Accounting master's programs prepare students for advanced corporate finance, managerial, and consulting positions. Some of the top-paying jobs master's graduates can qualify for include financial controller, accounting manager, senior financial analyst, and tax accountant. This degree also helps students meet the educational credit requirements for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam.
In Indeed's 50 best jobs of 2024 report, senior accountants ranked ninth, with 24% of job postings including terms suggesting remote or hybrid work availability. According to Payscale, professionals with a master's in accounting earn an average annual salary of $81,000 as of March 2024.
Accounting master's degrees may also offer specialization options. These concentrations demonstrate your advanced knowledge of subfields that can help you stay competitive in the workforce. Common specializations include tax accounting, assurance and auditing, analytics, and forensic accounting.
Use our guide to discover schools with the best master's in accounting programs. We explore tuition rates, program offerings, and admission requirements.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Graduate Accounting Programs
The following ranked list profiles our top five graduate accounting programs.
#1 Best Accounting Master’s Programs
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- New York, NY
- 4 years
- Campus
Baruch ranks among the most diverse higher education institutions in the United States. The Manhattan-based college hosts a student body representing nearly 170 countries.
Accountancy Graduate Programs
The Zicklin School of Business at Baruch features a specialized master of science in accountancy. The program's accounting core covers intermediate and advanced financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, and taxation. Learners supplement these subjects with a general business curriculum and accounting electives.
Students with undergraduate degrees in business or accounting may qualify to forgo some or most of the general business curriculum, which can dramatically reduce completion timelines.
Baruch also offers two other acclaimed graduate accounting programs. These pathways include a bachelor's-to-master's path for aspiring certified public accountants (CPAs) and a master of business administration in accountancy.
Applying to Baruch
Baruch's master's in accounting programs suit students with undergraduate degrees in accounting or a related business area. GRE, GMAT, and Executive Assessment test scores are optional for the master of science in accountancy. Each applicant must also submit undergraduate transcripts, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and a resume.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Tuition: $470 per credit (resident); $855 per credit (non-resident)
- Required Credits: 30-70
- Delivery Format: On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Best Accounting Master’s Programs
University of California-Irvine
- Irvine, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
UCI, established in 1965, is now a member of the exclusive Association of American Universities group of research institutions.
Master of Professional Accountancy
UCI offers one-year and two-year master of professional accountancy programs. The one-year track follows an intensive schedule with a core accounting curriculum in the fall and electives in the winter and spring terms. The two-year program covers the same curriculum at a standard pace.
Core accounting courses include auditing, financial statement analysis and forecasting, managerial and cost accounting, and ethics. UCI's program holds official STEM-designated status from the U.S. government. Degree-seekers can also customize their learning with optional specializations in taxation or data analytics.
According to UCI, 94% of program graduates secure full-time employment within six months of completing their degrees.
Applying to UCI
UCI's admissions team evaluates applicants' entire profiles rather than focusing on individual factors. GMAT or GRE scores are required, but particularly qualified applicants can obtain waivers. Work experience is not required, and the program is open to all majors.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Tuition: $3,900 per term (resident); $5,034 per term (non-resident)
- Required Credits: 44
- Program Length: 1-2 years
- Delivery Format: On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
99%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#3 Best Accounting Master’s Programs
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
UNC-Chapel Hill holds the distinction of being the first public university in the history of the independent United States. The university, founded in 1789, ranks among the most prestigious colleges in the American South.
Online Master of Accounting
UNC-Chapel Hill's online master of accounting program welcomes students from all educational and professional backgrounds. Coursework focuses on auditing, financial reporting requirements, financial analysis, and taxation, with similar concentrations. Diverse electives supplement core accounting courses, allowing participants to further customize their learning.
Students in all concentrations take a collaborative approach to learning, engaging in group work to build skills and perform analytical case studies. They also gain full access to UNC's career services office, which offers valuable professional recruitment opportunities.
Non-accounting majors with 12 or fewer accounting credits can also pursue a campus-based version of the program.
Applying to UNC-Chapel Hill
Each applicant must submit academic transcripts, a two-part essay, and resume. A candidate also needs two recommenders to endorse their applications through UNC's online system. UNC-Chapel Hill does not require GMAT or GRE scores and considers applicants holistically.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Tuition: $2,131 per credit (resident); $3,107 per credit (non-resident)
- Required Credits: 36-48
- Program Length: 12-36 months
- Delivery Format: Online (asynchronous and synchronous), on campus
Percent Online Enrollment
91%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Best Accounting Master’s Programs
Florida State University
- Tallahassee, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Founded in 1851, FSU is Florida's oldest continuously operating higher education institution. The school's student body counts more than 45,000 attendees representing 130 countries.
Master of Accounting
At FSU, the master of accounting program features two degree tracks: a path for accounting majors seeking a degree upgrade and a track for learners from non-accounting backgrounds. In both cases, learners choose from three available concentrations:
- Assurance and advisory services
- Generalist
- Taxation
Each track covers 10 intensive courses designed to develop advanced professional proficiencies in the concentration area. Targeted electives supplement focused learning, allowing students to round out their knowledge and skill sets.
FSU's graduate accounting programs fulfill the academic requirements needed for CPA licensure in Florida and most other U.S. jurisdictions.
Applying to FSU
FSU's admissions process requires an applicant statement and resume, three letters of recommendation, college transcripts, and GMAT or GRE scores. Applicants with distinguished academic records or extensive professional experience can have GMAT/GRE requirements waived.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Tuition: $479 per credit (resident); $1,110 per credit (non-resident)
- Required Credits: 30
- Delivery Format: On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
97%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best Accounting Master’s Programs
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Founded in 1956, USF now serves more than 50,000 students across thirteen colleges and three campuses.
