Colleges and universities offering accelerated online accounting master’s programs enable students to earn their degree in a shorter time-to-graduation than traditional programs. Students also benefit from the comparative flexibility, convenience, and affordability that online learning brings to motivated individuals.
There are several key features among accelerated master in accounting degree online programs that make them a popular option for both traditional and non-traditional students, including:
The best programs emphasize academic excellence, too, meaning students must devote sufficient time to studying their courses and complying with academic requirements.
Of course, accounting students pursuing a master’s degree also benefit from the personal and professional development opportunities that enrich their lives! Networking opportunities with peers, professors, and alums, internships, and memberships in accounting organizations are excellent examples.
Admission into these accelerated master’s in accounting degree online programs is usually selective because of the rigorous curriculum and fast-paced coursework. Prospective students must possess a bachelor’s in accounting, business administration, or related field - or in the case of career changers, in other fields with the condition that prerequisite courses must be completed.
Indeed, prospective accounting students must carefully research and compare several accelerated online master’s degree programs to determine the best fit. With the average cost of a master’s degree—$66,340 as of this writing—it’s a substantial investment that requires careful thought.
Key Points: An accelerated accounting degree allows students to accomplish the same amount of work in a shorter time frame, but these programs still provide them with the same amount of knowledge at a lesser cost. They also enable students to reduce the time to graduation so that they are ready for the job market more quickly.
Choosing an accelerated master’s in accounting online should be carefully evaluated to determine if the student has the necessary commitment and determination to complete the work.
The accelerated online master’s in accounting degree programs featured here were selected based on the following criteria.
We also considered accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
When choosing from these graduate programs that offer a master’s in accounting degree, you should carefully consider your unique circumstance—what you can afford, where you live, and what your career goals are.
Rutgers University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $16,112
Online Master of Accountancy
The AACSB-accredited Master of Accountancy program at Rutgers’ School of Business prepares students for data-driven decision-making using accounting and auditing principles. Graduates possess the advanced knowledge and skills for successful careers in business and non-business leadership positions.
Online students also receive free-of-charge reviews for the four modules of the CPA exam. Indeed, Rutgers University Camden has an impressive 55.6% CPA exam pass rate! Due to the emphasis on academic excellence and the free reviews, graduates have higher chances of acing it.
Rutgers Camden’s master’s in accounting program features a 10-course curriculum with a mostly asynchronous learning format; the synchronous elements are through live chat office hours and assistance with homework. Recorded lectures, assignments, case studies, and discussion boards are the norm.
Students in the online accounting program can customize their learning experience by selecting from a wide range of elective courses. Their knowledge of accounting analytics, data analytics, and forensic accounting, among other relevant industry topics, increases in this manner.
There are two tracks in the accounting program:
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: As few as 12 months
Per Credit Tuition: $1,005 (In-state and out-of-state) plus fees
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
82%
Student body
22K
Syracuse University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $60,135
Online Master of Science in Professional Accounting
The AACSB-accredited Whitman School of Management offers an excellent M.S. in Professional Accounting program that qualifies graduates to sit for the New York State CPA exam. Students undertake the same rigorous on-campus curriculum under the mentorship of on-campus professors, many of whom are CPAs.
Graduates benefit from the prestige of the graduate degree and become valued leaders in top companies like Micron Technology and Lockheed Martin.
Students in the online master’s in accounting program who have an accounting background (i.e., accelerated and professional schedules) increase their knowledge of industry-relevant topics, including data analytics, financial statement analysis, and international accounting and auditing. Students with non-accounting backgrounds must complete prerequisite accounting courses (i.e., foundational schedule). As a result, time-to-completion can be extended from 12-15 months to 24 months or less.
Online students can earn two master’s degrees while still in the accounting program or up to 12 months after graduation. Dual degrees are in MS in Professional Accounting and MBA, Master of Science (MS) in Business Analytics, or Master of Science in Entrepreneurship.
Students from diverse backgrounds learn via weekly live synchronous classes and multimedia coursework.
