Degree Programs for CPAs in Alaska
Key Takeaways
- Alaska offers many job opportunities for CPAs, with strong projected job growth for accountants in the next decade.
- Alaska’s low population means you’ll find most accounting jobs in bigger cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks.
- Starting in 2026, you can earn your Alaska CPA license with just a bachelor’s degree in accounting. These new licensure requirements include less education and more professional experience.
While Alaska is the largest and most sparsely populated state in the country, it has a sizable economy based mainly on oil. This creates many job opportunities for accountants throughout the state. Earning your certified public accountant (CPA) license is a major step toward a career in accounting.
Becoming a CPA can help you pursue many high-paying career paths, financial manager or a compliance officer. Recent changes to state licensing laws also make it easier than ever to become a CPA in Alaska.
Learn more about becoming an accountant in Alaska, including degree options, popular careers, and salary potential.
Population | 733,391 |
---|---|
Key Cities | Juneau (capital), Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla |
Climate | Average Annual Temperature: 26.6 ℉ Annual Precipitation: 22.5 inches |
Major Sports Teams | Alaska Wild (IFL), Fairbanks Grizzlies (IFL), Anchorage Wolverines (NAHL), Alaska Timbers (UPSL), MatSu United FC (UPSL) |
Number of Higher Learning Institutions | 8 |
Per Capita Income | $42,828 |
Fortune 500 Companies | 0 |
Accountants in Alaska | 2,440 |
Why Go to College for Accounting in Alaska?
Alaska hosts a relatively small number of colleges and universities. In 2023, around 52% of Alaska high school graduates enrolled in in-state schools, while 48% enrolled at out-of-state schools. However, students who stay in Alaska can take advantage of a strong university system and many financial aid opportunities.
In 2022, Alaska had 4,075 college graduates, 38% of them from bachelor’s programs and 12% from master’s programs. During the same time period, the state’s graduation rate for bachelor’s candidates was 37%.
Alaska students can benefit from several different in-state financial aid programs, including the Alaska Performance Scholarship, the Alaska Education Grant, and the Alaska Supplemental Education Loan. The University of Alaska Scholars program also provides a $12,000 scholarship to the top 10% of all graduating high school seniors who attend any UA campus.
Jobs for accountants in Alaska are projected to grow faster than the national average in the next decade, according to Projections Central. Becoming a CPA in Alaska can also help you find job opportunities and build professional connections around the state. The state’s recent HB 121 bill now makes it easier for accounting students to obtain CPA licensure with just a bachelor’s degree.
Education Statistics for Alaska
Though the state spends significantly more per student than the U.S. average, educational attainment rates lag slightly behind the national average.
Given its size and isolation, it’s not surprising that Alaska students enroll in online courses at a rate far higher than the U.S. average. The state’s distance education enrollment sits nearly 19 percentage points above the rest of the country.
Higher Education Statistics | Alaska Data | National Data |
---|---|---|
Four-Year Colleges | 6 | 2,488 |
Two-Year Colleges | 2 | 1,234 |
Students Enrolled in Distance Education | 71.9% | 53.2% |
Postsecondary Education Appropriations per Full-Time Student | $20,002 | $11,683 |
Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | $24,950 | $19,092 |
Adults Over 25 With an Associate Degree | 9.1% | 8.8% |
Adults Over 25 With a Bachelor’s Degree | 19.6% | 21.3% |
Adults Over 25 With a Graduate Degree | 11.6% | 13.7% |
Accreditation for Alaska Schools
Alaska accounting programs may hold both institutional and programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation indicates that an entire university has met certain academic standards, while programmatic accreditation indicates the same for individual degree programs. Without proper accreditation, your credits won’t transfer to other schools, and you may not be able to earn your CPA license.
Most reputable colleges in Alaska should hold institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Individual accounting programs may also hold programmatic accreditation from either the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Delivery Formats for an Accounting Degree in Alaska
Many factors can affect your program format options for your Alaska accounting degree. If you’re a state resident, location and transportation could be a major concern. Your access to a college campus may dictate the type of accounting program you choose.
Large cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks host major state colleges that offer significant campus resources, such as libraries and recreation facilities. However, more than a third of Alaska students are enrolled exclusively in online courses, allowing them to complete a degree without ever visiting campus.
Explore common enrollment modes to determine the best delivery format for your Alaska CPA degree.
On-Campus Programs
On-campus accounting programs connect you to a community of accountants, which can provide great networking opportunities. A major city also offers professional benefits, such as the opportunity to intern at larger accounting firms or other businesses. You may also be able to connect to employment opportunities after graduation.
Online Programs
Most online programs never require you to visit campus, making them an ideal option if you live in a remote area. These programs are also convenient if you work full time and need to balance school with other obligations. However, depending on where you live, you may have fewer options to complete internships and other in-person learning experiences.
Hybrid Programs
A hybrid program combines online and in-person courses, giving you both flexibility and access to campus resources. This delivery format could be ideal if you live close enough to a college campus to commute occasionally but can’t commit to daily in-person classes. You may also be able to switch between campus and online courses as your schedule allows.
Paying for Your Accounting Degree
Alaska offers cheaper college tuition than the national average, but it still pays to explore ways to save on your accounting degree. Always fill out the FAFSA, which can help you connect to financial aid opportunities.
In general, grants, scholarships, and fellowships should be your first choice for education funding, since these awards do not need to be paid back. If you need to take out loans, federal loans usually offer lower interest rates and more generous repayment options than private loans.
