The best online master’s in accounting programs
Introduction to an online master’s in accounting
If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and want to take your career and studies further, a master’s degree (M.A.) is worth considering. This will help you gain access to better employment opportunities while boosting your knowledge of accounting principles and practices already studied during the B.A. degree.
To earn a M.A. in accounting usually takes 35-40 credit hours or 2 years. The courses in this graduate program dive deep into accounting processes and fields, helping students gain the know-how needed to advance their careers. Students are also able to choose a particular specialization, that can ultimately differentiate them from other candidates who compete for similar roles.
Earn your M.A. online
An online M.A. will qualify you to earn essential accounting certifications, with the flexibility to hold a full-time job and a significant saving in commuting time. Explore the best online master’s programs in accounting available from this list of highly regarded universities.
Best online master’s in accounting programs
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Walden University
Walden University minneapolis, MinnesotaRead moreWalden’s online master’s program in accounting prepares students with the methodical and monetary decision-making know-how needed to address some of today’s most difficult accounting challenges.
Program Name Online M.S. in Accounting Accreditation Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Location Minneapolis, Minnesota Program Length 30 credit hours Tuition $710 per credit hour Admission information
Applicants must:
Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher credentials
Complete an online application
Submit official transcripts
Graduation information
Earning this online M.S. in accounting degree ensures students are well prepared to start successful careers in auditing firms, financial operations, financial consulting, or to join a corporate finance department.
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Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IllinoisRead moreThis online M.A. program helps students get ready for both traditional and specialized accounting roles. Graduates may become certified public accountants (CPA) or start careers in financial analysis, auditing, or as forensic accountants.
Program Name Online Master of Accountancy Accreditation Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Location Carbondale, Illinois Program Length 23 month curriculum Tuition $460.40 per credit hour
Admission informationApplicants must:
Send an online application
Submit official transcripts
Pay a $65 nonrefundable application fee
Graduation information
After earning this degree, students can pursue successful careers in public practice, financial institutions, governmental agencies, or non-profit organizations.
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National University
National University La Jolla, CaliforniaRead moreThis master of accountancy program offers a solid academic foundation for students to qualify for a broad range of accounting careers, from public or corporate accounting, to internal auditing.
Program Name Master of Accountancy Accreditation Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Location La Jolla, California Program Length 63 credit hours Tuition $406 per credit hour
Admission informationApplicants must:
Complete an online application and an enrollment agreement
Hold a B.A. or a higher degree
Pay a $60 application fee.
Graduation information
Graduates will be able to use of the most modern information technologies to analyze financial data, write compelling reports, and conduct proficient accounting research.
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Auburn University
Auburn University Auburn, AlabamaRead moreFrom the comfort of their homes, students can earn a master of accountancy degree from the prestigious Harbert College of Business. The program offers numerous options for students that have already earned an undergraduate accounting degree, and for graduates in other disciplines.
Program Name Master of Accountancy Online Accreditation AACSB-accredited Location Auburn, Alabama Program Length 30-42 credit hours Tuition $900 per credit hour
Admission informationApplicants must:
Hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. educational institution
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Meet the business foundation prerequisites, with studies in macroeconomics, basics of financial accounting, statistics, and management
Graduation informationThis online program prepares graduates to successfully pass the CPA exam and strengthens their communication and research abilities.
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Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University Ashland, OregonRead moreThis online master of business administration with a focus on accounting offers students a broad range of skills for climbing the organizational ladder towards roles such as senior auditor, accounting consultant, financial analyst, or even CFO.
Program Name Master of Business with a Concentration in Accounting Accreditation ACBSP-accredited Location Ashland, Oregon Program Length 45 credit hours Tuition $430 per credit hour
Admission informationApplicants must:
Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Have 2.75 GPA
Submit transcripts from previous educational institutions
Graduation informationTo earn this online MBA degree, students should complete 13 courses, taking 12 credit hours of concentration courses and 33 credits corresponding to core courses.
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University of Maryland
University of Maryland Adelphi, MarylandRead moreThis online master’s program in accounting and financial management highlights executive-level procedures and develops decision-making skills that help students qualify for mid-leadership positions.
Program Name Accounting and Financial Management Master’s Degree Accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Location Adelphi, Maryland Program Length 36 credit hours Tuition $504 per credit for in-state students and $659 for non-residents
Admission informationApplicants must:
Finalize the online application
Complete 15 credit hours of undergraduate accounting courses
Submit official transcripts
Graduation informationBased on inputs from employers, scholars, and experts in the field, the curriculum mixes theories and real-world applications to develop the needed skills for various accounting roles.
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Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University University Park, PennsylvaniaRead moreStudents who choose this program can expand their knowledge in several fields such as commercial transactions, auditing, or consulting. This is also a unique opportunity to start preparing for the CPA exam.
Program Name Master of Professional Accounting Accreditation AACSB-accredited Location State College, Pennsylvania Program Length 30 credit hours Tuition $951 per credit
Admission informationApplicants must:
• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. educational institution
• Complete a minimum core coursework in accounting if their B.A. is in a different field
• Submit an electronical application and pay the nonrefundable fee.
