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MASTERS IN ACCOUNTING: YOUR GUIDE TO AN ADVANCED ACCOUNTING DEGREE

Masters in Accounting strives to be the most comprehensive resource for those
interested in earning a master’s in accounting degree. On our site you will find
student reviews, a jobs board, possible career paths and career outlook
information, and salary outlook information relating to advanced degrees in
accounting, as well as profiles of top programs and their ratings from various
sources. Prospective students can also research online master’s in accounting
degree programs and schools. Use the directory below to find out more about
launching your career with a master’s degree in accounting.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Earning a Master’s Degree in AccountingFinding Accredited Accounting
ProgramsEducational Prerequisites, Program Requirements, and ConcentrationsBest
Value Schools with On-Campus Accounting ProgramsUS News Top Master’s in
Accounting SchoolsPublic Accounting Report’s Best Master’s in Accounting Schools
2018Accounting Schools with the Highest First-Time CPA Pass Rates in 2018Online
Master’s in Accounting Degree ProgramsAccounting School Information by
StateAccounting Salary and Career Outlook for GraduatesFrequently Asked
Questions




EARNING A MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING DEGREE

A Master’s in Accounting (MAcc), also frequently found as a Master of
Professional Accountancy (MPAC) or Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), is an
advanced, graduate-level business degree. The curriculum covered in a master’s
in accounting degree program is focused primarily on fundamental concepts of
accounting, effective accounting methods, and gaining the knowledge required to
pass the CPA Exam. Individuals with talent and interest in working with numbers
and strong attention to detail can excel in this career field as auditors at
large accounting firms, in management positions in corporate accounting, or as
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) for individuals or businesses. There are
also strong opportunities for accountants to advance to upper management
positions such as CFO, COO, or CEO of a corporation. Graduates are prepared to
take the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, which is required for
CPA licensure in most states and is expected for many advanced accounting jobs.


TYPES OF MASTER’S DEGREES IN ACCOUNTING

As you research accounting programs, you may notice that there are numerous
degree titles for a master’s in accounting. As a general rule, despite the
different titling, most master’s in accounting programs have a similar structure
in order to prepare graduates to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam and embark on
professional accounting careers. There can be, however, minor differences based
on how a degree program is titled. Typically, programs will fall into one of the
following categories, though you should be aware that these are not hard and
fast rules for defining program types:

 * Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Master of Arts (MA) in Accounting/Accountancy,
   and Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAC or MPA): These degree titles are
   largely treated the same in the career field; all three are
   professional-track degrees that typically qualify graduates to sit for the
   Uniform CPA Exam.
 * Master of Science (MS) in Accounting/Accountancy: An MS program generally
   includes more STEM-based courses and can be more math and analytics intensive
   compared to other programs.
 * Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA) in Taxation: Taxation-focused
   master’s degrees are excellent preparation for careers in tax as a greater
   percentage of coursework in these programs will focus on tax issues compared
   to other accounting programs.
 * MBA in Accounting/Accountancy: An MBA program with a focus in accounting is
   truly an MBA program, with a focus on preparation for careers in business
   while offering select courses in accounting. You should be particularly
   careful to check whether a given MBA in Accounting will qualify you to sit
   for the Uniform CPA Exam in your state.

In addition to evaluating the core program, you should also pay attention to
concentrations or specializations. In an accounting master’s program, a
concentration or specialization generally consists of three to five courses in a
specific area of study, such as taxation, forensic accounting, public
accounting, and so on. Not all schools offer concentrations, and it is more
common to see formal concentrations in MBA programs. However, if you are seeking
a specific career track, finding a program that offers concentrations can help
you meet your goals.


