The Best Masters in Accounting Programs of 2024

Concordia University, Nebraska features an online MBA in Accounting program designed to help working professionals expand their business finance skills. Master’s in accounting graduates are prepared to pass the CPA exam and start a successful accounting practice. The program, which is IACBE-accredited, can be completed in 24 months if completed the traditional way or in 18 months if completing the Fast Track option. Students receive intensive training in fundamental accounting principles, all taught from a Christian perspective. Classes are kept small in size in order to create an environment that is dedicated to helping students receive the guidance they need to reach their goals. The program curriculum is structured to help students meet the 150-hour requirement they need for CPA exam licensure.

Texas Tech University features two options when it comes to obtaining a graduate degree in accountancy: the Master of Science in Accounting program and the 150-hour Program in Accounting. The accelerated 150-hour Program in Accounting program prepares students to obtain both a bachelor’s and master’s in accounting degree. Students who finish the B.B.A. program and then enter the M.S.A. program will usually complete 156-credit hours. Both programs offer the same graduate curriculum.

Georgia Southern University offers a Master of Accounting program that is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in today’s business environment. It is one of the best online master of accountancy program designed to help students increase their technical skills, improve their critical thinking skills, and strengthen their communication and interpersonal skills. The program consists of 30-credit hours and it’s available on-campus as well as online. Campus online master of accountancy (MAcc) students also have the chance to earn a certificate in Forensic Accounting or Taxation, which can be integrated into their program of study and set them apart from other graduates as they enter the job field.

University of South Dakota’s Beacom School of Business offers an online Masters’ program specifically designed for students intending to become public accountants. The 30 credit hour program can be taken all online. To be considered for admission, prospective students must send in official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a current resume, and official GMAT scores.

Gardner-Webb University offers students a Master of Accountancy which will help students deepen their knowledge of key functions in accounting and how they apply to statistics, marketing, management, finance, operations, information systems, international business, economics, and so on. Students will participate in service opportunities, course simulations, internships, course projects, and interaction with leaders in the business world. Graduates will have the experience necessary to meet the 150-hour requirement by the North Carolina State Board of Public Accountancy to obtain the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination.

The Professional Accountancy online program is a 36-credit graduate program intended to prepare people with an undergraduate degree in business.  With start dates in January, March, May, July, and October, students at Saint Joseph’s College can begin almost immediately after acceptance. Students can also enroll in a Fast Track Master’s program, allowing them to complete the program with 30 credits rather than 36.

Indiana’s master of science in accounting is a 30-credit course online program. The master’s program operates in a cohort model, allowing the same group of students to move through the curriculum together with on-campus students. Four start dates are offered throughout the year for students (April, May, June, and August) to provide the greatest amount of flexibility. IWU also provides the same tuition rate regardless of state residency and requires no campus visits.

The Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas offers a Master of Science in Accounting program online. The School offers two options for students: MS Accounting Flex and Cohort. The flex program offers start dates during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, while the cohort program only offers one start date in the fall. Both tracks require 36 credits for graduation. Students interested in taking classes online are recommended to take the flex program.

The University of Arkansas offers two tracks for students to obtain a master’s in accountancy: The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) track, which is for students seeking a master’s degree, and the Integrated Master of Accountancy (IMAcc) track, which is for students seeking a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. The MAcc program takes 30-credit hours to complete and can be finished in one year. Students who want to join the university for an accounting master’s program should have prerequisite courses in business administration and economics and have an undergraduate concentration in professional accounting. The IMAcc program takes about five years to complete and graduates will obtain a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in accountancy. They will also meet the necessary requirements to sit for the CPA exam.

The School of Business has offered a Masters of Accountancy (MAcc) degree for over 18 years. As of recently, the program is now offered online. The online Masters of Accountancy program has nearly a 100 percent job placement rate within six months. Accounting firms and government agencies in Utah, Nevada, and California recruit heavily from SUU. The program is designed to prepare students for a variety of roles in the field of accounting. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in financial accounting, auditing, tax, and other relevant areas. Through this program, students will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career as an auditor, financial analyst, forensic accountant, corporate controller, or actuary.

Emporia State University offers one of the most affordable and flexible Masters of Accountancy programs in the state of Kansas. Students in the program will be prepared to be professional accountants in various areas including management, governmental accounting and nonprofit accounting, and public accounting. Students will meet the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam in Kansas and other states. The master’s in accounting program is fully online and is structured for working adults who want to advance in the accounting profession. The program offers low student-to-professor ratios and consists of 10 courses (30 credit hours). Students also have the option to enroll in a combination of online and on campus classes. Students who have at least a 3.50 GPA from an AACSB-accredited undergraduate program can receive a GMAT or GRE waiver.

