Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Kentucky

Nine accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky await Midwesterners seeking to perform financial services functions in the Bluegrass State’s $154.2 billion economy.

Although it only ranked 35th among CNBC’s “Best States for Business,” Kentucky welcomes accountants into a civilian workforce of 1.86 million. According to the BLS, Kentucky has 10,610 accounting jobs with an employment RSE of 4 percent and mean yearly wage of $63,790. Finishing an accredited B-school would position accountants for managing money in large Kentucky corporations like Columbia Sussex, Brown-Forman, Creekstone Farms, Forcht Group, Hitachi Automotive, Omnicare, and Lexmark. Accounting roles are also numerous at 626 CPA firms, including Dean Dorton, FK Perkins & Company, Williams & Lentz, and Jones & Hurley.

Review the following undergrad accounting schools in Kentucky to find your career’s ideal training match.

Featured Programs

Campbellsville University

School of Business, Economics & Technology

Affiliated with prominent Kentucky alums like Vernie McGaha, Bam Carney, Chris Clarke, and Forest Shely, Campbellsville University is a private, nonprofit Appalachian liberal arts school of the Baptist Convention that’s standing atop 95 acres near Clay Hill Memorial Forest to educate 2,697 undergrad Tigers. Ranked fifth among the best Southern colleges with the lowest student debt by the U.S. News, CU is declared America’s 433rd safest campus on Niche. The School of Business, Economics & Technology delivers one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky at an annual net price of $14,646.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Accounting Emphasis

Staying close-knit with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, CU’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration provides the Accounting Emphasis to develop the full slate of technical skills required when analyzing and reporting on financial operations. Beyond the A.S. in Accounting, this 120-credit degree integrates courses like business ethics, cost analysis, international trade, and federal taxation. Students could also intern with Wise Buckner Sprowles & Associates, study abroad in Australia, join the Honors Program, and participate in Omicron Delta Kappa.

Accreditation

• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Administration Building 3rd Floor

1 University Dr. UPO 794

Campbellsville, KY 42718

(270) 789-5553

business@campbellsville.edu

Program Link

Kentucky State University

College of Business and Computer Science

Growing from 55 students in 1887 to 2,159 Thorobreds today, Kentucky State University is a public, four-year historically black teaching institution led by President Christopher Brown, PhD, that’s “Inspiring Innovation” on its 915-acre urban campus in Frankfort, Forbes’ 20th best city to raise a family. Recognized for America’s 348th best Greek life on Niche, KSU is ranked the 16th best Southern college and 29th best HBCU nationally by the U.S. News. The College of Business and Computer Science selectively admits 38 percent of applicants into five majors costing an annual net price of $8,386.

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with Accounting Specialization

Chaired by Abdul Turay, PhD, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Administration becomes one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky when undergrads add the 24-credit Accounting Specialization into their 51-credit, well-rounded business major. Students prepare for CPA licensing with courses from operations management to IT auditing and fraud examination. Other opportunities include pledging Delta Mu Delta, joining the Enactus team, volunteering in the Rosenwald Center, earning the Abbott and Fenner Scholarship, and venturing to Scotland.

Accreditation

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Bradford Hall 105

400 East Main St.

Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 597-6708

B.School@kysu.edu

Program Link

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Center for Business Studies

Endowed for $29.6 million, Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts CIC member of the United Methodist Church and Great Lakes Valley Conference that’s enrolling 716 undergrads upon its 55-acre campus in the Daviess County suburbs of Owensboro, an All-American City Award winner. Deemed America’s 155th best free application college on Niche, KWC is ranked the 13th best Southern school and fifth top value by the U.S. News. The Center for Business Studies meets IACBE standards for one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky with 63 percent freshman retention.

Accounting Major (B.A./B.S.)

Boasting Kentucky’s highest CPA pass rate of 84 percent in 2014, the Accounting Major (B.A./B.S.) supports Wesleyan Panthers seeking the analytical expertise and technical efficiency to hold organizations accountable for ethical financial dealings. Directed by Dr. Leslie Korb, the 120-credit, eight-semester bachelor’s blends courses like cost accounting and partnership tax with senior internships. Undergrads might also following the 3+3 BS/Juris Doctor track, join Phi Beta Lambda, job shadow at BKD, and take Alternative Breaks to New Orleans or Haiti.