Master of Accountancy
The graduate program in accounting program at USF offers a generalist path and specializations in assurance, corporate accounting, and taxation. Each concentration includes 30 credits, with 80% of coursework devoted exclusively to accounting. The remaining 20% covers business management topics. Learners who opt to specialize dedicate 30% of their credits to their chosen concentration.
USF emphasizes data analytics coursework to keep up with accounting's changing professional landscape. Degree-seekers planning to pursue CPA licensure can configure the program to fulfill the academic requirements of Florida's CPA examination.
Applying to USF
Each candidate must hold a bachelor's degree in accounting from a regionally accredited U.S. college with a 3.0 GPA, along with a minimum GMAT score of 500 or a GRE score of at least 305.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Tuition: $7,840 per academic year (resident); $15,864 per academic year (non-resident)
- Required Credits: 30
- Delivery Format: On campus
Percent Online Enrollment
90%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
What to Expect From an Accounting Master's Degree
An accounting master's program propels you into the world of financial analysis and forecasting, ethics, and risk analysis. The degree aims to develop a thorough understanding of corporate taxation and data analytics. This knowledge can help you suggest financial strategies and support businesses in achieving their financial goals.
Some programs are specifically designed to help prepare you for the CPA exam. Most degrees also address soft skills essential to effective leadership, like communication and problem-solving.
These advanced accounting programs typically take 1-2 years, often requiring 30-48 credits. Some schools accept transfer credits from accredited colleges or universities.
Accounting programs are available in various formats, including on-campus, online, and hybrid options. Online accounting master's programs may offer asynchronous or synchronous learning.
Admissions Process
Most accounting master's programs require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Some require prospective students to hold accounting degrees from schools with programmatic accreditation through organizations like AACSB International or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Others accept any undergraduate major, but candidates must take prerequisite courses in business and accounting.
Many programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA. Business schools may also require the submission of GMAT or GRE scores, stipulating preferred or minimum scores. However, standardized tests have become less common in recent years.
Other typical admission materials include letters of recommendation, college transcripts, personal statements, and resumes. International applicants must usually pass an English proficiency test, like the TOEFL exam.
Popular Accounting Graduate Courses
Accounting master's programs core courses help build a solid foundation in accounting principles. Electives enable you to focus on your area of interest. Capstones and other hands-on projects provide real-world experience. While each school offers its own classes, common courses you may encounter include:
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Advanced Accounting: This core course covers the theory and preparation of consolidated financial statements and accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Students learn about cost versus equity as well as accounting for derivatives and hedging. The class also explores accounting for partnerships, governments, and corporations; debt restructuring; and liquidation.
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Federal Taxation: This core course teaches learners the fundamentals of federal income tax law, including corporate, partnership, and individual taxation. This class is particularly valuable for enrollees interested in tax law and roles as tax accountants.
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Applied Business Forecasting: Big data and data analytics play an increasing role in modern accounting. This elective provides a practical understanding of data acquisition and analysis. Students learn to apply forecasting models to business data like income, sales, and inventories.
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Business Leadership Experience: Accounting master's programs may include hands-on courses like business leadership experience that pairs enrollees with companies to build real-world job training. Learners may explore new marketing opportunities or develop a business plan, conducting research and analyzing data to make knowledge-based recommendations.
How Much Does a Master's in Accounting Cost?
The cost of a master's in accounting varies by school. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average graduate tuition at a public university was $12,596 in the 2021-22 school year. In private institutions, the average was $28,017.
In-state students attending public schools typically pay the lowest tuition rates, and some online programs offer all enrollees in-state or lower, online-only tuition. Additional costs include fees, textbooks, transportation, and living expenses.
Several financing options can help defray tuition prices. Schools and organizations may offer merit-, need-, or demographic-based scholarships and grants. Use the links below to discover the most affordable programs and financial aid opportunities.
Selecting the Right Graduate Program
Selecting the right accounting master's program requires research. Make sure each prospective degree offers classes in your areas of interest, aligns with your budget, and runs in a format that works with your lifestyle. Also consider the following factors when choosing a school:
- Accreditation: Accreditation indicates a program meets quality standards. In addition to institutional accreditation, some accounting degrees hold programmatic accreditation from organizations like AACSB International and ACBSP.
- Competitiveness: Competitive schools often stipulate more rigorous admission standards, including higher minimum GPAs, test scores, or career experience. Ensure you meet all qualifications before applying.
- Program Length and Flexibility: Some students prefer a fast-paced program that they can complete in one year. Other learners may have additional responsibilities and benefit from a part-time program or flexible scheduling that includes evening classes.
- Alumni Network: Schools with strong alumni networks can offer valuable connections in the business world. Leveraging these connections may lead to mentorships, internships, or job opportunities.
Common Questions About Accounting Master's Programs
What can you do with an accounting master's?
Graduates with a master's degree in accounting can work in numerous accounting and auditing positions, including advanced roles like financial analyst or financial manager. Master's programs can also help learners satisfy educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam.
How much does an accounting master's program cost?
The cost of an accounting master's program varies significantly. According to NCES data for the 2021-22 school year, the average tuition for graduate-level programs at public schools was $12,596, while private institutions averaged $28,017. Schools may offer scholarships, fellowships, or grants to help offset costs.
Can you get an accounting master's degree online?
Yes. Many schools offer accounting master's programs online. Some offer asynchronous classes, letting you study at your own pace while meeting assignment deadlines. Others require synchronous classes that meet virtually at scheduled times.
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