Virginia International University offers one of the most affordable accounting degrees on this list. Coursework emphasizes auditing, taxation, and financial and managerial accounting and students will be exposed to ethical and legal issues in professional accounting, international accountancy, and accounting information systems. VIU’s MAC program requires students to complete 12 courses, including seven core courses (21 credit hours), three concentration courses (9 credit hours), and two thesis courses (6 credit hours). Students can also choose to take an additional course meant to prepare them for obtaining their professional certification as a CPA.

SUNY Poly, established in 1966 in Utica, New York, serves as the state’s public polytechnic college, offering professional education to over 3,000 students annually. The Master of Science in Accountancy degree program is a 33 semester hour program consisting of 11 courses that allow students to pursue their professional interests. This online master program accommodates both full-time and part-time students. This MSA Program received approval from the New York State Education Department to offer both a Concentration and an Advanced Certificate in the area of Forensic Accounting and Valuation beginning in Fall 2018.

Shorter University features a fully-online Master of Accountancy program which can be completed in as little as a year. The program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting or a related field and is a 31 semester hour program. In order to be admitted, students must have at least a 2.75 GPA and GMAT score of 450, the latter of which can be waived if the student has five years of professional experience, has completed a graduate degree from an accredited institution, is currently enrolled in the BBA/MAcc program and completed at least one graduate level course before completing their undergraduate degree, or is a graduate of Shorter University.

The Isenberg School of Management manages all accounting programs at UMASS. The master’s of accounting online requires a total of 30 credits, with 15 credits of core accounting courses, six credits of accounting electives, and nine credits of business electives. The school averages a 95 percent job placement rate for the past few years. They also offer a transition program for those with non-accounting majors. The program takes one summer to complete to enroll for the Master of Science in Accounting.

The Master of Accounting online program at the University of Connecticut starts once a year in May. Students have the option of going full-time, taking ten courses over 2 to 3 semesters or a part-time option where students will take ten courses over multiple semesters. The educational experience offers students to meet the 150-hour educational requirement to become a CPA in most states.

Oklahoma Christian University offers a Master of Accountancy degree through their Graduate School of Business. The program is designed to prepare students to work in public accounting companies and major corporations, as well as provide sufficient hours to qualify to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam and certified management accountant exams. Oklahoma Christian offers the program in three formats: on campus program, online, or hybrid. Students who wish to take classes on-campus will attend the Oklahoma City metro campus and take their classes in the evening. Students in the program must complete 30 graduate hours, which is comprised of 18 hours of accounting and 12 hours of other business-related subjects. Students will learn through both hands-on experiences and theory-based research. Students from all academic backgrounds are welcome to apply.

Colorado State University-Global Campus excels in helping students become Certified Professional Accountants through their online Master of Professional Accounting degree. The program is designed to prepare students to be effective leaders in government agencies, public accounting, and corporations. The courses provided will help students develop accounting strategies to evaluate and manage ethical and legal conflicts, solve organizational problems, adapt accounting practices and methods that will best meet a client’s needs, and apply qualitative and quantitative analysis in decision-making. Students must complete 30 credit hours, of which 24 are required coursework and 6 are elective coursework.

Concordia University-Wisconsin offers an MBA in Accounting, which is intended to provide students with the practical experience necessary to succeed in the corporate world. Coursework includes income taxes and auditing, managerial accounting, intermediate accounting, and advanced accounting. Graduates will have the skills necessary to pass their national CPA exams and learn other skills like global production and operations and systems management and design. Students will receive one-to-one, direct instruction from current professionals in the field, helping them learn the practical experience they need to be prepared to enter the corporate world. Graduates can go into a variety of fields including public accounting, taxation, corporate accounting, consulting, and so on.

Averett University offers a Master of Accountancy program on their main campus in Danville. The program is designed to help students maintain successful pass rates on the CPA exam and enhance their skills so they are competitive in the field. The program consists of 30 credit hours, of which three to four courses are offered on a rotational semester basis. In order to help students focus on each part of the CPA exam, the program focuses on specific areas of the CPA exam each semester. Most classes are offered online but some are also offered in a blended format for the students who want to have a mix of online classes and on-campus classes.

California Baptist University offers an online Masters of Science in Accounting degree which will prepare students to be ethical, effective and innovative financial leaders. Students who complete the program will have met the requirements to sit in for the CPA exam. Students will explore contemporary issues in their field such as business law, financial accounting, auditing and assurance, and taxation. CBU’s Division of Online and Professional Studies is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. CBU also offers an MBA program with a professional accounting concentration.

