The online Master of Science in Professional Accounting from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management helps students advance their accounting careers or transition into finance roles. In the online program, students learn the same content from the same faculty as students in Whitman’s on-campus accounting program. Alumni of the online program have gone on to work at well-known organizations, including Audible, KPMG, Lockheed Martin and Micron Technology.
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The online M.S. in Professional Accounting curriculum trains students in areas such as data analytics, international accounting and reporting, taxes and business strategy, financial statement analysis, and auditing.
Students with an academic foundation in accounting can complete the 30-credit master’s in accounting program in 12 to 15 months. Students who have not completed accounting coursework will be placed into an individualized program of study that can be completed in 24 months or less. Customized course plans will be determined after an admissions decision has been rendered.
Accelerated Accounting Schedule (30 Credits)
Students can complete the program in as few as 12 months by taking more than two courses per term in two of the four terms.
Professional Accounting Schedule (30 Credits)
Professionals seeking a flexible schedule can complete the program in as few as 15 months by taking just two courses per term.
Foundational Accounting Schedule (33–48 Credits)
Students who hold an undergraduate degree in a subject other than accounting will follow a custom schedule based on previous coursework.
By the time students earn their master’s in accounting, they will be able to effectively communicate, have an advanced understanding of accounting principles, demonstrate research and analysis skills, understand business and accounting analytics, and think strategically about how business decisions affect accounting policies and vice versa.
The online master’s in accounting prepares students with the specialized knowledge needed to prepare for the Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) examination. The Whitman School is AACSB accredited, and our accounting program is registered as a New York State CPA licensing program.1 Please refer to https://nasba.org/stateboards/ for more information regarding licensure requirements.
Once enrolled in the accounting program and for up to one year after graduation, students may apply to an additional program and earn two master’s degrees from the Whitman School or other schools at Syracuse University for fewer credits. Earning two complementary degrees allows students to develop greater specialized expertise and set themselves apart in the job market.
Eligible students must meet the core requirements of the M.S. in Accounting and incorporate courses that are shared by the two degrees into their remaining coursework. At Whitman, students can pursue one of the following degree combinations:
M.S. in Professional Accounting (30–48 credits) and MBA (54 credits) for as few as 69–87 credits
M.S. in Professional Accounting (30–48 credits) and M.S. in Business Analytics (36 credits) for as few as 54–72 credits
M.S. in Professional Accounting (30-48 credits) and M.S. in Entrepreneurship (30 credits) for as few as 51–69 credits
“Business is getting more complicated, and the business community looks to accounting professionals to interpret much of this. Strong analytical skills coupled with great communication is unbeatable.”
Bill Walsh
Retired Professor of Accounting Practice, Director of the Graduate Accounting Programs
Request information today to see how the online MSA degree prepares you with the
knowledge, flexibility and resources to advance your accounting career.
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The online master’s in accounting program offers four start dates per year. Applicants who apply by the priority deadlines will pay a reduced application fee of $45, receive an admissions decision sooner and have more time to plan for the future, secure funding and take advantage of university resources.
The final deadline for the April 2024 cohort is February 8, 2024.
Syracuse University seeks motivated applicants who want to improve efficiency for businesses by implementing accounting best practices. View the application requirements for the online M.S. in Professional Accounting program.
While test scores can be a valuable tool, we believe that professional experience and past academic performance are better indicators of a candidate’s potential. Thus, GMAT/GRE waivers are available for applicants with varying work experience and who have demonstrated strong academic performance. Contact our admissions team to learn more.
If you’re ready to start gaining the accounting expertise and professional network to
advance in your field, begin your application now.
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Students in the online accounting master’s program have access to our extensive alumni network and student support services, including personalized career services and coaching. Resources and support include:
Career Coaching and Resources
Our career staff provide one-on-one coaching, resume review and interview preparation. Students also have 24/7 access to a self-directed career-development course.
Global Networking Opportunities
Students and alumni have opportunities to connect with Syracuse University’s worldwide network of students, faculty and alumni for career assistance and mentoring.
The expert faculty in the Whitman School of Management and Lubin School of Accounting are not only academic scholars, but they also have extensive experience in the accounting field. Meet some of the professors who teach for the online master’s in accounting.
Joseph Comprix
Associate Professor of Accounting, Chair of the Lubin School of Accounting
Professor Comprix has worked as a staff accountant and accounting manager at MeadWestvaco, teaches financial accounting courses for Whitman, and was named the Whitman Graduate Teacher of the Year from 2011 to 2013.
