Accounting – certified public accountant (CPA)

Start with Stark State’s low tuition, small class sizes, convenient locations and industry-experienced professors. Then get to a bachelor’s degree by transferring your associate degree to one of our university partners: 

• Walsh University

• Franklin University

You can start with a tax preparer certificate, taking classes that directly apply to the associate degree in accounting:

• Tax preparer certificate

• Institute of Management Accountants Scholarships
• Daniel Schonhoft and Thomas Presper Accounting Technology Annual Scholarship

Stark State’s certified public accountant (CPA) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; www.acbsp.org

No. Accounting and finance rely primarily on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, along with fundamental math abilities. If you can add, subtract, multiply, divide, perform basic algebra, and think analytically, you can succeed in these fields.

Because our classes are rigorous, students who work full-time are advised to take a part-time course load—typically no more than two classes per semester—to ensure academic success.

Yes. We offer strong 3+1 partnership agreements that allow students to complete three years at Stark State and one year at a partnering university. This pathway typically keeps total tuition and fees for a bachelor’s degree under $30,000.

Absolutely. We have numerous internship opportunities with local employers that offer competitive pay and valuable professional experience. Additionally, each spring semester we provide a service-learning opportunity where students assist in preparing real tax returns for community members.

All courses are available online, and many are also offered in person—either once or twice per week—or through live virtual lectures. Classes are available at both our Main Campus and our Akron location.

Students have access to free tutoring both in-person and online. Full-time faculty maintain ten office hours per week, including dedicated tutoring time. Our Career Services team also assists with résumé preparation and helps you post your credentials on Handshake to connect with potential employers.

AI is increasingly handling routine, repetitive tasks, which historically made up many entry-level positions. This shift is creating more opportunities for professionals to focus on higher-level analytical, strategic, and decision-making work—the rewarding aspects of accounting and finance.

Graduates with accounting skills—such as payroll, QuickBooks, financial accounting, tax preparation, and Excel—are in high demand. Career opportunities exist in public accounting, corporate accounting, government agencies, law enforcement (including the FBI), and small or large businesses, as well as in entrepreneurship.