The Raymond J. Harbert Business School offers an online master’s program for accounting. The online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program is designed for working professionals and mirrors the full-time on-campus program. Prospective students should consider Auburn also for its average of 80 percent pass rate for the CPA exam. Courses follow the same academic calendar.

Bay Path’s accelerated online master’s in accounting program allows students to choose between public accounting, private accounting, and forensic accounting tracks. The 30-credit program is flexible and can be completed within eight months or two years. Applicants are not required to submit GMAT scores. Students take courses like advanced financial reporting, fraud examination, and IT for accountants. Classes start every July, September, November, April, and May.

Loyola Marymount University offers a Master of Science in Accounting. Students can complete the 30-credit hour program in two semesters (fall and spring) if they are full-time students or between 18 and 24 months of they are part-time students. Courses are taught in the evening and classes are kept small and taught by highly qualified faculty in order to help the students excel in the program. If you’re worried about job security, then LMU is the place to go, as students in the MS Accounting program are actively recruited by regional and local accounting agencies as well as the Big Four. Full-time students who are in need of financial help can apply for any one of the limited number of merit-based scholarship the school offers.

Bellevue University offers a completely online master of accounting program for its students. Most notably, The curriculum includes 36 credits, with 27 dedicated to core courses such as financial auditing, accounting information systems, and accounting theory. Students take nine additional credits from the school’s MBA program, which includes business analysis, financial management, and operations and logistics.

Friends University’s Professional MBA program is one of the top four accounting programs in Kansas. Students in the professional accounting concentration will take five courses that are designed to help students develop their skills in the functional areas of for-profit and non-profit organizations. Students who complete at least 150 credits and have taken all the required courses by the Kansas State Board of Accountancy can sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam. Students who have at least two continuous years of professional experience in financial management or management accounting can also sit for the CMA exam. Courses include Advanced Financial Accounting, Advanced Commercial Law, and Operations Management.

Loyola University Maryland offers a Master of Accounting program for students with an accounting undergraduate degree or those who have equivalent accounting coursework. The program is full-time and it takes a year to complete; they also have a part-time schedule option available. Students will earn 30-credit hours that can go towards the 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure. The program is offered at their Evergreen Campus in Baltimore and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Keystone College offers an online master’s degree in Accountancy. The school’s 30-credit program is structured to help students finish it in one year and it’s fully online. As students prepare for the CPA exam they will develop a greater understanding of accounting concepts and practices such as international accounting, financial reporting, forensic accounting, auditing, risk management, financial accounting, ethical practices, and taxation. Classes are delivered online with two courses being covered every seven weeks, thus allowing students to complete the degree in one year. Students are expected to be full-time and register for classes every semester, completing the program within the year.

The University of Hartford’s master’s in online accounting program is designed for professionals interested in the taxation branch of the industry. UH’s MS in accounting and tax track is available exclusively online and is ideal for CPAs or mid-career professionals. The 30-hour program delivers tax accounting knowledge in classes that cover corporate taxation,financial reporting and business organization taxation. Students have the option to get a dual degree in accounting with online graduate business programs (MBA).

They are an AACSB accredited business school, which makes their accounting program one of the most affordable AACSB MSA/MSAT programs available. In Fall 2018 they launched an online accounting certificate program to help non-accounting majors transition to the field.

Rutgers University’s online master’s in accounting is a 30-credit, part-time online program that gives students the option to take courses from home. The course focuses on a master of accountancy in governmental accounting. Students take classes such as government financial analysis, public sector forensic accounting, applied public finance, and government accounting in public administration.

Western New England University’s online master’s in accounting can be completed in 15 months of part-time study or within ten months of accelerated, full-time study. Students have the option to specialize in Forensic Accounting/Fraud Investigation. The course requires 30-33 credits, with 21 credits for major courses including cost accounting, corporate and partnership tax, and managerial finance.

Southern Illinois University offers a Master of Accountancy through the Carbondale College of Business. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) and has a full membership in the Federation of Schools of Accountancy, which is a distinction that just 130 schools have in the nation. Students in the program can choose to have either a concentration in auditing and accounting information systems or taxation. The auditing and accounting information systems program is for students interested in public accounting and auditing in industry, whereas the taxation program is for those pursuing tax careers in industry and public accounting. Both programs require 30-hours of graduate-level coursework. Through their law school and school of accountancy, SIU also offers a concurrent J.D./Masters of Accountancy degree. Students must be admitted to both programs.

