Best Online Colleges for Masters in Accounting Degrees

Students pursuing a masters in accounting degree are often prepared for the Certified Public Accountant exam (CPA) and a career in public accounting. However, these programs can also be applied to positions in the private sector as they explore complex business principles and networks. We have listed several of the best online masters in accounting programs below, but more programs can be found using the search widget to the left.

Kaplan University
MS in Accounting (MSA)
MSA: Tax
MSA: Audit
MSA: Government
MSA: Finance
Kaplan University : Students enrolled in Kaplan's business programs including: MS in Accounting, MSA: Tax, MSA Audit, MSA: Government, MSA: Finance will find courses of interest that will help further one's educational pursuits in the areas of auditing, taxation, cost accounting and financial accounting while providing both scope on both a domestic and global perspective to be successful in the respective fields.
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Liberty University
MBA in Accounting
MS in Accounting
Liberty University : Students enrolled in either Liberty University's Master of Business Administration and MS in Accounting are prepped to handle the rigors of the professional accounting world. Graduates will learn valuable tax and auditing skills, accounting theory, and accounting information systems. The program also emphasizes accounting ethics and best practices to achieve as an accounting executive.
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Walden University
MS in Accounting (MSA)
MSA: CPA Emphasis
MSA: For Professionals
MSA: Self-Designed
MSA: Management
Walden University : Walden University has many specialized programs for accounting students. The MS in Accounting program provides a broader perspective of the field, while those looking to become a CPA can look to get an MSA degree with a CPA emphasis. Walden also has MSA degree programs for working professionals (MSA : For Professionals), specialized business programs (MSA: Self-Designed) and management focused curriculum (MSA: Management).
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Colorado Technical University
MBA in Accounting
Colorado Technical University : This specialization is designed to help prepare students for the CPA exam as well as the Colorado Technical University's MBA in Accounting degree covers topics ranging from taxation, financial reporting, and auditing to accounting information systems, and management skills needed for it's graduates to become successful in contemporary business.
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Benedictine University
MBA in Accounting
Accelerated MBA in Acct.
Benedictine University : Benedictine University provides students with two variably paced degree programs that include: an MBA in Accounting and an Accelerated MBA in Accounting. The MBA in Accounting major gives its students the managerial skills, accounting principles and financial knowledge needed to succeed. The accelerated program is more streamlined for the busy working professionals while covering many of the accounting topics.
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Grand Canyon University
MS in Accounting
MBA in Accounting
Grand Canyon University : Grand Canyon University offers business degree programs in Master Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration. The MS in Accounting courses are geared towards prepping students for the CPA exam and eventually a career as a CPA. The MBA program is designed to provide students the necessary tools and organizational skills to be leaders in a global environment.
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Strayer University
MBA in Accounting
MS in Controllership
MS in Taxation
Strayer University : Strayer University provides MBA Accounting program designed to help graduate students attain professional positions in business such as accounting and industry jobs. The university also offers the MS in Controllership degree which focuses on financial analysis, taxation and managerial accounting; the MS in Taxation degree that focuses on audit services and the importance of accountancy.
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University of Phoenix
MS in Accountancy
MBA in Accounting
University of Phoenix : The University of Phoenix offers the following programs in accounting including: MS in Accountancy and an MBA in Accounting. The MS in Accountancy courses teaches students the necessary principles and theory required to navigate the areas of taxation, auditing, accounting and financial reporting. The MBA in Accounting focuses on the aforementioned areas of accounting with an emphasis on business communication.
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Keiser University
MBA in Accounting
Keiser University : Keiser University's Master of Business Administration degree provides its graduates with the necessary learning to succeed in a variety of fields including: accounting, health services management, international business, management and marketing. Students will are taught critically analyze and problem solve using advance business strategies and advance research methods taught in the curriculum.
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Bellevue University
MBA in Accounting
Bellevue University : An MBA from Bellevue University is focused on providing the tools and methods necessary for its students to be successful in business. The MBA degree with an emphasis in accounting, in particular, explores the field of accounting and examines more advanced topics relating to the field. Completion of the program qualifies its students to be prepared for the CPA exam.
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South University
MBA in Accounting
South University : Graduates from South University's MBA in Accounting program are taught effective planning, process, and production strategies and have honed their skills by working within cross-functional teams. Accounting students gain an overall understanding of the legal, economic, ethical, and social dynamics within modern organizations, especially in regards to their field.
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Everest University
MBA in Accounting
Everest University : Everest University's MBA in Accounting programs teaches its students the skills in the areas of management, quantitative methods, policy and strategy, economics, accounting, human resources, marketing and organizational behavior by an extremely knowledgeable and experience faculty. Graduates will be prepped to be able to take the CPA exam upon completion.
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Career Paths for Master’s in Accounting

Accounting Career Paths

One of the most popular career options for those who earn a masters degree in accounting is to become a certified public accountant, or CPA. In order to becoming a CPA, you have to take a multi-part test after you graduate, but the payoff is that you’ll be able to get a job with almost any accounting firm out there. CPAs can work in a variety of specializations, such as tax preparation, financial investment advising, cash flow management, and treasury reporting. You can also become an auditor or work for the IRS if you get a master’s degree in accounting.

Becoming a CPA

Most high-level jobs require you to become a CPA to qualify, and earning your masters degree is just a first step in this process. Every state has different requirements for CPAs, but you’ll apply with your State Board of Accountancy and take the four-part CPA exam over the course of several weeks. Then, you must pass the ethics test, submit your school and work history, and, in some states, provide letters of reference. Again, exact requirements to earn you license depend on where you live and work, but passing the exams is the most crucial part no matter where you live. Luckily, the best masters degree programs in accounting fully prepare you to pass these exams, and most offer exam study groups and specific help for students preparing for certification.

Grants for Master’s in Accounting

How do Grants Work?

Grants are a lot like scholarships in the respect that you don’t need to repay the money after you graduate, essentially making the funds “free” for students. The big difference is that while scholarships a typically based on merit of some sort, grants are instead based on financial need. As an undergraduate, you likely applied for the Federal Pell Grant, which is based on your family’s income and assets, and although you won’t be eligible to receive this money as a graduate student, the same financial qualifications often apply to the grants you can receive. Some grants are given to students to put toward education costs, like you’ll find with scholarships, while on the other hand, you can also find grants to fund specific research projects you want to complete while in school. For accounting majors, the former is more common.

Where to Find Grants

Grants are most commonly available for accounting students directly from schools. Financial aid departments offer grants to students because they want the strongest graduates possible, regardless of ability to pay. Most schools require you to maintain a certain GPA if you want to receive the grant every semester.

You can also find government grants, based on your specialty. Again, you will no longer qualify for the Pell Grant, but many departments in local, state, and federal offices make grants available to qualifying students.

Lastly, outside organizes often offer grants and other forms of financial aid. Start you search with the American Accounting Association, the Association of Certified Public Accountants, and other organizations and groups related to the accounting industry.

Complete Collection of Schools with Masters in Accounting Degree Programs

Below is a list of all campus-based Masters in Accounting Programs from schools in the US. Updated: March 28, 2011.

Alabama

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Lousiana

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

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