Masters Degree in Accounting

Sample List of Course Topics for Graduate Accounting Degrees

Nov 9, 2009 Lena Gott

Want a masters degree in accounting? Get a graduate accounting degree in auditing, tax, information systems. Learn about undergraduate accounting classes.

In this article, learn what kinds of accounting classes to expect in an advanced course of study on the path to receiving a masters degree in accounting.

Masters Degree in Accounting

Students who wish to pursue a masters degree in accounting will most likely become specialized in a specific accounting discipline like taxation, information systems, or auditing. Depending on the college, a Master’s degree in accounting should take between one and two years to complete if classes are taken full time.

Graduate Degree in Accounting – Masters Prerequisites & Courses of Study

Students with an undergraduate degree in accounting should be able to finish a Masters degree program in the same discipline faster than a student without a background in accounting coursework. Students who have never taken accounting classes may be allowed to pursue a graduate accounting degree pending certain prerequisite classes.

Graduate accounting students enrolled in programs with specialties, like the Department of Accounting and Information Systems at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, can expect to choose one advanced accounting discipline in which to specialize. Students with access to a specialized program may be able to choose among assurance, audit, financial services, information systems, or tax specialties. Other universities may prescribe a single course of study for all masters of accounting students.

Graduate Accounting Degree – Sample List of Course Topics

Below is a sample list of course topics that may be required for a graduate accounting degree:

Accounting for mergers & acquisitions
Advanced corporate tax
Advanced financial reporting
Auditing theory
Business taxation
Commercial law
Contracts and business law
Corporate capital investment
Corporate restructuring
Database management systems
Equity markets
Financial system analysis
Governmental and nonprofit accounting
Individual income tax
Information systems auditing
Strategic cost management
Tax research

Bachelor Degree in Accounting – Undergraduate Accounting Classes

Before a student can begin a course of study toward a masters degree, he or she must successfully complete an undergraduate degree (unless the student is enrolled in a special program that allows graduate course credits to be earned at the same time as undergraduate courses).

Although a bachelor degree in accounting isn’t a prerequisite, or even desired, by most masters of accounting programs, many students opt to precede a masters with an undergraduate course of study in accounting as well. Undergraduate college accounting courses run the gamut from introductory Principles of Financial Accounting to Advance Income Tax Planning. Learn more about undergraduate accounting programs in the article Accounting Classes – College Courses.

Get Professional Designations (CPA, CMA, CIA) with a Degree in Accounting

After a rigorous course of study in accounting, students may be eligible to test for certain professional designations. The most commonly known is the CPA designation, or Certified Public Accountant. Two other exam options include the Certified Internal Auditing (CIA) exam and Certificate in Management Accounting (CMA) exam.

Whether or not an accounting graduate decides to pursue a professional designation, he or she will enjoy the flexibility of choosing among many types of jobs, from public accounting to public service positions.

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Resources:

University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School

Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business Department of Accounting and Information Systems

The copyright of the article Masters Degree in Accounting in Colleges is owned by Lena Gott. Permission to republish Masters Degree in Accounting in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

See List of Courses – Masters Degree in Accounting	Take Undergraduate Accounting Courses	Course of Study – Bachelor Degree in Accounting
Professional Designations – CPA, CMA, CIA	Get Graduate Degree in Accounting – Online Campus?