An 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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