Online Accounting Masters Degree Programs

An online accounting masters degree is a concentration in the masters degree in business administration. Related accountancy areas include the online accounting masters degree programs.

The accounting masters degree is geared at graduate students with an interest in business accounting administration, financial accounting, financial management, taxation, forensic accounting and other related areas of accounting and financial practice. Earning the online accounting degree at the masters level as well as completing the requirements and passing the CPA exam greatly increases candidates’ employability. Changes in the corporate landscape have made management-level accounting careers indispensable and profitable, hence making online masters in accounting more important. Earning an MBA in accounting is a great way to prepare yourself for a career in a variety of finance and accounting related fields. The field of accounting is one area where employability remains high, especially in areas such as tax accounting, forensic accounting, auditing, and financial accounting.

Selected Online Accounting Masters Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• MBA - Accounting
• MS in Accountancy

Capella University - Online

• MBA - Accounting

Strayer University

• MBA - Accounting
• MS -Accounting - Accounting Information Systems
• MS - Accounting - Controllership
• MS - Accounting -CPA Preparation
• MS - Accounting -Taxation

American InterContinental University Online

• MBA - Accounting and Finance

• MS in Accounting

• Master of Business Administration - Accounting

Keiser University – Online

• MBA - Accounting

• MBA in Accounting

• MBA with Emphasis in Accounting

• Master of Business Administration (Finance and Accounting)

South University - Campus and South University Online

• MBA in Accounting

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Online Accounting MBA Education and Courses

An online MBA in accounting helps graduates in developing relevant skills in analysis and application of accounting data, accounting information systems, auditing, taxation, and other areas that may be general to the accounting field or specific to an industry. Some companies pay for online MBA learning programs for their employees in order for them to advance into senior accounting positions.

You can complete you accounting masters degree in ten to 24 months depending on whether you are a part time or full time student. Accounting masters programs encourage or require students to work on practical and authentic class projects that are relevant to their current or future career goals. While online MBA accounting courses are tailored according to individual programs some accounting classes that you may be required to take include:

• Taxation
• Tax law
• Financial assessment and reporting
• Risk management, planning, and implementation
• Accounting Fraud Examination
• Cost Accounting
• Budgeting
• Accounting Information Systems
• Forensic Accounting
• Auditing

Other classes are auditing, business information systems, accounting research methods, accounting principles and theory, financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, budget control, tax accounting, legal aspects of accounting, statement analysis, planning and consulting, professional standards and ethics, and applications to specific for-profit, public, and non-profit organizations. In addition accounting MBA students may be prepared to pursue certified public accountant (CPA), certified management accountant (CMA), and chartered financial analyst (CFA) certification during their program of study.

A common question is the difference between a master of science in accounting vs mba in accounting. A Masters in Accounting gets into the depth and breadth of accounting theory. MBA degrees are a good consideration for those who are looking to broaden their knowledge of general business theory, while adding a focus to a specific area in business. Many MBA required around 45 total credits, with 12 to 15 credit hours in the selected concentration while most Masters in Accounting programs require 30 to 45 total credits, with 12 to 15 credits in the concentration.

Accounting Careers

Careers with a online accounting masters degree vary but generally fall under the following four major fields of accounting and auditing: Internal auditing, public accounting, management accounting, and government accounting. You can work in financial management, corporate accounting, public accounting, forensic accounting, or a tax accounting to mention a few areas. Forensic accounting for fraud detection is a growing specialization. In many cases having credentials as a CPA, CFA, or CMA is a requirement for certain accounting positions and responsibilities. Common titles include:

• Financial Manager or Financial Analyst
• Corporate Controller
• Treasurers
• Cash Manager
• Management Consultant
• Credit Manager
• Accounting Manager
• Forensic Accounting Manager

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual income for accountants and auditors was $59,430 in 2008. The middle 550% earned between $45,900 and $78,210. The lowest 10% earned below $36,720, and the top 10% earned over $102,380. With an online accounting masters degree the prospects for finding a position in the field are likely going to be better. Growth in the accounting field for accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 22% between 2008 and 2018 according to the BLS.