Why This Matters

  • 150 CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR CPA LICENSE

    CPA (certified public accountant) license requirements vary by state, but nearly all require 150 credits, more than you will earn in a bachelor’s program. A graduate degree lets you acquire the remaining credits needed for licensure.

  • NEED FOR FINANCIAL MANAGERS INCREASING 19%

    The demand for financial managers, particularly those who specialize in cash management and risk management, is increasing at a faster than average pace. Individuals with master’s degrees in accounting will have the best job prospects.

  • EARN $57,490 MORE PER YEAR WITH A MASTER’S

    A master’s degree will qualify you for higher-paying positions, like financial manager, which pays a median annual salary of $127,990. Accountants, who typically only need a bachelor’s degree, earn a median annual salary of $70,500.

Our Research

Different types of master’s degrees in accounting exist, including a Master of Accounting (MAcc), Master of Science (MS), and a Master of Professional Studies (MPS). We included all three types of degrees on our list, as they will all prepare you for an accounting career, regardless of how they differ in approach and focus.

All programs on our list are regionally accredited. Many also have specialized accreditations for business programs, such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Accreditation means programs achieve the highest quality standards for education.

Once we narrowed our list of accounting master’s programs, we evaluated each of them for reputation, course strength, flexibility, and cost. Based on this, we calculated the Intelligent Score of each degree on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 88 hours to write this article
  • 108 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 358 education programs we compared

The Top 52 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs

Best Online Master's in Accounting Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
Emporia State University
01
Best Public University
Auburn University
01
Best Jesuit University
University of Scranton
01
Most Diverse Curriculums
Rider University
01
Best Scholarships
University of Alabama at Birmingham
01
Best in the West
Southern Utah University
01
Best Alumni Network
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
01
Best for Out-of-state Students
Boise State University
01
Best Advisors
Middle Tennessee State University
01
Best for Transfer Students
Northern Illinois University
01
Best for International Accounting
Kansas State University
01
Best MBA Program
Keystone College
01
Best Global Campus
Colorado State University Global
01
Best Career Services
Bay Path University
01
Industry-Leading Faculty
Stetson University
01
Best Christian Institution
Gardner-Webb University
01
Best Cohort-Based Program
Georgia Southern University
01
Governmental Accounting Focus
Rutgers University
01
Best for Analytics
University of South Dakota
01
Best Urban Campus
Emmanuel College
01
Fast Completion Time
University of Tulsa
01
Best in the Southeast
Averett University
01
Best in the Northeast
University of Massachusetts Online
01
Best Faith-Based Program
California Baptist University Online
01
Most Flexible
Friends University
01
Forensic Accounting Focus
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
01
Simple Enrollment Process
Concordia University Wisconsin
01
Best Catholic Institution
Edgewood College
01
Best Vertical Pathway Program
University of Maryland Global Campus
01
Most Flexible Completion Time
St. John's University
01
Most Affordable
Florida Atlantic University
01
Best in the West
Golden Gate University
01
Fastest Completion Time
Shorter University
01
Best Research Institution
University of Michigan-Flint
01
Good Value
American Public University
01
Student Recommended
University of Massachusetts Amherst
01
Best for Flexible Pacing
Western Governors University
01
Best Faith-Based Program
Liberty University
01
Most Flexible
Wilmington University
01
Most Military Friendly School
Saint Leo University
01
High CPA Exam Pass Rate
Bellevue University
01
Nationally Ranked Program
University of Connecticut
01
Most Flexible Start Terms
Indiana Wesleyan University
01
Most Customizable Program
Southern New Hampshire University
01
Most Customizable
Franklin University
01
Best in the South
The University of Texas at Dallas
01
Best Credit Waiver Availability
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
01
CPA Track Available
Post University
01
Assistantships Available
Southern Adventist University
01
High Job Placement Rate
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
01
Best for Working Professionals
Nova Southeastern University
01
Best Part-time Program
George Mason University
01
Fastest Completion Time
Western New England University
01
Best for Accelerated Options
Regis University
01
Best Experiential Learning Emphasis
Texas A&M University-Commerce
01
Best Scholarship Availability
University of Miami - Online
01
Fastest Completion Time
California State University, Sacramento

What You Should Know About This Degree

Getting a CPA license is a primary career goal for many accountants, as it opens up a wider range of job options. CPA license requirements vary by state; when considering master’s in accounting programs, you should also review your state’s requirements and check with your program of interest to ensure that they fulfill those requirements. In order to maintain your CPA license, you must earn continuing education credits, which requires an additional commitment of time and money.

Other accounting-related jobs, like financial advisor, have their own set of licenses that need to be obtained for employment. The same principle applies; find out from your program of interest if their curriculum fulfills licensure requirements.

The coursework for all of the programs included on our list can be fully completed online. However, some programs have in-person requirements like residencies or internships. You may be able to fulfill some of these requirements at your current job, but you should verify with the program exactly what their in-person requirements are to verify that they will fit into your schedule and budget.

You should also consider whether a degree in accounting, or a related field like finance, is more suited to your ultimate career goals, as there are key differences between the fields.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Master’s in Accounting programs:

  • Am I eligible for this degree? Some master’s in accounting programs require students to have an undergraduate degree in accounting, or at least some accounting-related coursework. Others seek candidates with professional experience in the field. Carefully review each program’s eligibility requirements as well as any opportunities they offer to complete prerequisite coursework you may need for enrollment.
  • Does this program have the specialization I want? There are several areas of focus within accounting, such as forensic accounting, business valuation, and taxation. You may seek out a specialization to better prepare yourself for a certain accounting job. If this is the case, find out if the program you’re interested in has the specialization you want.

Researching application processes and deadlines is an important next step. You can typically find this information on the program’s website, or you can contact the school directly.

You should also learn about financing options, including scholarships, assistantships, and financial aid. If you are currently employed, check with your employer to see if tuition remission/reimbursement benefits are available.