Accounting Schools in Alaska

Alaska Accounting Schools

Alaska Board of Public Accountancy

550 West 7th Avenue – Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 36130-0375
Phone: 907-269-4712
Fax: 907-269-8156
Email: cori.hondolero@alaska.gov

Accounting professionals usually require a certified public accountant license to work in many accounting jobs in both public and private organizations. However, the path to licensure begins with a university level degree in accounting. Most accounting schools in Alaska prepare students to obtain public accountant, management accountant, financial management, internal auditor, and fraud examiners certifications and licenses. Some topics students expect to cover while attending one of Alaska’s accredited university accounting degree programs include the following:

  • general accounting
  • auditing
  • financial accounting
  • managerial accounting
  • government accounting
  • income tax preparation
  • accounting information systems
  • payroll accounting
  • fraud examination

Besides the myriad of online accounting education programs that are now popular, some of Alaska’s traditional universities are ranked among the top in their region and in the nation. For example, University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University are highly ranked schools that also have comprehensive undergraduate accounting degree programs.

Students attending University of Alaska Anchorage expect small class sizes and a curriculum designed to prepare them to sit for the certified public accounting exam. Its broad-based accounting degree program covers a range of accounting topics that are enhanced by other business electives. University of Alaska Anchorage also encourages its students to become involved in the school’s accounting club that is really an incubator for student, faculty, and industry networking opportunities. Internships with industry partners puts the finishing touches on University of Alaska Anchorage’s well-rounded accounting degree program.

Alaska Pacific University’s comprehensive accounting degree program curriculum prepares students for accounting careers in public, private, and non-profit organizations. Those with interests in internal controls and auditing, financial accounting, and managerial accounting will find this school’s degree program ideal. Alaska Pacific University uniquely offers a curriculum designed for working professionals that combines classroom work with flexible, online assignments.

Total Accounting Schools: 8
Total Accounting Students: 44
Average Tuition: $11,602
Average Scholarship Package: $4,123
Average Grant Amount: $5,951
Average Classroom Size: 19 Students
Online Accounting Programs: 6
Average Online Tuition: $11,602
Online Undergraduate Programs: 6
Online Graduate Programs: 4
Top Accounting Schools:Alaska Pacific University
Largest Accounting School:Alaska Pacific University
• 44 Students Currently Attending
Cheapest Accounting School:Ilisagvik College
• $2,740 Annual Tuition Charges
School With Largest Financial Aid Packages:Alaska Pacific University
• $7,680 Average Financial Aid Award

Salary and Job Outlook for Accountants in Alaska

As of May 2020, Alaska accountants earned an average salary of $75,800 – that’s about $2,000 more than the national average for this profession. The top earning accountants in Alaska (90th percentile), who are likely to hold a master’s in accounting, leadership or executive positions, and the CPA designation, earned about $115,190 during this time. These salaries reflect base salaries only and not the salary incentives that are commonplace in this profession and can account for a significant part of an accountant’s compensation package.

Jobs for Alaska’s accountants are projected to grow by 6% between 2018 and 2028 – higher than the national projected growth rate of 4% during this time. The state expects to see about 200 annual job openings for accountants during this ten-year period leading to 2028 due to a combination of new job growth, natural job turnover, and retirements.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market data for accountants and auditors represents state data, not school-specific information.

Job growth projections for 2018-2028 sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored O*Net database represents state data, not school-specific information.

Conditions in your area may vary. Data Accessed May 2021.