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9 Best Online Master’s of Accounting Graduate Schools

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Updated: March 13, 2024, Reading time: 16 minutes

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Graduates with an online Master’s of Accounting can pursue profitable career opportunities in a diverse range of sectors, including:

Accountants can also start their own accounting firms and serve different clients from a variety of companies. Most companies and employers often hire CPAs for management and leadership positions.

online master's of accounting

Overview:
The one certainty (and common denominator) within any business venture is the need for qualified accounting personnel. At the master’s degree level, one can expect top pay and career advancement in a leadership capacity. Accounting online programs are a dime a dozen, so we’ve done the legwork for you. See our top choices for online accounting master’s programs.

Quick audio summary:

Grad School Center is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Expected Earnings

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an accountant’s latest median salary was $78,000 per year. Depending on their industry, accountants can earn as low as $48,560 or as high as $132,690 annually.

The highest-paying industry for these professionals is the finance and insurance sectors, followed by management enterprises and companies.

online master's of accounting

Become a CPA…

Because an undergraduate program only fulfills 120 credits, many students enroll in an online Master’s of Accounting program to achieve the required number of credits to qualify to sit for licensure exams, such as the Certificate Public Accountant examination. The majority of states require accountants to accomplish a minimum of 150 post-secondary credits and pass the CPA examination. 

In this guide, we highlight all the essential information you need to know regarding the trends in accounting and its latest developments. To help you get started, we also list the ten best online master’s of accounting graduate schools for pursuing your post-baccalaureate studies in accounting.

METHODOLOGY

More and more schools have already included an online Master’s of Accounting degree as part of their program listings. It is challenging to find the Accounting graduate school that best suits your needs, so we did the work for you!

The graduate schools on this list were indexed based on their capacity to provide online Master’s in Accounting students with experiential learning opportunities in the field for professional enrichment or career advancement:

9 Best Online Master’s of Accounting Graduate Schools

DePaul University

online master's of accounting

Online Master of Science in Accountancy

Founded by the Congregation of the Mission religious society in 1898, DePaul University is the country’s biggest Catholic university. It consists of ten schools and colleges, including the Driehaus College of Business & Kellstadt Graduate School of Business which offers DePaul’s Online Master of Science in Accountancy.

Standout Features:

DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business is one of the first business schools in the U.S., delivering a continued legacy of business excellence until now. Considered the oldest business school in the country, DePaul University is a frontrunner in delivering top-quality accountancy-related programs.

The university remains a consistent listing in the U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review as one of the country’s best schools.

online master's of accounting

George Mason University

online master's of accounting

Online Master of Science in Accounting

George Mason University is a Virginia-based public research university home to more than 40,000 students across eight areas of the discipline. Mason Online is the university’s online learning equivalent, allowing distance learners to complete their programs regardless if they’re in the U.S. or outside the country.

Standout Features:

George Mason University was named one of America’s top research universities by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

The online MSA program of George Mason University offers a 7-day global residency or international study tour organized by an MSA instructor. Pursue an online Master of Accounting degree while immersing yourself in a different culture!

Approximately 64% of Mason’s accounting graduates immediately secure jobs after graduation.

Colorado State University

Colorado State University-Global

Online Master’s Degree in Professional Accounting

Colorado State University currently holds an accreditation status from the Higher Learning Commission and is a frontrunner in distance learning around Colorado. The university launched CSU Global in 2007 to cater to non-traditional learners and has a current population of almost 20,000 distance learners.

It is the U.S.’s 1st statutorily-defined, not-for-profit online state university.

Standout Features:

According to the university’s alumni salary data, CSU Global consistently produces graduates earning above-average salaries compared to other graduates’ average income from other institutions. Aside from that, 95% of employers reported that they’re satisfied and impressed with CSU Global’s alumni employees in their companies.

As part of a student’s preparation for the CPA exam, CSU provides special discounts to access the Wiley CPAexcel’s Video Gold Medal Course to help them save money. CSU remains committed to preparing students for success in their professional endeavors.

Wilmington University

online master's of accounting

Online Master of Science in Accounting

Headquartered in New Castle, Delaware, Wilmington University is one of the most affordable private, not-for-profit institutions in the state. It is an open-access accredited school serving adult learners’ diverse needs as they pursue career advancement through higher studies.

Wilmington University holds numerous accreditations from different agencies, including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, ABA, CACREP, and CCNE.

Standout Features:

Wilmington University has numerous ties with reputable local accounting firms around the country. That said, graduate students can create a professional network that is beneficial for their career advancement and internships. Designed for adult learners, the university advocates work-life balance for staff and learners.

Featuring numerous learning formats in flexible schedules, WilmU allows students to enroll in a 15-week semester, 7-week block, modular, online, hybrid, fusion, or FLEX, depending on students’ needs.

online master's of accounting

Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University - Healthcare Management Degree Guide

Online Master of Accounting

Nova Southeastern University is one of the top 5 universities in the U.S. with the largest population of minority graduate degree recipients. Florida’s biggest private research institution has eight campuses around the state and one in Puerto Rico. Currently, 20,435 students are enrolled at NSU, with 6,500 degrees granted every year.

Standout Features:

NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship is one of the very few schools around the U.S. with “entrepreneurship” in its name. With 145 corporate partnerships, students at NSU can easily build professional networks.