Brenau University offers an online master’s in accounting program designed to help students prepare for the CPA exam. Students will be exposed to advanced knowledge and skills meant to help them find success in either the public or managerial accounting field. Students will also be exposed to CPA and CMA exam questions and simulations. Coursework includes Advanced Accounting, Taxation, Fraud Prevention and Internal Control, and Accounting Theory. Brenau also offers an MBA with a concentration in Accounting. The Accounting MBA program is made up of 15 courses (totaling 45 credit hours) which lead to a Masters in Business Administration and a certificate in either Public Accounting or Management Accounting.

The university offers a recognized online master’s in accounting program with an 8-week Master of Science in Accounting program. As a ten-course, 30-credit-hour graduate program, students can be flexible with their schedule by starting classes in January, March, May, June, August or October. Students wishing to apply to the program must send GMAT scores, resumes, and two years of business work experience.

The Ross College of Business at Franklin University offers an entirely online master’s in accounting program to its students. The MSA program is a 30-credit program with a taxation track or a financial operations track. In addition, FU provides multiple start dates throughout the year and does not require students to submit a GMAT or GRE score during applications. Students can apply at any time during the year.

DePaul University offers a master of science in accountancy program online for students. The Master of Science (MS) in Accountancy is designed to prepare students for a successful career in accounting. The pass rate for the CPA exam averages 65 percent after one year in the program. The curriculum includes 12 core courses in accounting and students without a business background may be required to take additional online graduate business programs.

Edgewood College’s Master of Science in Accountancy prepares students to succeed in their chosen career paths whether it is working in corporate management accounting, governmental and nonprofit accounting sectors, or as entrepreneurs. The master’s in accounting program, which is designed for working adults, is offered in both an online learning format and an on-campus format (offered at the Deming Way campus). Full-time students can complete the program in just one year and part-time students can do so in two to three years. The school also provides the online master of accounting students access to a number of community events including an annual accounting dinner, tours of area accounting firms, and opportunities in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Students are required to complete 30-credit hours which consists of 12 credits in business courses, 15 credits in accounting courses, and electives that must be approved by the program advisor.

Villanova University offers a Master of Accounting with Data Analytics degree. The program combines accounting with analysis, data analytics, and other essential skills with the aim to prepare students to become multi-dimensional accountants. Villanova wants their graduates to have data-driven perspectives that will help them be successful in the modern world. Students can expect to learn about data as it relates to performance measurement, valuation, tax, risk analysis, fraud, and other accounting functions. The program also prepares students for career-advancement opportunities by having them complete leadership and negotiation courses. This relatively new program had its inaugural cohort begin August 2018 and graduate in May 2019 by completing the 30 credits that the program requires.

Bentley University offers a Masters in Accounting designed to help students gain the perspective and expertise they need to be successful in careers such as mergers and acquisitions, forensics, and fraud. Based on a 68% survey response rate, 89% of Bentley MSA graduates accepted a job offer within 3 months of graduation. Students will gain skills that will help them be efficient auditors, public accountants, business financial analysts, and much more. The program can be completed in as little as 10 courses (or as much as 13 courses) and includes three electives, three foundation courses, and four required core accounting courses. Students will also meet the requirements to sit in for the CPA exam.

Davenport University offers Master of Accountancy degree that is comprehensive, credible, and contemporary in design. Students have the option to choose from multiple specialized tracks and concentrations such as finance, fraud examiner, internal auditor, managerial accountant, and professional accountant. The Master of Accountancy program is 30 credits and prepares students to take a number of exams including the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam, and the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) exam. Students will be presented with various opportunities to exercise their critical thinking skills and accounting knowledge as they take part in field projects, presentations, case studies, internships, and simulations designed to help them learn through practice.

This Master’s of Accountancy program is open to students regardless of their undergraduate emphasis. Start dates for the program begin in January, March, June or September. Students who have professional experience or who have served in the Military for more than five years may have the option to waive GMAT/GRE requirements. 98 percent of North Carolina’s students have also reported receiving a full-time job offer within three months of graduation.

Stetson University offers the Master of Accountancy program online. The degree requires students to earn 30 credits, 15 credits of those are core accounting courses and three credits in either data analytics or managerial decision-making. The remaining credits (12) are electives. The online MAcc program has three start dates a year, and the courses are five weeks long.  Students need to submit GMAT scores and transcripts along with a personal essay and resume to the admissions office.

The online Master of Accountancy program at Rider University has a flexible schedule allowing students to choose from part time online or traditional cohort program. Classes start in the fall, spring or summer terms. A private, nonprofit university, Rider has an 85 percent CPA exam pass rate. The program has a concentration in forensic accounting and a CPA track.

