Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) Degree Overview
Majors Overview May 13, 2015Get information about Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) degree programs and their educational requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) Programs
An individual who seeks to become a business or financial professional may enroll in a Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) program. Apart from broad instruction in accounting procedures, the program helps graduates prepare for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)’s Uniform CPA Examination. Concentration areas such as taxation or auditing are available through some Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) programs.
Individuals with undergraduate degrees in related areas may apply for admission to Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) programs. For-credit internship opportunities may be offered to students through these programs. Students may gain compensation when they participate in an internship that requires them to work with licensed accountants. A comprehensive examination is in some programs as a capstone requirement. In many programs, students may be allowed to graduate without having to submit a thesis.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree, usually in a major related to accounting, in addition to submitting scores from either the Graduate Management Admission Test or the Graduate Record Examination.
Coursework
Some theoretical coursework may be in Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) programs, but the primary focus of most courses is on the practical applications of accounting. Apart from the accounting curriculum, the program may include courses from the business and financial programs. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Auditing and assurance services
•Financial accounting
•Taxation
•Accounting information systems
•Integrated accounting applications
•Operations management
Career Choices
Armed with a Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) degree, individuals may seek work in the private and public sectors. The job responsibilities of professionals employed in the private sector may include the management of money for corporations or individuals. Accountants working for the government may be required to ensure adherence to federal and state regulations. Graduates may choose from popular career options such as:
•Staff accountant
•Internal auditor
•Cost accountant
•Certified Public Accountant
•Accounting manager
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth rate of 13% has been predicted for accountants and auditors (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2013, these financial professionals brought in an average annual wage of $65,080.
Continuing Education Choices
Professional certification in the form of a CPA is mandatory for individuals whose job involves interaction with the Security and Exchange Commission. While each state has its requirements, common requirements include the passage of the Uniform CPA Exam, apart from the education level and age limit. Maintenance and renewal of certification often depend on continuing education credits.
Individuals seeking doctoral degrees may opt for enrollment in Ph.D. programs in Business Administration. Schools may offer accounting as a choice of concentration within broader coursework related to business administration, suiting the needs of students who want to pursue careers in research, consulting or academia.
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