Accounting Schools in Connecticut

If you’re interested in an accounting career, Connecticut offers some key advantages. The state’s finance industry ranks among the most productive in the country, outperforming New York by some measures. Studying accounting in Connecticut prepares you to enter a strong job market at the heart of the U.S. financial sector.

Careers such as accountants, auditors, and financial managers receive strong job growth projections and carry high salaries in Connecticut, surpassing the national average. The state is also a center for cutting-edge industries like financial technology and innovation banking.

Learn more about accounting in Connecticut, including education options, job opportunities, and how to become a certified public accountant (CPA).

As one of the oldest states in the country, Connecticut has a long history of higher education, dating back to the founding of Yale University in 1701. Today, the state serves nearly 200,000 students across 37 colleges and universities, with accounting programs offered at dozens of schools.

Connecticut has all types of higher education institutions, including two-year colleges, large state schools, and smaller private colleges. Accounting students have several program options, including in-person, online, and hybrid enrollment. The state also offers financial resources for accounting majors, including several scholarships through the Connecticut Society of CPAs.

Accountants in Connecticut benefit from more than 5,800 financial services organizations that employ more than 20,000 people. In total, more than 107,000 financial professionals work across Connecticut in industries including insurance, law, and financial technology. The state is also home to Fortune 500 companies such as Cigna, Charter Communications, and Xerox.

Connecticut’s location on the East Coast creates additional opportunities for accountants, such as networking and internships. In neighboring New York, accounting students and graduates can access one of the world’s top financial centers.

Connecticut ranks among the most educated states in the country, with a proportion of college graduates far above the national average. The state has fewer associate degree graduates than average but significantly more bachelor’s and graduate degree-holders.

Connecticut has many colleges for its small population, including prestigious institutions like Yale and Wesleyan University. The state is also home to public colleges like the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University.

When researching accounting programs in Connecticut, check that each school holds proper accreditation. The accreditation process reviews institutions and their academic programs to make sure they provide quality education. If your school isn’t accredited, you can’t receive financial aid or transfer credits to other institutions.

Accreditation comes in two types: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation evaluates entire schools, while programmatic evaluates specific degree programs.

In Connecticut, most colleges hold accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education. Specific accounting programs may hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Many factors should affect your college selection process, but program format can be a major concern — especially if you plan to work while in school. Online and hybrid programs have become increasingly popular for their flexibility, allowing you to complete coursework while spending less time on campus.

Connecticut students enroll in online education at a rate below the national average, with more than half of all students taking no distance courses in 2023. However, the state’s schools offer many accounting programs, including many available online.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of each delivery format.

An on-campus program can provide face-to-face interactions with professors, along with access to resources like gyms and libraries. However, daytime classes can make this format difficult to balance with full-time employment. If you have more time to dedicate to your studies, an on-campus program could be the right fit.

Online programs do not require you to visit campus, and many don’t include scheduled class times. This method allows you to complete coursework whenever it fits into your schedule, making it ideal if you have work or family obligations and can’t spend all your time on school.

Hybrid programs mix online and campus classes, allowing you to choose the format that best suits your needs. This delivery option is ideal if you want to combine the convenience of online learning with the classroom community of in-person courses. It also allows you to keep your enrollment options open each semester, depending on your schedule.

College tuition in Connecticut is generally higher than the national average. Fortunately, you have many options to pay for your accounting degree. The state offers several funding programs for residents through the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority and the Office of Higher Education.

Consider scholarships, fellowships, and grant opportunities first, as these provide free education funding you do not need to repay. Completing the FAFSA can help determine your eligibility for many of these awards. Student loans almost always require repayment, so carefully consider how much you borrow.

To learn more about financial aid and scholarships, explore our comprehensive guides.

In general, Connecticut public colleges charge much higher tuition rates for out-of-state students compared to state residents. However, the state holds reciprocity with several other New England states. This agreement allows New England students to attend public colleges around the region without paying the full out-of-state tuition rate.

Connecticut participates in the New England Board of Higher Education’s Tuition Break program, which allows Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont residents to attend certain public colleges in Connecticut at reduced tuition rates. Residents of Connecticut can also attend many public colleges in member states at lower rates.

Cost of living can greatly affect your school choice, especially if you’re concerned about budgeting for college. Connecticut ranks among the more expensive states in the U.S., with overall expenses about 12% higher than the national average. The state’s housing and utility expenses, in particular, rank much higher than average.

If you’re considering relocating to study accounting in Connecticut, research cost of living data, which can vary widely among cities.

Connecticut boasts one of the country’s strongest economies and business environments, making it an ideal choice for accountants. The state ranks highly for its concentration of finance workers — its proximity to the financial hub of New York also creates many business opportunities.

Connecticut is known as a global leader in financial services, including investment and asset management. The state hosts some of the country’s top hedge funds and venture capital firms. Other popular industries offer many job opportunities for accountants and finance professionals, including aerospace, bioscience, and insurance.

Much of the economic activity in Connecticut centers on major population centers like Stamford and Hartford. The Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC) maintain offices in both cities.

Explore career options for accountants in Connecticut, including popular jobs, salary levels, and job growth projections.

Accountants and auditors analyze financial statements and prepare financial records for organizations and individuals. They commonly process taxes, organize data, and inspect financial records for inefficiency. These accounting jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, and many positions may seek candidates with master’s degrees and/or CPA certification.

Job Outlook in Connecticut (2023-33): +5.7%

These managers oversee finances for various organizations. This advanced leadership role includes responsibilities such as analyzing market trends, hiring other finance professionals, and planning overall financial goals. Financial managers typically hold at least a bachelor’s degree and significant professional experience in finance or accounting.

Job Outlook in Connecticut (2023-33): +15.2%

Bookkeeping and auditing clerks maintain public and private organizations’ financial records. They enter financial records into computer systems and check existing records for accuracy. A bookkeeper may need an associate degree or some college bookkeeping classes, though some positions may only require a high school diploma.

Job Outlook in Connecticut (2023-33): -1.1%

The BLS projects that accounting jobs in Connecticut will grow faster than the national average. Jobs related to finance offer some of the highest pay in the state, though salary levels for some positions lag behind the national average. At the entry level, bookkeeping positions offer lower pay. Still, they receive encouraging job opening projections, despite some decline.

Positions for accountants/auditors and financial managers show some of the highest growth potential. These careers offer strong salaries and more job openings than other accounting roles in the state, but they also require advanced education. Earning a master’s and/or CPA certification can help you increase your job options in Connecticut.

Each state has different requirements for becoming a CPA. However, all states require a combination of academic and professional experience, along with completion of the national CPA exam. The Connecticut State Board of Accountancy offers more detailed information about state-specific requirements.

Connecticut CPA certification requirements include the following:

Note that Connecticut CPA certification requires 150 college credits, which is more than the 120 credits earned with a traditional bachelor’s degree. Students often complete these additional course requirements with a master’s degree, though this is not required.