Business professionals who earn an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting from the University of South Carolina Aiken stand to benefit from several advantages:
- Your degree opens the door to numerous careers that can place you in any industry, because accountants are needed by organizations of all types.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% job growth for accountants and auditors from 2021-2031. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET OnLine resource, projected growth for accountants and auditors in South Carolina is 11%, nearly twice that of the national average.
- Except for temporary job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, employment in South Carolina has been trending upward since 2010, as indicated by employer and household surveys. Statewide employment reached an all-time high in the Summer and Fall of 2022. The new figures for 2023 show the state’s population growth at 1.06%.
- The USC Aiken School of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction earned by less than 6% of business schools worldwide.
- Large corporate employers with accounting departments are located throughout the state. These employers represent diverse industries, from electronics to healthcare.
Accounting in South Carolina, by the Numbers
According to BLS’ geographic profile for accountants and auditors, there were 14,120 accountants and auditors in South Carolina in 2021, with a median wage of $71,400. The average certified public accountant (CPA) salary statewide is $79,079, Indeed reports (January 2023 data). These figures are much higher in the major cities. In Greenville, SC, CPAs make an average of $86,365 annually. The average CPA salary in Spartanburg, SC, is $84,955.
Jobs in Accounting
In addition to working as a CPA for an independent practice, corporation, government office or nonprofit, other rewarding careers await those with an MBA in accounting. Here are just a few common jobs for accounting MBAs with 2021 median annual salary data from BLS (unless noted otherwise):
- Budget analyst: $79,940
- Financial examiner: $81,410
- Management analyst: $93,000
- Financial analyst: $95,570
- Financial manager: $131,710
- Chief accounting officer: $163,780 (February 2023 data from ZipRecruiter)
Top Employers in South Carolina
Many accountants choose to work for large public accounting and professional services firms, such as Deloitte (locations in Columbia and Greenville) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (Spartanburg) — clear choices for CPAs interested in external audit and management consulting. CPAs can also open an independent practice or work for one of the many corporations in the state.
The following are the top 10 employers in the state (by number of employees), according to Statista data from 2021:
- Michelin
- Schaeffler Group
- Cryovac
- Sonoco
- SEW-EURODRIVE
- InterTech Group
- Greystar Real Estate Partners
- Corestaff Services
- IDEA
- BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Versatility, career mobility and prestige are just a few reasons to consider earning your MBA in accounting. And USC Aiken’s online MBA in Accounting program makes it convenient for working professionals.
Learn more about USC Aiken’s online MBA in Accounting program.
