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. 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.
Methodology
The 20 Best Masters in Accounting Online programs were determined using data related to:
- Cost (30%)
- Student and employer perception of the program (15%)
- Retention and graduation rates (10%)
- Systems for online delivery of materials (10%)
- Independent rankings of online graduate accounting and business programs (10%)
- Employment data at the time of graduation and in the year following graduation (25%)
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.
If you’re interested in taking your accounting career to another level, check out College Rank’s 20 best Master’s degrees in Accounting online.
Related Resource: 35 Top Bachelor’s in Accounting Degrees
The 20 Best Online Masters in Accounting Programs
20. Bellevue University
The Master of Science in Accounting program hosted by Bellevue University is a concise and convenient program. As a grad student, you will develop skills such as:
- Advanced Cost Accounting
- Auditing
- Internal Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
This Master’s in Accounting produces dynamic senior-level accounts or powerful, independent entrepreneurs.
Bellevue also offers the option to specialize in finance or a tax concentration. Graduates of this program can provide crucial insight into the finances of any organization they work with.
You can learn more about the Bellevue University online Master’s in Accounting degree programs here.
19. Colorado State University Global Campus
The online Master’s of Professional Accounting from CSU-Global helps prepare graduates for more than simply balancing budgets. Students will be prepared to help entire organizations run efficiently and even sustainably from a fiscal standpoint.
Future employers recruit CSU-global graduates because of their ability to stay on top of financial laws and regulations, as well as reduce costs and improve profits for their business. This best Master’s in Accounting online will prepare students to become CPAs and, at the same time, to become effective leaders in corporations and government agencies.
Learn more about the Colorado State University Global Campus’s best online Master’s in Accounting degree here.
18. UMass Global
The Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from (previously) Brandman University (now UMass Global) gives graduate students the tools they need to deal with contemporary, as well as international issues in finance and strategic cost management.
The MBA/accounting program can be entirely completed online, on campus, or a combination of both. Learning outcomes include:
- Business Functions/Processes
- Strategic Planning
- Sustainability/Ethics
- Leadership Innovation
- Research
Check out more about UMass Global’s best online Master’s in Accounting here.
17. University of South Dakota
The Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota has a long-standing history of excellence in business training since its founding in 1927. Its online graduate business programs are highly sought after. Specifically, the Master of Professional Accountancy has been created to provide special training for students wishing to prepare for a career as a public accountant.
This program will prepare those graduate students who meet the 150-hour requirements to sit for their Certified Public Accountant Exam. This program is offered online, but because requirements for CPA exams vary by state, students should check the requirements for their state.
You can learn more about the University of South Dakota’s online master’s in accounting programs here.
16. American Public University
The highly accessible online Master of Science in Accounting degree from American Public University offers students a concise degree in accounting, emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Students will also master critical research skills to help them address complex accounting issues. This program will extend the knowledge gained in undergraduate accounting programs so that students can move on to successful careers in the financial sector after completing their CPA exams.
You can learn more about the American Public University’s online Masters in Accounting here.
15. Texas A&M University
The Master of Science program in Accounting from Texas A&M’s Mays Business School is created for students who wish to focus on accounting at the graduate level. This online program is perfect for those who aim for a career in Public Accounting for industries or government.
You can choose one of two tracks:
- Assurance Services/Information Management
- Tax Consulting/Financial Planning
Check out more about the Texas A&M University online Master’s in Accounting degree program here.
14. Georgia Southern
The Georgia Southern WebMAcc gives students an opportunity to continue a master’s degree while continuing their regular personal and work lives. This two-year program is created with the working professional in mind.
The classes are taught by the same faculty who teach the traditional in-person MSA program. Our AACSB-accredited School of Accountancy is a distinction that only 10% of accounting programs can boast.
You can learn more about Georgia Southern’s best online Accounting Master’s degree here.
13. Benedictine University
New financial laws have created an economic landscape that requires businesses to obtain a closely monitored watch on their accounting. These new changes are opening doors for greater career opportunities for those with an interest in accounting.
The Benedictine University’s online MBA accounting concentration will help students prepare for these great career opportunities. Graduate students can complete this best online Master’s in Accounting in 1-2 years.
You can learn more about Benedictine University’s online MSA programs here.
12. Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) offers an online Master of Accounting (MAcc) program that is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the accounting industry. The program is flexible and can be completed entirely online.
The MAcc program at WGU covers a range of topics related to accounting, including:
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
- Accounting Information Systems
The program also emphasizes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as effective communication and leadership abilities.
The WGU MAcc program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. However, students without an accounting background can still be admitted to the program by completing prerequisite courses.
One unique aspect of the WGU MAcc program is its competency-based approach to education. Rather than relying solely on traditional coursework, the program assesses students based on their mastery of specific skills and knowledge areas. Students can move through the program at their own pace, taking assessments whenever they feel ready.
Overall, the WGU MAcc program is a good option for students who are looking for a flexible, competency-based approach to earning a master’s degree in accounting. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), ensuring that students receive a high-quality education that meets industry standards.
You can learn more about WGU’s online Accounting Master’s here.
11. 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.
You can learn more about Regis University’s online Master’s in Accounting here.
10. 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
You can learn more about Brenau University’s online MSA program here.
9. 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.
You can learn more about Liberty University’s online MSA programs here.
8. California State University
The AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Accountancy provides a high-caliber accounting program that prepares students for entry into the accounting profession by preparing them for their CPA examination.
This program provides 36 accounting education units required to sit for the CPA exam. This program will also include both the accounting and ethics study required for the new 150-hour educational requirements for a CPA licensure in California.
Learn more about California State University’s best online Master’s in Accounting degree here.
7. 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
You can learn more about Southern New Hampshire University’s best online Master’s in Accounting here.
6. 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
You can learn more about Bentley University’s online Master’s in Accounting here.
5. Pennsylvania State University
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. Pennsylvania 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.
You can learn more about Pennsylvania State University’s best online Master’s programs here.
4. 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.
You can learn more about Gardner-Webb University’s Master’s in Accounting online here.
3. 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 in order to provide essential services identified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as crucial to the accounting profession.
Check out more about the University of Texas’s online Master’s in Accounting here.
2. 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 half day required on-campus residency to complete.
You can learn more about the Auburn University online Masters in Accounting degree programs here.
1. University of Alabama-Birmingham
The University of Alabama-Birmingham offers two different types of online Accounting Master’s programs:
- The general Master of Accounting or Mac
- A concentration in Internal Auditing
Both programs are 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.
The Fast Track Master of Accounting program is offered to undergraduate students who show a high level of achievement while pursuing their BS degree in Accounting at UAB. Many students also opt to take courses that help prepare them for the CPA or other professional accounting certifications.
You can learn more about The University of Alabama-Birmingham Online Masters In Accounting Degree Programs here.