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A master鈥檚 in accounting is a graduate program with courses in accounting, finance, strategy, and management that can prepare you to gain certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Whether you鈥檙e seeking to advance in your current role or move into a new career, you can pursue either goal with a master鈥檚 degree in accounting.听

Accounting is an important component of business operations, which is why accountants and similar roles show a four percent job growth between 2022 and 2032, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) []. Working in accounting often requires more than playing around with numbers. You鈥檒l also need analytical skills, an understanding of business principles, and technological skills as you advance your career.听

Learn more about the types of accounting degrees available, what you鈥檒l learn in each program, and what you can do with your degree.听

Master鈥檚 degree in accounting

At the master鈥檚 level, accounting programs often focus on helping you develop a greater knowledge of accounting and finance. More than mastering spreadsheets and other accounting software, you may also find that they deepen your analytical abilities with in-demand data skills, such as statistical analysis, coding, and more.听

You can earn your master鈥檚 in accounting in-person or online, and program lengths vary from 10 months to two years of full-time study. You should note that accelerated programs, such as those that take less than a year to complete, can require a more significant time commitment to ensure you finish on time.

Types of master's in accounting degrees

You can earn different types of master鈥檚 degrees in accounting or related subjects, such as taxation. Explore the key differences of these degree programs to find one that best aligns with your goals and prepares you for a career in finance or accounting.

• Master of Accounting (MAC or MAcc) or Master of Science in Accounting (MSA): Sometimes called Master of Accountancy, these master鈥檚 degrees suit learners who earned their bachelor鈥檚 in accounting and have a firm understanding of business and accounting principles. You can learn advanced accounting techniques in a shorter time frame (around one year) than other programs, while gaining the knowledge to take the CPA exam if you so choose.

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting: The MBA in accounting is a lucrative business degree that combines a general knowledge of business with a concentration in accounting. You can expect a combination of business courses on operations and management, among other key subjects, with some accounting courses. You typically do not need to have a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting to apply for this type of program.听

• Master of Professional Accounting: This graduate program, often available online, is similar in length to the MS in Accounting and is ideal for students who earned their bachelor鈥檚 in accounting. Besides deepening your knowledge of accounting, your courses will prepare you to take the CPA exam.听

• Master of Science in Taxation: Typically intended for accounting students who want to advance their knowledge of complex tax codes, this two-year program focuses on a mix of accounting and taxation coursework to help you move into a tax-focused career, such as a tax advisor.听

Master鈥檚 in accounting courses

In a master鈥檚 in accounting program, you鈥檒l complete courses covering a range of topics, including taxation, finance, and business. Different programs have different course requirements, so the type of accounting master鈥檚 degree you choose will determine the coursework you must take. For example, the MS in Accounting focuses almost exclusively on accounting and financial coursework, whereas the MBA will bridge business and accounting.

Common MAcc coursework includes:

• Federal taxation

• International taxation

• Corporate taxation

• Cost systems

• Auditing and assurance聽

• Ethics and negotiations

• Tax practice and procedure

Common MBA coursework includes:

• Corporate finance

• Business contracts

• Microeconomics

• Managing people and organizations

• Consumer behavior

• Business communications

• Supply chain management

• Principles of operation

Master's in accounting concentrations

As a graduate student in accounting, you may have the opportunity to specialize in an area of accounting that best suits your career goals, such as auditing, public accounting, and business administration. Programs may offer different concentrations, so review the ones you鈥檙e interested in attending for more information.

Some common MAcc concentrations are:聽

• Assurance

• Audit and control

• Financial reporting

• Accounting information systems

• Public accounting

• Business administration

• Managerial accounting聽

Is a master鈥檚 in accounting the same as an MBA?

A master鈥檚 in accounting is not the same as an MBA. While both are graduate-level degrees in business, they focus on different areas within the field. As a master鈥檚 in accounting student, you鈥檒l study various topics in accounting. Conversely, an MBA program offers a broad business education, and students can choose a concentration beyond accounting, such as strategy, marketing, or operational management. Choose the best graduate-level business degree based on your background and your career aspirations.

What can you do with a master's in accounting?

With a master鈥檚 in accounting, you can work in numerous industries performing an array of accounting, financial, tax, or managerial duties. If you opt for an MBA with an accounting concentration, you can also explore careers related to business in general, including management and leadership.

Master's in accounting salary and related jobs

The median annual pay for an accountant is $79,880, according to the BLS, and you can explore higher-paying roles with a master鈥檚 in accounting []. As you consider your options for an accounting job, consider these average master鈥檚 in accounting salaries for various positions in the field.听

*All annual base salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of August 2024 and does not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

Do you need a master's in accounting to be a CPA?

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants doesn鈥檛 require you to have a master鈥檚 in accounting to take the CPA exam. However, these MAcc degree programs can give you the knowledge and credit hours needed to earn your CPA certification.

States grant CPA licensure and traditionally require 150 credit hours from an accredited college or university before you can take the exam. Because a bachelor鈥檚 degree typically involves earning a minimum of 120 credit hours, you鈥檒l need another 30 credit hours at the graduate level to qualify for the CPA exam, which is why many master鈥檚 programs take one year or less.听聽

If you have a bachelor鈥檚 degree, you may also take credit courses toward meeting the CPA exam qualifications without pursuing a degree. Check your state鈥檚 CPA licensing requirements to learn more.

Choosing the best accounting master's program for you

The best master鈥檚 in accounting program for you is the one that aligns with your resources, career goals, and preferred way of learning. Reflect on the best degree and program type for you by considering these factors.

Online vs. in-person聽

Because you have the option of earning your accounting master鈥檚 degree online or in person, think about which learning style best suits your needs. While some students enjoy the structure of in-person learning, others enjoy the flexibility of learning online.

Length of program

The length of your program will depend on the type of master鈥檚 degree you choose to earn: MAcc vs. MBA. Remember that MAcc and Master of Professional Accounting degrees take one year and require you to first have earned your bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting.

Cost

The average cost of a master鈥檚 degree ranges from $56,000 to $75,000 ]. However, MAcc programs often require fewer credits than MBA programs, which can reduce your costs. You鈥檒l take about 30 credit hours to earn your master鈥檚 in accounting. On the other hand, many MBA programs require 48 to 60 credits. Since you can expect to pay your tuition on a per-credit-hour basis, your overall tuition costs for a master鈥檚 in accounting will be lower than an MBA if it requires fewer credits.听

Coursework

Evaluate the coursework of potential master鈥檚 in accounting programs to find a curriculum that aligns with your broader career and educational goals. For example, if you want to focus almost exclusively on accounting, then perhaps an MAcc makes more sense. However, if you want to hone your business acumen in equal measure, an MBA may be the right choice for you.

Learn more: Is a Master鈥檚 Degree Worth It?

Next steps toward earning a master鈥檚 in accounting

Earning a master鈥檚 in accounting can develop your business skills and prepare you for a rewarding career in the field. Get started by earning your credentials. Consider the Master's of Accounting (iMSA) program from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois on 糖心vlog官网观看. You can complete this program at your pace in four to eight semesters.听