Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 13 percent over the next decade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, making accredited accounting degrees in Idaho increasingly popular. Over the past few years, there has been an increased focus on the need for accountants in response to corporate scandals and financial crises. In May 2013, there were approximately 3,350 accountants and auditors employed in the state of Idaho, earning a mean annual wage of $63,570.

The Idaho State Board of Accountancy sets regulations for the licensing of accountants in the state. According to their website, in order to become a Certified Public Accountant in the state, an individual must have one year of experience and 150 semester hours of college education that includes at least a bachelor’s degree or higher. In addition, to be licensed as a CPA in Idaho, the individual must pass the CPA examination. The average bachelor’s degree is 128-semester hours, which means that an individual who chooses to become a CPA must take additional classes beyond the undergraduate level in order to qualify to take the examination. For this reason master’s level accredited accounting degrees in Idaho are the best option for those who choose to enter the CPA profession.

Boise State University

College of Business and Economics

Christ Chapel was a one-room church and schoolhouse where St. Margaret’s School was founded in 1892. In 1932, St. Margaret’s became Boise Junior College, originally planned to be an all-girl’s school. However, boys attending the local Boise High School were persistent in their desire to attend the new school. In 1940, the Administration Building, named for local attorney, Oliver Haga, opened, along with housing, classrooms, the library, labs, offices, and a large room used as the Student Union. In 1942, the college almost closed due to low enrollment during World War II. In 1969, the college moved to the higher education system in Idaho and was renamed Boise State College, gaining university status in 1974.

The College of Business and Economics at Boise State is a student-focused, high-quality learning environment with innovative academic programs, outstanding research facilities and a vision to support regional economic development. The faculty at the College of Business and Economics create and disseminate knowledge that pertain to both the academic and business world using cutting-edge practices that enhance competitiveness.

Master of Accountancy

The Master of Accountancy at Boise State University prepares students for a career in broad-range business decision making. Students are prepared for careers as a Certified Public Accountant, focusing on audit and attest functions in the accounting world. The program understands that today’s accountant must have not only have expertise in accounting principles and procedures, but also must understand financial, managerial, legal and tax ramifications of transactions conducted as the result of doing business on a daily basis. Accountants must also have excellent communication skills, and the master’s program helps students develop a strong background in oral and written communication.

Students must also complete a practicum/internship and an IRFS vs GAAP seminar. Students must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as official GMAT scores. Students for whom English is a second language may be required to provide a TOEFL score as well. Students must also provide a current resume, two completed recommendation forms, and an essay response to topics on the application process page.

Master of Accountancy, Taxation

The Master of Accountancy in Taxation provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as Certified Public Accountants with a focus on tax accounting. Students must hold a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from an accredited institution and have an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or better. Students must currently have a CPA, CIA, or CMA license or score a minimum of 500 on the GMAT. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Accountancy must take additional courses prior to admittance to the program.

Accreditation

  • Northwest Commission on College and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725
Phone: 208-426-1000
Email: bsuinfo@boisestate.edu
Website:

Idaho State University

College of Business

Idaho State University began in 1901 as the Academy of Idaho with a stipulation that private land donations be used for the site of the school. There was significant arguing over where the institution should be located, and eventually an 8.5 acre tract of land was chosen as the site for the school. This acreage currently represents the lower campus that exists today. In 1915, the name of the school was changed to the Idaho Technical Institute. Enrollment grew after World War I, and in 1927 the school was renamed University of Idaho – Southern Branch. During World War II, the university was one of 131 colleges to offer the V-12 Navy College Training Program, which allowed students to gain a Navy commission. In 1947, the school was renamed Idaho State College and gained university status in 1963. Today, the college is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution, attracting students from around the world. It has an enrollment of almost 14,500 students, offering 285 degree and certificate programs.

The College of Business at Idaho State prepares students to become strong business leaders, whether they choose to work locally or in the global workforce. The school offers flexibility, clear communication, ethical integrity, and technology skills as a foundation for students who attend the school. The faculty helps students build a career, not simply find a job.

Master of Accountancy

The Master of Accountancy at the College of Business at Idaho State is a one year program designed to prepare students for a public accounting career. The ISU College of Business has a CPA examination pass rate that is well above the national average, and the program provides the 150 credit hours necessary for students to take the CPA examination in most states. Many students have already completed the CPA examination by the time the graduate from the program. Students should have an undergraduate accounting degree, but those whose undergraduate degree in business but not in accounting may qualify by taking:

  • Intermediate Accounting 1, 2, and 3
  • Information Systems
  • Taxation
  • Managerial and Cost Accounting
  • Auditing Principles

Students with an undergraduate degree that is not in business or accounting may be required to take business core classes as well before being admitted to the program. Students must provide two letters of recommendation, a copy of their resume and a Statement of Purpose. In addition, they must provide official GMAT or GRE scores and official transcripts from any college or university attended.

Accreditation

  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact

Idaho State University
921 South 8th Avenue
Pocatello, ID 83209
Phone: 208-282-0211
Email: macc@isu.edu
Website: http://www.isu.edu/cob/pdf/GraduateBooklet7-19-13.pdf

University of Idaho

College of Business and Economics

The University of Idaho began in 1892, welcoming about 40 students and one professor. The first graduating class of four students was in 1896, and, two years later, the first graduate degree was awarded at the school. In 1906, a fire in the Administration Building required the design of a new center for the college. John Tourtellotte, who designed the Idaho Capitol building, created a Tudor Gothic structure that symbolized the growth of the university. The building remains a centerpiece on the campus. In 1908, the university hired Olmsted Brothers of Massachusetts, landscape architects who designed New York’s Central Park, to design the remainder of the campus. The architects gave the campus a small-town New England look which also remains today. Today, enrollment at the university is almost 12,000 with nearly 3,200 faculty members and staff.

The College of Business and Economics at the University of Idaho offers innovative and transformational learning experiences, preparing students to succeed locally and globally. Students are provided a real-world approach to learning with teams of “coworkers” addressing problems faced by some of the top companies in the Northwest.

Master of Accounting

The Master of Accounting program at the University of Idaho is designed for professionals who wish to put their career on a fast track to success. The program examines the increasingly critical role of accounting in the business world using thought-provoking case studies and practical research. The program is customizable, allowing students to focus on a variety of concentrations, including:

  • Auditing
  • Fraud Investigation
  • Tax Compliance
  • Estate Planning
  • Not-for-Profit or Governmental Accounting
  • Education

Accreditation

  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International

Contact

University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive
Moscow, ID 83844
Phone: 208-885-6111
Email: info@uidaho.edu
Website: http://www.uidaho.edu/cbe/accounting/master-of-accountancy

As accounting becomes increasingly important in the business world, those who successfully complete an accredited accounting degree program in Idaho will find greater career success after graduation.

Related Resource: Do I Need a Bachelor’s in Accounting to Get Into a Master’s in Accounting Program?