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A Financial Reporting Specialization Can Enhance Your Career 


 

Financial reporting is a vital part of accounting, and enhancing your Masters of Accounting with a focus in financial reporting can be a fantastic idea. Financial reporting is the process of documenting and then sharing financial activities about an organization. Companies use these financial reports to organize their data and report on their financial status. In a master’s degree with a focus on financial reporting, you’ll learn skills in understanding and creating financial reports, evaluating financial statements, preparing presentations on financial status, and more.  

Within WGU’s Master of Accounting program you will learn critical accounting skills that will prepare you for the CPA exam, but a specialization in financial reporting will also help you prepare for a career in financial accounting and management. As you learn specific skills and gain experience surrounding income statements, investing strategies, and financial reporting, you’ll be prepared to succeed. 

Courses in the Financial Reporting Specialization

The M.S. Accounting degree program is an all-online program that you will complete through independent study with the support of WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete at least 8 competency units (WGU's equivalent of the credit hour) each 6-month term. (Each course is typically 3 or 4 units). There’s no limit on the number of units you can complete each term, so the more courses you complete, the quicker you can finish your program.

11 Courses

Program consists of 11 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

Accounting
Management
Financial Reporting

Skills For Your Résumé

As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for. 

  • Governmental Accounting: Proficiently prepared the government-wide statement of net position for a state or local government, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant accounting standards
  • Financial Statements: Prepared comprehensive financial reports for organization management teams. 
  • Financial Analysis: Developed financial models to evaluate strategic initiatives such as outsourcing, capital investments, and cost containment, incorporating financial risk stress-testing to assess potential outcomes.
  • Accounting: Adjusted financial statements to accurately reflect changes in contingent consideration related to a business combination, ensuring transparency and compliance with accounting principles. 
  • International Trade: Calculated transaction gains or losses recognized from monetary transactions denominated in foreign currency, applying relevant exchange rate mechanisms and accounting standards.
  • Business Intelligence Tools: Generated reports and visualizations using business intelligence tools, synthesizing data to provide actionable insights and support data-driven decision-making. 

Career Opportunities

An accounting master’s degree with a specific focus in financial reporting can help you enhance your résumé and be prepared for your career. Our industry-relevant curriculum is designed to help you move forward with experience and knowledge that is immediately applicable in your work. Some of the job titles and industries you may be qualified for include:

Job Titles

  • Financial accountant 
  • Controller 
  • Financial manager 
  • Finance advisor 
  • Financial analyst 

Industries

  • Large and small companies 
  • Government 
  • Nonprofits 
  • Startups 
  • Technology industries 
  • Healthcare industries 

$96,220

Average salary for financial analysts is $96,220 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

8%

Average job growth for financial analysts from 2022-2032 is expected to be 8% according to the BLS.

Why WGU?

Earning Potential

According to a 2023 Harris Poll, just two years after graduation, WGU grads report earning $22,200 more per year, and that amount increases to $30,300 four years after graduation.

On Your Schedule

No class times, no assignment deadlines. You are in charge of your learning and schedule. You can move through your courses as quickly as you master the material, meaning you can graduate faster.
 

Entirely Online

The accounting master's 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.