Elevate Your Career with a Master’s Degree in Accounting
Offered in a 100% online asynchronous format, the University of Michigan-Flint’s Master of Science in Accounting degree is designed for those who want to pursue Certified Public Accountancy and elevate their careers to mid to senior-level positions with advanced accounting competencies. The MSA will also provide the technical knowledge for those looking to pursue a career in corporate accounting.
UM-Flint’s online MSA degree program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds. Whether you are a working professional with an accounting background or a recent college graduate from a non-business major, you can build your foundational knowledge in accounting through our Master’s in Accounting program and lift your understanding to an advanced level.
Why Earn Your MSA Degree at UM-Flint?
Professional Preparation
By earning your MSA degree from UM-Flint, you are prepared to complete the CPA Exam as well as other professional certificates in accounting. You also are ready to compete for challenging and rewarding accounting positions and seek career advancement with a strong knowledge of accounting principles.
If you’re interested in obtaining a CPA license, we encourage you to confirm your eligibility to satisfy all educational requirements with the State Accountancy Board in the specific state or U.S. district/territory where you wish to become licensed. You can find more information about CPA Exam Disclosure.
100% Flexible Online Program Option
UM-Flint’s online MSA program is designed to be accessible to full-time students and busy working professionals from a wide geographic area. The Master of Science in Accounting program is offered entirely online. This online asynchronous format provides flexible interactions that accommodate many students’ and professionals’ busy lives. Online learning is done through many methodologies including discussion boards, online chats, podcasts, video meetings, and other methods. The University of Michigan-Flint utilizes the Canvas learning platform for its online education.
Accreditation
The UM-Flint MSA program is accredited by AACSB International, the highest accrediting body for business schools worldwide. Only 5.5% of business schools are accredited by AACSB. In accordance with AACSB, we subscribe to the highest standards in management education. We prepare students to contribute to their organizations and the larger society and to grow personally and professionally throughout their careers.
Program Completion
Whether you are interested in completing your MSA degree as quickly as possible or spreading classes out to maximize your personal and professional flexibility, the UM-Flint MSA program is built for you. Students waiving both MSA foundation courses can complete their degree in as few as 10 months or take as long as five years to complete their degree.
Affordable MSA Degree
The tuition of the Master of Science in Accounting program is extremely affordable for both in-state and out-of-state students. Scholarships and assistantships help offset the cost of tuition. Earning a dual degree is also very affordable with the ability to count classes toward two degrees.
MSA/MBA Dual Degrees
UM-Flint’s School of Management is a big proponent of dual degrees. Pairing a specialized MSA with a more generalist MBA degree offers students the unique opportunity to earn their dual MBA/MSA by double counting up to 15 credits from the MSA degree toward the MBA degree. The dual degree also enables MSA students without a business undergraduate degree to meet the CPA exam requirement of 24 general business credits. The dual degree allows you to earn two master’s degrees with fewer credits: saving time and money. The MBA is also offered 100% online, along with other class formats.
U-M Resources
As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan system, UM-Flint’s MSA students have access to additional library and educational resources, expertise, and business databases at our campuses in Ann Arbor and Dearborn.
Master’s in Accounting Program Curriculum
The online Master of Science in Accounting provides the theory and knowledge you need to be successful on the CPA exam and excel in your professional accounting career.
The MSA program requires you to complete 30-36 credits of coursework including 6 credit hours of foundation courses (waivable), 21 credit hours of MSA core courses, and 9 credit hours of electives.
The foundation course set the foundation for you to be successful in the core and elective courses. The core area improves students’ skills in financial reporting, cost management, accounting systems and controls, auditing, and other key CPA exam areas. The elective courses are designed for students to study subjects that fit their career interests such as taxation, forensic accounting, advanced financial reporting, data analytics, financial statement analysis, and many MBA disciplines.
Students with an AACSB accredited accounting bachelor’s degree can waive the two foundation courses.
Review the detailed Master of Science in Accounting curriculum.
Master of Science in Accounting Core Courses
- ACC 535 – Financial Reporting Special Topics
- ACC 545 – Seminar in Management Accounting
- ACC 550 – Individual Federal Income Taxation
- ACC 555 – Taxation of Businesses
- ACC 565 – Seminar in Contemporary Accounting Systems and Control
- ACC 575 – Auditing and Assurance Services
- ACC 580 – Advanced Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting and Financial Reporting
Accounting Career Outlook
Focusing on career development and preparation for the CPA Exam, UM-Flint’s comprehensive Master’s in Accounting online program empowers students to pursue high-level accounting positions in various industries such as banking, consulting, insurance, taxation, and public accounting.
Graduates of the MSA degree program have ample in-demand job opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting employment opportunities are projected to grow 4% through 2029 with 1,436,100 new jobs available in the market. In addition, accountants and auditors are able to make an annual median salary of $73,560.
By completing the Master of Science in Accounting degree program, you may pursue the following potential careers:
- Capital Accountant
- Forensic Accountant
- Budget Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Cost Estimator
- Tax Accountant
- Payroll Accountant
If you’re interested in obtaining a CPA license, we encourage you to confirm your eligibility to satisfy all educational requirements with the State Accountancy Board in the specific state or U.S. district/territory where you wish to become licensed.
You can find more information on the CPA exam disclosure document.
Admission Requirements – No GMAT Required
Admission to the Master of Science in Accounting program is open to qualified graduates with a bachelor’s degree in the arts, sciences, engineering, or business administration from a regionally accredited institution.
To be considered for admission, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to FlintGradOffice@umich.edu or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.
- Application for Graduate Admission
- $55 application fee (non-refundable)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
- For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
- If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
- Statement of Purpose: a one-page typed response to the question, “What are your career objectives and how will an MSA contribute to accomplishing these objectives?”
- Résumé, including all work experience and academic experience.
- Two letters of recommendation (professional and/or academic)
- Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
This program is fully online. Admitted students will not be able to obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. However, students living outside the US may complete this program online in their home country. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at globalflint@umich.edu.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Early Deadline – May 1*
- Fall Final Deadline – August 1
- Winter – December 1
- Summer – April 1
*You must have a complete application by the early May 1 deadline to guarantee application eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.
MSA Program Academic Advising
At UM-Flint, we are proud to provide many dedicated expert advisors whom students can rely upon for guidance along their educational journey. Book an appointment today to talk to our advisors about your academic and career goals.
Learn More about the Online Master’s Degree in Accounting
University of Michigan-Flint’s online Master of Science in Accounting program provides excellent preparation for career advancement in accounting. Apply today, request information, or schedule an appointment to speak with our Academic Advisor about the MSA and CPA today!
