Best Online Master’s in Accounting 2024
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Accountants do much more than keep books and file reports. When federal prosecutors couldn’t make criminal charges stick against gangster Al Capone, they turned to an accountant, Frank J. Wilson, who finally apprehended Capone on tax evasion. Other accountants have tallied the ballots for the Academy Awards, and one early 20th-century accountant even invented bubble gum.
Today, accountants help law enforcement uncover financial crime, manage salaries for professional sports teams, and serve as chief financial officers (CFOs). An online master’s in accounting can help you qualify for advanced careers in this dynamic profession.
The American Institute of CPAs reports that the number of accounting degrees awarded in the U.S. has plunged in recent years. With growing opportunities and shrinking competition, accounting can be an ideal field for ambitious, data-oriented professionals.
Discover more about the accounting profession, including the top online accounting master’s degrees, in the guide below.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Accounting Master’s Programs
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled145,533
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Syracuse University
- Syracuse, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$55,920
- Out-of-state$55,920
- In-State$41,616
- Out-of-state$41,616
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate52%
- Students Enrolled22,717
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Texas Permian Basin
- Odessa, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,692
- Out-of-state$18,962
- In-State$4,948
- Out-of-state$8,194
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled5,684
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- AccreditationYes
Minnesota State University-Mankato
- Mankato, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,072
- Out-of-state$17,126
- In-State$8,506
- Out-of-state$8,506
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled14,576
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,361
- Out-of-state$41,361
- In-State$17,951
- Out-of-state$21,719
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled20,917
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Walsh College
- Troy, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$19,785
- Out-of-state$19,785
- In-State$16,401
- Out-of-state$16,401
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,492
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Georgia Southern University
- Statesboro, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,464
- Out-of-state$19,282
- In-State$6,636
- Out-of-state$26,518
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled25,522
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Boise State University
- Boise, ID
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,532
- Out-of-state$25,701
- In-State$7,236
- Out-of-state$24,573
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled26,099
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Lafayette, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,407
- Out-of-state$19,135
- In-State$5,511
- Out-of-state$19,239
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled15,124
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Kent State University at Kent
- Kent, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,471
- Out-of-state$21,578
- In-State$12,071
- Out-of-state$22,522
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled25,636
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
Why Get an Accounting Master’s Degree?
Qualify for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Licensure: All states require prospective CPAs to earn 150 semester credits of postsecondary education to qualify for licensure. Though some bachelor’s degrees cover all 150 necessary credits, other schools only offer 120-credit undergraduate programs. One way to earn the additional 30 required credits is pursuing a master’s in accounting, which can also prepare you for advanced roles in the field.- Advance in Your Career: An online master’s in accounting can lead to higher earning potential and a pathway to leadership roles. Graduate-level accounting programs can qualify you for jobs like external auditor, internal auditor, government accountant, tax accountant, information technology auditor, or CFO.
- Pursue Postsecondary Teaching: If you want to teach accounting at the community college or university level, you need a graduate degree in the field. A master’s in accounting can be your first step toward a career as an accounting professor or researcher, helping prepare you to pursue a Ph.D. or DBA in accounting.
What to Expect From an Accounting Master’s Degree
An online master’s in accounting can prepare you to pursue upper-level positions in accounting firms or corporate accounting offices. You may also seek licensure as a CPA or open your own private accounting practice.
This degree usually requires two years of full-time study and 30-36 credits. Most part-time students take 3-6 credits per semester, while full-time learners usually take 9-12. Courses cover accounting, auditing, ethics, business law, and taxation.
One crucial consideration as you research programs is accreditation status. All states require prospective CPAs to complete their 150 credits of postsecondary education at institutionally accredited schools. Though organizations like AACSB International offer programmatic accreditation for accounting degrees, this is an optional designation that does not impact eligibility for CPA licensure. Check the accreditation status of all prospective schools before applying.
Degree, Concentration, and Format Options
What and how you learn in an accounting degree depends on the school you attend. Universities offer a variety of degrees, concentrations, and formats. Degrees include:
- Master of Accountancy: An MAcc is a technical degree focused on hard skills.
- Master of Science in Accounting: An MS in accounting emphasizes accounting theory, law, and principles.
- MBA in Accounting: An MBA in accounting is a business degree focused on financial management.
Some accounting programs include concentrations like:
- Audit and Financial Reporting: Study how to prevent fraudulent financial reporting using analytical techniques.
- Forensic Accounting: Learn to examine financial documents to uncover crimes like fraud or embezzlement.
- Taxation: Explore the intricacies of individual, corporate, and international tax codes.
- Analytics: Discover how to use data analysis skills to identify risks, gain insight, and predict behaviors.
- Risk Management: Learn risk management skills and study risk transfer in financial and insurance markets.
Schools offer these degrees in various formats, including:
Online vs. In-Person vs. Hybrid: Programs can run 100% online, on campus, or through a mixture of virtual and in-person learning.
Asynchronous vs. Synchronous: Synchronous classes require you to be active online at specific times, while asynchronous classes allow you to work at your own pace.
Accelerated: Some schools offer one-year master’s or five-year combined bachelor’s-master’s programs.
Admissions Process
You can apply to some accounting master’s degrees even if you don’t have an accounting background. Most schools maintain the following stipulations:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Undergraduate coursework in accounting, including classes in financial, managerial, and cost accounting; auditing; and taxation
- Minimum GPA, usually 3.0 in the last 60 credits or for the overall degree
- GRE and/or GMAT (not always required)
- Application fee (not always required)
Other application materials typically include transcripts, letters of reference, and admission essays. Some schools offer one application window per year, while others offer multiple annual deadlines.
