Accounting Degree Overview for Nevada

Nevada offers a prime location with a much lower cost of living than nearby California. Projections show a steady increase in the state's population between 2020-2030. A growing population requires skilled laborers, including those that practice accounting.

Accountants in Nevada enjoy strong salaries and job growth projections. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 8,140 accountants and auditors work in Nevada. They earn a mean annual wage of $68,030. The BLS reports even more accounting clerk positions, with 11,320 bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks.

This guide covers important information for students considering accounting degrees in Nevada, including types of degrees, potential schools, and career and salary data for graduates.

NEVADA EDUCATION STATISTICS

ACCOUNTING CAREERS IN NEVADA

VIEW NEVADA COLLEGES

NEVADA AT A GLANCE

POPULATION	3,139,660
PER CAPITA INCOME	$31,604
FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES	9
NUMBER OF HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS	26
CLIMATE	Average Annual Temperature: 49.9℉ Annual Precipitation: 9.5 inches
MAJOR SPORTS TEAMS	Las Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders
ACCOUNTANTS IN NEVADA	8,140

Top Nevada Schools for Accounting

• University of Nevada-Reno
• University of Nevada-Las Vegas
• Great Basin College
• Truckee Meadows Community College
• Western Nevada College

WHY GO TO COLLEGE FOR ACCOUNTING IN NEVADA?

In 2014, nearly 64,500 students studied at an institution of higher education in Nevada. That same year, Nevada reported a graduation rate of 45%, which is lower than the national average of 57.7% but higher than similarly populous states, like Arkansas and Utah.

The state hosts seven higher education institutions. Most students enroll in Nevada's three largest state schools: the College of Southern Nevada, the University of Nevada Reno, and the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

In-state residents who attend these schools may qualify for Nevada's Millennium Scholarship, a state program created to make higher education more affordable. According to the College Board, Nevada ranks as the seventh-most affordable state for in-state tuition and fees. The Millennium Scholarship pushes these costs even lower.

Education Statistics for Nevada

A large, sparsely populated state, Nevada offers few two- and four-year colleges. However, the state does host a large portion of distance learners, with nearly 40% of all students studying at least partially online. Additionally, Nevada's higher education comes at a lower per-student cost than the national average.

HIGHER EDUCATION STATISTICS IN NEVADA

	NEVADA DATA	NATIONAL DATA
Number of Four-Year Colleges	17	3,004
Number of Two-Year Colleges	9	1,579
Percentage of Students Enrolled in Distance Education	39.1%	34.7%
Postsecondary Education Appropriations per Full-Time Student	$8,179	$8,196
Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education	4.3%	5.8%
Percentage of Adults Over 25 With an Associate Degree	8.2%	8.4%
Percentage of Adults Over 25 With a Bachelor's Degree	15.9%	19.4%
Percentage of Adults Over 25 With a Graduate Degree or Higher	8.4%	12.1%

Accreditation for Nevada Schools

When researching different schools and accounting programs, students should always consider accreditation. Accreditation means a school or program officially meets standards created by an accrediting body.

Colleges and universities can receive either national or regional accreditation. While both demonstrate academic quality, regional accreditation supersedes national accreditation. In some instances, employers and graduate schools do not accept applicants from a nationally accredited school. In Nevada, schools receive regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Some accounting programs, particularly those at the graduate level, also receive programmatic accreditation. The top accrediting institution for accounting programs is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Businesses.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN ACCOUNTING DEGREE IN NEVADA

When considering an accounting degree in Nevada, students should consider factors like tuition rates, program outcomes, graduation rates, concentrations, and delivery format. The following section breaks down these and other factors in detail.

Accounting Degree Levels

Learners interested in accounting must decide what level of education they need to reach their vocational goals. The main levels of accounting degrees include:

Accounting Concentration Options

Concentrations help graduates learn important skills for specific industries and prepare students to continue their education. Accounting concentrations vary by school, but the following concentrations are common among accounting programs.