FINDING ACCREDITED ACCOUNTING PROGRAMS

There are 1,995 not-for-profit colleges and universities offering accounting
programs in the US, with 540 schools offering a master’s or advanced degree in
accounting.1 Accreditation is one of the most important considerations when
evaluating accounting programs. In the simplest terms, an accreditor will
evaluate programs and award accreditation if a school or program meets a defined
set of minimum standards. There are two main types of accrediting agencies in
the US, regional and national. It is important to make sure that a school is
accredited by one of the seven regional accreditors recognized by the US
Department of Education, which are based on the region where the school is
located. These regional accreditation agencies are:

 * Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
 * Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
 * New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
 * Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
 * Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
 * Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission for
   Community and Junior Colleges
 * Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior Colleges and
   University Commission

Regional accreditation is important as it is commonly required in order to
transfer credits from one program to another and to qualify for admission to
programs based on a previously-earned degree. It is also a qualifier for federal
financial aid as well as many scholarships and grants. In addition to regional
accreditation, there are national accreditation agencies. National accreditors
are organizations that evaluate specific types of programs, such as business
programs or accounting programs. The major national accreditors for business and
accounting schools are discussed further below.


UNDERSTANDING BUSINESS SCHOOL ACCREDITATION: AACSB, ACBSP, AND IACBE

In addition to regional accreditation, you may want to look into programs that
hold business or accounting accreditation from one of the major national
accrediting bodies for these fields: the Association to Advance Collegiate
Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and
Programs (ACBSP), and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business
Education (IACBE). When evaluating AACSB vs. ACBSP vs. IACBE accreditation, you
will find that these three agencies have similarities as well as differences.

All three forms of accreditation are voluntary and serve as markers for a
school’s commitment to excellence in business and/or accounting education. All
three accrediting bodies base a school’s accreditation on outcome factors
including faculty quality, curriculum quality, and institutional resources and
research, which together indicate overall academic quality.

Of the three forms of accreditation, the AACSB is the oldest and best-known, as
well as the largest (over 600 programs accredited) and most prestigious for
research-focused programs. The AACSB accredits both business schools and
individual accounting programs. Because of its focus and reputation, attending
an AACSB-accredited accounting program is strongly recommended for students who
are pursuing careers in research or academia.

ACBSP and IACBE accreditation are more frequently held by smaller, private
universities that offer baccalaureate and master’s programs but not doctoral
programs. Both agencies accredit business schools as well as accounting
programs, as does the AACSB. However, ACBSP and IACBE consider faculty
contributions beyond research as a marker of scholarly activity and are less
strict than the AACSB on how faculty are considered qualified in terms of
academic or professional experience. Although there are differences, the ACBSP
and IACBE accreditations are still held as markers of quality by employers.




EDUCATIONAL PREREQUISITES, PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, AND CONCENTRATIONS

Typically an undergraduate degree in accounting is not required in order to be
admitted to a graduate accounting program, though if your degree was outside of
business there may be prerequisite courses to complete before starting your
master’s degree program. Prerequisite coursework may include basic accounting,
pre-calculus, and statistics. A satisfactory score on the GRE or GMAT is usually
required for admission. Executive accounting programs may require prior work
experience. Schools may also require a satisfactory grade point average in
undergraduate coursework. A master’s in accounting degree program often takes
one to two years of intensive study as a full-time student or longer as a
part-time student.

Master of accounting degree programs typically focus on advanced level
accounting topics, methods, and theory and generally include accounting, tax,
and auditing courses as well as business electives and financial analysis
courses. Many programs provide opportunities to earn a concentration in one or
more areas of accounting. A concentration typically takes at least three
courses, or nine credit hours, in a narrower area of study. Common
concentrations in accounting master’s programs include:

 * Accounting Information Systems
 * Assurance
 * Audit
 * Control
 * Financial Reporting
 * Financial Services
 * Forensic Accounting
 * Government Accounting
 * Managerial Accounting
 * Taxation


BEST VALUE SCHOOLS WITH ON-CAMPUS ACCOUNTING PROGRAMS

To help you choose the best master’s in accounting school for you, we have
researched the most affordable schools in the country offering a master’s degree
in accounting on campus. To make our list, the schools had to have an
undergraduate graduation rate of 85% or above and a net annual undergraduate
tuition price of less than $20,000. A high graduation rate is usually considered
a benchmark for a university’s success and a low net price is important for
students as a benchmark as they consider the overall investment represented by a
master’s degree. In addition to this information, we have also included in the
table below other important factors, including student loan default rate, the
percentage of faculty with tenure, and US News & World Report rankings.

