Best Online Master’s Degrees in Accounting

Published: Jun 18, 2021
Updated: Sep 9, 2023

In this article we provide everything you need to know to find success in an online Master’s of Accounting Degree program. We rank the best available programs using Academic Influence’s innovative methodology.

Best Online Master's in Accounting

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Arizona
Syracuse University
University of Miami
University of Missouri
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Wayne State University
University of Connecticut
North Carolina State University
University of Delaware

University of Maine 96%
University of Memphis 95%
Long Island University 93%
Stetson University 92%
Southern New Hampshire University 92%
Roosevelt University 92%
University of Baltimore 89%
University of Nevada, Reno 88%
University of Texas at Dallas 87%
University of Arizona 87%

University of Texas at Dallas 25 to 1
Southern New Hampshire University 21 to 1
Auburn University 20 to 1
University of Massachusetts Lowell 19 to 1
University of Missouri 18 to 1
DePaul University 17 to 1
University of Nevada, Reno 17 to 1
University of Massachusetts Amherst 17 to 1
University of Memphis 16 to 1
University of Connecticut 16 to 1

Syracuse University $57,591
University of Miami $54,760
Stetson University $50,800
Seton Hall University $46,880
DePaul University $42,012
Long Island University $39,290
Roosevelt University $31,493
Mercy College $20,734
University of Massachusetts Amherst $15,791
Southern New Hampshire University $15,380

Syracuse University $41,616
University of Miami $39,834
Seton Hall University $25,218
Long Island University $22,047
Roosevelt University $21,275
Golden Gate University $19,620
Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
DePaul University $17,951
Stetson University $17,671
University of Connecticut $17,532

Mercy College
University of Baltimore
Southern New Hampshire University
Golden Gate University
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Stetson University
Roosevelt University
Long Island University
University of Texas at Dallas
Seton Hall University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 20%
University of Miami 28%
North Carolina State University 47%
University of Connecticut 56%
Syracuse University 59%
Wayne State University 63%
University of Massachusetts Amherst 66%
DePaul University 69%
Auburn University 71%
University of Delaware 72%

Long Island University 10 to 1
Roosevelt University 11 to 1
Golden Gate University 12 to 1
University of Miami 12 to 1
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 13 to 1
Stetson University 13 to 1
University of Baltimore 13 to 1
Seton Hall University 14 to 1
North Carolina State University 14 to 1
Wayne State University 15 to 1

North Carolina State University $6,535
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $7,019
University of Baltimore $7,154
University of Nevada, Reno $7,923
University of Memphis $8,352
University of Missouri $10,017
Auburn University $10,080
University of Arizona $10,990
Golden Gate University $11,088
University of Maine $11,640

University of Nevada, Reno $5,625
North Carolina State University $9,095
University of Memphis $9,378
University of Maine $9,738
University of Missouri $9,950
Auburn University $10,080
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $10,552
University of Arizona $12,106
University of Massachusetts Amherst $14,014
University of Baltimore $14,094

Table of Contents

An online master’s in accounting degree opens doors of opportunities toward challenging and fulfilling careers in diverse professional concentrations.

Graduate accounting students do more than just prepare financial statements and examine financial records. Unlike an undergraduate degree, a graduate accounting online program instills complex education and training for the actual workplace, mostly in research-intensive environments.

Specifically, graduate accounting students can pursue the following concentrations and specializations in online Accounting master’s programs:

Forensic accounting
Public accounting
Financial accounting
Tax law
Business law
International accounting
Auditing

Featured Programs

Exploring the Online Master of Accounting Degree Program

Keep in mind that the academic expectations at the master’s degree level are different from bachelor’s degree programs! In a master’s program, you will be expected to display expertise in the introductory concepts learned at the undergraduate level.

Accounting students in graduate programs learn the most relevant and up-to-date accounting principles and practices of accounting and accountancy. Both the conceptual and practical aspects of the discipline are thoroughly explored

Outstanding master’s in accounting online programs also allow students to explore the intersection of business and technology in the field of accounting.

Specifically, the best programs offer specialized studies such as through a contemporary management accounting concentration, big data analysis, and digital forensics.

Accounting and technology become increasingly intertwined, with artificial technology (AI) used for the number-crunching work of financial planning and financial analysis.

