Are you stuck in a rut? Do you enjoy your career in accounting, however, wonder if you could do more? Make more money? Get that promotion? Or simply, gain personal satisfaction by earning a higher degree? You can do all of the above… by earning an online Master’s degree in Accounting. How do you earn that graduate degree? Let’s begin with the prerequisites that are required to make sure you have your ducks in a row before you begin your program search.
Earning your online Master of Accounting degree may not be as easy as just “signing up.” Graduate programs are rigorous, time-consuming and demanding; therefore, you will need to prove that you have what it takes to follow through. Of course, it goes without saying that you must already possess a Bachelor of Accounting or related degree, right? You will need to have completed courses in pre-calculus, principles of accounting, economics and statistics. Other prerequisites may require financial and managerial accounting, as well as, intermediate accounting I and II. Business courses and computer science experience will also prepare you for a master’s program in accounting. Each program’s requirements are different, so inquire accordingly.
Also, depending on your master’s program, you will need to meet their GPA requirements and possibly have some real-world work experience under your belt, as well. In addition, you will need to pass the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) with flying colors, as well as, letters of recommendation and an admissions interview to be accepted into a master’s degree program.
Within an online Master’s degree in Accounting program, you can expect to be proficient in business law, investment planning, business analysis, auditing, risk prevention, in addition to, federal taxes and tax preparation. You will learn the latest and greatest in today’s accounting technology and software, fraud prevention, financial reporting and managerial communication.
As you search for the online accounting program that fits your needs, flexibility and budget, be sure to verify that it is an accredited program by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). An online Master of Accounting degree program will typically take a student two to three years to complete, may require you to attend on-campus sessions occasionally and an internship.
Will your program require a thesis or capstone project? Perhaps it will, although, most business-related degrees, such as accounting and finance do not require a thesis since they are not considered “researched-based” subjects. However, be sure to check with your school before signing on if this is a deal breaker for you.
If you are going to invest your money and valuable time into an online Master of Accounting program, be particular in your school choice. Read school reviews and contact recent graduates for their opinions, if possible. You will want to choose a school whose faculty is accomplished and experienced in all aspects of accounting. Research their publications, ask about their previous employment experience, as well as, their style of teaching.
If you would like to learn more about this degree program, please see our list of the Top 15 Online Master’s of Management Accounting.