Master of Science in Accounting Gain Advanced Accounting Skills
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Degree Options
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Transform Businesses Through Data Analysis with a Master’s in Accounting Online Degree
Our world is becoming increasingly connected through globalization. With this shift, there comes increased laws and regulations, a greater risk of fraud, and heightened challenges in managing business assets. Businesses are looking for highly skilled individuals who can analyze data and offer solid financial leadership in the accounting field. Take your passion for data analysis and become the solution today’s businesses are looking for with Liberty University’s master’s in accounting online.
Accountancy is a dynamic career path that allows you to make a real difference. By applying your accounting expertise to data analysis, you can be better prepared to assess the legality of a company’s financial records, determine if fraud has been committed, and even provide essential recommendations to make the business run more effectively. You can transform your findings into a big-picture view of what is going on in a business and then use this understanding to solve problems.
What is a Master’s in Accounting
A Master’s in Accounting is an advanced graduate degree that provides students with in-depth knowledge and skills in the field of accounting beyond the undergraduate level. This program typically covers various aspects of accounting including financial reporting, auditing, tax accounting, and management accounting. It is designed for students aiming to enhance their accounting expertise, meet the educational requirements for professional certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, and prepare for careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
What Will You Study in the Master’s in Accounting Online Degree?
Liberty University’s master’s in accounting online degree provides core content that can be applied to nearly any industry while allowing you to specialize your degree in a specific field’s unique requirements.
In our graduate courses in accounting, you can learn about:
- Advanced cost accounting skills
- Business law as it relates to legal issues encountered by CPAs
- Ethics in the accounting profession
- Financial accounting theory
- Information systems critical to operating in today’s business environment
- Tax research methods and auditing procedures
In addition to our general graduate courses in accounting, you can choose a specialized area of study that can help prepare you for the field of your choice. Liberty University’s online accounting degree can help ensure that you are prepared to leverage data for evidence-based business decisions in a variety of accounting settings.
Featured Courses
Master’s in Accounting Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Business.
- View the general track’s Degree Completion Plan.
- View the Graduate Business Course Guides (login required).
Why Choose Liberty’s Master’s in Accounting Online Degree?
With our 100% online master’s in accounting degree, you can sharpen your understanding of accounting practices and prepare for further certification.
We know that as you search for online accounting graduate programs that quality and flexibility are important. That’s why at Liberty University, all of the courses in your MSA program (master of science in accounting) are offered 100% online with no set login times.
In addition, Liberty University’s MS in Accounting is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Not only does Liberty have programmatic accreditation – but Liberty is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). With recognition like this, you can be confident that your MSA online degree has met rigorous educational standards.
As you explore online MAcc (master of accountancy) programs, we know that quality of instruction is important. What separates Liberty from the competition is that your accounting master’s online is taught by faculty who have advanced degrees in related areas of study – so you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class education.
Studying to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can open up many long-term career opportunities for you. Choose Liberty University’s master’s degree in accounting to receive content toward the 150 hours of formal education required to sit for the CPA exam. With online CPA degree prep, you can prepare to do well on the exam and reap the benefits of potential certification alongside your degree. Partner with Liberty and gain valuable credentials that can help you make a difference.
Individual state requirements may vary, please check the specific requirements for the state in which you reside.
Potential Careers for Master’s in Accounting Online Degree Graduates
- Audit accountant
- Business owner
- Certified public accountant
- Credit/loan counselor
- Finance manager
- Financial fraud analyst
- Loan interviewer
- Payroll clerk
- Revenue agent
- Tax examiner
Master’s in Accounting Online Degree Options
If you’re looking for a career that allows you to creatively apply your analytical skills to make a practical difference in the world, a career in accounting may be for you. Earn a master’s in accounting online and take the next step in your career. Explore information about each of the Master of Science in Accounting specializations below.
Audit and Financial Reporting
Liberty University’s 100% online master’s in accounting – audit and financial reporting explores the ethical issues, development, and prevention of fraudulent financial reporting. In a world where regulations are increasing, it is critical to have both internal and external auditors to ensure that financial records and reports comply with rules and regulations.
