A master’s degree in accounting readies graduates for higher-level professional roles in the world of business and finance. This career-focused postgraduate degree provides the conceptual and practical knowledge necessary for work as an auditor, certified public accountant, government accountant or forensics accountant, with possible work opportunities ranging from self-employment to positions in global corporations. Many master’s in accounting programs may also encompass the 150 educational hours required prior testing for certification as a public accountant. Job growth for accounting professionals should remain consistent throughout the next decade, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, making a master’s degree in accounting a good option for detail-oriented, conscientious individuals with a strong aptitude for numbers. The need for balanced books is universal, enabling accounting professionals to find employment in diverse work settings and locales.
Curricular Requirements
At the master’s level, an education in accounting is about more than crunching numbers, although that certainly remains an integral part of the curriculum. In addition to coursework on accounting theory, methods and topics, students may also take classes in business and tax law, professional ethics, financial decision making and contemporary issues. Master’s in accounting degree programs typically range from one to two years in duration. Specialization tracks in areas such as government accounting and forensics accounting may be available. Many master’s level accounting programs are open to candidates regardless of undergraduate major, but those students with a bachelor’s degree outside of accounting or business may need to enroll in additional prerequisite classes.
Academic Options
Many master’s degree candidates already hold careers and have a greater range of outside obligations as compared to the traditional undergrad student, so master’s level programs tend to offer more in terms of evening classes or part-time enrollment, and master’s in accounting degrees are no exception. A number of master’s in accounting degree programs are also available through online study. These online options include well-regarded, traditional universities such as Rutgers University, which offers the first 100 percent online master’s in governmental accountancy degree, and the online MS in Accounting degree offered by Texas A&M University, which accepts students with or without previous academic experience in accounting.
Possible Careers
Graduates of a master’s in accounting degree may work in a variety of work environments and fill several different job titles. Public accountants work with clients ranging from individuals and families to corporations and organizations, providing auditing and accounting services as well as consultation in regards to financial documents that must be disclosed by law. Internal auditors review organizations for potential mismanagement of funds. Management accountants provide their clients or employers with budget management, asset management and performance evaluation. Job opportunities for accountants also exist within the government sector. Government accountants work at all levels of government, and are responsible for performing audits, investigating discrepancies and managing public funds. An up-and-coming career field for accounting professionals is that of forensics accounting, an area made more high-profile by a recent spate of financial failures and scandals well-publicized by the media. Forensics accountants use their accounting skills to assist with the investigation and litigation of white-collar crime.
Money will always be a matter of major importance, making a master’s in accounting degree a good bet for those seeking a career-focused education and a numbers-centric professional role in the real world. Today, educational options for master’s in accounting degree candidates are as varied as the job opportunities available to graduates.