School
Grad Rate1
Student Loan Default Rate1
% Tenured Faculty2
US News National Rank3
Net Price1
University of Florida90%1.9%52%#35 tie$11,313University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill89%1.5%46%#30 tie$11,649Brigham Young University-Provo86%1.3%51%#66
tie$13,120University of Wisconsin-Madison87%1.7%48%#49 tie$14,169University of
Georgia86%2.4%54%#46 tie$15,539College of William and Mary91%1.3%47%#38
tie$15,622University of California-Davis86%2%43%#30 tie$15,724University of
Maryland-College Park86%2.1%44%#63 tie$16,790University of Michigan-Ann
Arbor92%1.5%35%#27 tie$16,856University of Virginia-Main Campus94%0.9%54%#25
tie$17,845University of Connecticut85%2.5%39%#63 tie$19,650

See Table Notes and References at bottom of page.


US NEWS TOP MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING SCHOOLS

US News & World Report ranked the following schools as having the top 10
accounting graduate programs in the country based on factors such as recruiter
assessment, mean starting salary, employment rates, and student selectivity.5


1. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-AUSTIN (MCCOMBS)

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas-Austin offers a Master
in Professional Accounting (MPA) that is open to students who hold a bachelor’s
degree in any academic field. Students with an accounting background can
typically complete the program in 36 credit hours or three semesters, while
students from other academic backgrounds usually complete a 42-credit hour
program across four semesters. Team competitions, workshops, distinguished
speaker lyceums, and internships are integrated with the curriculum. Students
may choose one of four specialized tracks in financial reporting and assurance,
managerial accounting and control, taxation, or an individualized generalist
specialization. Graduates of the program are prepared to sit for the Uniform CPA
Examination. The MPA program is consistently top-ranked by US News & World
Report and the Public Accounting Report, among others.


2. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a Master of Science in
Accountancy (MSA) program that emphasizes career development for students with
both limited and strong backgrounds in accountancy. The MSA program cohort
begins in June of each year and requires 32 semester hours to complete. The
curriculum for the MSA can be customized according to the student’s background
and individual career and education objectives. Courses are led by faculty with
extensive experience, with a focus on hands-on training as preparation for
in-demand advanced career fields including public accounting, banking and
financial services, and consulting. The undergraduate and graduate accounting
programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are consistently
ranked among the best accounting programs in the US by such publications as
BusinessWeek, US News & World Report, and the Public Accounting Report.


3. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (WHARTON)

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania awards a Master of Business
Administration (MBA) in Accounting with a focus on concepts and applications for
accounting data and analysis as well as training for leadership. This three-year
degree program is offered through the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking and
typically qualifies students to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. Students may have
the opportunity to complement the core curriculum with electives such as Taxes
and Business Strategy; Cost Management; and Financial Accounting. Wharton also
offers distinctive opportunities such as Global Career Treks and the Wharton
International Volunteer Program. Wharton’s business school faculty are
distinguished by their top publication and citation rates, and students further
benefit from individualized career advising and access to Wharton’s extensive
alumni network.


4. BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY (MARRIOTT)

Brigham Young University offers a Master of Accountancy degree through the BYU
Marriott School of Management. This full-time program can generally be completed
in one-and-a-half to two years. Students may enter one of two standard tracks or
“stems” upon acceptance to the program, professional accountancy or taxation.
Students in either track may additionally elect to pursue a second focus area in
Accounting Information Systems by tailoring elective choices to courses within
the accounting information systems core. Students in all tracks graduate with a
deep understanding of accounting and auditing practice, standards, and ethics,
and are prepared to assume positions of leadership in the accounting field. The
Marriott School of Management has been cited as a top-ranked graduate school by
numerous publications, including the Public Accounting Report, US News & World
Report, and Forbes.


5. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-ANN ARBOR (ROSS)

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
offers a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program that prepares students for
the increasingly cross-disciplinary focus of accounting practice by combining
the study of accounting with electives such as data analytics. The MAcc is a
full-time, cohort program that begins in the fall semester. MAcc students take
courses integrated into the Master of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum,
including accounting and taxation electives. In the final spring semester of the
program, students attend the Ernst & Young Accounting and Public Policy
Symposium in Washington, DC as part of a graduate research seminar. This allows
students to experience the interaction between public policy and business
firsthand. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for the Uniform CPA
Exam and receive career search advice beyond graduation through the University
of Michigan Alumni Career Services department.


6. UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (BOOTH)

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business offers a Master of Business
Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting that can be pursued
full- or part-time. The full-time program is 21 months in length, while the
evening and weekend programs are designed to be completed part-time in
two-and-a-half to three years. In all programs, the curriculum is built around
one required course in Effective Leadership, allowing students an exceptional
degree of personalization in choosing courses to complement individual career
goals and objectives. Students pursuing an MBA at Chicago Booth may additionally
take up to six free courses after meeting graduation prerequisites through the
Take 3 and Alumni Post-Graduate programs. Chicago Booth has developed what it
calls the “Chicago Approach to Business Education”, which emphasizes conceptual
knowledge as well as real-world applications for executives, and its faculty are
internationally renowned for their academic and professional contributions to
accounting practice and policy.


7. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (MARSHALL)

The University of Southern California offers a Master of Accounting program
through the USC Marshall School of Business and the USC Leventhal School of
Accounting. This full-time, one-year program emphasizes conceptual thinking and
problem solving as well as life-long professional development and learning.
Graduates of the program will also have a firm understanding of accounting
ethics and professional standards and be prepared to apply global perspectives
in a business environment. The faculty of USC Marshall and USC Leventhal are
productive academic scholars and business professionals with a reputation for
advanced research. Students and graduates can find further benefits through the
school’s Corporate Connections, which helps students find career resources and
make connections with school alumni and others in the fields of accounting,
business, and academia.


8. STANFORD UNIVERSITY

The Stanford Graduate School of Business offers a Master of Business
Administration (MBA) program that can be tailored with a concentration in
accounting through electives during the second-year curriculum. The MBA program
typically requires two years of full-time study to complete and emphasizes
leadership, analysis, and creative thinking to encourage business innovation.
During the first year of the program, students focus on general management
perspectives and foundations and complete a required global experience through
one of many international study options. The second year of study is devoted to
fulfilling degree requirements through electives, which may also include
compressed courses in the form of intense business seminars between one and two
weeks in length. Stanford University is globally recognized for the quality of
its business education programs, and its faculty include Nobel Laureates and
other leaders in academics and research.


9. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STERN)

New York University’s Stern School of Business offers a Master of Business
Administration (MBA) that can be customized with up to three specializations
from across 24 fields including Accounting; Banking; and Financial Systems and
Analytics. With full-time study, the MBA program can be completed in two years,
or students can elect to pursue part-time study in evening and weekend classes
to complete the degree in two to six years. Students who specialize in
accounting graduate with a comprehensive understanding of accounting,
competitive advantages and information systems in accounting, and management
practices. New York University Stern is ranked among the top schools in the
world for research productivity, and New York University has been recognized as
a top graduate school by US News & World Report, Times Higher Education, and
other prestigious publications.


10. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (FISHER)

Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business houses a competitive Master
of Accounting (MAcc) program. While in-depth accounting courses are included in
the curriculum, the program is intentionally designed to provide students with a
broader foundation in business than is typically found in comparable programs in
order to prepare them for executive careers. Class sizes are intentionally
limited in order to encourage peer and faculty interactions, allowing graduates
to draw on a strong network of professional contacts. In 2019, 82 students were
admitted to the MAcc program. Applicants from all academic majors are encouraged
to apply, though admission is competitive. The 2019 incoming class had an
average undergraduate GPA of 3.75 and an average GMAT score of 596. The Fisher
College of Business also offers an Executive MBA that may be of interest to
aspiring accounting professionals.