• INFORMATION SYSTEMS: An information systems concentration blends accounting with tech, teaching students important financial software and industry skills. This concentration prepares graduates to work in areas like cost accounting, fraud investigation, and internal auditing.
• INTERNATIONAL TAX: International tax concentrations examine taxation laws surrounding businesses with an international presence. Typically offered at the master's level, students concentrating in international tax often pursue positions in tax consulting, accounting management, and compliance.

ACCOUNTING CONCENTRATIONS

On-Campus Versus Online Program Options

With nearly 40% of students in Nevada studying at least partially online, accounting students in the state enjoy numerous choices when considering program delivery. The following list outlines the three main types of program delivery formats.

On-Campus

An on-campus degree provides students with a traditional education. On-campus students commute to and from class, attend live lectures, and enjoy the benefits of living on or near a vibrant college campus. Students interested in a traditional college experience should consider studying on campus.

Online Programs

Online programs allow students to complete the entirety of their coursework remotely. Online students avoid commuting to classes, and many schools let online students complete their courses asynchronously, meaning they do not need to login at specific times. Along with added flexibility, many schools also charge lower tuition rates to online students. Students with work or busy personal lives might benefit most from an online program.

Hybrid Programs

Hybrid programs combine both on-campus and online learning components. Some hybrid programs only require one or two campus visits, while others require weekly or monthly visits to campus.

PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

	ENROLLED EXCLUSIVELY IN DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES	ENROLLED IN SOME BUT NOT ALL DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES	NOT ENROLLED IN ANY DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES
Nevada Students	12.4%	26.7%	60.9%
United States Students	16.3%	18.4%	65.3%

Paying for Your Accounting Degree

Cost is often a critical factor when considering educational goals. Fortunately, Nevada ranks among the most affordable states in the nation for earning a degree. The average costs for an in-state, out-of-state, and private four-year degrees in the state all rank lower than the national average.

FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS

ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIPS

AVERAGE COST OF COLLEGE TUITION AND FEES IN NEVADA, 2017-2018

	NEVADA	NATIONAL
Average In-State Tuition and Fees (Public Four-Year)	$5,920	$9,037
Average Out-of-State Tuition and Fees (Public Four-Year)	$21,176	$25,657
Average Tuition and Fees (Private Four-Year)	$23,261	$30,731
Average In-State Tuition and Fees (Public Two-Year)	$3,075	$3,243
Average Out-of-State Tuition and Fees (Public Two-Year)	$9,853	$7,971

In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition

Residents of Nevada gain access to in-state tuition at all public colleges and universities. In-state tuition costs much less than out-of-state tuition, with theCollege Board estimating that out-of-state students pay nearly three times as much as in-state students.

Fortunately, many out-of-state students can receive a reduced tuition rate. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), offered through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), extends a tuition discount to students from California, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Northern Mariana Islands. As a member of WICHE, Nevada residents also gain access to WUE.

Nevada's Cost of Living

When considering the cost of education, students should research Nevada's cost of living, including housing, utility, grocery, and transportation costs. According to the World Population Review, Nevada scores 108.5 on the cost index, indicating that the cost of living in Nevada ranks slightly higher than the national average. However, cost of living also varies by area within Nevada.

Other School Selection Criteria

Program concentrations, cost, and format should play a critical role in determining the best school for your needs. In addition to those factors, other school selection criteria include:

School Size

Large schools usually come with larger class sizes. Students interested in regularly engaging with their professors may prefer a smaller school, with smaller class sizes. However, larger schools may feature more program and concentration options.

Staff Credentials

Spend time researching staff, especially those involved in the accounting department. Faculty with strong credentials are typically well-equipped to adequately prepare students for the workforce.

Program Length

Some programs follow a traditional schedule, while others offer accelerated or part-time options, which may shorten or lengthen the time to completion, respectively.

University Resources

Universities typically extend resources, such as tutoring, writing services, and career workshops, to all students. Some universities may go above and beyond, offering special counseling, one-on-one meetings with staff, and guest speakers.

Admission Requirements

Prestigious institutions often set strict admission requirements. If applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements for an institution, they should consider saving time and money by not applying.

