Looking for a Master's Degree in Accounting in Florida? You should consider these top-tier graduate programs and jobs in the Accounting field.
Credit: Sean Pavone | iStock | Getty Images Plus
TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
In Florida, the best degrees for accounting offer a broad foundation of knowledge. Master's degree-holders can explore diverse career opportunities. Those with a master's degree possess the skills needed to move forward in their field.
Master's degree-holders are more likely to be employed than those with a high school diploma, with a 2.6% rate of unemployment.
Accounting Master's Programs for You
Working and Living in Florida in the Accounting Profession
An accounting degree can lead to many different types of jobs in a variety of industries. The skills learned in accounting programs are valuable in many settings, from small businesses to large corporations. Accounting master's degree-holders may work in auditing, tax preparation, and financial analysis. Accountants often work in the accounting department of a company, where they are responsible for keeping track of the company's financial records. They may also work for a government agency or a nonprofit.
The annual wage in Florida is $37,920, or $18.23 per hour. In general, the lowest 10% of the state's earners bring home $22,720 annually. The highest 10% earn $96,380. By contrast, the following lists the average earnings for accountants and auditors in Florida.
Key
Accountants and Auditors in Florida
Accountants and Auditors Nationally
All Occupations in Florida
All Occupations Nationally
Salaries for Accountants and Auditors in Florida and Nationwide
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Among 51 states (including Washington, D.C.), Florida ranks number 31 on the cost of living index, according to MERIC. Typically, cost of living indexes measure the average cost of living in specific states compared to the national average. All locations in the United States are either above (more expensive) or below (less expensive) the U.S. average. In comparison with the national average, Florida's cost of living index is 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. Students thinking about relocating to Florida can use the cost of living comparison to find the right fit for their budget.
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values.
End of interactive chart.
Jobs for accountants and auditors are projected to grow 6.9% over the next decade. The BLS projects the number of professionals will change from 1,392,200 in 2020 to 1,488,200 in 2030. Master's degrees are required for many of these positions. A typical job title would be:
Accountants and auditors
Account Auditor
Accountant
Auditor
Auditor-In-Charge
CPA
Certified Public Accountant
Cost Accountant
Field Auditor
Financial Accountant
Master's Degrees in Accounting in Florida
#1 Masters Degrees in Accounting in Florida
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
4 years
Online + Campus
The University of Florida, located in Gainesville, offers a flexible online master of accounting program. The accounting program strengthens specialized skills, preparing graduates for leadership roles with a higher earning potential. A master's degree allows candidates to move up the career ladder or pursue a new career path.
The master's of accounting curriculum covers methodological and research perspectives. Learners focus their training by choosing electives based on their interests and career goals. Applicants with prior experience in accounting or a related field often meet the admission requirements.
Online enrollees coordinate with the program to complete internships at approved sites in their local area. Students who attend on campus can access the library and gym, as well as other amenities and facilities available at most institutions. Graduate students also build professional connections through virtual networking events and other activities.
University of Florida at a Glance:
Type of school: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 37%
Total Online Master's Programs: 42
Program name: Master of Accounting
Graduate Tuition In State: $10,770
Graduate Tuition Out of State: $27,335
Average Tuition
In-state
$4,477
Out-of-state
$25,694
Retention Rate
97%
Admission Rate
31%
Students Enrolled
53,372
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
92%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Masters Degrees in Accounting in Florida
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL
4 years
Online + Campus
The University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, enrolls master's students in its online program. The master's in accounting program emphasizes advanced practice skills, training graduates for leadership roles and increasing their earning potential. With a master's degree, candidates can advance their current careers or move into new career paths.
The master's curriculum explores accounting research and methodologies, and learners prepare for focused career paths by choosing electives and concentrations. The admission requirements include a background in accounting or a related field.
Online enrollees gain hands-on experience during professional internships in their local area. Many institutions provide libraries and fitness centers for students living on campus. To help graduate students expand their professional connections, the program hosts networking events and other professional development activities.
University of Central Florida at a Glance:
Type of school: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 44%
Total Online Master's Programs: 26
Program name: Master's in Accounting
Graduate Tuition In State: $6,916
Graduate Tuition Out of State: $25,759
Average Tuition
In-state
$4,478
Out-of-state
$19,810
Retention Rate
92%
Admission Rate
45%
Students Enrolled
71,881
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Masters Degrees in Accounting in Florida
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
4 years
Online + Campus
From its campus in Tallahassee, Florida State University offers an online master of accounting degree. The accounting program encourages career training throughout its curriculum, preparing graduates for leadership positions. After completing a master's degree, candidates can pursue career advancement in their current field or a new one.
The master's curriculum covers theoretical and practical approaches to accounting. Learners take electives and other specialized courses to gain career-specific training. Applicants without a degree in accounting or a related field may need to meet prerequisite requirements to enroll in the program.
Online enrollees work with the program to arrange professional internships at approved locations in their local area. Many institutions provide libraries and fitness centers for students living on campus. The program encourages graduate students to expand their professional connections through internships and networking events.
