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Master of Science (MS) in Accounting

Overview

Considering pursuing a MS in Accounting? An online degree from Western International University® (West) is rigorous, but manageable for working adults. (An on-campus option may also be available; contact a student advisor for details.)

The Master of Science degree in Accounting is designed to provide students with the academic background necessary to seek advanced positions in industry, government, and non-profit organizations, including companies doing business internationally. To ensure appropriate technical expertise, students will be exposed to courses such as: International Accounting, Advanced Auditing, Advanced Consolidation Accounting, Legal and Ethical Environment of Accounting, Multinational Taxation, Forensic Accounting, and Accounting Theory and Research.

The Master of Science in Accounting will also address the planned change from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The program provides the knowledge needed for the business accounting function, as well as a foundation to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams.

Each state sets forth standards required to be eligible to take the CPA exam and apply for licensure or certification as a CPA. The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification requires membership in the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) as well as education, work experience, and examination requirements. While Western International University programs are designed with consideration for the standards proposed by the National Association of State Boards of Accounting (NASBA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the IMA, Western International University cannot assure that successful graduates will meet their states' or IMA's specific eligibility requirements to take the CPA or CMA exams or apply for licensure or certification as a CPA or CMA. Applicants should check with their appropriate state organization and/or the IMA to determine if the West program, combined with their undergraduate degree, work experience, and any other specific criteria, meets examination and licensing eligibility requirements for the CPA and/or CMA designations. State and/or IMA requirements may vary from the time of admission to program completion. There is no assurance at the time of program completion that the specific jurisdiction's requirements will be consistent with the requirements at the time of admission.

This program is designed for the student with few or no undergraduate credits in accounting. Although students in the MS in Accounting program would greatly benefit from having an undergraduate degree in a business discipline, it is not required.

The U.S. Department of Education requires the University to provide the following information about each of our programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized profession.

Because fewer than ten (10) students completed this program during the most recent federal award year, the Department of Education does not permit the University to disclose the on-time completion rate.1

 

RELATED OCCUPATIONS2

 

PROGRAM COSTS3

$11,950
Includes cost per credit, application fee, and fees for resources (books/eMaterials) for students completing the program in normal time.

 

MEDIAN GRADUATE DEBT4

  • Federal: n/a
  • Private: n/a
  • Institutional: n/a

 

1The on-time completion rate identifies the percentage of students completing this program during the most recent federal award year who completed it within "normal time." The term "normal time" means the length of time it would take a student to complete this program if the student is continuously enrolled, takes one course at a time, and successfully completes each attempted course. Students enrolled in this degree program are typically nontraditional students. Students may exceed "normal time" for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, internships, practicums, clinical rotations, student teaching or administrator experiences required for licensure. Normal time to complete the program is 19 months.

2Graduates of this program will be educationally qualified to enter the occupations listed. Visit onetonline.org for job descriptions.

3The range provided represents the sum of tuition and typical fees required to complete the program within normal time, based on the University's 2012/2013 tuition levels. The actual costs that will be incurred by a particular student to complete this program will depend upon factors specific to that student. Tuition rates for this program may vary due to factors such as: (i) geographic location of the student; (ii) modality of coursework; (iii) military service; and (iv) future changes in tuition rates. The number of credits required for a particular student to complete the program will be dependent upon various factors, including: (i) transfer credits available; (ii) repeated coursework; and (iii) completion of additional specializations within this program. Please contact a student advisor for additional information.

4Because fewer than ten (10) students completed this program during the most recent federal award year, the Department of Education does not permit the University to disclose the median graduate debt incurred by students.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply differences between Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as they relate to companies doing business both domestically and internationally.
  2. Evaluate the appropriateness of the internal control environment and recommend changes necessary for audit compliance.
  3. Utilize current accounting information tools to assist with auditing and to make sound business decisions.
  4. Identify legal and ethical issues in accounting as they pertain to both domestic and international businesses.
  5. Distinguish among the various types of financial statement fraud and make recommendations for how to detect and prevent fraud within the organization.
  6. Apply federal, state, and payroll tax regulations for individual and corporate tax compliance.
  7. Demonstrate technical competencies of partnership accounting and the accounting treatment for consolidations, including those taking place in the international business setting.
  8. Analyze issues that pertain to effective tax planning for multinational corporations and manage business decisions accordingly.
  9. Apply global finance tools in conjunction with accounting methodologies that are necessary to maintain a corporate perspective of the international and domestic business environments and the financial management of a multinational corporation.
  10. Identify current tools used in accounting research and demonstrate how they aid effective problem solving.

Required Coursework

UNDERGRADUATE PREREQUISITES – 6 CREDITS**

ACC 301 Financial Accounting
ACC 302 Managerial Accounting

MS CORE REQUIREMENTS – 24 CREDITS

Master Degree Core Requirements

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS - 15 CREDITS

ACC 618 Advanced Auditing*
ACC 623 Forensic Accounting*
ACC 622 Federal Taxation*
ACC 642 Multinational Taxation*
ACC 675 Advanced Consolidation Accounting*

CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE: 39

*Indicates courses requiring a prerequisite.
**Credits not applied toward degree requirements.