EXPLORE OUR RANKINGS FOR THE BEST ACCOUNTING PROGRAMS AT EACH LEVEL

• BEST CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
• BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS
• BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS
• MOST AFFORDABLE BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS
• BEST MASTER'S PROGRAMS
• BEST ONLINE MASTER'S PROGRAMS

CAREERS FOR ACCOUNTING GRADUATES IN NEVADA

Nevada hosts major accounting firms and agencies, and accountants in Nevada find employment in various industries. For example, the gaming industry, one of the largest industries in Nevada, requires skilled accountants.

According to the BLS, the Reno and Las Vegas-Henderson areas host nearly 95% of all accountants in Nevada. Prospective accountants can anticipate finding a position in one of those two areas.

Select Accounting Careers in Nevada

Nevada Employment Trends

Bookkeeping and auditing clerks enjoy the highest levels of employment among all accounting professionals in Nevada, although these professionals earn a slightly lower annual wage than the national average. In fact, according to the BLS, only three accounting professions in Nevada enjoy a higher mean wage than the national average: credit counselors, cost estimators, and personal financial advisors.

Credit counselors earn a mean annual wage of $57,940 and require less education than most other accounting positions. However, only 100 credit counselors work in Nevada, making it a highly competitive field.

Those willing to earn a graduate-level accounting degree should consider becoming a personal finance advisor. These professionals earn a mean annual wage over $20,000 higher than the national average

Nevada Requirements for Certified Public Accountants

Many accountants become CPAs to increase their potential wages and employability. CPA requirements vary by state, so prospective CPAs should research the requirements in the state where they plan to practice. The following list outlines the CPA requirements in Nevada.

To become CPA eligible in Nevada, accountants must:

• Complete a 120-credit-hour accounting degree OR a bachelor's degree with at least 21 semester credits in accounting.
• Earn an additional 30 post-bachelor's semester hours in accounting, such as a master's degree in accounting.
• Participate in an international examination program.
• Complete two years of full-time employment with a public accounting firm OR complete four years of full-time employment in a government public accounting position.
• Pass the CPA exam within the past three years.
• Submit Social Security number and information to Nevada.

THE CPA EXAM

HAVING A CAREER AS A CPA

• Nevada Society of Certified Public Accountants
  Founded in 1947, the Nevada Society of Certified Public Accountants offers educational opportunities to current professionals and advocates for Nevada accountants. NVCPA also offers scholarships to accounting students.
• Beta Alpha Psi
  A nationwide society with over 300 college and university chapters, Beta Alpha Psi promotes academic and professional development for financial professionals. Beta Alpha Psi has multiple chapters in Nevada at different colleges and universities.
• Nevada Business Education Association
  An organization for both accounting students and professionals, the Nevada Business Education Association organizes networking events and conferences for those involved in accounting. The organization also offers an annual scholarship to business students.
• Nevada State Board of Accountancy
  The Nevada State Board of Accountancy handles all licensing and registration for accountants. Professionals can access continuing education opportunities and various applications through the board's website.

Frequently Asked Questions About Accounting in Nevada

Is accounting a good career in Nevada?

Yes, students can complete their accounting degree either entirely online or in a hybrid format in Nevada. However, some schools do not offer any type of online option.

How much do accountants earn in Nevada?

The BLS reports that accountants and auditors in Nevada earn an annual mean wage of $68,030. The Reno area pays an annual mean wage of $69,680, the highest rate of any area in Nevada.

What accounting jobs are there in Nevada?

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks make up the largest portion of accountants in Nevada, followed closely by accountants and auditors. Specific accounting careers in Nevada include CPA, tax attorney, and IRS agent.

Can I get an accounting degree in Nevada?

Students in Nevada can earn an associate, bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. in accounting. Some schools only offer some of these options, so students should pick a school based on their desired education level.

Does Nevada have online accounting programs?

Yes, students can complete their accounting degree either entirely online or in a hybrid format in Nevada. However, some schools do not offer any type of online option.

Nevada Accounting and Education Organizations