Through a master’s degree program in auditing, you can apply your accounting analysis skills to ensure truth and fairness as an auditor.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Business
Liberty University’s ACBSP accredited, 100% online master’s in accounting – business offers you a unique perspective on all areas of accounting. Through this program, you can develop a well-rounded understanding of accounting while mastering applicable business integrations. By developing business knowledge, you can become better prepared to understand, analyze, and provide solutions to the complex issues facing businesses today.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Financial Services
Liberty University’s ACBSP accredited, 100% online master’s in accounting in financial services is designed to help equip you with specific instruction to gear your learning towards corporate financing strategies. This program offers you the opportunity to examine how management addresses accounting data. You will be able to look at financial services from an accounting perspective and graduate with advanced financial services skills.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Forensic Accounting
Liberty University’s 100% online master’s in accounting – forensic accounting can help prepare you for a rewarding career as a forensic accountant. In this field, you will use your skills to examine cases of embezzlement and fraud in organizations. Whether you choose to work in law enforcement or for an accounting firm, you will examine financial documents, determine if there are any disparities, and make recommendations based on your findings. A master’s in forensic accounting can help you make a difference as you pursue justice.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
General
Liberty University’s 100% online master’s in accounting – general track can help provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to successfully enter the field of accounting. Through the seamless integration of business and accounting, you can obtain the tools needed to effectively lead in the accounting world. This program offers you the flexibility to pursue electives in what interests you most, allowing you room for exploration and preparing you for a variety of paths in accounting.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Leadership
Liberty University’s ACBSP accredited, 100% online master’s in accounting – leadership can help you prepare to apply accounting principles to a leadership perspective. You will study essential theories of management and leadership as well as practical skills in applying these concepts in the workplace. Combining your graduate courses in accounting with key leadership development classes can help put you on the fast track for executive positions in accounting, finance, and business.
If you have a passion for using your accounting expertise to lead an organization in making strong financial decisions, our leadership specialization may be for you.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Taxation
Liberty’s 100% online Master of Science in Accounting – Taxation explores accounting as it relates to the ethics, development, and implementation of taxation in society. With businesses moving overseas, many corporations must now juggle multiple tax codes that are constantly evolving. This has created a need for expert, reliable tax accountants who can sort through the complexities of tax law.
With this degree, you can become better prepared to work for individuals, corporations, or your own firm. As a tax accountant, you can look forward to a dynamic and evolving career that helps businesses and individuals.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Admission Information for Our Master’s in Accounting Online Degree
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Please note: The Master of Science in Accounting requires specific undergraduate accounting coursework as a prerequisite to admission.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make with a master’s degree?
A career in accounting may offer stability and higher pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides valuable information on how much higher master’s in accounting graduates can make than the national average. Learn More!*
Accounting professionals with a Master of Science in Accounting can often expect to receive better pay than those with only a bachelor’s degree, and pursuing CPA certification can also open up long-term career options with increased pay.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Occupational Outlook Handbook – Accountants and Auditors: Pay (viewed online March 4, 2022). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual pay.
Is an online master’s in accounting worth it?
We think so! Liberty University’s master’s degree in accounting can help equip you with the critical knowledge and skills you can use to excel in the accounting field.
- Get ahead – We offer 7 different accounting tracks to better equip you for a career in what interests you most.
- Get certified – Our program has been specifically designed to help prepare you for the CPA exam.
- Get going – You can complete your online master’s in accounting in just 1 year at Liberty!
What is a master’s degree in accounting called?
The specific nomenclature for master’s degrees varies from degree to degree and institution to institution. At Liberty, our degree is called a Master of Science in Accounting. Some other common names for master’s degrees in accounting include MAcc (master of accounting), MSA (master of science in accounting). Most of the time, these differences depend on the institution and do not reflect vast differences in degree content.
How long does it take to get an MS in Accounting?
At Liberty, our master’s degree in accounting requires 30 credit hours to completion. Our courses are offered 100% online with no set login times. With multiple start dates each year, you can take courses when it is convenient for you.
Is a master’s in accounting useful?
Earning a master’s in accounting is a credential that could help you explore new opportunities or pursue positions of added responsibility. Designed to help you prepare to take the CPA, our MS in Accounting program was crafted with your success in mind. Partner with Liberty and take the next step in your accounting career.
Is a CPA equivalent to a master’s degree?
The CPA (Certified Public Accountant) designation itself is not equivalent to a master’s degree in accounting. The CPA has its own requirements that need to be met, but our Master of Science in Accounting is designed to help you prepare to sit for the CPA. For further information on the CPA, please visit the state licensure requirements.
What is the best degree for an accountant?
If you are an accountant who wants to pursue new opportunities or positions of added responsibility, our Master of Science in Accounting may be for you. Check out our specializations to explore different areas you can focus on. Our programs are designed so that you can complete your degree while working full time, spending time with family, and remaining invested in your community. Partner with Liberty and launch your career in accounting today!
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