the state. Requirements include earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and completing at least 150 credit hours of higher education. You must also complete one year of relevant work under the supervision of a licensed CPA, be at least 19 years old, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and demonstrate good moral character.

To sit for the exam, you must pay an initial application fee of $120 and a $265.57 examination fee. The exam covers auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, taxation and regulation, business analysis and reporting, information systems and control, and tax compliance and planning.

To renew your CPA license, you must complete at least 40 hours of continuing education (CE), including at least two hours on ethics and eight hours on accounting and auditing.