Accreditation

• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Administration Building 408

3000 Frederica St.

Owensboro, KY 42301

(270) 852-3193

lkorb@kwc.edu

Program Link

Lindsey Wilson College

School of Business

Located on a 10-building, Gothic Revival-style campus in Columbia about 102 miles south of Louisville, Lindsey Wilson College is a private, nonprofit Methodist school endowed for $56 million in the Mid-South Conference that’s educating 2,677 Blue Raiders under Chancellor John B. Begley. Proclaimed America’s 202nd safest college on Niche, LWC is ranked the 177th best Southern value and 110th top U.S. master’s institution in Washington Monthly. The School of Business currently charges $24,000 annually before aid for one of the face-to-face bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky.

Business Administration BA, Accounting Emphasis

Maintaining a 16:1 student-faculty ratio under director Linda McKinley-Grider, MPS, the Business Administration BA offers the Accounting Emphasis for LWC undergrads to specialize 27 credits within the 78-credit business major in financial reporting. Fostering an appreciation for generally accepted accounting principles, the program begins the 150-hour CPA requirement with courses from taxation to quantitative methods. Students could also attend the R.V. Bennett Honors Program, study away on Capitol Hill, join Accounting Club, and intern with Crowe Horwath.

Accreditation

• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Keltner Building, 1st Floor

210 Lindsey Wilson St.

Columbia, KY 42728

(270) 384-7385

griderl@lindsey.edu

Program Link

Spalding University

School of Business

Opened by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in 1814, Spalding University is private, nonprofit Catholic ACCU member of the Kentuckiana Metroversity that’s attracting 2,514 Golden Eagles to its historic, six-acre campus in Louisville. Chosen as America’s 231st best small college on Niche, Spalding is ranked the 58th best Southern value and 246th top national university in Washington Monthly. Chaired by Michelle C. Reiss, DBA, with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the School of Business offers three bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky rolled into one for undergrads and post-grads taking the Uniform CPA exam.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Emphasizing financial reporting principles within a liberal arts education, Spalding’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting has the Standard 120-credit B.S., Dual BBA/B.S., and 12-month Second-Degree B.S. for post-bachelor’s students. Charging $12,000 per full-time semester, each route includes competency-based courses for corporate finance, forensic accounting, banking, auditing, and taxation. Majors might also engage with Egan Service Learning, join Alpha Kappa Alpha, spend two weeks in Ireland, accelerate the M.S. in Business Communication, and declare Honors.

Accreditation

• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Egan Leadership Center 200

901 S. Fourth St.

Louisville, KY 40203

(502) 873-4169

advising@spalding.edu

Program Link

Thomas More College

School of Business

Sanctioning 50+ clubs like the Accounting Society, Thomas More College engages 1,731 undergrad Saints as a private, four-year Catholic liberal arts PAC school that’s endowed for $19.6 million under President David A. Armstrong upon its 100-acre Kenton County campus across the border from Blue Ash. Selected for America’s 590th best college food on Niche, TMC is ranked the 159th best Southern value and 545th top U.S. master’s institution in Washington Monthly. Since 1921, the School of Business has awarded one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky with 93 percent acceptance.

Accountancy Major

Delivered by CPAs trained at Xavier, Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Campbellsville, TMC’s Accountancy Major offers a Bachelor of Arts for diverse undergrads to develop the real-world business skills for following money trails with SEC compliant practices. Chaired by Dr. Steven Flynn, the 36-credit major prepares for the Uniform CPA exam with courses from governmental accounting to financial statement analysis that presently bill $590 per credit. Students participate in co-ops with partners like Barnes Dennig, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Von Lehman & Company, and Anneken Huey & Moser.

