Master’s Degree in Accounting

What is a Master’s Degree in Accounting?

An online master’s degree in Accounting prepares students for a career in public accounting and typically includes all academic requirements students need to be eligible to take the Certified Public Accountant Examination (CPA exam). Master’s accounting courses cover advanced accounting and business principles to prepare graduates for careers as public accountants and other advanced accounting positions.

Why Pursue Your Accounting Master’s Online?

Online degrees make obtaining higher degrees possible for many busy or working professionals, while those who enjoy independent learning can flourish with this learning modality. Distance learning is the fastest growing mode of college, as enrollment rose by almost one million students in 2011 alone. Plus, a recent survey from CNN states that 83 percent of executives said that online degree is as credible as one earned through a traditional campus-based program. Employers and the general public now recognize that online colleges hold the same level of quality, plus the convenience and flexibility that is unparalleled to a classroom-based college.

Qualifications

Students who want to apply for admission to an online Accounting master’s degree are typically required to hold an Accounting bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Some colleges may require a minimum bachelor’s degree GPA, as well as also a recent GRE or GMAT test score. Additionally, students may be required to have some professional experience in an accounting or accounting-related position. Each college and university has specific admission requirements, and students should contact their school of interest for exact enrollment information.

Courses to Expect

A typical master’s degree in Accounting includes all graduate-level courses with the majority focused on advanced accounting, auditing, and taxation principles and practices. Many colleges also require Accounting master’s degree students to complete a limited number of electives commonly focused on advanced business practices. These courses are designed to prepare students for a successful CPA exam and to excel in advanced accounting positions in an industry. Unlike associate’s or bachelor’s Accounting degrees, you will likely not have to take general education courses in areas like social sciences, English, or science.

Time to Completion

Full-time students can typically complete an Accounting master’s degree in one to two years. Although time to graduate can vary substantially by college, full-time students can generally expect to complete a minimum of one year of courses before earning their master’s degree in Accounting. For students earning their Accounting master’s degree on a part-time schedule, they can expect to complete a minimum of two years of courses. If a college accepts credits previously earned by a student, that student may be able to complete their required courses in less than one to two years.

Employment Outlook

With an ever-evolving business environment and increasingly strict regulations on company financials, businesses are in need of accounting professionals with advanced knowledge and work experience to handle their complex accounting issues. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for accountants and auditors will increase 16 percent by 2020, and the number of business and financial operations positions are expected to increase 17 percent by 2020.

Online Accounting master’s degree holders typically use their education to apply for and take the CPA exam in order to earn their CPA credential. The CPA Examination is meant to protect the public interest by helping to ensure that only qualified individuals become licensed as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Students who earn their CPA licensure can obtain advanced accounting positions in businesses across all industries as accountants, accounting managers or directors, or chief financial officers. Students who do not take the CPA exam also have numerous opportunities to obtain advanced accounting positions, but may be limited in job duties if other employees of the same company have the CPA designation.

Master’s Accounting Degree Options