PUBLIC ACCOUNTING REPORT’S BEST MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING SCHOOLS 2019

The Public Accounting Report ranks accounting programs annually based on a
survey of accounting professors at over 200 colleges and universities across the
United States. In 2018, the top master’s in accounting programs according to
this survey were:6

 1.  University of Texas
 2.  Brigham Young University
 3.  University of Illinois
 4.  University of Notre Dame
 5.  University of Southern California
 6.  University of Michigan
 7.  University of Florida
 8.  Indiana University
 9.  Texas A&M University
 10. University of Alabama


ACCOUNTING SCHOOLS WITH THE HIGHEST FIRST-TIME CPA PASS RATES IN 2018

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) oversees the
Uniform CPA Exam, which is required for CPA licensure in all US states. The
Uniform CPA Exam consists of four parts, or sections: Auditing & Attestation
(AUD), Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR), Regulation (REG), and Business
Environment & Concepts (BEC). The sections are taken separately due to the depth
of knowledge required to pass each part, but all four sections must be passed
within 18 months in order to earn a passing score on the exam as a whole. The
overall pass rate is, therefore, the pass rate for candidates passing the fourth
and final exam in a calendar year.

According to NASBA, the overall national pass rate first-time candidates for
2018 was 38%.7 Graduates from the following schools with 10 or more first-time
Uniform CPA Exam candidates in 2018 had the highest overall passing rates in the
US:7

 1.  University of Detroit Mercy (95%)
 2.  Rice University (90.8%)
 3.  Emory University (89.9%)
 4.  Brigham Young University (89.2%)
 5.  University of Virginia (89%)
 6.  University of Wisconsin-Madison (87.2%)
 7.  University of North Carolina at Asheville (87%)
 8.  Beth Medrash Govoha (85.7%)
 9.  Georgetown University (85.2%)
 10. University of Florida (84.8%)


ONLINE MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING DEGREE PROGRAMS

For prospective students who do not live near a campus that offers a master’s in
accounting program or for those who prefer the greater flexibility and time
savings of completing a degree from home, an online MAcc program may be right
for you. Numerous colleges and universities maintain accredited online programs
for those interested in graduate-level accounting education. To help you find
top-quality programs we developed a ranking of online accounting programs from
schools such as Auburn University, the University of North Carolina, and the
University of Connecticut as well as a guide to evaluating online programs and
deciding whether online study is right for you. To learn more, visit our online
master’s in accounting page.


ACCOUNTING SCHOOL INFORMATION BY STATE

We have thoroughly researched master’s in accounting schools at the state level
to help you find the right program to launch your career as an accountant. On
the following pages, you will find quick facts about available programs,
rankings of the top masters in accounting programs, profiles of well-known
schools, top accounting firms, salary and job outlook information, as well as
student reviews and other information to help you make an informed choice.

 * Select One
 * Alabama
 * Alaska
 * Arizona
 * Arkansas
 * California
 * Colorado
 * Connecticut
 * Delaware
 * Florida
 * Georgia
 * Hawaii
 * Idaho
 * Illinois
 * Indiana
 * Iowa
 * Kansas
 * Kentucky
 * Louisiana
 * Maine
 * Maryland
 * Massachusetts
 * Michigan
 * Minnesota
 * Mississippi
 * Missouri
 * Montana
 * Nebraska
 * Nevada
 * New Hampshire
 * New Jersey
 * New Mexico
 * New York
 * North Carolina
 * North Dakota
 * Ohio
 * Oklahoma
 * Oregon
 * Pennsylvania
 * Rhode Island
 * South Carolina
 * South Dakota
 * Tennessee
 * Texas
 * Utah
 * Vermont
 * Virginia
 * Washington
 * Washington DC
 * West Virginia
 * Wisconsin
 * Wyoming

Select
OneAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew
HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth
DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth
DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington DCWest
VirginiaWisconsinWyoming




ACCOUNTING SALARY AND CAREER OUTLOOK FOR GRADUATES

The average salary of accountants and auditors is $70,500 per year, with the top
10% of accountants earning more than $122,840 per year.8 Accountant salaries
vary according to numerous factors, including education, experience, geographic
area, and industry. For example, accountants and auditors working in finance and
insurance had the highest average salary in 2018, at $74,690 per year, compared
to $68,420 per year for those working in government.8 See our master’s in
accounting salary and job outlook page for a sortable table of salary and
projected job growth by state.

