If you wish to take your accounting career and knowledge to the next level, a Master’s degree in Accounting is the natural next step.
Once you complete your undergraduate studies, you may wish to move on to your professional life and wonder how you will have time for more school. That’s a great question!
However, the best Master’s in Accounting online gives you the flexibility to continue your professional life while adding crucial training and skills to your existing knowledge. An online Master’s in Accounting may be what you are looking for to help you advance your career.
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Last updated: October 8, 2024
Methodology
The 10 Best Master’s in Accounting Online programs were determined using data related to:
- Offers a comprehensive learning program in the field of Accounting,
- Provides a reasonable cost of tuition for a Master’s in Accounting degree level program,
- Student and employer perception of the program,
- Displays customary retention and graduation rates in its Accounting program,
- Offers diverse systems for online delivery of materials,
- Independent rankings of online graduate accounting and business programs,
- Employment data at the time of graduation and in the year following graduation,
- Provides proper accreditation pursuant to the needs of a Master of Accounting program to achieve CPA status.
For each category, every school was given a z-score representing its performance compared to the average measured in standard deviations. In cases where certain data were unavailable, the school was given a category score equal to its most similar school’s score minus one-half of one standard deviation.
For more information on our ranking process, see our Methodology page.
If you want to take your accounting career to another level, check out College Rank’s best Master’s degrees in Accounting online.
Please Note: Tuition is accurate at the time of writing and is subject to change. Additional fees may apply. In-state tuition is used when applicable.
The Best Online Masters in Accounting Programs
University of Alabama-Birmingham
The University of Alabama-Birmingham offers the top online Accounting Master’s program. This program is hosted by the UAB Collat School of Business. The Collat School of Business holds a separate accreditation issued by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or the AACSB.
This online master’s in accounting is flexible, making it possible to move your career forward while working. The program provides a comprehensive curriculum taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in the field.
UAB’s strong reputation in accounting education ensures graduates receive a quality education that prepares them for successful careers in accounting.
Auburn University
Auburn University offers the Master of Accountancy or MAcc program to students who wish to add additional technical skills, research, and communication skills to their existing knowledge. This program also prepares students to pass the Uniform CPA examination. Many graduates of this program pass their Uniform CPA exam on their first try.
An exciting bonus of the Master of Accountancy program at Auburn University is that students are offered the option to study abroad as a required class for graduation.
This online MSA program includes a professional, non-thesis degree option, which requires 30 semester hours and a four-and-a-half day required on-campus residency to complete.
University of Texas – Dallas
The University of Texas offers a 36-credit hour Master of Science in Accounting or MS Accounting degree. For most students, this will take from 18-24 months to complete. The program is hosted by the Naveen Jindal School of Management.
For the convenience of students, this flexible program is offered both on campus and online to accommodate students who have already entered their professional careers.
Here, students can develop the skills needed to provide essential services identified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as crucial to the accounting profession.
Gardner-Webb University
Gardner-Webb University offers a great deal of flexibility with its online Master of Accountancy degree. This program provides a great opportunity for several career-specific degree tracks. Among these degree tracks are:
- General
- Tax
- Forensic Accounting
- Financial Accounting
These programs prepare students for their professional licensure.
Gardner-Webb offers this course online in order to accommodate students who have already begun their professional lives but wish to add additional skills to their existing skills. Online accessibility makes this possible, with the same high-quality education that a student would receive in the classroom.
Penn State World Campus
The Master’s in Accounting program at Pennsylvania State University provides the 150 credit hours of education required to obtain a license as a certified public accountant. The Smeal College of Business offers two options to meet the educational requirements.
Becoming a certified CPA opens many doors to many career opportunities. Penn State offers its master’s in accounting online in order to make the next step in a student’s preparation for their career as easy as possible.
When students combine graduate-level coursework with a CPA certification, career opportunities increase substantially in the financial field.
Bentley University
Bentley was founded as a school of accounting and finance, and today, it continues its rich history of excellence in financial training. As well as learning practical financial theory, graduates of this program develop the critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills required in the global business landscape.
Bentley University’s online Master’s in Accounting includes five concentrations:
- Assurance
- Advisory
- Corporate Financial Reporting
- Analytics
- Information Systems
Southern New Hampshire University
Potential students can expand their career options by obtaining a master’s degree in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. This MSA program is entirely available online or on campus at regional campuses.
The concentrated accounting graduate degree will prepare students to become:
- Certified Public Accountants
- Corporate Accountants
- Auditors
- Financial Analyst
Liberty University
Liberty University strives to impart to its accounting students the importance of upholding high ethics in the financial sector.
High ethical standards create great businesses, and it is the objective of the Master’s in Accounting program to graduate students who can contribute these high standards to companies looking for public accountants.
Flexible schedules can help students complete their master’s studies in two years or less.
Brenau University
The Public Accounting concentration from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, is designed to assist students in preparing to take their CPA exam. Some of the employment opportunities include:
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Forensic Accounting
- Financial Accounting
- Personal Client Consulting
Regis University
Regis University offers graduate studies in accounting to help students who have already completed their undergraduate work in accounting. Regis University’s program will prepare students for their CPA examination.
This best online MSA program is flexible. Each course lasts eight weeks, and there are six start dates throughout the year. Most students complete this master’s degree in 12-24 months.
It is important to note that different states will require different CPA examination requirements. Be sure to check your state’s regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can get a master’s degree in accounting online. Many universities offer online programs that allow students to study accounting from the comfort of their own homes.
An MS in accounting can be worth it for those seeking advanced knowledge and credentials in the field. It can lead to higher earning potential and open up opportunities for career advancement in accounting and related professions.
With an MS in accounting, you can earn a competitive salary, typically ranging from $50,440 to $137,280 annually, depending on factors like location, experience, and industry. Advanced degrees like an MS can help you qualify for higher-paying positions such as financial analyst, auditor, or management accountant.
A master’s in accounting can be challenging due to its focus on advanced financial concepts and rigorous coursework. However, with dedication and strong study habits, students can succeed and prepare for rewarding careers in accounting and finance.
The best master’s degree for an accountant is typically a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) or a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). These programs offer advanced coursework in accounting principles, taxation, auditing, and financial analysis, providing students with specialized knowledge and skills highly valued in the accounting profession.
Additionally, earning a professional certification like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation can further enhance career prospects and earning potential.
A master’s degree in accounting typically takes around 1 to 2 years to complete, depending on the program’s structure and whether a student attends full-time or part-time. Some accelerated programs may allow students to earn their master’s degree in as little as one year, while part-time programs may take longer.