Employers are also actively seeking graduates from the Huizenga College of Business.

Employees of companies under NSU’s partnerships can enjoy a 20% discount on tuition rates for graduate programs and deferred payment plans. 

Bellevue University

online master's of accounting

Online Master of Science in Accounting

Bellevue University has more than 80 degrees in different areas of specialty and numerous certificate programs for career progression. It is home to four major colleges such as the College of Continuing and Professional Education, the College of Science and Technology, the College of Business, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Standout Features:

Bellevue University is a renowned national leader in providing more affordable and accessible education, preparing students for their future success. With Bellevue’s Real Mastery® approach, distance learners study and master the capabilities and knowledge that companies or employers expect.

The university has three specialized divisions for learning innovation, including the Human Capital Lab, the Center for Project Management, and the Center for Cybersecurity Education. 

Bellevue University maintains a partnership with the Guangzhou College of Commerce in China, providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in different academic and cultural experiences.

Southern New Hampshire University

online master's of accounting

Online Master of Science in Accounting

Considered one of the fastest-growing institutions in the U.S., Southern New Hampshire University has more than 135,000 distance learners and 3000+ campus students. Founded in 1932, SNHU has transformed from an accounting and secretarial science school to a higher learning institution offering 200+ degree programs.

Standout Features:

Southern New Hampshire University has been recognized as one of the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Universities and the 2020 Most Innovative University in the North. With SNHU’s recognition of digital learning, students have the assurance that their online program is aligned with the highest standards of quality.

SNHU is a recipient of the United States Distance Learning Association for the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Online Master of Accounting

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the first public university to award degrees in the 18th century, has nearly 20,000 undergraduate students and 10,000+ graduate students. The U.S. News & World Report, Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance are some of the organizations that consistently award the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Standout Features:

UNC’s Kenan-Flagler provides online students pursuing accounting graduate degrees with the opportunity to travel the world through its Global Immersions. With Kenan-Flagler’s Global Immersions, Master of Accounting and MBA students at UNC participate in the “Doing Business In” courses at overseas partner schools. 

Through its Immersions program, graduate students interact with and learn from prominent business executives from some of the world’s most influential organizations in London, Istanbul, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, and Shanghai.

The University of Scranton

online master's of accounting

Online Master of Accountancy

Headquartered in Northeast Pennsylvania, the University of Scranton is a Jesuit and Catholic institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

To supplement its recognition from several private organizations, the University of Scranton has numerous accreditations from 16 accrediting organizations in the areas of counseling, chemistry, computer science, physical and occupational therapy, and business and management.

Standout Features:

The University of Scranton is one of America’s very few schools that offer special discounts for aspiring accountants purchasing the Wiley CPAexcel exam preparation tool. Aside from that, the Accounting Department Professional Alumni Council of the university’s Kania School of Business consistently updates its M.Acc. program.

That said, students have the assurance that they are pursuing a reputable accounting degree at Scranton. 

The University of Scranton’s innovative and high-quality programs make it a consistent top ranker in the business school listings of the Online MBA Report, the U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and the Entrepreneur Magazine.

 What is the best online Master's for Accountants program?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best online Master’s in Accounting programs?

There are three types of Master’s in Accounting programs:

The MBA-Accounting program is the best option for jumpstarting a top-level corporate career, while the MSA and MAcc programs help you become better prepared for the Certified Public Accountant examination.

What’s the cost of enrolling in an online Master’s in Accounting program?

The cost involved in pursuing an online Master’s in Accounting depends on many factors. Are you an out-of-state or in-state student? Do you attend a public or a private school? Is the school well-reputed? Is the Master’s in Accounting online program well-regarded in the industry?

All things considered, a one-year online Master’s in Accounting tuition is approximately $30,000. You have different ways to defray the cost of obtaining your graduate degree, such as getting financial aid offered by your preferred graduate school. You can also look for scholarship opportunities for Accounting programs. 

Is it worth investing in an online Master’s in Accounting?

Pursuing an online Master’s in Accounting is worth your time, effort, and financial resources! However, it ultimately depends on your short and long-term professional aspirations.

If you’ve already completed an undergraduate degree in Accounting, you can most likely work as an accountant in a firm and simultaneously pursue a career in the finance industry or start your own accounting firm.

With an online Master’s in Accounting, you can fulfill the additional credits required for qualifying for the CPA examination. Employers or companies hiring accounting professionals often employ applicants with CPA credentials. As a result, you gain access to better and more lucrative careers.

What will I study in an online Master’s in Accounting program?

Go beyond the fundamentals of the discipline with a Master’s in Accounting degree! The coursework encompasses the more complex subjects of financial instruments, federal taxation, financial reporting, and advanced financial accounting.

As you become qualified to sit for the CPA exam and ace it, you can explore top-level careers in Management Accounting, Government Accounting, and Forensic Accounting.

Is a Bachelor’s in Accounting required to enroll in a Master’s program?

An undergraduate degree in Accounting gives you that advantage as you pursue its graduate equivalent, BUT it isn’t strictly required. Most online accounting master’s programs accept students with any four-year bachelor’s degree, such as the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT).

Ultimately, however, you need to ask your preferred graduate school regarding their prerequisite courses and requirements before finalizing your application.

Key Takeaways

Additional Resources:

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