Popular Accounting Graduate Courses
Schools offer a variety of graduate courses in accounting, including core courses such as advanced cost accounting and accounting ethics. Some accounting degrees conclude with a final research project or thesis.
The courses below represent a selection of the classes you may find in accounting master’s programs.
Advanced Business Law for Accountants: This course explores the legal aspects of organizing a business, the rights and responsibilities of business owners, business management law, and legal liability for business owners. Students learn about topics like the American tort system, trade libel law, and civil damages.- Managerial Finance: Learners in this class explore corporate finance theory and how to use financial analysis to make profitable business decisions. Topics include estimating cash flows, performing sensitivity analysis, the time value of money, accounting for risk, and developing appropriate selection criteria.
- Accounting Ethics: This course introduces major ethical systems, their applications in accounting, and the accountants’ code of professional conduct. Students learn to apply ethical systems and decision-making models to accounting-specific problems.
- Tax Research and Jurisprudence: In this class, enrollees learn to use and evaluate tax research methods. Students also analyze statutory and judicial doctrines related to the conceptual frameworks of tax law. Upon completing the course, learners should be able to understand, analyze, and apply tax doctrines to data patterns.
How Much Do Accounting Master’s Programs Cost?
The NCES Data Lab reports the average tuition for online master’s degrees in business and management cost $10,995 in 2020. However, many factors determine the actual cost of tuition, including a school’s prestige and its public or private status. Other educational costs include fees, technology, books, and learning resources.
Generally, in-state public schools offer the lowest tuition rates. However, online programs may offer in-state or reduced tuition to distance learners, which can make them just as affordable as on-campus programs. Students who already work full-time accounting jobs may be eligible for employer tuition reimbursement.
Accounting Jobs and Salaries
An accounting degree can boost your career from an entry-level role to a management position or develop your expertise in niches like forensic or sports accounting.
Payscale reports the average salary for CPAs is $76,830 as of March 2024. Multiple factors can impact earning potential, including experience, education, and location. Expertise can also boost salaries: According to Payscale data, skills in project management, mergers and acquisitions, or valuation can increase CPA wages up to 53%.
We explore common careers below.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
CPAs hold state licensure in public accounting. In addition to maintaining and interpreting financial records, these professionals can conduct audits, prepare taxes, counsel clients on litigation, offer financial planning services, and consult with businesses about financial and taxation-related issues. CPAs need at least 150 semester credits of college-level education to qualify for licensure.
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or bachelor’s degree and graduate certificate
- Average Annual Salary (March 2024): $76,830
Source: Payscale
Corporate Controller
Corporate controllers oversee organizations’ accounting and financial functions. They manage billing, accounts receivable and payable, budgeting, and payroll processing. Their responsibilities include creating financial reports and forecasts or filing reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In smaller companies, they may also assume CFO duties.
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Average Annual Salary (March 2024): $113,010
Source: Payscale
Senior Financial Analyst
Senior financial analysts evaluate risks and analyze accounting solutions to solve complex financial problems. These workers may manage teams of analysts, review reports, compile data, and organize risks and rewards. Senior financial analysts need an academic background in management-level accounting, financial analysis, and management-level cost analysis.
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Average Annual Salary (March 2024): $87,380
Source: Payscale
Senior Auditor
A senior auditor helps companies ensure compliance with financial laws and regulations. These professionals verify financial statements’ accuracy. As senior leaders, they may manage a team of other auditors in a corporation, government agency, or auditing firm.
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Average Annual Salary (March 2024): $75,960
Source: Payscale
Selecting the Right Graduate Program
When considering your top schools, look at their admission requirements and cost. Once you verify that you qualify for the program and the school fits your budget, consider factors like:
- Accreditation: You should only select a school that holds institutional accreditation from an accrediting agency like the Higher Learning Commission or the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
- Location: While you can pursue online degrees from anywhere in the U.S., in-person programs may offer more opportunities for peer and faculty interactions or partnerships with local businesses.
- Available Concentrations: Does your prospective university offer an accounting concentration that aligns with your career goals?
- Internship Opportunities: What internship or practicum requirements does the degree require? Can you meet those requirements in your current workplace? Do you need to complete these program components near the university even if courses run online?
- Future Educational Options: Does your prospective school offer joint degrees in fields like law or business? Can you pursue a Ph.D. or DBA? Is future education necessary for your personal goals?
Common Questions About an Online Master’s in Accounting
A master’s degree in accounting can prepare you to pursue a career like corporate controller, senior accountant, or senior financial analyst. These jobs all pay higher-than-average wages, which means the degree can offer a positive return on investment. In addition, you can use your master’s degree to help qualify for CPA certification.
A master’s in accounting is an academic degree, while a CPA is a professional license that a state agency confers. Although a master’s degree is not required for you to become a CPA, it can help you meet your state’s academic requirements for the role.
A master’s in accounting takes about two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. The program typically requires rigorous math, business, law, and ethics courses. Depending on your interests and academic proficiencies, these classes can be challenging.
If you want to earn multiple graduate degrees, programs like an MBA, an MS in finance, or an MS in supply chain management can pair well with a master’s in accounting. You can also pursue a dual JD/MAcc program if you aspire to work as a tax lawyer.