Accreditation

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Administration Building 2110

333 Thomas More Pkwy.

Crestview Hills, KY 41017

(859) 344-3316

flynns@thomasmore.edu

Program Link

University of Kentucky

Gatton College of Business & Economics

Opened in 1868 by James Kennedy Patterson, the University of Kentucky is the Bluegrass State’s largest public, land-grant SURA member that’s operating a $580 annual budget to educate 22,705 undergrad Wildcats and employ 13,145 staff upon its 784-acre Lexington campus in Fayette County. Recognized for America’s 16th best college athletics on Niche, UK is ranked the 369th best U.S. college and 400th top global university by Times Higher Education. Housing another of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky, the Gatton College is also declared the 95th best accredited B-school nationally on Poets & Quants.

Accounting BSBA

Generating a median alumni salary of $65,940, Kentucky’s Accounting BSBA attracts Wildcats to the Von Allmen School to master the fundamental business principles involved in analyzing financial data and formulating economic strategies. Offering an optional Four-Year BSBA/MSACC track, the 30-credit major begins the sophomore year with courses from cost management to accounting information systems and income reporting. Students could also review Transform Magazine, contribute to the John H. Schnatter Institute, intern with KPMG, take the Honors Pathway, and study at 200+ international campuses.

Accreditation

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

100 W.D. Funkhouser Building

Lexington, KY 40506

(859) 257-4627

gattonurc@uky.edu

Program Link

University of Louisville

College of Business

Noted for prominent business alums like Owsley Brown Frazier, Leslie Stephen Wright, Robert Nardelli, and James Patterson, the University of Louisville is a public, city-owned RU/VH research hub budgeting $1.3 billion yearly to enlighten 16,033 undergrad Cardinals upon its 345-acre Belknap campus in Old Louisville. Applauded as America’s 187th best college for business on Niche, Louisville is ranked the 139th top U.S. public university and 93rd best Southern school by Forbes. With one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky, the College of Business was included in CEO Magazine’s Tier One Global schools and Financial Times’ top 80.

BSBA in Accountancy

Presently priced at 11,068 for Kentuckians and $26,090 for non-residents yearly, the BSBA in Accountancy at Louisville was redesigned in 2015 to better disseminate the financial services skills for entering today’s digitalized, global business climate. The 45-credit major chaired by Dr. Carolyn Callahan dives into project management, auditing theory, taxation, and nonprofit accounting with optional co-operative experience. Undergrads could also pledge Beta Alpha Psi, join Investment Club, enter the Brown-Forman Cardinal Challenge, attend the Accounting Socials, and study at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Accreditation

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Harry Frazier Hall 240

Louisville, KY 40292

(502) 852-6440

cmcall04@louisville.edu

Program Link

Western Kentucky University

Gordon Ford College of Business

Overlooking the Barren River Valley with a 200-acre campus in Bowling Green, Forbes’ 39th best small city for business, Western Kentucky University is a public, regional Conference USA member endowed for $125.5 million to serve 19,640 undergrad Hilltoppers with 771 full-time faculty. Crowned America’s 49th most conservative college on Niche, WKU is ranked the 31st best Southern school and 10th top public university by the U.S. News. Costing an annual net price of $11,072, the Gordon Ford College continually lands in the top 5 percent on ETS Major Field Test scores.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Chaired by Dr. Harold Little, WKU’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting concludes the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky that prepare successful grads with the technical skills to organize financial records for compliance. The 20-course major typically takes four years with courses from business communication to individual taxation, but there’s the 3+2 Accounting Jump Program for the MACC too. Students could intern with Carr Riggs & Ingram, minor in Entrepreneurship, join the Financial Planning Association, become Gordon Ford Ambassadors, and take CPA prep.

Accreditation

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

Grise Hall 502

1906 College Heights Blvd.

Bowling Green, KY 42101

(270) 745-6978

harold.little@wku.edu

Program Link

Accountants are more than just bean counters; they’re trusted business advisors with at least a baccalaureate to bring sharp financial decision support to the boardroom. Although it won’t fulfill the 150-hour CPA benchmark, undergraduate accounting majors will open entry-level positions in a blossoming field with 11 percent job growth and prepare you for 12 months of graduate school. Whether you’re interested in real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, or other industries, these bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Kentucky have the IACBE, ACBSP, or AACSB seal of excellence.

See also: 50 Most Affordable Small Midwest Colleges for an Accounting Degree 2016 (Bachelor’s)