To work as a certified public accountant in Kentucky, you need to graduate from one of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Kentucky. Called the Bluegrass State for the lush blue grass that grows wild, this state is home to a number of nationally ranked colleges as well as some great opportunities for college graduates with knowledge of accounting, finance and economics. You can use your degree and work in a major city like Louisville or Lexington, but you can also move to a rural part of the state and work with those who cannot afford professional accounting help.
Northern Kentucky University
Haile/US Bank College of Business
Northern Kentucky University is one of the few colleges in the country that cater to the needs of students living in two different states. Located less than 10 miles from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, students from both Ohio and Kentucky can enroll and begin taking classes. It is one of the largest campuses in the Cincinnati region. Founded in 1948 as an extension campus operated by the University of Kentucky, it became a standalone state college 20 years later. The college grew so quickly though that it gained university status just six years later. Its enrollment now tops over 15,000 students.
Master of Accountancy
NKU offers one of the top Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Kentucky through its Haile/US Bank College of Business. It includes an accounting and practice track for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than accounting and as a five-year program for undergrads. The university has a professional track designed for working students who want to take the CPA exam too. Those who want to work in the tax industry can enroll in the university’s tax track program. This program includes 30 credits of electives and required courses like advanced accounting theory and tax research and practice.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Nunn Dr.
Highland Heights, KY 41099
(859) 572-5220
Spalding University
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth founded a small educational academy in 1814 that it named Nazareth Academy. After the state awarded the academy a charter, it began offering its first degree programs to incoming students. The same Sisters opened a second college in the 1920s that was only open to women, but the two schools later came together and merged to form Spalding University. Its name comes from the woman who founded the Sisters organization. The university now has an urban campus in a convenient location near Old Louisville. Students have the option of living on or off the campus.
Master of Science in Business Communication: Accounting Concentration
Spalding University offers one of the more unique Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Kentucky because this program teaches you the communication methods used in the business industry. You must take eight classes that are worth 24 credits on business subjects, including integrated marketing communications, organizational leadership, strategic planning and implementation and research methods. There is a capstone course that you will take in one of your later semesters too. Spalding also requires that you take accounting courses on regulations and financial accounting and reporting. A third required course deals with auditing and presenting your findings to other business professionals.
Accreditation
International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
Contact
901 S 4th St.
Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 585-9911
University of Kentucky
Gatton College of Business and Economics
The largest university in Kentucky is the University of Kentucky, which has its flagship campus in Lexington. Many know UK for its athletic teams that use the Wildcats name. Its men’s basketball team won more championships than almost any other college in history. Founded in 1865 as an agricultural and mechanical college, its curriculum quickly grew to include programs in nursing, business and dozens of other fields. Major organizations and publications rank UK on a national and global scale. Its business programs, including the programs in finance and accounting, rank among the best in the United States too.
Master of Science in Accounting
One of the best Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Kentucky for students who need to take the CPA exam is this UK program. It offers a CPA review course every fall that goes over some of the questions asked on that exam and gives you tips on preparing for the test. You’ll even find out how you can register for the exam before you finish the program. UK also provides you with access to practice exams while in school. This program features classes suck as legal issues in the accounting profession, research in accounting theory and advanced topics in taxation.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
550 S. Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506
(859) 257-8936
University of Louisville
College of Business
Located in the large urban city of the same name, the University of Louisville is a public university with an enrollment of more than 22,000 students. The state itself set aside both land and money to pay for the cost of building the new campus. Established in 1798, it is both one of the oldest colleges in Kentucky and one of the country’s oldest colleges. UL has an acceptance rate of right around 50% for undergrads, but its graduate acceptance rate is even lower. U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly rank the university within the top 175 of all American schools.
Master of Accountancy
The UL College of Business offers a Master of Accountancy that prepares you for both working with clients in the field and taking a licensing exam. Though the program requires that you complete 30 credits of work, you’ll take shorter classes that are worth just 1.5 credits each that are easier to work in around your schedule. This is one of the only cohort Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Kentucky, which means that you will work with the same group of students in your first semester you work with through graduation. UL offers nighttime classes and weekend courses.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Harry Frazier Hall
Louisville, KY 40292
(502) 852-6440
Western Kentucky University
Gordon Ford College of Business
Established in 1906, Western Kentucky University is a regional college campus with a history that dates back even further. It actually sits on the former campus of Porter College, a small college that educated women. Though it served as a normal school and was a teachers college, it later became WKU because its curriculum expanded to include degree and certificate programs in so many other fields. U.S. News & World Report considers WKU the 30th best college in the southern region, but Washington Monthly ranks it within the top graduate schools in all regions of the country.
Accountancy, Master of Accountancy
The Master of Accountancy program at WKU is available as a traditional graduate program and a five-year program for undergrads who want to immediately enter graduate school after finishing a bachelor’s degree. Though you can pick from different courses to meet the minimum 12 credits needed for graduation, you will also need to take six required courses that are worth 18 credits. Those classes include advanced financial accounting and reporting, advanced auditing standards, applications and fraud and advanced accounting information systems control and audit. As one of the top Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Kentucky, it includes special topics classes too.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(207) 745-2551
It takes only minutes to look at some of the state’s top programs, but you’ll also want to look at the requirements of these programs and the courses available. The top Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Kentucky can help you prepare for any of the professional licensing exams in the accounting field.
See also: Top 35 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs 2017