Information on Master’s Degree Program in Auditing
Majors Overview June 2, 2015Get information about a master’s degree program in auditing and its education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master’s Programs in Auditing
Auditors can find employment in both the private and public sector to ensure that financial practices are in conformance with accepted standards. Students seeking careers in auditing would benefit by enrolling in one of numerous Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.A.) or Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) degree programs. Incoming students are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree, though it does not need to be in accounting if the student has completed some business and accounting courses.
Coursework in the master’s program includes topic areas such as economics, taxation, and accounting systems; internships are included to supplement classroom lectures. Students need about a year of full-time study to complete most programs. Program graduates are required to meet eligibility criteria to take the professional exams to become accountants or certified auditors.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than business or accountancy, provided they have completed courses in business and accounting prior to seeking admission. The GMAT or GRE exam may be a requirement for students who don’t meet undergraduate GPA standards. Some schools also consider previous work experience.
Coursework
Coursework in a Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) program is a combination of independent study and internships with classroom instruction, whereby students get a solid grasp of accounting skills. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Accounting systems
•Financial analysis
•Economics
•Business laws, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
•Problem solving
•Communications
•Information systems auditing
•Taxation
•Quality and assurance
Career Choices
Program graduates may choose to work as financial quality assurance professionals for government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions. Auditors may seek employment as internal auditors with the organization that they audit, or as external auditors in a company involved in auditing other companies’ records. Program graduates may choose from possible job options such as:
•Certified public accountant
•Financial advisor
•Certified internal auditor
•Senior analyst
•Comptroller
•Control accounting specialist
•Accounting manager
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth of 13% has been predicted for accountants and auditors (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $63,550.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates are eligible to apply for the Certified Internal Auditor certification through the passage of the CIA exam. Though eligibility requirements may vary by state, a master’s degree is commonly accepted as meeting the eligibility requirements for the Uniform CPA Examination for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant.