Skills of Graduate Accounting Students

Accounting students develop the technical skills in both the traditional and technology-driven aspects of accounting alongside their transferable skills. The latter includes communication, critical and analytical thinking, and organization skills, which are vital in leadership roles, which financial managers often hold.

The skills development process is organic to the accounting courses that accounting students in master’s degree programs tackle. These courses include core courses and advanced studies in specialized accounting topics.

Advanced Financial Reporting

Advanced Cost Accounting

Accounting Information Systems

Government Accounting

Forensic Accounting

Special Courses and Final Exams in Graduate Accounting

Students also learn about managerial strategy and analysis, project management, and corporate financial management.

These advanced accounting and management courses are in addition to the core and elective courses.

Instead of a dissertation or thesis, online master’s in accounting programs require students to complete a capstone seminar in accounting. In this seminar, students must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the knowledge and skills learned throughout the program.

What’s In Store for Online Master’s in Accounting Program Graduates?

Aside from the eligibility to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam or pursue other professional certification exams for specialized practice as a Certified Management Accountant

Graduates of online master’s in accounting programs also enjoy the following benefits:

Higher Earning Potential

According to PayScale, the average annual salary of professionals with a bachelor’s degree in accounting is $63,000 while those with a master’s degree in accounting made $72,000 (May 2021). Indeed, the extra 1-2 years spent in pursuing a master’s degree would nearly guarantee actual job growth!

Increased Job Competitiveness

Professionals with a master’s in accounting degree are more likely to stand out from other applicants. The master’s degree demonstrates professional competence and commitment, and it’s the reason why employers prefer applicants.

Flexibility and Convenience of Earning the Online Degree at Your Own Pace

Students are more likely to maintain a good balance between personal obligations and professional commitments. They can learn at any time of the day and night, and learn anywhere with an Internet connection.

Leaderships Skills and Teamwork

Many online master’s in accounting programs also require students to complete a team-based project. The project must address either a simulated or a real-world issue in accounting and auditing, whether in the public or corporate domain.

Getting Admitted Into An Online Accounting Master’s Degree

Admission into the best online master’s in accounting programs are competitive. Prospective students must meet high standards including:

A bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field from a regionally or nationally accredited institution with minimum GPA,
Relevant work experience in the financial sector, such as in accounting, banking or business management,
Letters of recommendation,
Personal statement of purpose,
Current resume,
Standardized test scores (GMAT),
A completed application form and payment of application fee may also be required.

Frequently Asked Questions about Accounting Master’s Degree Programs

Why get a master’s in accounting?

If you plan to become a licensed Certified Public Accountant or serve in a leadership role for an accounting firm, you will likely be required to hold a master’s degree in accounting.

How long does it take to get a master’s in accounting?

While there are several degree paths offered at the master’s level, including Master in Accounting, Master of Science in Accounting, and Master of Business Administration in Accounting, most degree programs require 30-36 credits and can be completed in one to two years. Students can usually earn this degree online or in person, but in order to be admitted, they typically must hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or another related field.

What can I do with a master’s in accounting?

Master’s level courses explore accounting theories, methods, and practices with greater depth and specificity, helping to qualify and prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam. Graduates can pursue careers as CPAs, chief operating officers, and management analysts.

Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in accounting

How do we determine the best online accounting master's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Accountants and Auditors in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary

70050Property Appraisers and Assessors

83980Accountants and Auditors

84240Budget Analysts

88030Credit Analysts

103020Financial and Investment Analysts

25 Best Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Best Online Master’s Degrees in Accounting

Best Online Master's in Accounting

Featured Programs

Exploring the Online Master of Accounting Degree Program

Skills of Graduate Accounting Students

Special Courses and Final Exams in Graduate Accounting

What’s In Store for Online Master’s in Accounting Program Graduates?

Higher Earning Potential

Increased Job Competitiveness

Flexibility and Convenience of Earning the Online Degree at Your Own Pace

Leaderships Skills and Teamwork

Getting Admitted Into An Online Accounting Master’s Degree

Frequently Asked Questions about Accounting Master’s Degree Programs

Why get a master’s in accounting?

How long does it take to get a master’s in accounting?

What can I do with a master’s in accounting?

Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

25 Best Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Prospective Grad Students