Alaska also offers several unique education funding opportunities for state residents, including the Alaska Education Grant, the Alaska Performance Scholarship, and the Alaska Community Foundation. Explore our in-depth guides for more information about financial aid options and accounting scholarships.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition
Like most states, Alaska public colleges offer lower tuition rates for state residents compared to out-of-state students. However, Alaska also participates in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which allows students in member states to receive tuition discounts in Alaska. Most states in the Western U.S. participate in the program.
Students from member states pay no more than 150% of the in-state tuition rate at Alaska public colleges. Participating colleges in the state include University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Alaska Southeast.
Cost of Living in Alaska
A state’s cost of living can affect how you plan for higher education, including your budget and even your choice of school. Alaska’s remote location leads to a higher cost of living than the national average.
The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center ranks U.S. cities’ cost of living on a numerical scale, with 100 as the average. Alaska’s cost of living score is 124.9, which places it among the more expensive U.S. states. Alaskan living expenses all rank above the national average, particularly utilities and healthcare.
Careers for Accounting Graduates in Alaska
Oil and natural gas production drive Alaska’s GDP, forming the largest sector of the state’s economy by far. Oil production funds most of the state budget and influences much of Alaska’s economic growth. Other major industries in the state include tourism, fishing, and timber.
Much of the state’s economic activity centers on Anchorage, which also hosts most of Alaska’s accounting jobs. Anchorage is also home to the state’s only Big Four accounting firm, KPMG. Generally, Alaska residents are most likely to find accounting jobs in larger population centers, especially Anchorage.
Given its large size, low population, and reliance on oil, Alaska’s economy is not the most diverse. However, most accountant jobs in the state should grow either at pace with or faster than the national average in the next decade. Alaska has more overall job openings than the U.S. average due a declining and aging population, according to Alaska’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Popular Accounting Careers in Alaska
Accountants and Auditors
Accountants analyze and organize financial records for businesses or individual clients. They use this data to calculate financial risk and identify areas where businesses can improve. Becoming an accountant requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Many jobs may prefer CPA certification, which requires additional steps to earn.
Job Outlook in Alaska (2022-32): +5.3%
Financial Managers
Financial managers direct financial operations for businesses and other organizations. Their common duties may include preparing financial reports, overseeing investment strategies, and supervising other financial employees. Managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and five years of experience. Some positions may prefer candidates who hold a master’s degree.
Job Outlook in Alaska (2022-32): +4.7
Compliance Officers
Compliance officers help businesses meet legal standards and other regulations. For an accountant, this could mean evaluating business and recordkeeping practices to ensure they meet financial regulations. Compliance officers may also develop policies to help businesses meet legal standards and train employees to understand best practices.
Job Outlook in Alaska (2022-32): +3.8%
Alaska Employment Trends
Job Availability | Alaska | National |
---|---|---|
2022 Employment | 2,280 | 1,538,400 |
2032 Projected Employment | 2,400 | 1,605,800 |
Projected Job Growth, 2022-32 | +5.3% | +4.4% |
Career | Alaska Employment | Alaska Annual Mean Wage | National Annual Mean Wage |
---|---|---|---|
Bookkeeping and Auditing Clerks | 4,630 | $56,910 | $52,020 |
Credit Counselors | N/A | N/A | $55,890 |
Payroll Clerks | 290 | $58,660 | $56,870 |
Career | Alaska Employment | Alaska Annual Mean Wage | National Annual Mean Wage |
---|---|---|---|
Compliance Officers | 770 | $91,500 | $84,980 |
Cost Estimators | 160 | $80,130 | $83,160 |
Property Appraisers and Assessors | 150 | $80,650 | $77,160 |
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | 170 | $106,060 | $110,400 |
Tax Examiners and Collectors | 60 | $98,800 | $67,570 |
Tax Preparers | 80 | $71,990 | $58,860 |
Career | Alaska Employment | Alaska Annual Mean Wage | National Annual Mean Wage |
---|---|---|---|
Accountants and Auditors | 2,440 | $89,580 | $93,520 |
Budget Analysts | 300 | $95,380 | $93,920 |
Financial Analysts | 210 | $121,500 | $128,420 |
Financial Managers | 2,090 | $134,970 | $180,470 |
Personal Financial Advisors | N/A | N/A | $160,210 |
In general, job openings for accountants and auditors in Alaska should increase slightly faster than average in the coming decade. However, many accounting jobs in the state offer salary levels slightly below the national average, including popular positions like financial manager.
Some accounting jobs do offer higher salaries in Alaska, particularly at the bachelor’s level. For example, tax examiner and tax preparer jobs in Alaska pay far higher than the national average. However, salary levels for these jobs still fall below more advanced positions like accountant, auditor, and financial manager.
Ultimately, pursuing a CPA license in Alaska can lead to high-paying work as an accountant. However, more specialized positions like budget analyst or financial analyst may offer higher overall pay.
Requirements for CPAs in Alaska
Each state has different requirements to earn CPA licensure, and it’s important to make sure your accounting program meets all state requirements. Most master’s in accounting programs in Alaska should meet CPA requirements, and new regulations will allow those with a bachelor’s degree and experience to obtain CPA licensure. Consult the Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy for specific regulations.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Alaska will add a new CPA licensure pathway that does not require 150 credits. This means you can become a CPA with a 120-credit bachelor’s in accounting and two years of supervised professional experience. Specific CPA requirements for this pathway include:
- Bachelor’s degree with courses in accounting, business law, and economics
- Successful completion of the Uniform CPA Examination
- 1-2 years of supervised professional experience (depending on education)
- Successful completion of the AICPA’s Ethics Exam
Frequently Asked Questions
You can become an accountant in Alaska by earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting. You don’t necessarily have to become a CPA to get a job as an accountant, but the license can make you more competitive for accounting jobs.