By DeVry University
August 27, 2021
7 min read
August 27, 2021
7 min read
Whether you’ve recently earned your bachelor’s degree or have been working in your accounting role for some time, you might be considering the next steps in your career. Earning a master’s degree in accounting may be a great choice.
But, what can you do with a master’s in accounting? How long will it take you to accomplish your goals? Read on for answers to these frequently asked questions and more.
Public Accountant:
A public accountant is responsible for helping companies with their finances. Their duties may include auditing, tax preparation, financial planning and budget and financial statement creation. To become a CPA, one requirement is to pass the CPA exam, which is only available to people who have at least 150 credit hours of accounting classes. Many people who become CPAs pursue a master's program in order to fulfill this requirement.
Auditor:
Auditors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of an organization's financial records. While it is possible to become an auditor without a master's degree, pursing a master's in accounting may help you stand out as you move forward in your career. Oftentimes, senior-level auditors have a master's degree or higher-level degree. Auditors may work for public accounting firms or as internal auditors within organizations.
Finance Manager:
Finance managers oversee the budgets of all departments in an organization. These senior-level accountants often have a master's degree, CPA certification and several years of experience in the industry.
Senior Financial Analyst:
Financial analysts analyze budgets and data to arrive at a risk calculation for proposed projects. Many employers require their financial analysts to have a master's degree, and some may prefer them to have a CPA certification as well.
Tax Examiner:
Tax examiners work for the government and evaluate tax forms for both individuals and businesses. Not all tax examiners have a graduate degree, but those who wish to pursue a senior-level position often hold a master's.
Forensic Accountant:
Forensic accountants perform a variety of functions, depending on the organization they work for. Some work for law enforcement agencies and identify financial crimes; others work for private companies and help uncover suspected fraud within the organization. Many forensic accountants have a Certified Fraud Examiner credential or a Certified Forensic Accountant credential. If you’re interested in becoming a forensic accountant it can be helpful to have a master's degree, as it can potentially help you maximize the number of jobs for which you could be prepared for.
As you can see, there are many opportunities you can consider pursuing once you’ve earned a master's in accounting. Read on to learn more about the value of accounting graduate programs, how to pursue this degree and the various specializations you can choose from.
Master’s in Accounting:
Our Master's Degree in Accounting program is designed to prepare you for a career working at an accounting firm, a private company or the government. This program includes CPA exam preparation and is best suited for individuals who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management:
Similar to our Master’s in Accounting, our Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management prepares you for a career in the accounting profession. In this program, you may choose between a Finance or CPA Exam Preparation emphasis. It is designed to help you apply accounting concepts to financial accounting, managerial accounting and financial management, regardless of your previous work or education background.
MBA with an Accounting Specialization:
An MBA with a Specialization in Accounting provides a balanced approach between traditional accounting and the real-world application of accounting through business practices.
MBA with a Finance Specialization:
An MBA with a Finance specialization provides you with the opportunity to build financial management skills that can be applied in a business setting.
You'll also gain a more thorough understanding of accounting regulations and standards as well as the skills you need to pursue a professional license.
The skills you gain through an accounting specialization can also help you gain a better understanding of business management. These additional skills can help make you a more effective employee who is more aware of the various considerations that go into every business decision.
1Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.
2Each student is allotted 13 hours of tutoring per academic session through www.Tutor.com (available 24/7). Additional tutoring services are also available through www.DeVryTutors.com.
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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Naperville Campus: 1200 E. Diehl Rd., Naperville, IL 60563. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online compliant system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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