Top 10 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs

Top-10-Online-Masters-In-AccountingAn advanced degree in Accounting can help to launch your career as a certified professional by giving you the base of knowledge required to prepare for a certification examination. If you already hold this type of designation, it can help you advance in your career by helping you qualify for a management-level position. If you decide to study online, you can work toward the next phase in your career without having to take time away from your current job. The programs listed below are all accredited and focus on providing a quality education for busy professionals.

#1 Colorado Technical University

Executive Summary

School Profile

Colorado Technical University was established in 1965. The University’s Virtual Campus was named “Best of the Best” by the ComputerWorld Honors program (Academia and Education Category).

Tuition

CTU students pay $585.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The curriculum for the MS in Accounting program includes courses in advanced auditing, forensic accounting, taxation and business decisions, applied managerial finance, and financial reporting.

Courses

Applied Managerial Accounting
Taxation and Business Decisions
Advanced Cost Accounting
Financial Reporting
Accounting Information Systems
Advanced Auditing
Management Control and Auditing
Forensic Accounting
International Financial Reporting Standards
Applied Managerial Economics
Applied Managerial Finance
Applied Managerial Decision-Making

#2 American Intercontinental University

Executive Summary

School Profile

American Intercontinental University was founded in 1970. Its business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Business Schools and Programs.

Tuition

Tuition is $582.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The Masters in Accounting Program includes courses in not-for-profit accounting, ethics for managers, accounting information systems and accounting for managers.

Courses

Advanced Accounting I
Advanced Accounting II
Corporate Finance
Financial Statement Analysis and Report Writing
Economics
Accounting Information Systems
Business Law
Public and Not-For-Profit Accounting
Review Course: Financial Accounting and Reporting; Business Environment and Concepts Review Course: Auditing and Regulation

#3 Regis University

Executive Summary

School Profile

Regis University has been ranked as a Top Tier Western University by U.S. News & World Report (2013).

Tuition

Graduate students pay $790.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The online MS in Accounting degree is a 10-course program. It satisfies the 150-credit hour requirement for the CPA exam and the requirements for the CMA designation.

Courses

Financial Reporting Policy and Practice
Advanced Auditing
Accounting Non-Profit &Govt Orgs
International Accounting
Case Studies in Management Accounting
Controllership
IT Auditing
Income Tax Research
Accounting Information Systems
Forensic Accounting
Financial Apps SBRL & Interactive Data
Ethical & Legal Environment of Business
Business Planning and Strategy

#4 Grand Canyon University

Executive Summary

School Profile

Grand Canyon University is a private school that has been offering degrees since 1949. Its programs are faith-based, since GCU is a Christian University.

Tuition

Students at Grand Canyon pay $550.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The curriculum for the Master of accounting degree includes courses in auditing, taxation practices, and advanced accounting. Graduates can sit for the CPA exam and current CPAs can gain skills to advance in their careers on this program.

Courses

Leadership and Organizations
Accounting Practices
Finance Principles
Financial Research and Compliance
Advanced Managerial and Cost Accounting
Internal Auditing
Taxation
Business Law and Ethics for Accounting
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
Managerial Finance
Tax Planning and Business Strategy

#5 Our Lady of the Lake University

Executive Summary

School Profile

Our Lady of the Lake University was founded in 1895 and is a Catholic liberal arts and sciences school. The University was recognized as being one of America’s best colleges by U.S. News & World Report (2012).

Tuition

Graduate students pay $760.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The curriculum for the masters degree in accounting includes courses dealing with accounting theory and business practices. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountants exam.

Courses

Managerial Control System
Controllership
Internal Auditing
Contemporary Topics in Accounting
Professional Ethics for Accountant
Business Income Taxation
Government Accounting
Federal Tax Research
Advanced Business Communications

#6 Walden University

Executive Summary

School Profile

Walden University has been offering degree programs to adult learners since 1970. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Tuition

Tuition is set at $865.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

Walden’s MobileLearn feature allows students to download podcasts and audio content to their smart phones or MP3 players. They have the flexibility to learn on the go.

Courses

Effective Communication for the Accountant
Legal and Ethical Issues in Accounting
Financial Management Tools for Decision Making
Managerial Accounting for Organizational Performance
Current Trends in Accounting Standards

Concentrations

Accounting for the Professional
Accounting with CPA Emphasis
Self-Designed

#7 Purdue University Global

Executive Summary

School Profile

Kaplan University, which is now called Purdue University Global, was founded in 1937. The University has a reputation for offering programs that are relevant to the current job market.

Tuition

Graduate students pay $441.00 per credit hour, which is one of the cheapest online programs available.

What’s Unique

Graduates from this program are eligible to write professional certification examinations, including the Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor examinations.

Courses

Effective Communication for the Accountant
Legal and Ethical Issues in Accounting
Financial Management Tools for Decision Making
Managerial Accounting for Organizational Performance
Current Trends in Accounting Standards

Concentrations

Audit
Finance
Government
Tax

#8 Strayer University

Executive Summary

School Profile

Strayer University has been offering degree programs since 1892. All of its business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Tuition

Students at Strayer pay $2,325.00 per course.

What’s Unique

Full-time students taking two or more classes per quarter can complete the program in 1.5 years or less. Part-time students who take one class per quarter can complete their degree in three years. Classes start four times per year.

Courses

Accounting Management
Business Concepts
Economic Concepts
Analysis
Decision Making
Ethics
Communication
Technology

Concentrations

Corporate Accounting
Forensic Accounting
International Accounting
Public Accounting
Taxation

#9 Southern New Hampshire University

School Profile

Executive Summary

SNHU is a not-for-profit institution. It is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Tuition

Tuition is $627.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

Applicants are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores to be considered for admission. The online Masters’s in Accounting program can be completed in as little as 18 months.

Courses

Cost Accounting
Financial Reporting
Auditing
Control/Audit of Accounting Info System
Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting
Seminar in Accounting Topics
Financial Management
Business Law
Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making
Federal Taxation of Individuals
Fed Income Tax of Corp and Partnerships

Concentrations

Auditing
Forensic Accounting
Taxation

#10 Golden Gate University

School Profile

Executive Summary

Golden Gate University was founded in 1901 in San Francisco. The majority of students attend classes on a part-time basis and this school offers flexible scheduling and most of its programs are also available online.

Tuition

Graduate students pay $870.00 per credit hour.

What’s Unique

The Master of Science in Accounting program can be completed in as little as nine months. This program is appropriate for students who have studied accounting and would like to complete the 150 hours of education required for their Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

Courses

Introductory Managerial Accounting
Federal Income Tax
Auditing
Intermediate Accounting
Business Law, Professional Responsibility and Ethics for Accountants

Concentrations

General Accounting
Forensic Accounting