Top Online Master’s in Accounting Programs
Updated November 1, 2023 | Staff Writers
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An MBA and a master's in accounting separately fulfill the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam. However, each program prepares graduates for unique professional opportunities. Students who earn an MBA often graduate with a breadth of knowledge applicable to broad business arenas such as operations, marketing, or management. Graduates with an online master's degree in accounting develop in-depth knowledge of specific areas such as taxation, forensic accounting, and risk management.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects accountant and auditor jobs to grow 7% from 2020-2030, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. This page highlights the best online master's in accounting programs, popular questions, and salary data.
How Much Do Accounting Majors Make?
Accounting degree graduates enter a well-paying field, but salary varies by location and employer. The BLS reports that accountants and auditors earn a median salary of $73,560 per year, much higher than the median salary of $41,950 for all occupations.
Accountants and auditors working in Washington, D.C., New York, and New Jersey earn the highest annual salaries. However, the cost of living is higher in these locations. Masters in accounting graduates working in the finance and insurance sectors earn a median salary of $78,600 annually. The top 10% of accountants and auditors earn over $128,000 per year.
Featured Online Schools
Best Online Master's Degrees in Accounting
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Georgia Southern UniversityLocation
Statesboro, GA
Tuition$15435
Graduation Rate50%
A public university located in Statesboro, Georgia Southern offers an online master of accountancy. Graduates can sit for the CPA exam. Learners can complete all coursework online in an average of two years.
Students complete six core courses in accounting and law, including current legal issues, tax research, fraudulent financial reporting, and seminar in auditing. In addition to core courses, students choose 12 credits of electives to help direct their studies towards career goals.
The school allows students to transfer up to six credits from previous accredited coursework toward their degree. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in any field to qualify for admission, but applicants without an accounting degree may need to complete prerequisites before starting. The school does not require students to submit standardized test scores.
Georgia Southern is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school also boasts programmatic accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
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University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyLocation
Edinburg, TX
Tuition$4319
Graduation Rate46%
Located in Brownsville, UTRGV offers an accelerated online master of accountancy. Students complete coursework in seven-week increments and can finish in about one year. Graduates can sit for the CPA exam.
Degree-seekers choose from one of two concentrations: auditing or taxation. Learners from both tracks take four required courses: advanced accounting, business law for accountants, information technology for accounting, and professional ethics. From there, students complete a four-course series for their chosen track and choose electives to satisfy degree requirements. A final capstone allows students to demonstrate skills mastery and collaborate with peers.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree and must send GMAT test scores to apply. The school offers a waiver for applicants who already possess a CPA license or a 3.25 GPA in undergraduate or past graduate work.
UTRGV holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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Emporia State UniversityLocation
Emporia, KS
Tuition$13670
Graduation Rate45%
Located in Emporia, Kansas, ESU offers an online master of accountancy. Most students finish in as little as one year and can begin at one of the program's six yearly start dates. Graduates can sit for the CPA exam.
The 30-credit program includes required courses such as advanced management accounting, advanced accounting information systems, accounting theory, and advanced auditing. From there, students choose electives in a variety of subjects, such as government, fraud, or information systems.
Applicants need an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.65 in the last 60 credits of coursework to qualify for admission. The program requires GMAT scores but offers waivers to students who show significant work experience, candidates with a business bachelor's degree and a GPA of 3.5, or students who already possess a master's degree in any field.
ESU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The school also possesses programmatic accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
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Mississippi CollegeLocation
Clinton, MS
Graduation Rate53%
A private Baptist college located in Clinton, MC offers an online master of accountancy. Students can complete the 30-credit program in about two years. Graduates can sit for the CPA exam.
Learners begin with courses such as a survey of financial accounting, business finance, and business statistics. Accounting courses include intermediate accounting, federal tax accounting, government accounting, and business law and ethics. The program has no on-campus requirements and focuses solely on accounting's foundational and advanced skills.
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.25 and GMAT scores to apply for the program. Students with a 3.0 GPA or higher may waive the standardized test requirement. The program allows students to take up to one semester of coursework before submitting sufficient GMAT scores.
MC holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school also earned programmatic accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
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Southern Utah UniversityLocation
Cedar City, UT
Tuition$14702
Graduation Rate37%
Located in Cedar City, SUU offers an online master of accountancy. The curriculum offers 30 credits for accounting students but includes foundational courses (72 total credits) for students new to the field.
Degree-seekers must complete four required core courses: taxes for pass-through entities, auditing, practice and theory seminar, and accounting ethics seminar. The program offers elective courses, and learners can choose from topics like corporate tax, property transactions, or forensic accounting. Learners may also choose an internship for hands-on experience at an approved location near them.
Applicants need an undergraduate degree in any field to apply for the program. Students without an accounting degree must take foundational prerequisite courses.
SUU holds regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Why Get a Master's Degree in Accounting?
Accountants who decide to pursue a master's in the field give several reasons for their decision. Many cite the five benefits of earning a master's in accounting listed below.
