MBA in Accounting

Accounting firms are businesses. As such, they require experienced, knowledgeable professionals to lead them. This is why students attend MBA programs—to learn advanced management techniques and to gain the skills necessary to hold high-level managerial positions in the business world. Many schools allow MBA students to choose a particular specialty on which they will focus their studies. This gives students the chance to further their education in a specific field, such as accounting.

Degree Basics

There is no such thing as a uniform MBA in accounting program. They can vary significantly from school to school. Most, but not all, MBA programs have a required set of first-year courses, followed by credit requirements that can be fulfilled through electives. An MBA with a focus in accounting, however, generally has far fewer elective possibilities and significantly more required core classes that cover advanced accounting practices. Some programs require that students complete a master's thesis; others require that students complete an internship in the accounting field. Some schools do both, with the internship occurring during the summer between the first and second year of enrollment. Students can expect to take some of the courses required for the master's of accounting degree, like corporate law and tax research.

When selecting an MBA accounting program, prospective students need to take great care in selecting the one that is right for them. For example, if a student learns better in a classroom setting, it would behoove him to select a program with less of a focus on real world experience and more time in the classroom. On the other hand, if a student learns better through experience, then she should find a program that focuses on obtaining practical experience at businesses and accounting firms.

Program Cost & Length

In general, MBA accounting programs take one-and-a-half to two years to complete, depending on whether or not the student's undergraduate work overlaps with any of the lower level courses required for the MBA. Most programs require 30 to 40 semester credit hours, but this can vary.

Public school tuition for in-state students is far less expensive than tuition at a private school or a non-resident public school, generally running between $8,000 and $15,000, depending on school size and reputation. At a private school, tuition will cost between $30,000 and $50,000.

Employment Outlook

MBA-accounting graduates can hold upper-level management positions in accounting firms, businesses, and government. People holding these degrees have become chief financial officers, senior financial analysts, and accounting directors. Professionals who possess a MBA in accounting are highly sought after in the business world because they have not only a firm foundation in management techniques, but also a solid and nuanced understanding of modern accounting practices, which makes for a well-rounded individual.

Article Resources:

Ashford University
Brandman University
Whitman School of Management
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Saint Martin's University
Florida Tech University Online
University of Louisville
University of Central Oklahoma