Accounting Graduate Programs

Accounting Graduate Programs and Curriculum

The master of accounting programs help students to grasp advanced accounting theory and procedures. The degree also helps to fill the educational requirements needed to sit the Uniform CPA (certified public accountant) exam. A student advancing into the doctoral program would concentrate on accounting theory and analytical research. The curriculum for both programs includes education in managerial accounting, financial accounting, audit, fraud determination, finance reporting, tax, and other more specialized subjects. Depending upon the school, the thesis for the master’s in accounting programs may be required or optional; the dissertation for the doctoral program is required. Accounting graduate universities offer programs requiring one to four years to complete.

Students enroll in accounting graduate school to advance their careers in accounting, business, and education. Accounting master’s programs allow graduates to become CPAs and work as consultants, public accountants, internal auditors, controllers, management accountants, tax accountants, and government accountants. Graduates with a Ph.D. in accounting may become professors in institutions of higher learning.

Licenses, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), increase job opportunities for accounting graduates. Graduates with licenses or certifications are likely to reap the best career prospects. Increased experience steadily increases pay rate as well.

A prospective student should consider the program curriculum, career opportunities, tuition costs and salary expectations of obtaining a graduate accounting degree when looking at programs. Many programs offer online courses as well as campus courses; online classes allow students the flexibility to choose the most convenient classes to fit their lifestyle.

Accounting Career Paths

An MBA in Accounting is instrumental in opening doors to highly paid positions in highly competitive industries such as financial management and financial analysis. The credentials that an MBA affords allow students to teach business and other related subjects at schools of higher education. Completion of the MBA in Accounting prepares graduates for positions including:

• Public Accountant
• Management Accountant
• Government Accountant
• Internal Auditor
• Budget Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Controller
• Treasurer
• Financial Officer
• Credit Manager
• Risk Assessment/ Insurance Manager
• Banking Manager
• Financial Sales Agent

Accounting Future Job Outlook

Salary for graduates with a master’s in accounting depends on such factors as the industry and position title, as well as work experience. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, in 2009 the average salary for a graduate entering the workforce with a master’s in accounting was $50,000. According to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, new professors in 2010 were earning $150,000; associate professors $139,000; assistant professors $130,000 states.

Data according to

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

The constant changes in financial laws, new government regulations, international mergers, and stricter laws for business accountability have led to increased opportunities for accountants and auditors. The industry is estimated to grow rapidly over the next decade. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting is projected to grow by 22 percent by 2018.

Professionals with degrees in accounting are in greater demand than ever, as companies of all sizes face scrutiny from government agencies, stockholders, lenders and suppliers. The increased pressure, as well as increased competition in the global economy, creates a need for a higher level of education and knowledge of an ever changing environment along with the foresight to help companies adapt and change.