Best Online Master’s in Accounting 2024

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.

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.

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:

Some accounting programs include concentrations like:

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.

You can apply to some accounting master’s degrees even if you don’t have an accounting background. Most schools maintain the following stipulations:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: