Online master’s in accounting

M.Acc. degrees focus on the core area of accounting and its principles, with typical degree specializations in concentrations such as assurance, reporting, and taxation. 

Core courses

Master's in accounting programs require students to complete core courses on the theory and practice of accounting, including:

• Law
• Taxation
  
• Advanced accounting/financial statement analysis
  
• Auditing
  
• Financial research and compliance
  
• Accounting information systems
  
• Advanced managerial and cost accounting
  
• Business ethics for accounting
  

You may also have the opportunity to take other cross-functional courses such as economics, leadership, and business communications.

Advanced skills

If you’re looking to build on your accounting interest with practical expertise, a comparative look at the master's in accounting vs. the MBA reveals that either graduate degree can broaden your abilities and skill sets. However, an online master's in accounting degree focuses mainly on the following areas of study: 

Accounting and auditing 

Build and diversify your knowledge in specific areas such as:

• Financial and management accounting
  
• Financial reporting
  
• Forensic accounting
  
• Nonprofit accounting
  
• Corporate accounting
  
• Government accounting
  
• Auditing
  
• Financial statement analysis
  
• Strategic cost management
  

Taxation 

Taxation has many applications. Earn niche expertise in:

• Individual, corporate, and nonprofit taxation
  
• International aspects of taxation
  
• Global implications for U.S. businesses
  

Ethical principles and professional standards

Students can learn the gold-standard principles of the profession and how to implement those in team-oriented, complex business environments such as:

• Government
• Finance and insurance
  
• Companies
• Remote
  
• Self-run enterprises (as entrepreneurs)
  

Critical thinking and problem solving

To operate across a range of complex environments and in advanced roles, students can strengthen the following baseline skills:

• Data analysis
  
• Research
  
• Communication
  
• Writing
  
• Visualization
  
• Teamwork and collaboration
  
• Project management
  

Changing government and security regulations

The world of accounting is tightly controlled and regulated. Students can earn applied knowledge on how to audit and enforce legal requirements and company compliance.

Typical concentrations and electives

Some M.Acc. programs give students the chance to specialize by taking electives. Your choice of concentration can also position you for certain careers.

M.Acc. concentrations include:

• Forensic accounting
  
• Taxation
  
• Audit
  
• Finance
  
• Corporate governance
  
• Global accounting
  
• Partnership taxation
  
• Public sector accounting
  
• Estate and gift taxation/planning
  
• Multijurisdictional taxation
  

An elective gives you the chance to study an accounting topic at a deeper level or to take a related topic in classes within complementary programs such as law or business. 

Electives include:

• Mergers and acquisitions
  
• International accounting
  
• Energy accounting
  
• Partnership and corporation taxation
  
• Inheritance tax and wealth preservation
  

Choose your coursework wisely — it should map to your career goal to help increase your starting salary and job opportunities.

There are two types of accreditation — regional and specialized. 

Regional accreditation

Regional accreditation is the most prestigious type of accreditation that an online or traditional college or university can receive. Regional accreditation confirms that the provider has met and maintained adherence to a minimum set of academic standards.

Most regionally accredited online master's in accounting programs will only accept credits from other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning.

Specialized accreditation

Schools often apply to gain specialized accreditation for specific areas of study, departments, or degree programs. The leading authority for business schools and accounting programs is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. Enrolling in an accredited online master's in accounting program makes you more marketable to employers and can affect your career growth over the long term.

Why accreditation matters

Accreditation is key if you want to:

• Transfer your credits, as most schools will only accept transfer credits from accredited institutions
• Apply for financial aid, as federal aid is only granted to students who are studying at recognized accredited institutions
  
• Become a CPA
  

M.Acc. degrees are usually accredited through the following — and may hold more than one:

• AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
  
• ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs)
  
• IACBE (International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education)
  

Check for both national and regional accreditation at your university of interest. You may also find that your degree program or academic department of interest has additional and specialized accreditations.