OVERVIEW
An Accounting Master's Degree That Prepares you to Stand Out from the Competition
Accurate financial reporting, effective decision making, using financial data, tax reporting and analysis—these are just a few of the financial areas that can determine success or failure for any organization. That's why top-notch accounting professionals are always in demand. Accounting is a field where possessing up-to-date knowledge, specialized skills, and professional credentials can make a big difference.
This Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program is also designed to prepare you for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and meets the 150 semester hours required to sit for the CPA exam in most states. View the requirements for CPA licensure by state. In fact, WGU MAcc graduates perform well on the CPA exam, with a pass rate that significantly exceeds the national average. WGU also offers UWorld CPA Review at no extra charge for our accounting master's graduates.
*This master's degree program will also help prepare you for other professional exams such as the Certified Management Accounting (CMA) exam.
Choose Your Specialization
The WGU Master of Accounting program features 4 specialization options for students to choose from. The concentration areas allow students to dive deeper into their area of interest, better preparing them for their career goals.
- Financial Reporting: This specialization focuses specifically on financial reporting best practices, regulations, and interpretation.
- Taxation: This specialization focuses on federal tax law and regulations with an emphasis on corporate and partnership taxation.
- Management Accounting: This specialization focuses on utilizing accounting information in support of organizational efficiency and progress.
- Auditing: This specialization focuses on understanding auditing practices following Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS).
Unsure Which Specialization to Choose?
- The financial reporting specialization is ideal for those who are interested in doing a financial career with a focus on reporting and analysis.
- The taxation specialization is ideal for those interested in federal tax law for corporations and flow-through entries (partnerships) and the tax effect of transactions on a business.
- The management accounting specialization is ideal for people interested in working for a company in an accounting role that helps them make the company more efficient and cost effective. The specialization also helps prepare students for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification.
- The auditing specialization is ideal for those who want to learn more about both internal and external auditing. Internal audits evaluate a company's internal controls, processes, and operations, while external audits verify the accuracy of a company's financial statements and compliance with regulations.
62% of graduates finish within
19 months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$4,755
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their business management degree. Finish faster, pay less!
Average salary increase
$19,903*
M.S. Accounting graduates report an impressive average salary increase of $19,903 after completing their WGU degree.
*WGU Internal Data
COURSES
Masters in Accounting Courses
Program consists of 10-11 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
This program is composed of the following courses. You will typically complete them one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and master the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.
To ensure our degree programs are consistent with the demands of today’s workplace, we develop our courses and programs with input from councils composed of nationally recognized experts in their respective fields. School of Business Program Council members offer guidance on what knowledge and skills successful WGU graduates should master.
Foundational Courses Taken Across All Specializations
View Specialization Courses
10-11 Courses
Program consists of 10-11 courses depending on your specialization
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
CPA Exam
Meets most state CPA exam requirements
This program will help prepare you to sit for the Certified Public Accountant, or CPA, exam and will allow you to meet the 150 semester hours required to sit for the exam. If you intend to sit for the CPA exam, please review the CPA licensure requirements for your state.
Skills For Your Résumé
As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.
- Accounting: Successfully prepared detailed financial reports adhering to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Auditing: Conducted thorough reviews of accounts and records to detect and prevent errors and fraud, safeguarding financial integrity.
- Communications: Managed the review and distribution of communications to internal and external audiences.
- Data Analysis: Demonstrated proficiency in performing comprehensive data analysis on reports and queries.
- Detail Oriented: Exemplified attention to detail while manipulating complex financial data, ensuring accuracy and reliability in financial analyses and reporting.
- Finance: Identified and applied financial tools and techniques to inform sound financial decisions.
"I just finished my second degree with WGU and cannot express my gratitude for this university enough. I will be starting my third degree in a few weeks and look forward to the experience. I've always been supported by program mentors, great course instructors, and on the rare occasion I have had an issue and have had to call the school, I have always had excellent service.”
—Jessica Coleman
M.S. Accounting
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in 1 year
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in 1 year
Why WGU?
Earning Potential
After graduation, WGU accounting master's degree graduates report earning $19,903* more per year. Are you ready to make more money?
*WGU Internal Data
Entirely Online
Competency-based education means you can move as quickly through your degree as you can master the material. You don't have to log in to classes at a certain time—you are truly in the driver's seat of your education.
Entirely Online
The MACC degree at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
When We Say Affordable, We Mean It
By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
Need help paying for college? Be sure to check with the AICPA and your state CPA society for scholarship opportunities! Both are a great resource for students and can provide a pathway to industry professionals. In addition to scholarship opportunities, many state societies also offer free student memberships and networking events."
A College Degree Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for. You can also learn more about the CMA scholarship nomination process here.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time
Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.
