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.
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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).
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
![]() 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.
|
Click here to learn about more accounting degrees
Find Online Accounting Degrees
You can use the form below to search over 1,000 accredited online degrees.
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
- California State University Fullerton
- San Diego State University
- University of San Diego
- University of Southern California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
- Barry University
- Florida International University
- Florida State University
- Nova Southeastern University
- Stetson University
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of Miami
- University of North Florida
- University of South Florida
- University of South Florida St. Petersburg
- University of Tampa
Georgia
- Georgia Southern University
- Georgia State University
- Kennesaw State University
- University of Georgia
- University of West Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
- DePaul University
- Eastern Illinois University
- Illinois State University
- Loyola University Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of Illinois Chicago
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Western Illinois University
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Lousiana
Massachusetts
- Bentley University
- Bridgewater State College
- Suffolk University
- University of Massachusetts
- Towson University
Michigan
- Central Michigan University
- Grand Valley State University
- Michigan State University
- Oakland University
- University of Michigan
- Western Michigan University
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
- Fontbonne University
- Missouri State University
- Saint Louis University
- Truman State University
- University of Central Missouri
- University of Missouri
- University of Missouri Kansas City
- University of Missouri St. Louis
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
- Baruch College
- Canisius College
- Hofstra University
- Pace University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- St. Johns University
- State University New York Albany
- State University of New York Binghamton
- State University of New York Brockport
- State University of New York Buffalo
North Carolina
- State University
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- University of North Carolina Charlotte
- University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Wake Forest University
Ohio
- Bowling Green State University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Cleveland State University
- Kent State University
- Miami University
- Ohio State University
- University of Akron
- University of Cincinnati
- Wright State University
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
- Belmont University
- East Tennessee State University
- Middle Tennessee State University
- University of Memphis
- University of Tennessee Chattanooga
- University of Tennessee Knoxville
Texas
- Baylor University
- Houston Baptist University
- Southern Methodist University
- Texas A&M University
- Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
- Texas A&M University Kingsville
- Texas Tech University
- Texas State University
- University of North Texas
- University of Texas Arlington
- University of Texas Austin
- University of Texas Dallas
- University of Texas El Paso
- University of Texas Pan American
- University of Texas San Antonio
Utah
Virginia
- College of William and Mary
- James Madison University
- Old Dominion University
- University of Richmond
- University of Virginia
- University of Virginia McIntire
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Tech
Washington
West Virginia
- University of Wisconsin Whitewater
- University of Charleston
- West Virginia University
- University of Wyoming
Wisconsin
Recent Blog Posts
- August 11: 30 Unique Career Paths With an Accounting Degree
- May 24: Top 50 Tax Policy Blogs












