Your Guiding Path
Online master’s in accounting
You want to stay competitive in your field. With a master’s degree in accounting, you can set yourself apart. And we'll be here to guide you from enrollment through graduation.
A master’s in accounting is a graduate professional degree that can prepare you for advanced financial roles — such as a financial advisor or examiner — or managerial positions like tax manager, financial manager, fundraising manager, and more.
An accounting degree equips students with knowledge of tax planning, auditing, statistics, and other core finance and business competencies. Individuals who want to get ahead in the field often pursue an advanced degree, such as an online master’s in accounting.
Master’s in accounting (M.Acc.) programs are also commonly referred to as:
- Master of Science in Accountancy (M.S.Acy.)
- Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.Acy.)
The uniform certified public accountant examination
Accounting programs can provide you with 150 requisite credit hours, qualifying you to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination.
According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, 7,000 master’s programs use the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as part of their admission process. The GMAT is an exam that tests the various skills of school applicants, including analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading competencies.
Some schools offer an online master’s in accounting no GMAT program that allows students to skip the graduate admission exam process. Preparing for the GMAT can be difficult for individuals who completed their undergraduate degrees many years ago. These programs consider an applicant’s years of work experience when determining their eligibility to enroll in a graduate program.
In addition to providing students with an opportunity to enroll in a graduate accounting program without taking the GMAT, an online master’s in accounting with no GMAT offers other benefits.
This type of academic program is desirable for experienced professionals. It allows them to return to school, start coursework immediately, and quickly pursue new knowledge and skills. An online master’s in accounting with no GMAT also enables students to more effectively balance their career, family life, and academic goals because coursework is 100% online.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Accounting (M.Acc.) often are grouped together by analytical, business-oriented students researching their graduate degree options. In comparing the master's in accounting vs. the MBA, it's clear that both degrees cover integral business foundations.
The MBA provides a broader scope to the application of business, leadership, and theory. The M.Acc. is typically designed to prepare students for relevant exams and certifications in the field, such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). This degree focuses more on in-depth, technical accounting skills along with business acumen.
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 is no one-size-fits-all model for a graduate education. Advanced degree programs come in various forms, each with its own benefits. Here are some of the most common questions you should ask when researching your master’s in accounting:
Is an online master's in accounting program the same as campus-based programs at most universities?
The course content will be largely the same, but the delivery method will be different. Some programs offer 100% online coursework.
How is coursework delivered on an online platform?
Your lectures will likely be presented through video calls or prerecorded sessions with discussions over message boards. All course materials would be accessed online.
Are there hybrid online and on-campus-based program options?
Yes. Some institutions offer programs that blend elements of on-campus learning with online delivery. An example of this might be a predominantly online course that also includes:
- Residencies
- Internships
- Labs
- Seminars
- Networking events
If I graduate from an online program, will my diploma have “online” before the degree?
No. Your diploma will have just the full program name featured just like any on-campus graduate.
You can finish a typical master’s degree program in about two years if you choose to study full time. Accelerated programs are also available to help you finish more quickly.
Online master’s degree programs tend to offer flexibility suitable for students who choose to study part time. This option will likely extend your time to completion, but it can allow you to study while fulfilling your familial, social, and professional obligations.
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.
You have goals. We have a path.
Accounting is essential to our global economy. As the world’s learning company, we proudly partner with universities to offer a suite of online graduate degrees in accounting. Whatever your career goals, we have a path for you.
Find your path
- American Institute of CPAs
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Graduate Management Admission Council
- Burning Glass Technologies
- What is a master's in accounting degree?
- What is an online master's in accounting with no GMAT?
- Online master's in accounting with no GMAT benefits
- Master's in accounting vs. MBA: What’s the difference?
- Accounting knowledge is an appreciating asset
- Online vs. on-campus: The balance sheet of what you can learn
- How long will earning my accounting degree take?
- Accredited online master's in accounting programs
Need help finding the right program?