Florida State University at a Glance:
Type of school: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 36%
Total Online Master's Programs: 13
Program name: Master of Accounting
Graduate Tuition In State: $9,684
Graduate Tuition Out of State: $24,116
Average Tuition
In-state
$4,640
Out-of-state
$19,084
Retention Rate
95%
Admission Rate
32%
Students Enrolled
43,569
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
97%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Masters Degrees in Accounting in Florida
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
4 years
Online + Campus
The online master's degrees at the University of Miami, located in Coral Gables, prioritize flexibility. The master of science in accountancy program emphasizes industry-relevant knowledge and skills, preparing graduates for decision-making responsibilities. A master's degree can also train candidates for roles in new industries.
The master's curriculum blends theory and practice to provide an advanced understanding of accounting. Learners often choose a specialized concentration, which can help them stand out in a competitive job market. The master's program recommends a background in accounting or a related field when applying.
Online enrollees complement the classroom experience with internship opportunities in their local area. The common facilities and services offered at most universities, such as the library and gyms, are accessible to students who live on campus. Internships and other networking events help graduate students expand their professional network.
University of Miami at a Glance:
Type of school: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 27%
Total Online Master's Programs: 11
Program name: Master of Science in Accountancy
Graduate Tuition In State: $37,800
Graduate Tuition Out of State: $37,800
Average Tuition
In-state
$52,080
Out-of-state
$52,080
Retention Rate
91%
Admission Rate
33%
Students Enrolled
17,809
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
33%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Masters Degrees in Accounting in Florida
The University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL
4 years
Online + Campus
The University of West Florida, located in Pensacola, offers a flexible online master's degree in accounting. The master's of accountancy program emphasizes industry-relevant knowledge and skills, preparing graduates for decision-making responsibilities. Earning a master's degree helps candidates move into a new career path or advance in their current field.
The master's curriculum blends theory and practice to provide an advanced understanding of accounting. Learners prepare for focused career paths by choosing electives and concentrations. Applicants with prior experience in accounting or a related field often meet the admission requirements.
Online enrollees complete internship requirements at approved sites in their own community. Students who attend on campus can access the library and gym, as well as other amenities and facilities available at most institutions. The program encourages graduate students to attend networking events to expand their professional connections.
The University of West Florida at a Glance:
Type of school: Public, 4-year or above
Admission Rate: 31%
Total Online Master's Programs: 15
Program name: Master's of Accountancy
Graduate Tuition In State: $7,088
Graduate Tuition Out of State: $22,166
Average Tuition
In-state
$3,735
Out-of-state
$16,004
Retention Rate
84%
Admission Rate
58%
Students Enrolled
13,061
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
97%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Financing a Master's Degree in Accounting
Financial aid helps students lower the cost of college. Many opportunities for financial aid include scholarships and fellowships. Some students qualify to receive federal and private student loans. The colleges you are interested in may also offer their own scholarships. Do your research ahead of time and find out what kind of financial aid might be available.
Students should contact the school's financial aid department for scholarship, grant, work-study, and loan opportunities.
Average Cost of Attending College in Florida
In Florida, tuition and other costs vary based on the institution. Public and private institutions do, however, share some similarities. Find out whether attending a public institution is right for you by reviewing the following information.
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Florida vs. National Average
Key
Florida
National Average
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Could you consider attending a private college or university? Generally, tuition at private colleges is higher. A graph that provides information about attending private colleges in Florida is below.
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Florida vs. National Average
Key
Florida
National Average
Chart
Bar chart with 5 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying
salary types.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying annual salaries in USD.
End of interactive chart.
Federal Student Loan Information
Have you ever considered borrowing student loans to fund your education? Prior to obtaining a loan, you should consider several factors.
You must be sure that you can make all the payments on time and repay the loan by the due date.
You should think about if your career goals will align with the educational path you choose.
You should understand the repayment schedule for your loans so that it does not cause undue hardship on your finances.
The following data can help you determine what students tend to borrow on their own.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
Cost and class size are among the main differences between online and on-campus programs. There are advantages to studying online, as well as being flexible, affordable, and convenient. On-campus programs tend to be more expensive because student fees are optional for distance students. There are several benefits to taking advantage of classes in order to advance your career.
Public and private colleges differ in some important ways, including cost. The costs of education at public institutions are set by the government and therefore are covered by state grants and scholarships. Based on students' previous academic performance, private colleges often offer merit scholarships to them.
Students attending private colleges also benefit from smaller classes, which let them interact more closely with their professors and explore the possibilities of their chosen field of study. An overview of the pros and cons of attending a private institution versus a public institution is provided below.
Pros and Cons
Private
Unique program offerings
Cultural or religious options
Local prestige
Higher costs
Less regulatory oversight
Public
Government-issued tuition costs
Government funding, benefits, and regulation
Oftentimes large classrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for accountants and auditors in Florida?
Accountants and auditors earn a mean annual salary of $76,320 in Florida.
Are accounting degrees in high demand?
The total number of accountants and auditors is projected to change by 6.9% from 2020 to 2030.
Can you get an online master's degree in accounting?
An online master's degree in accounting is possible. Almost all schools today offer some form of online education.
How long does it take to earn a master's degree?
Full-time students typically complete their master's degree within two years. For part-time students, the process will take longer.
Popular with our students.
Highly informative resources to keep your education journey on track.
Take the next step toward your future with online learning.
Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today.