Tax Accounting Programs in Rhode Island

Educational Information:

There are 12 accounting programs that offer students the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in this field. Students can find general accounting programs and can also find specialized programs that offer concentrations in asset management, tax law or investment banking. In an accounting program, some of the basic courses offered include accounting professionalism and ethics, accounting principles, basic accounting processes for businesses, tax auditing procedures, accounting research methods, budget creation and other courses.

Licensing Information:

Those who wish to practice public accounting must obtain a CPA license in Rhode Island. Students must have residency in Rhode Island, but they do not need U.S. citizenship. They must be at least 18 years old and have completed 150 credit hours in an accounting program. Students can complete the one-year work requirement before or after taking the CPA exam.

Employment Information:

Those who are seeking employment with an accounting degree can find great opportunities with employers like banks, asset management firms, law firms, government agencies, local government organizations and other entities. Some students also choose to use their accounting background to pursue an advanced field of study in finance, business, law or mathematics. An individual with an accounting degree may also eventually decide to open her own business or CPA firm.

As of May 2020, accounting professionals earned an average salary of $85,980 in Rhode Island, while tax preparers here earned an average salary of $67,910. Between 2018 and 2028, the number of accountant and auditor jobs in the state is projected to increase by 5.9%, and the number of tax preparer jobs is projected to increase by 6%.

About 520 annual job openings for accountants and 20 annual job openings for tax preparers are expected during this ten-year period leading to 2028 due to a combination of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market trends for accountants and auditors and tax preparers. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2021.

Job growth projections for accountants and auditors and tax preparers sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored O*Net database and based on state-specific information (2018-2028)