Accounting Degrees in New York
Introduction
Serving as the nation’s financial capital, New York is one of the most desirable destinations for accounting professionals, and only Texas and California employ more CPAs. Based almost entirely around the hub of New York City, the state pays the highest annual mean wages to accountants: a staggering $93,280. The New York metropolitan area itself boasts an even higher annual mean wage of $98,480, which is among highest pay rates in the country. New York is home to no fewer than 54 Fortune 500 companies, representing some of the most successful businesses in the country, including Verizon, J.P. Morgan Chase, IBM, PepsiCo, and Pfizer. Accounting and auditing jobs in New York are projected to grow by 21.4% by 2024, just another factor that draws accountants to the state.
New York at a glance
| Population | 19,750,000 |
| Per Capita Income | $33,095 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5% |
| Fortune 500 Companies | 54 |
| Licensed CPA Firms | 3,697 |
Accounting Programs in New York
Search our comprehensive school directory to explore the accounting programs in New York, including campus-based, online and hybrid programs.
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Accounting Salaries and Employment
New York state accountants and auditors can look forward to a striking 16% increase in employment opportunities over a 10 year span, a growth rate that represents the addition of 122,410 positions by 2022.
Major CPA firms headquartered in the state include CohnReznick, Marcum and EisnerAmper which each grossed over $250 million in revenues in 2014.
On average, New York accountants make more annually than their peers in other states. Depending on an one’s degree level, licensure and specialty, wages range from $41,410 to $175,020 annually. Top-paying cities include the New York-White Plains-New Jersey metropolitan area, Long Island, Nassau-Suffolk and Syracuse.
Projected Job Growth for Accountants
Accounting Salaries by Specialty
Associate Degree Recommended
Bookkeeping and Auditing Clerks
Payroll Clerks
Credit Counselors
Bachelor's Degree Recommended
Cost Estimators
Tax Examiners and Collectors
Master's Degree Recommended
Accountants and Auditors
Budget Analysts
Personal Financial Advisors
Actuaries
Financial Managers
Top-paying cities for accountants
- New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ
- New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
- Nassau-Suffolk, NY
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY
- Syracuse, NY
Major firms headquartered in New York
| Count | Firm | Location | 2014 Revenue (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CohnReznick | New York City, NY | $604 |
| 2 | Marcum | New York City, NY | $412 |
| 3 | EisnerAmper | New York City, NY | $284 |
| 4 | Citrin Cooperman & Co. | New York City, NY | $195 |
| 5 | WeiserMazars | New York City, NY | $171 |
Accounting Today named these firms among the highest performing in a multi-state region. Rankings as based upon reported net revenues from 2014. Source: Accounting Today, "Top 100 Firms and Regional Leaders"
Becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) in New York
Aspiring CPAs in New York must sit for the uniform CPA exam administered by NASBA and meet the eligibility requirements listed below.
The CPA exam is made up of four sections that students must register for individually. Each section must be passed with a score of 75 or higher within 18 months of an initial test date. Since the exam is so complex, many students retake sections of the exam more than once before achieving an overall pass. Also listed below are schools ranked by their 2014 CPA pass rates, which include scores from first-time testers as well as scores from those retesting.
New York recognized mobility legislature, licensure by endorsement and requires peer reviews and quality reviews for CPA firms.
Eligibility for CPA Licensure in New York
To be eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam in New York, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Be of good moral character
- Hold a baccalaureate degree
- Fulfill the 150 hour educational requirement OR have 15 years of public accounting experience acceptable to the Board
- Participate in international programs
- Complete 1 year of experience working in accounting fields
New York does not have a citizenship or residency requirement and does not require candidates to have a Social Security number or to take an ethics exam.
| Age Requirement | 21 |
| Citizenship Requirement | No |
| Residency Requirement | No |
| Social Security # Requirement | No* |
| Education Requirement for Licensure | (post-08/09) 150 hours (including B.A.) OR (pre-08/09) 120 hours (including bachelor's degree) OR Fifteen years of public accounting experience acceptable to the State Board for Public Accountancy may be substituted for education for the admission to the examination. |
| Participates in International Programs | Yes |
| Hours in Accounting | Students should have a baccalaureate degree or higher that meets New York’s 150 semester hour education requirement OR a master’s degree in accounting from an AACSB accredited program OR 33 semester hours in accounting, 36 semester hours in general business, 1 ethics course, 1 communications course. |
| Exam Sitting Requirements | Bachelor's degree (120 hours) including a course in each of the following: Financial accounting, Cost or management accounting, Taxation, and Audit and attestation. |
| Experience Requirements | 1 year experience gained in employment in a public accounting firm, government, private industry or an educational institution |
| Ethics Exam | No ethics exam |
Candidates are advised to read The Candidate Bulletin before submitting applications online.
Source: The American Institute of CPAsCPA exam fees in New York
- Application Fee $150
- Auditing & Attestation $208
- Financial Accounting & Reporting $208
- Regulation $208
- Business Environment & Concepts $208
Special Fees: A registration fee applies in addition to the application fee at the flat rate of $75 no matter how many sections a candidate is registering for at one time. The Board requires a licensure fee of $377.
Certifying and Professional Organizations
The New York State Board for Public Accountancy is a regulatory body that maintains professional and ethical standards of CPAs and CPA firms in New York State. It also provides accounting professionals the opportunity to update, renew, order or print any license. Consumers are able to search and verify licenses and digitally certify a license.
The Uniform CPA Exam that qualifies CPAs for licensure is administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Once licensed, New York State CPAs can join the New York State Society of CPAs, which represents professional CPAs and strives to enhance and improve the success, ethical standards and professionalism of its members. Continuing education opportunities, peer review, advocacy, networking and other member benefits promote the constant quality of the accounting field in the state of New York.
New York State Board for Public Accountancy
Address
89 Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor East Mezzanine
Albany, NY 12234
Phone Number
(518) 474-3817