An accounting degree composes students for careers in accounting and related fields. A bachelor’s degree in accounting is the typical entry-level degree, allowing graduates to pursue careers as accountants, auditors, budget analysts, financial analysts, and more. At the master’s level, an MSA (Master of Science in Accountancy) builds on undergraduate accounting knowledge with advanced coursework to prepare students for leadership roles and professional certifications like the CPA. Read on to know more about choosing the right type of accounting degree.
Understanding Accounting Degrees
An accounting degree helps you pursue a career in accounting and finance. Common accounting degrees include:
- Bachelor’s in Accounting: This is a four-year undergraduate program that covers the fundamentals of business accounting. Graduates can qualify for entry-level accounting and finance roles.
- Master of Accounting: This graduate program builds on undergraduate accounting knowledge with advanced coursework. It helps students meet the 150-credit-hour requirement for the CPA license.
- Master of Business Administration in Accounting: This is an MBA with a concentration in accounting. It covers both accounting and general business topics and meets the 150-hour requirement for the CPA.
- Master of Science in Accounting: A specialized graduate degree focused entirely on advanced accounting topics such as financial reporting, managerial analysis, auditing, and taxation. It meets the 150-hour CPA requirement.
3 Tips for Choosing the Right Accounting Program
The following are some essential tips you need to know for choosing the right accounting program:
1. Identify Your Career Goals
Before choosing a program, think about your ideal job and workplace. Do you want to work for one of the large public accounting firms? Or are you more interested in private corporate accounting? Identifying your goals will help determine whether you should pursue a broad accounting degree or one with a specific concentration or certification track built in.
2. Consider Accreditation
Seeking an accounting degree program accredited as AACSBP programs undergo regular review to confirm quality.
3. Ask About Practical Experiences
Gaining real-world experience during your accounting program through internships, volunteering, or part-time work can make you more employable after graduation. When researching programs, ask about built-in practical experiences, relationships with local employers, career fairs, and other hands-on learning opportunities.
Critical Components of an MSA Degree
A Master of Science in Accountancy requires about 30 credits of advanced coursework in accounting theory, research, analytics, auditing, taxation, and more. MSA programs are designed for flexibility, often with online components, to accommodate working professionals. In an MSA, students build expertise in areas like:
- Advanced financial accounting and reporting
- Business law and ethics
- Tax research and planning
- Auditing standards and techniques
- Accounting information systems
- International Accountin
This specialized knowledge prepares graduates to pursue leadership roles as CPAs, controllers, chief financial officers, and upper management in accounting firms and businesses.
Conclusion
An MSA in Accounting provides the advanced training needed to advance in corporate, public, or non-profit accounting. When selecting an MSA program, identify your career goals, seek AACSB-accredited options, and ask about real-world experiences to ensure you gain the right skills to meet your ambitions.
With sound preparation, an MSA degree positions graduates for long-term success as leaders in the accounting profession. Edgewood College offers an AACSB-accredited Master of Science in Accountancy focused on advanced skills for accounting careers in the private, public, or non-profit sectors.
