Best Online MBA in Accounting Programs 2024
Are you ready to discover your college program?
An online MBA in accounting can prepare you to pursue an accounting leadership role or a doctorate in business. While an MAcc or MS in accounting can equip you for licensure as a certified public accountant (CPA), an MBA positions you to apply for broader corporate leadership positions.
An MBA degree focuses on organizational leadership, strategic decision-making, and solving complex business problems. Adding an accounting concentration can equip you for a leading role in accounting, and studying online makes earning your degree simpler than ever.
Earning an online MBA in accounting is particularly valuable right now. In a 2023 trends report of over 200 firms, the Association of Certified Professional Accountants reported that 91% of responding firms plan to maintain or increase hires of accounting graduates. An online MBA will provide not only accounting skills but ample business leadership skills as well.
Explore more about this degree and how to advance your accounting career with an MBA using 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 MBA in Accounting Degrees
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
Baker College
- Owosso, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,180
- Out-of-state$12,180
- In-State$12,510
- Out-of-state$12,510
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled4,969
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment72%
- AccreditationYes
Mississippi College
- Clinton, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- In-State$12,060
- Out-of-state$12,060
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled4,250
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- 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
Keiser University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$20,800
- Out-of-state$20,800
- In-State$29,632
- Out-of-state$29,632
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled18,800
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Why Get an Online MBA in Accounting?
An online MBA in accounting opens doors to new opportunities, increased earning potential, and a competitive edge in the job market. Another advantage is the versatility it offers. With an online program, you can continue working while earning your degree, allowing you to apply new skills and knowledge immediately.
Lead Accounting Teams: A graduate degree in accounting can equip you for a role as a senior accountant, managing accountant, chief accounting officer, or chief financial officer. You can also work as a consultant or management analyst with an MBA.- Qualify for the CPA Exam: All 50 states require you to have 150 credits to qualify for licensure as a CPA. An MBA can contribute 30 or more credits on top of a 120-credit bachelor’s degree. However, check that your MBA’s curriculum provides the right mix of credits for your state’s requirements.
- Improve Income and Career Options: In June 2024, Payscale reported that the average person with a BS in accounting earned $79,000 per year, while people with an MBA in accounting earned $81,000. You can also pursue a career in corporate leadership or a doctorate in business.
MBA in Accounting vs. Master’s in Accounting
An MBA in accounting is a business leadership degree with a concentration in accounting. In contrast, an MAcc or an MS in accounting is a graduate-level program in accounting practice. The former degree helps prepare graduates for general business leadership roles, and the latter mainly develops senior or managing accountants.
If you are interested in acquiring both accounting and leadership skills and knowledge, you may pursue a joint MBA-MAcc at some schools.
| Key Factor | MBA in Accounting | Master’s in Accounting |
|---|---|---|
| Breadth of Skills | Focuses on broad business skills with extensive accounting coursework | Emphasizes the theory and practice of accounting, auditing, and taxation |
| Time to Graduation | Generally, a two-year degree; however, accelerated programs may take just one year | Generally, a two-year degree |
| Preparation for CPA | Not usually designed to help graduates meet the qualifications for licensure as a CPA | Typically includes many of the academic requirements for CPA licensure in the university’s state |
| Degree Recognition | Credible and marketable around the world | Accounting principles, practices, and regulations may vary from country to country |
| Admission Requirements | May require experience in business leadership | May require prerequisite coursework in accounting |
What to Expect From an Online MBA in Accounting
MBA programs train graduate students in business analytics, strategic decision-making, and organizational leadership. In an accounting concentration, MBA students also study advanced financial reporting, public accounting, and auditing. Successful online MBA students bring initiative, organization, and discipline to their degrees.
During an online MBA in accounting, degree-seekers complete coursework, group projects, exams, and assignments. MBA courses emphasize practical skills with immediate applications in the workforce.
Many programs offer electives to further specialize the degree. MBA students often complete internships to strengthen their real-world skills, as well.
Earning an online MBA degree usually takes two years, but some programs offer one-year or part-time MBAs. Students can attend synchronous or asynchronous courses. Before enrolling, research the offerings of potential degree programs and find which ones will help increase the chances of success.
Admissions Process
Each university determines its own admission requirements for an MBA in accounting. However, most schools require at least the following background:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
- A minimum GPA of 3.0, either cumulative or in the last 60 credits
- GMAT or GRE scores (may be waived at many schools)
- 1-10 years of professional experience
- A business major or significant academic background in business or accounting, including coursework in ethics, finance, management, economics, and statistics
Schools that do not require prerequisites or test scores may still consider them as part of your overall application package.
Popular Master of Business Administration Courses
While every school’s business curriculum is different, an online MBA in accounting generally consists of core business courses, an accounting concentration, electives, and perhaps a final project or capstone. The classes listed below represent a few of the most common courses found in MBA in accounting programs.