Graduation informationTo graduate, students must complete 10 courses (3 credits each) focused on consulting, investigative accounting, litigation support, tax planning, and cost management.
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University of Alabama
University of Alabama Birmingham, AlabamaRead moreThis online master’s degree in accounting from the Collat School of Business can help expand analytical, financial, business, and managerial skills. Students who earn this degree go through a complex curriculum that helps hone their expertise and advance their careers.
Program Name Online Master’s Degree in Accounting Accreditation AACSB-accredited Location Birmingham, Alabama Program Length 30 credit hours Tuition $32,640, or $1,088 per credit hour
Admission informationApplicants must:
• Complete an online form
• Submit school transcripts
• Enroll in a bridge program if they have earned their B.A. in a different field than accounting
• Pay a $70 application fee.
Graduation informationTo graduate, students should complete 21 credit hours corresponding to the master of accounting core courses (business law, advanced auditing, corporate governance, taxation) and 9 credit hours of elective courses.
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University of Illinois
University of Illinois champaign-Urbana, IllinoisRead moreThe Gies College of Business offers a fully online master’s program in accounting. Students can earn an M.S. in accounting degree with the same rigor as an on-campus program but benefit from the flexibility of an online format.
Program Name Master of Science in Accounting Accreditation AACSB-accredited Location Champaign, Illinois Program Length 18-36 months Tuition $20,564 – $27,200 depending on the selected elective courses
Admission informationApplicants must:
• Submit an online application
• Provide degree certificates and transcripts
• Send a professional resume and a personal statement
• Provide 3 letters of recommendation
Graduation informationThis program meets all the academic prerequisites of the CPA exam.
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McCombs School of Business
McCombs School of Business Austin, TexasRead moreThis 1-year online program is available to students who hold a bachelor’s degree, regardless what they have previously studied. The core classes provide a solid knowledge base in accounting while preparing students to take the CPA exam.
Program Name Traditional Master in Professional Accounting Accreditation AACSB-accredited Location Austin, Texas Program Length 31 to 43 credit hours Tuition Texas residents would have to pay $26,113 for the 31-hour program and $40,302 for the 43-hour one.
Admission informationApplicants must:
• Complete an online application
• Submit 2 essays and 2 letters of recommendation
• Provide a professional resume and copy of official transcripts
• Pay the $200 nonrefundable application fee.
Graduation informationGraduates of this 1-year degree benefit from a lifelong return on investment for their studies. Most students receive excellent job offers even before graduation.
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Ohio University
Ohio University Athens, OhioRead moreThe online master of accountancy offered by the Ohio University enables students to succeed as financial professionals. Graduates gain the needed expertise to finalize complex analyses and leverage information to drive informed business decisions.
Program Name Online Master of Accountancy Accreditation AACSB-accredited Location
Athens, Ohio
Program Length 30 credit hours for students with a B.A. in accounting, 42 credit hours for applicants with a bachelor’s in business, and 45 credit hours for students without any background in accounting. Tuition $950 per credit for Ohio residents and $969 per credit for non-residents
Admission informationApplicants must:
• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution
• Complete the online graduate application
• Submit official transcripts, an up-to-date resume, a personal statement, and 2 letters of recommendation
• Pay a $50 application fee.
Graduation informationFrom forensic accountants and internal auditors to financial officers or tax consultants, the demand for knowledgeable professionals with graduate-level credentials in accounting is constantly increasing.
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University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, North CarolinaRead moreThis online master’s program enables students to face an immersive experience that will help build solid accounting know-how. The unique mix of educational rigor and real-world learning opens excellent recruitment and career pathways.
Program Name Online Master of Accountancy Accreditation AACSB-accredited Location Chapel Hill, North Carolina Program Length 36-48 credits, depending on previous accounting coursework Tuition $1446.36 per credit hour
Admission informationApplicants must:
• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Complete an online application
• Pay a non-refundable $150 application fee
Graduation informationTo graduate, students should pass all required core courses, including cost accounting, financial analysis, and applications for financial reporting.
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University of Colorado
University of Colorado Denver, ColoradoRead moreThis program allows students to join a top group of accounting professionals who can meet the growing needs of the contemporary business community. Besides preparing students to pass the CPA exam, these courses cover key accounting topics, such as auditing, federal taxation, or accounting ethics.
Program Name Online Master of Science in Accounting Accreditation AACSB-accredited Location Denver, Colorado Program Length 30 credit hours Tuition $626 per credit hour
Admission informationApplicants must:
• Fill all required information in the online application
• Provide transcripts and test scores
• Pay the $70 application fee
Graduation informationWith this online program students, have the opportunity to earn their M.S. in accounting degree in 24 months. The curriculum will grant them the body of knowledge and total confidence to pass the CPA exam and start a lasting and successful career.
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