The accounting profession is projected to experience faster job growth than most
other professions over the next decade according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects that employment for accountants and auditors
will grow by 6% from 2018 to 2028, with about 90,700 new jobs expected to be
added to the workforce during this period.8 Compliance with increased financial
regulation is one of the factors driving demand for skilled accounting
professionals. The increasing complexity of the tax and regulatory environment
in the US is another factor accounting for growth in this field. Visit our
accounting careers page to learn more about growth areas in the field of
accounting.


CAREER INTERVIEWS

Our accounting career interviews feature successful accounting professionals who
share their career journeys and advice for students who are just starting out.
You can click on the profile images below to read the individual’s interviews.


Russell Fox
Principal, Clayton Financial and Tax

Anthony Cantanach
Associate Professor, Villanova University

Bill Kennedy
Owner, Energized Accounting

William Byrnes
Associate Dean, Thomas Jefferson School of Law


See all of the interviews on our accounting career interviews page.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MACC VS. MSA OR A MACC VS. MBA?

A Master’s in Accounting or Master’s in Accountancy (MAcc) and a Master of
Science in Accounting (MSA) typically have very similar curricula, focused on
accounting coursework with some supplemental courses in business. An MSA may
have more science or applied math courses compared to a MAcc. An MBA is a Master
of Business Administration, which is a degree that is focused on business
courses that may have some supplemental courses in accounting. If you decide to
pursue an MBA with a concentration in accounting, which is an option at many
schools, you should be sure to research whether the coursework will qualify you
to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam.


WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING?

A master’s degree in accounting prepares you for professional-level careers in
accounting and auditing and typically qualifies you to sit for the Uniform CPA
Exam. Only accountants who have passed the CPA Exam can become licensed
accountants and use the title Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and
independently provide certain accounting services to the public.


WHAT JOBS CAN YOU GET WITH A MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING?

A master’s in accounting plus CPA licensure prepares you for most professional
jobs in accounting, auditing, and attestation. This includes positions such as
CPA, account manager, auditor, controller, cost accountant, and compliance
manager. See our careers page to learn more about careers in accounting.


IS A MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING WORTH IT?

If you want to work as an accountant, a master’s in accounting is a typical
requirement for most jobs in this field. This is because in order to qualify to
sit for the Uniform CPA Exam, you must have 150 credit hours of college
education – typically 120 credit hours at the bachelor’s level and 30 credit
hours at the master’s level. You should carefully consider your desired career
path and compare employment listings to typical education levels in order to
decide whether a master’s degree is the right path for you.


HOW MANY YEARS DOES IT TAKE TO GET A MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING?

Most master’s in accounting programs require around 30 credit hours to complete,
which can be completed in one to two years of full-time study depending on the
curriculum and how often required courses are offered.


DOES IT MATTER WHERE YOU GET YOUR MASTER’S IN ACCOUNTING?

The field of accounting can be quite competitive, especially when it comes to
opportunities to work for the largest and best-known firms. If your career goals
include working for the Big Four or in highly competitive positions such as
investment banking, graduating from a top-ranked master’s in accounting program
may make it more likely for you to be considered. Top-ranked universities tend
to have closer relationships with the top accounting firms and will typically
also have alumni at these firms with whom graduates can network in order to land
a position. However, with a competitive academic background and work
performance, you can succeed with a master’s in accounting from any school as
long as that school has the appropriate accreditation.

Table Notes and References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics:
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual: https://www.collegefactual.com/
3. US News & World Report National University Rankings:
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator:
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. AACSB Accredited Schools:
https://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/accredited-schools
3. ACBSP Accredited Schools Search: https://www.acbspsearch.org/
4. IACBE Members List:
https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/results/
5. US News & World Report Top Business Schools-Accounting:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
6. Public Accounting Report, 38th Annual Professors Survey 2019:
https://wpcarey.asu.edu/sites/default/files/par-grad-2019.pdf
7. National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, State Board Report,
October 2019:
https://nasba.org/app/uploads/2019/10/10-NASBA-SBR-October-2019_FINAL_AC.pdf
8. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and
Auditors:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm

 


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