Teaches: Financial Accounting
Bill Walsh
Retired Professor of Accounting Practice
Professor Walsh, CPA, teaches courses in accounting and entrepreneurship, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and received the Oberwager Prize in 2007 for influencing Whitman students outside of the classroom.
Teaches: Financial Accounting, Venture Capital, and Auditing Theory and Practice
John Petosa
Professor of Practice
Professor Petosa is a licensed CPA and attorney, serves as the CFO and general counsel of a food distributor in Syracuse, has a private accounting and legal practice, and is on the board of a publicly traded local bank. He received the Faculty of the Year award in 2018.
Teaches: Taxes and Business Strategy
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In addition to the online Master of Science in Accounting, the Whitman School offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in accounting. While both degree options help students develop technical and interpersonal business skills, the choice often comes down to a student’s interests and career goals.
M.S. in Professional Accounting
Curriculum focus:
This program teaches data analytics and in-depth, specialized accounting skills.
Core classes:
Students focus most of their 30–36 credits on accounting topics, concentrating on skills that are needed for functional roles in accounting.
Time to completion:
This program can be completed in 12–24 months depending on prior coursework.
Career outcomes:
The master’s in accounting is designed is designed to prepare students for the CPA exam.
MBA with Accounting Specialization
Curriculum focus:
This program offers a general business education with some specialization in accounting.
Core classes:
Students complete foundational courses in marketing, finance, supply chain and accounting. Students can take a minimum of three elective courses in accounting.
Time to completion:
The program can be completed in 24–36 months.
Career outcomes:
The MBA program prepares students to become versatile leaders in an organization.
This online master’s program enables aspiring accountants and analysts to earn a Whitman degree without pausing their careers. GMAT and GRE waivers are available for qualified applicants. Request information today to see if you qualify.
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Skilled professionals who can manage a business’s finances and accounting procedures are in high demand.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook projects employment of accountants and auditors to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030. And, according to research conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council, 76 percent of responding employers hired graduates of accounting master’s programs in 2020, and 95 percent planned to hire these graduates in 2021.
Salaries for accounting professionals are contingent upon previous experience and education. Professionals who hold an advanced degree generally have the potential to earn more than their counterparts who only have a bachelor’s degree.
Graduates of an accounting master’s program can pursue careers in accounting and auditing as well as similar positions in financial management. Below are median salaries from 2017 for some of those careers:
$73,560
Accountant and auditor
$83,660
Financial analyst
$89,330
Personal financial advisor
$87,660
Management analyst
$78,970
Budget analyst
$134,180
Financial manager
All salary figures are from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (last modified April 10, 2020).
To prepare students for success as professional accountants, the online accounting master’s reinforces critical skills, such as analytical thinking, interpersonal communication, attention to detail, mathematics and organizational abilities. The following are some of the basic functions of common accounting roles.2
Public Accountants
Serve corporations, governments and individuals; perform accounting, auditing, tax and consulting tasks; can operate their own business; are commonly CPAs
Management Accountants
Analyze and record financial information for an organization’s use; do not produce public records; are also called cost, corporate or private accountants
Government Accountants
Work for government organizations; examine and maintain records; audit private businesses that are subject to government regulations
Internal Auditors
Examine management of their organization’s funds; identify ways to improve their financial processes; follow professional standards for internal auditing
External Auditors
Perform same work as internal auditors but work for an outside organization; review clients’ financial statements for accuracy; inform stakeholders of their findings
Information Technology Auditors
A subset of internal auditors; ensure that financial data is reliable; review controls for an organization’s computer systems
Since 2015, Syracuse University and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management have a proud legacy of bringing students from diverse backgrounds together to create, collaborate and break boundaries. As part of that goal to provide students with the ability to truly connect with their classmates, the online program also offers in-person learning opportunities.
Students and faculty meet each week in face-to-face classes held via webcam. Classes are kept small to fuel lively discussion about accounting trends. After joining live, all classes are accessible for later review.
In small, face-to-face classes, students engage in thoughtful discussions of issues that affect entrepreneurs in all industries. Designed in a highly customizable format, the online platform offers features such as dark mode, searchable video transcripts, adjustable video speed and streaming capability that lets you cast your coursework right onto your TV.
Take the next step. Learn how the online master’s in accounting program can prepare you for the CPA exam and a fulfilling career as an accountant, auditor or analyst.
1 NYSED, Office of College and University Evaluation. (Retrieved June 2020)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors (Retrieved June 2020)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
