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A Taxation Focus Can Help Boost Your Résumé  


 

When you choose a concentration in taxation, you will learn specific skills that can help you in your future career. Taxation is an important focus area that can increase your knowledge and experience with tax laws, regulations, and standards. You will learn about preparation of tax returns as well as tax payments which can be vital for your career. 

Within WGU’s Master of Accounting program you will learn critical accounting skills that will prepare you for the CPA exam, but a specialization on tax will also help you learn skills in working with businesses, individuals, and entities on tax regulations. You will focus on U.S. tax laws, GAAP, and how to best support clients in their tax needs. 

Courses in the Taxation 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.

10 Courses

Program consists of 10 courses

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

Management
Accounting
Financial Reporting
Taxation

Skills For Your Résumé

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

  • Tax Compliance: Ensured businesses and individuals achieved full compliance with pertinent tax regulations, minimizing risks and penalties associated with non-compliance.
  • Tax Laws: Interpreted intricate tax laws, rulings, and regulations for both individuals and businesses, ensuring accurate adherence.
  • Tax Preparation: Managed corporate files, updates to management, and necessary documentation required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), maintaining meticulous records and ensuring regulatory compliance.
  • Data Analysis: Presented data analysis findings to stakeholders in an efficient and easily understandable manner.
  • Extract Transform Load (ETL): Validated data extracted during the Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process to ensure conformity with expected values, maintaining data integrity and reliability for downstream processes.

Career Opportunities

An accounting master’s degree with a specific focus on taxation can help you be prepared to reach your career goals. 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

  • Tax consultant 
  • Tax examiner 
  • Seasonal tax preparer 
  • CPA 
  • Payroll administrator 
  • Public or internal tax accountant 

Industries

  • Public accounting firm 
  • Private accounting firm 
  • Technology organization 
  • Nonprofits 
  • Startups 
  • Government 

$57,950

Average salary for tax examiners is $57,950 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1%

Average job growth for tax examiners from 2022-2032 is expected to be 1% 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.