Ignite Your Passion for Numbers: Epic Accounting Careers in Academia Await!
Accounting faculty jobs represent a powerhouse intersection of rigorous academics, influential research, and practical expertise shaping future finance leaders. From tenure-track positions at R1 universities to adjunct instructor roles at community colleges, demand surges amid a PhD shortage and evolving regulations like SOX updates. Search higher ed jobs now to land roles at top programs. Students eyeing academia should pursue CPA certification alongside a master's or PhD, focusing on niches like forensic accounting or blockchain auditing—fields exploding with 15% job growth projected through 2032 per BLS data.
Professors thrive with median assistant professor salaries at $152,000, escalating to $238,000 for full professors in 2023 surveys, especially in high-cost areas like California. Explore detailed professor salaries by rank and location. Trends highlight ESG reporting and AI-driven audits as hot research areas, with Big Four alumni dominating hires for their real-world edge. A quirky fringe: post-Enron, ethics courses doubled, birthing specialists who command premiums; in Australia, via jobs.ac.uk equivalents, tax accounting quirks draw unique talent.
Rate accounting professors at dream schools on Rate My Professor to gauge teaching styles. Parents, guide your students toward prestigious paths at Wharton or UT Austin, where alumni snag Ivy League Ivy League gigs. Job seekers, leverage higher ed career advice for resumes.
Why Excel as an Accounting Professor?
Prestige soars in accounting academia, with faculty influencing policy via research cited in FASB standards. Trends show 20% retirement wave by 2025 creating openings, per AACSB reports. Unique anecdote: A former Deloitte partner at BYU pioneered crypto accounting courses, now standard. Job seekers target professor jobs in booming locales like Texas or California.
Check Rate My Professor for accounting faculty feedback at state universities. Students, blend accounting with data analytics for hybrid roles.
Career Paths for Accounting Academics
Tenure-Track vs. Adjunct Roles
Tenure-track demands publications in JAR or TAR; adjuncts leverage CPA experience for flexible teaching. Explore adjunct professor jobs or lecturer jobs.
Student Pathways to Faculty
Start with BAcc, pursue PhD at Illinois or Michigan State. Rate courses on Rate My Professor; parents note high ROI with 95% placement.
Accounting Faculty Salaries & Trends
Earnings vary: Northeast hubs like New York pay 25% premiums. 2023 data shows women closing gap at 92% parity.
| Rank | US Average (2023) | Top 10% Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $152,000 | $190,000+ |
| Associate | $185,000 | $230,000 |
| Full Professor | $238,000 | $300,000+ |
Source trends via professor salaries and university salaries. Fringe: Remote remote higher ed jobs rising post-COVID.
Read higher ed career advice for negotiations. Rate peers on Rate My Professor.
Top Accounting Programs & Job Hotspots
University of Chicago Booth
Elite research hub, high salaries.
UT Austin McCombs
Texas powerhouse, CPA focus.
View the university rankings for more.
Associations for Accounting
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
A professional organization representing certified public accountants in the United States, focused on advocacy, certification, and professional development.
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
A global body for professional accountants offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification and promoting ethical standards in accounting.
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
An international organization dedicated to advancing management accounting and providing qualifications for finance professionals worldwide.
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
A professional membership body that qualifies and regulates chartered accountants in England and Wales, emphasizing excellence in accounting and business.
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)
The national organization representing the Canadian accounting profession, focused on setting standards, education, and advocacy for CPAs.
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
A professional body providing education, training, and advocacy for chartered accountants in Australia and New Zealand.
Accountancy Europe
A pan-European organization representing accountancy bodies across Europe, advocating for sustainable and transparent financial practices.
