Your Guiding Path
Online MBA with an accounting concentration
You want to stay competitive in your field. With an MBA in accounting, you can set yourself apart. And we'll be here to guide you from enrollment through graduation.
In this ever-changing job climate, it can be difficult to know what the next step in your career should be. But despite the challenging economic outlook, some industries are still showing signs of growth. Accounting is one of these, with job opportunities increasing now and predicted to continue into the near future.
An accounting MBA is a practical, forward-thinking graduate degee that will further your knowledge of accounting, preparing you to pursue professional advancement.
An MBA in accounting provides specialized knowledge of the industry for those interested in pursuing a career in accounting or financial management. Following a series of core classes, elective courses focus on law, taxation, auditing, compliance, and other topics that are pertinent to the field.
This professional graduate degree program develops key problem-solving and leadership skills, preparing you for management roles and additional responsibility. Graduates who earn their MBA in accounting may also gain the necessary credit hours to sit for the CPA certification exam, which can also increase their professional worth to employers.
A master’s in business administration (MBA) is designed to develop and enhance the skills required for careers in business and management. Graduates of MBA programs, however, are not limited to pursuing jobs solely in the business world. An MBA can also be useful for those in public-sector management positions, government, private industry, not-for-profits, and various other types of organizations.
Most MBA programs include a core curriculum of subjects, including accounting, economics, marketing, and operations, as well as concentrations (through elective courses) that allow students to follow their own personal or professional interests. Many schools encourage their MBA candidates complete an internship at a company or organization, which can often lead to job opportunities post-graduation.
An MBA in Accounting has the benefits of an MBA but focuses specifically on the practice of accounting. If you choose to concentrate in accounting, your core curriculum will consist of more courses in this discipline. This degree often also provides the 150 credit hours and background knowledge necessary to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.
An MBA in accounting focuses on developing the skills required to excel in a career in accounting or a closely related field. The curriculum often includes specialized coursework in financial reporting, understanding taxes, or CPA exam preparation.
Core courses
When you study for an MBA in Accounting, you can expect to take several different advanced courses in a broad range of subject areas that revolve around business, according to GMAT. Many of these courses will likely include:
- Marketing
- Finance
- Human resources
- Leadership
- Management fundamentals
But because your concentration is in accounting, you will also take the more focused accounting curriculum in addition to the core requirements, including some of the following courses:
- Financial accounting
- Cost accounting
- Fundamentals in managerial accounting
- Cost management
- Tax planning
- Auditing
- Accounting in acquisitions and mergers
- Problems in financial reporting
- Business strategy
There is no one-size-fits-all model for a graduate education. Many programs come in various forms, each with its own benefits. Here are some of the most common questions you should ask when researching your MBA in accounting:
Is an online accounting MBA 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 will 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 degree.
A typical master’s degree program can often be completed within 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 that is suitable for part-time study. This 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 schools 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 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
MBA in accounting 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.
As the world’s learning company, we partner with universities offering accounting MBA programs online to help students worldwide advance their educations and careers. No matter what your short- or long-term goals are, we can help guide you on your journey toward job satisfaction and success.
Find your path
Sources
- American Institute of CPAs
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Burning Glass Technologies
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