Master's in accounting programs

Ready to expand your knowledge and become a leader in accounting? Professionals who hope to specialize in high-demand roles, increase their salaries, and prepare for the CPA and CMA exams can benefit from earning a master's degree in accounting.

Online master's in accounting degree overview

Individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree in business or a similar field and want to qualify for mid- and senior-level roles can consider enrolling in an online master's in . Schools design these programs to enhance students' understanding of key areas of accounting, such as auditing, taxation, cost accounting, and financial accounting.

Pursuing an online MS in accounting can also help you gain expertise in analyzing accounting data, facilitating risk management, implementing compliance strategies, and navigating legal issues. Many master's in accounting programs prepare you to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams.

Curriculum

Master's in accounting curricula vary across universities. However, all of these programs aim to help students build the technical competencies needed for career advancement. Through a combination of concentrations, core courses, and electives, these programs prepare you for higher-level roles in the accounting field.

Online master's in accounting programs often offer courses such as:

• Fraud and Forensic Accounting
• Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
• International Accounting and Reporting
• Accounting Analytics
• Advanced Auditing
• Venture Capital
• Supply Chain and Logistics Management

Types of master's in accounting degrees

Universities offer various concentrations so that students can specialize in a specific area of accounting. Your career goals after graduation may impact your choice of concentration.

Alternatively, students may seek one of the various specialized master's degrees in accounting:

Prospective students should note that MAC, MSA, and MPA degrees possess similar characteristics and may vary by name across universities.

What jobs can you get with an online master's in accounting?

Earning your master's in accounting can open up diverse, lucrative career opportunities, such as:

• Certified public accountant: CPAs audit financial records, prepare tax returns, and provide financial advice to individuals, businesses, and organizations.
• Chief financial officer: CFOs play a pivotal role in molding an organization's financial wellbeing and strategic direction by overseeing financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and strategic decision-making.
• Financial analyst: These professionals assess financial data, market trends, and investment opportunities to provide recommendations for informed financial decision-making.
• Forensic accountant: These accountants investigate fraud, financial irregularities, and disputes by analyzing financial data, conducting audits, and providing expert testimony in legal proceedings.
• Internal auditors: Internal auditors evaluate an organization's financial practices, internal controls, and compliance with regulations to identify weaknesses, mitigate risks, and improve operational efficiency and financial integrity.
• Management accountant: These accountants focus on providing financial information and analysis to help organizations make strategic decisions, control costs, and optimize operational efficiency.

Accountant salaries

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2023, accountants earned between $50,440 and $137,280 per year, with a median salary of $79,880. Generally, professionals with master's degrees earn higher salaries than those with bachelor's degrees or lower. A person's actual salary can vary based on factors like their chosen accounting field, industry, location, work experience, and professional certifications like CPA.

Career outlook for accounting graduates

The BLS projects job opportunities for accountants and auditors to grow by 4% from 2022 to 2032. The organization attributes this growth to retiring workers, more companies going public, and increased demand for specialized accountants due to globalization's impact on international business ventures.

The BLS also notes that while technological advances, such as artificial intelligence, will become more widespread in the profession, they are not expected to reduce the demand for accountants. Instead, there will likely be a greater need for specialized and analytical professionals as routine tasks will be automated.

Admissions requirements for online master's in accounting programs

Each online master's in accounting program has specific admissions requirements, but some of the most common are:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Official transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Standardized test scores, such as from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable. Some universities may waive these.
• Résumé or CV
• Personal essay or statement of purpose demonstrating your knowledge and career goals
• Application fee (if required)
• Interview

Not ready to start a full Master's program yet?

Earn a MicroMasters® program certificate instead! MicroMasters programs are a series of graduate-level courses from top universities designed to advance your career. MicroMasters program certificates showcase deep learning and in-demand skills to employers and can help you get started on a path toward completing an advanced degree.