An online master's degree in accounting includes coursework that prepares graduates for the exam's four sections. These sections include auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, regulation, and financial accounting and reporting.
Large companies and organizations usually prefer graduates with an accounting master's degree for top accounting or finance positions. Graduates rely on their knowledge and training to make timely, cost-effective, and future-oriented financial decisions.
An online master's accounting degree presents the holder as a learned, ethical, and committed professional. It shows that the individual has the analytical skills to help companies make informed business decisions in keeping with current regulations governing their industry.
A well-designed accounting master's program includes courses that cover the latest research findings, practical applications, and regulatory changes that impact the accounting arena.
Industries often pay accountants with master's degrees higher salaries because these professionals hold high qualifications and have the training to make sound financial decisions.
Online Master's in Accounting Program Requirements
A master's in accounting program online typically requires applicants to hold a bachelor's degree in the field or a related arena such as business or finance. Most programs require applicants with an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field to complete prerequisite coursework before enrolling. Many accounting master's programs also require a minimum GPA (often 3.0 or higher) and GRE or GMAT scores no more than five years old.
Culminating requirements for accounting master's programs differ among schools. Most institutions require candidates to write a thesis. Some colleges prefer candidates to complete a capstone project addressing a real-world accounting problem or situation.
Master's in Accounting Specializations
A broad field of study, accounting supports several specialization areas for accountants. Students can select a specialization of interest to focus their studies, such as the four described below.
The financial accounting specialization involves the preparation of financial statements that reflect a company's overall fiscal performance. Companies often present these statements to external stakeholders, including investors, creditors, and customers.Financial Accounting
Using a variety of accounting and investigative techniques, forensic accountants perform a thorough financial examination of an individual or business. These findings often appear in court or legal proceedings.Forensic Accounting
Accountants specializing in tax accounting prepare tax returns for individuals and companies. They determine deductible expenses, calculate gains and losses against income and profit, and track the movement of funds.Tax Accounting
Accountants specializing in international accounting use the guidelines provided in the International Financial Reporting Standards to evaluate and determine the financial standing of a foreign company or individual.International Accounting
Courses in an Accounting Master's Program
An online master's degree in accounting usually requires 30-36 credits for completion. Curricula often include foundation and concentration courses, with many programs requiring enrollees to complete an internship before graduation. To prepare graduates for high-level analytic work, most schools also require students to enroll in research, communication, and writing classes. Continue reading for a sample of classes offered by some of the best accounting master's programs.
Accountants use the skills developed in a data analytics class to accomplish various tasks, including identifying areas that require attention to enhance efficiency. Knowing how to interpret data allows accountants to manage risks better and to make sound long- and short-term business decisions.Data Analytics
A federal income tax course covers topics such as gross income, tax-deductible expenses, and applicable tax regulations for employees and self-employed filers. Students examine existing federal tax structures for individuals and corporations. They learn how to complete key components of federal tax returns and identify and implement tax-related strategies to benefit clients.Federal Income Tax
In an advanced financial accounting class, enrollees study fixed assets and liabilities. They learn about acquisitions and investments and shareholder equity. Students also examine the components of cash flow statements and learn how to critically evaluate and prepare them. The course teaches students about various accounting methods and how to apply them.Advanced Financial Accounting
Scholarships for Accounting
Many colleges and universities offering master's degrees in accounting have scholarship and fellowship programs for students. Other sources of accounting scholarship opportunities include professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and public corporations with vested interests in the field. The three scholarships presented below comprise only a small sample of funding opportunities available to students pursuing an accounting degree at an accredited college or university.
Who Can Apply: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants welcomes applications for this scholarship from students pursuing a master's in accounting and CPA licensure. Eligible applicants hold a liberal arts or a non-business degree.
Amount: $5,000
Who Can Apply: The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting welcomes applications from minority women returning to school as college juniors or seniors or as a graduate student. Eligible applicants demonstrate financial need and commitment to pursuing a career in accounting or finance after graduation.
Amount: $1,000
Who Can Apply: The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners welcomes applications for this scholarship from graduate students pursuing a degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or criminal justice. Eligible applicants take at least six credits per term and demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career in the anti-fraud field after graduation.
Amount: $1,000-$10,000
Popular Questions About Master's Degrees in Accounting
An accounting master's degree online prepares graduates to sit for the CPA exam. The degree also qualifies students for positions like financial analyst, company controller, and forensic accountant.
A master's in accounting prepares graduates to work in fields directly related to accounting, such as auditing or corporate taxation. Learners interested in a general business career in marketing or operations should consider an MBA.
Most online master's degrees in accounting require 30-36 credits for completion and typically take 12-18 months to finish. However, factors such as enrollment status often impact the degree's completion time.
Some of the best accounting master's programs demand rigorous work. However, graduates often report that the professional and personal rewards of earning a master's in accounting outweigh the challenges in a well-designed program.