Advanced Cost Accounting: Students learn to analyze and manage costs as public or private accountants or business leaders. Topics include planning, decision-making, process costing, cost allocation, and evaluating and managing performance with a focus on strategic leadership at the executive level. Students need a background in basic accounting.- Accounting for Decision Making: Students engage in an in-depth study of cost management with a strategic cost emphasis. Learners also consider contemporary management techniques, including preparing critical financial statements, the steps in the accounting cycle, and how accounting intersects with real-world economics. Topics include equity, assets, and cash flow statements.
- Managerial Finance: Students use financial analysis to explore the theory and practice of financial decision-making. The course begins with an overview of financial analysis and moves on to financial decisions, capital investment decisions, financial management, and managing for value creation.
- Financial Reporting: This course covers foundational financial accounting theories and practices. Students explore generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) standards and compliance. Topics include analyzing financial accounts and statements focusing on strategic business decisions. Students should have a background knowledge in financial reporting.
How Much Do Accounting MBA Programs Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics DataLab, the average cost of an online master’s degree in business is $11,171 a year. However, this average encompasses tuition, and prices may vary significantly. Programs can cost as little as $10,000 or as much as $100,000, depending on various factors.
Online degrees typically cost less than traditional or executive programs, and in-state schools often charge less than private colleges. However, tuition alone is not an indicator of the actual cost.
You may also need to pay application fees, book costs, technology fees, and transportation for in-person courses. Financial aid packages can also dramatically affect how much you owe.
You may receive grants, employer reimbursements, grants, fellowships, and student loans, which can all help offset the cost of your MBA. Veterans and active-duty military members can also receive financial support for business school.
MBA Jobs and Salaries
According to Payscale, professionals with an MBA in accounting earn an average of $81,000 per year. The most experienced accounting MBAs claimed an average of almost 30% more, and top earners reached nearly $250,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that accounting and MBA professionals will be in demand over the next decade.
Popular jobs for these graduates included chief executive positions, corporate controller roles, and senior accountant careers. Other MBA graduates are more likely to pursue careers in human resources, operations management, or project management.
Top Executives
Top executives provide leadership to the entire organization. An MBA in accounting may effectively prepare you to serve as a chief financial officer (CFO) or chief accounting officer (CAO). CFOs oversee a company’s entire financial organization, while CAOs govern the day-to-day activities of an accounting office.
- Job Outlook (2022-2032): +3%
- Median Annual Salary (2023): $103,840
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Compensation and benefits managers run employee pay and benefits programs. They set pay and benefits, modify plans, and manage vendors. They ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Job Outlook (2022-2032): +2%
- Median Annual Salary (2023): $136,380
Accountants or Auditors
Accountants prepare and publish financial records, and auditors evaluate those records for opportunities, risks, and oversights. Public accountants may work for individuals, companies, nonprofits, or government agencies. Auditors may be employed in finance departments or at risk management companies. A master’s degree can help an accountant become certified as a CPA.
- Job Outlook (2022-2032): +4%
- Median Annual Salary (2023): $79,880
Management Analysts
Working in almost every industry, management analysts help companies maximize profits and minimize losses by improving organizational efficiency. These professionals analyze financial data, observe current practices, recommend new systems, and evaluate the effects of change. Senior analysts may solve particularly complex problems or lead teams of junior analysts.
- Job Outlook (2022-2032): +10%
- Median Annual Salary (2023): $99,410
Selecting the Right Online MBA in Accounting
The right online MBA in accounting will offer you a strong return on your investment. You’ll want to consider obvious factors like cost and location, but you should also think about the following program characteristics.
- Accreditation: You should only consider institutionally accredited schools with approval from an association such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Programmatic accreditation with an agency like the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs is not strictly necessary but may indicate a university’s commitment to business education.
- Admission Requirements: Do you meet your prospective school’s admission requirements? If you need additional coursework, does the school offer a certificate or bridge program?
- Internship and Research Opportunities: An internship can introduce you to a valuable professional network as you grow your accounting skills. Research opportunities can also contribute to your resume and prepare you for a Ph.D. program.
Common Questions Online MBA in Accounting Degrees
What can you do with an MBA in accounting?
An MBA in accounting can prepare you to pursue a career as a CPA, a chief financial officer, or a partner in an accounting firm. The degree could also prepare you for a leadership role at a Big Five accounting agency.
What’s the difference between an accounting master’s and an accounting MBA?
As a business leadership degree, an accounting MBA focuses on executive leadership with an emphasis on accounting. The MAcc or MS in accounting is a technical degree emphasizing accounting theories and practices.
Does an MBA in accounting help with becoming a CPA?
An MBA does not automatically qualify you to become a CPA, but it can help you meet the academic requirements. Every state requires 150 credits to take the Uniform CPA Exam or the equivalent of a 120-credit bachelor’s degree plus a 30-credit MBA.
Is an MBA in accounting worth it?
An MBA in accounting can help you become a CPA, assume a leadership role, or lay the foundation for a Ph.D. or DBA in accounting. Payscale reports that people with an MBA in accounting earn an average of $81,000 a year.