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: 12-15 months
Total Tuition: $56,160 (For 30-credit tracks)
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
28%
Graduation
84%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1335/30
University of Miami’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $57,194
Online Master of Professional Accounting
The AACSB- accredited Miami Herbert Business School offers an outstanding Master of Professional Accounting program with a respected on-campus curriculum. Students and graduates praise the extensive alumni network that allows them to tap into personal and professional development opportunities in the U.S. and abroad.
Students in the selective online accounting program can choose from four options that will broaden their knowledge and skills in specific areas of accounting. Graduates possess the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam, and the University of Miami has an impressive 78% first-time pass rate!
Applicants with accounting and non-accounting undergraduate degrees are welcome, but the latter may be required to complete prerequisites.
Professionals with a master’s in accounting degree are also eligible to sit for other accounting certifications besides the CPA credential; additional requirements may be necessary. These include the CISA-Certified Information Systems Auditor, CFE-Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Fraud Examiner.
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 32 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: 16-20 months
Tuition per Credit Hour: $1,960
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
70%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/27
George Mason University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $13,404
Online Master of Science in Accounting
GMU’s AACSB-accredited School of Business is known for the academic rigor and excellence of its M.S. in Accounting program. While the courses are completely online, a week-long international study tour requirement is required with a faculty member in the lead. London, Prague, and Frankfurt are a few places where global study takes place.
Students can also customize their learning experiences in the accounting program through electives intended to deepen their knowledge in several areas. Choices include advanced managerial accounting, governmental and nonprofit accounting, and federal financial reporting.
Graduates of the master’s in accounting program have a 60.7% CPA first-time pass rate, an impressive feat.
More importantly, most graduates secure relevant leadership positions shortly after earning a graduate degree. Popular employers include Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and Grant Thornton in positions like controllers, accountants, and auditors.
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: As few as 11 months
Tuition per Credit Hour: $1,030.95
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
81%
Student body
28K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/28
Auburn University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $11,826
Online Master of Accountancy
Offered by Auburn’s AACSB-accredited Harbert College of Business, the Master of Accountancy program features online courses complemented by the compulsory three-day, on-campus residency requirement. Students participate in the leadership summit that features leadership workshops, business seminars, and networking activities, including social events.
Online students prepare for success on the CPA exam through a rigorous curriculum also used in the on-campus program. Auburn has an 85% CPA exam pass rate for first-time takers.
This is a non-thesis master’s in accounting program that welcomes prospective students with and without an undergraduate degree in accounting. Students without an accounting degree must complete an expanded curriculum that includes eight foundation courses in business. Students with an undergraduate accounting degree participate in the traditional program.
Online students receive outstanding support services that help to contribute to their academic and career success. The most notable is the academic advisory services, where students work with an academic advisor to create a study plan and stay on track.
Elective courses allow for customized programs of study, and choices include business decisions with predictive modeling, enterprise management of the big data environment, and security and information assurance. Online exams are conducted via a third-party proctoring site, but academic honesty is emphasized.
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 (Traditional); 42 (Expanded)
Average Time-to-Degree: As few as 12 months
Tuition per Credit Hour: $950
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$51K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
63%
Student body
4K
Stetson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $52,320
Online Master of Accountancy
Stetson’s AACSB-accredited School of Business Administration is an excellent place for earning a graduate-level degree in accounting! Professionals with a Master of Accountancy degree are sought-after by employers, both here and abroad, for their top-notch technical skills in accounting and auditing and leadership skills. Most, if not all, graduates are also successful CPAs in the public and private sectors.
The program of study in the master’s in accounting program features 100% online coursework that benefits working professionals and non-traditional students. The ten courses are offered in 8-week terms, allowing students to focus on one course at a time and maintain a good work-life balance. Plus, there are no on-campus residency requirements, but networking opportunities with peers, professors, and alums are available online.
Students in the online accounting program can choose from two concentrations:
Small class sizes allow students to interact well with their peers and professors, and professors optimize learning through individualized attention and support. Students benefit from the weekly interactive online sessions, too.
Merit scholarships are available for eligible students. There’s an emphasis on adherence to the Academic Honor Code.
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: As few as 12 months
Tuition per Credit Hour: $1,050
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
79K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $24,870
Online Master of Science in Accounting
Liberty’s ACBSP-accredited School of Business takes pride in its respected M.S. in Accounting degree program that prepares students for success on the CPA exam. Students also prepare for the challenges that come with leadership positions in the fields of accounting, auditing, and business administration.
The master’s in accounting program emphasizes data analysis in problem-solving and decision-making processes. Students learn to use a big-picture perspective in identifying issues and finding solutions for current and emerging issues in their organizations.
The intensive coursework in the accelerated accounting degree program covers a wide array of industry-specific topics. Students learn about business law, ethics, information systems, taxation and tax research, cost accounting, and financial accounting theory.
Liberty’s online master’s in accounting program is one of only a few programs that offer several concentrations, namely:
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: As few as 12 months
Tuition per Credit Hour: $565
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
39%
Student body
102K
Southern New Hampshire University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Southern New Hampshire University
Tuition + fees: $15,380
Online Master of Science in Accounting
SNHU’s ACBSP-accredited MS in Accounting program welcomes current accounting, business, and finance professionals seeking career advancement opportunities via a graduate degree and CPA designation. The intensive curriculum meets the education requirements for eligibility to the 2024 CPA exam; check for your state’s specific regulations, nonetheless.
Students pursuing a master’s in accounting degree must choose a specialization that will demonstrate their expansive knowledge. Along this line, SNHU has three online certificate programs from which students can choose besides the master’s degree. Students in the accelerated accounting degree online program can earn both at nearly the same time, too, and their choices include:
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: As few as 12 months
Tuition per Credit Hour: $637
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
62%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/24
Regis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $42,220
Online Master of Science in Accounting
Regis University’s M.S. in Accounting program offers its students the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas: Financial Accounting, Fraud/Forensic Accounting, I.T. Accounting, or Managerial Accounting. Professionals with a master’s in accounting degree also complete the 150-credit requirement to sit for the CPA exam or, with compliance with additional requirements, earn the CMA credential.
While it’s an accelerated accounting degree online program, it provides students flexibility and convenience regarding scheduling. Asynchronous courses are the norm, but the coursework is designed to ensure maximum learning opportunities under the guidance of competent professors.
There’s an emphasis on real-world applications of accounting and auditing theories that allow students to apply the learning in their organizations immediately. The coursework ensures that students devote sufficient time to their studies, including prompt completion of assignments.
Don’t be fooled by the easier application process in the online master’s in accounting program—no GRE/GMAT scores, letters of recommendation, and application fee requirements.
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: As few as 12 months
Tuition per Credit Hour: $976
Featured Courses:
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
79%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1190/25
University of Scranton’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees: $50,312
Online Master of Accountancy
The 100% online AACSB-accredited Master of Accountancy program is part of Scranton’s tradition of academic excellence—its Accounting Department is a multi-awarded unit with numerous Lybrand awards! Students gain technical skills in accounting and auditing with a strong business perspective and develop their soft leadership skills, including communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Plus, emphasizing Jesuit traditions means getting into the world with social justice as one of your core values.
Students without a bachelor’s degree in accounting can apply to the accelerated accounting degree online program. But these students must complete the Bridge Program, where they will complete prerequisite courses and develop their accounting and business acumen to become successful in the program.
There’s also a must-take course on applied accounting research, where students develop their research, communication and presentation skills. Students also gain a broader understanding of the issues that affect the accounting profession.
Students choose from two specializations:
Admission Requirements:
Required Credit Hours: 30 credits
Average Time-to-Degree: 12 months
Tuition per Credit Hour: $895
Featured Courses:
What awaits professionals with master’s in accounting degrees? Many excellent career advancement opportunities exist, from being a government accounting professional to establishing your private accounting practice! You can also look into doctorate in accounting online programs to research accounting and teach in colleges and universities.