University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business offers a Master of Science in Accountancy program that is accredited by the AACSB. The program can be completed in one year if taken as full-time students and consists of 36 graduate hours, which includes 24 hours of IT courses or graduate accounting. Students also have the option to develop a skilled specialization by completing a certificate track. The certificate tracks are completed alongside the overall degree requirements and include certificates in Assurance/Finance Reporting, Taxation, Oil and Gas, Advanced Internal Audit, and IT Systems Risk Management.

The University of Miami’s online accounting program is 32 credits, and the standard completion time is around 16 months. Students take courses in financial statement analysis and valuation, advanced accounting and financial reporting, issues in accounting, responsible managing behavior in organizations, and fundamentals of finance, accounting, and economics.

The University of Dallas offers a Master of Science in Accounting degree through the Satish and Yasmin Gupta College of Business with an emphasis on principled leadership. The program covers subjects such as taxation, auditing, ethics, and financial accounting and prepares students for a career as public accountants in forensic accounting, taxation, consulting, and assurance. Graduates are also ready to enter the business or industry field and work in treasury functions, managerial accounting, financial analysis, and financial reporting if they so choose. The program is very flexible and students must complete 11 classes (33 credit hours). The school also offers an MBA with a concentration in accounting and graduate accounting certificate coursework.

The Online Master of Accountancy at the University of Scranton is a 30-credit hour program offered by the university’s Kania School of Management. The school also offers a MAcc bridge option, open to non-accounting majors, in which students who have non-accounting bachelor’s degree study the courses needed for the master’s program. The program focuses on student’s success on the Certified Professional Accountant exam, which leads to a 90 percent pass rate.

Located in Nashville, Tennessee where there’s a growing demand for accountants and CPAs, Lipscomb University offers students a Master of Accountancy program. Taught by seasoned and experienced professors, graduates of the program can expect to be hired by government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and the Big 4 firms. The program consists of 30 credit hours and it’s usually offered weekday evenings. Lipscomb offers a number of financial aid opportunities and boasts 100% job placement for all graduates. The school has a 63% CPA pass rate, making it second in the state so far as CPA pass rates are concerned. Students entering the program have an average GMAT score of 607.5 and an average GPA of 3.42 and the school has a 52% acceptance rate.

St. John’s University offers a Master of Science in Accounting through the Peter J. Tobin College of Business. The program is designed to help students understand the function of accounting within their organization and the global marketplace as well as prepare them to leverage their skills and knowledge to become accounting professionals of the future. The program takes about a year to complete (33 credits) and graduates fulfill all the necessary requirements to be licensed CPAs in New York as well as the accounting education requirements to sit for the uniform CPA exam. Most states accept graduates of the program as having fulfilled licensure requirements due to the school’s top-tier accreditation. The school also offers a Master of Business Administration in Accounting.

Ohio Northern University offers a Masters of Science in Accounting degree. The program is a specialized degree and shines through its hands-on curriculum which has students participating in moot courtroom experiences, interactive software training, and live client interactions. In order to qualify for the program, students must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field with the equivalent coursework (including auditing, intermediate accounting I and II, and U.S. federal taxation), a 3.0 GPA or higher (based on a 4.0 scale), and a GMAT score of 500 if the GPA is lower than 3.25 or an LSAT score that enables entry into the College of Law. Students in the MSA program can be part of the FAAS Track, which develops their skills in business valuation, forensic accounting, and auditing. This track is offered in a blended format where part of it can be completed online and students can choose the 12-month track or 24-month track, depending on what works best for them.

The University of Alabama Birmingham’s business school, Collat School of Business, offers a master’s of accountancy program online. The program consists of 30 credits of 21 core credits and 9 elective credits. Students with non-accounting degrees can participate in the bridge program to prepare them for the master’s program. The Princeton Review ranks the University of Alabama as one of the top diverse colleges in the United States.

Golden Gate University features a number of program options for those wanting to get a graduate degree in accountancy. The school offers a Master of Accountancy program, a Master of Science in Accounting degree, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Accounting and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting. The Master of Accountancy degree is a comprehensive program designed to prepares students for a career as a CMA or CPA certified accountant. This program is offered in an accelerated format and can be completed in one year at the school’s downtown San Francisco campus during the day. Students also have the option to take evening classes or take the classes online. The program also offers specialized degrees in forensics and taxation. To see a breakdown of their tuition and fees, click here.

Florida Atlantic University offers an online Executive Master of Accounting with a concentration in forensic accounting and professional accounting. The Executive Master of Accounting with a concentration in Professional Accounting and Forensic Accounting starts three times a year: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Applications are accepted year-round. FAU is located in Boca Raton and was established in 1961. The university offers over 180 programs and has over 30,000 students enrolled at their campuses.