"Thanks WGU. With online study, I can complete my master degree at my own pace and with lowest tuition cost. Most important, I can stay full time work, cut the commute time to school, spend time with my kids, and still be able to finish my degree in one semester. It is WGU that makes my dream come true!”
—Yuping
M.S. Accounting
CAREER OUTLOOK
Add on to Your Accounting Experience to Enhance Your Career
Every organization needs financial professionals to guide their regulation, taxes, audits, and budgets. If you want to stand out from the competition, you'll need a résumé that boasts the right educational and professional credentials. That's why WGU's M.S. Accounting degree program is designed to prepare you to sit for the CPA or CMA exam—two of the most important qualifications you can add to your accountant résumé. Add to your existing knowledge and propel yourself forward in an exciting and lucrative field with the help of a master's degree.
WGU’s online master's of accounting will help you complete the necessary steps to become a more seasoned accountant—better qualified to pursue a greater variety of public and private accounting positions. You'll be prepared to move up in a lucrative and exciting field, ready to specialize in whatever area of accounting you're passionate about. A master's degree helps you boost your résumé and add the credentials you need to further your career.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
6%
Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A Respected Accounting Master's Degree from WGU Can Help You Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market
Highly skilled accountants are needed in public accounting, industry, government, and non-profit organizations. If you're ready to prepare for the CPA or CMA exam and take your accounting career to the next level, WGU's online M.S. Accounting will help you gain the necessary analytical skills to address complex financial information and make appropriate recommendations to management.
Choosing a specialization will help you gain specific experience that will boost your résumé and prepare you for your future.
Financial Reporting
- Financial reporting analyst
- Accounts receivable manager
- Financial planner
- Bookeeper
Taxation
- Tax consultant
- Tax examiner
- Seasonal tax preparer
- CPA
- Payroll administrator
- Public or internal tax accountant
Managerial Accounting
- Staff accountant
- Accounting manager
- CMA
- Treasurer
- Controller
Auditing
- Internal auditor
- Public accounting auditor
- Auditing manager
- Compliance manager
- Controller
WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers
ADMISSIONS & TRANSFERS
Admissions Requirements Unique to This Degree
To be considered for this program, you must:
- Submit a transcript verifying receipt of your bachelor’s degree from a recognized, accredited college or university.
- Demonstrate accounting experience through at least one of the following methods:
- A bachelor's degree in accounting
- A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license
NOTE: You do not need to take the GRE or GMAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.
Transfer Credits
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
MORE DETAILS
Additional Credentials
The Accounting Master's degree program allows students to earn valuable credentials on their path to a degree, including the WGU Graduate Accounting Certificate. These credentials allow you to demonstrate mastery and add impact to your résumé before you even graduate with your degree.
BECOME A CPA
Prepare for the CPA Exam
Qualified to sit for the CPA exam. A master's degree from WGU allows students in most states to get the qualifications they need to sit for the CPA exam. In most states you will need 150 credit hours of school work, with a certain amount of accounting courses, in order to sit for the CPA. WGU degrees can help you reach that goal.
58% CPA pass rate. WGU boasts a 58% CPA pass rate for graduates. With the national CPA pass rate sitting at approximately 50%, we are thrilled that our graduates are more prepared on average to pass the CPA exam and become licensed.
Free UWorld test preparation. MAcc graduates are able to access free UWorld CPA or CMA test preparation materials, an $1,800 value, to help them be prepared to study for and pass the CPA or CMA exam.
M.S. Accounting FAQs
If you want to become a master in accounting, you'll need a master's degree! Commonly called a MAcc, this degree program will give you additional knowledge and training in specific accounting skills like auditing, taxes, financial reporting, regulation, and more. And a master's degree in accounting usually enables students to be prepared for the CPA examination.
For those who want to pursue a career in accounting, a master's degree is an important credential to have. Most states will require 150 credit hours and a certain amount of accounting coursework in order to take the CPA exam. A master's degree can help you meet those requirements and be prepared for the exam. For many accounting careers, having a CPA and master's degree is key in demonstrating you are skilled and trained in the rigorous work you'll need to do.
Absolutely. A master's degree in accounting can help you get the qualifications you need to sit for the CPA exam, and can translate to higher pay and better positions in the field. For example, WGU graduates from the master's of accounting program see an average of $18,700 salary raise after graduation.
If you're interested in pursuing a career in accounting, whether doing taxes, performing audits, or other financial services, a master's degree in accounting is an ideal fit. This degree will help you learn specific skills needed for accounting responsibilities, as well as qualify you in many states to take the CPA examination, which is key to boosting your résumé.
There are many job possibilities for those who pursue a master's degree in accounting, both in public and private accounting. Some of those jobs include:
- Tax accountant
- Auditor
- Finance manager
- Banker
- CFO
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?
