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MBA in Accounting Online

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Register By: July 01 Classes Start: July 03

Lead with an MBA in Accounting

  • $627/credit (30 credits total)
  • Program accredited by ACBSP
  • Earn embedded credentials along the way
  • No application fee
  • Can be completed in about 1 year
  • No GRE/GMAT required

Online MBA in Accounting Program Overview

Advance your expertise in business and financial management with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.

Built specifically for today's business needs, the SNHU MBA in Accounting online fits right into your life and deepens your understanding of capital budgeting, finance and portfolio management. And, the good news is, you don't have to enter this program with a UG in Accounting. By earning your MBA in Accounting, you'll learn to lead, strategize and innovate for a high-performance organization, and you could even have the opportunity to become a business leader of tomorrow.

SNHU, founded as the New Hampshire School of Accounting in 1932, has a long history of graduating successful accounting professionals. Our graduates are working at management-level positions in a range of industries. And as an MBA student, you'll have the opportunity to connect and network with faculty and alumni in the accounting, finance and business management fields.

"This program is ideal for anyone who wants to be a business owner or manager – particularly any manager who oversees an accounting department but doesn't have a background in accounting," said Mona Stephens, accounting faculty lead at SNHU.

You'll learn far more than just accounting skills in this program. In addition to learning primary accounting skills such as financial reporting and the tax implications of major business decisions, you'll gain a deeper understanding of an organization's vision, mission, values, culture and strategic goals. You'll gain a deeper understanding of a how impactful leaders are made, and you may even find you'll be able to run your own business in a fiscally responsible and efficient way.

No matter where you want to go in the business world, and what industry you want to work in, accounting knowledge will always be useful as an essential business function.

The MBA in Accounting is just one of 17 concentration options at SNHU. Learn more about all of our career-focused online MBA programs.

What You'll Learn

  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Strategies for an organization
  • How to evaluate and implement organizational processes
  • Global awareness and cultural responsiveness
  • Ethical and legal standards, and sustainable practices

How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

Career Outlook

The need for business and finance occupations continues to rise.

Job Growth

Through 2031, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 7% job growth for business and finance occupations (715,100 positions), and an 8% growth for all management occupations (883,900 new roles) with a whopping 17% job growth for financial managers (123,100 jobs).1

Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), finance and insurance management positions in 2021 saw a median annual salary of $131,710, and company and enterprise management positions were at an median annual salary of $158,820.1

It's also worth noting that many senior management executives have a background in accounting or finance. Additionally, accounting knowledge will only better support your business operational skillset in a management role, throughout a number of industries. An ability to analyze and interpret financial data is especially important as companies seek efficient, cost-effective means of operation. 

Earning your MBA in Accounting online at SNHU gives you the background you need to be successful in a wide variety of management-level positions in fields such as:

Banking

The work environment can be fast-paced and might include roles such as relationship manager, loan officer, financial analyst or investment banker. 

Budget Analytics

Jobs in this setting involve analyzing financial data and includes jobs like budget analyst, financial analyst or business analyst. 

Management Accounting

In these roles, you might use an organization's accounting and financial data to support strategic decision-making for strong ROI.

Financial Reporting and Planning

These jobs are client-focused and relationship-oriented. Roles may include financial planner, investment advisor or wealth manager. 

Overall, each of these job settings can be rewarding for those with an interest in finance and a talent for working with numbers and data. However, the specific work environment and job responsibilities can vary widely depending on the role, organization and industry.

Mona Stephens with the text Mona Stephens"Accounting knowledge allows managers to better analyze financial reports and plan for the organization’s financial future," said Mona Stephens, accounting faculty lead at SNHU. "The accounting concentration also gives managers an understanding of the tax factors that affect businesses."

Financial managers are needed in all types of organizations, allowing you to combine your skill set with an industry you're passionate about.

In 2021, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council, a survey noted that those in accounting/finance industries could see a major increase in demand for business school graduates.2

The reason behind that, according to the survey, is that they've found so many advantages to earning their MBA. A GMAC survey of those in the Class of 2022 shows the top outcomes of a graduate business degree2 include:

  • Increasing employability
  • Developing a professional network
  • Preparing to work in culturally diverse organizations

Our MBA core curriculum sets you up for success with these outcomes. For example, you can build the skills to lead with our Leading People and Organizations class. Or, you can contribute to measurability and performance success with our Measuring Success in an Organization class.

And with some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, and the opportunity to earn credentials as you go, you can build these skill sets at SNHU – with a much better return on investment (ROI).

Start Your Journey Towards an Online Accounting Degree

Future Proof Your Career

Clare GreenlawClare Greenlaw, associate dean of MBA programs

“The hard skills required for businesses to succeed are constantly changing with advances in technologies."

Courses & Curriculum

Originally named the New Hampshire Accounting and Secretarial School when we opened back in 1932, SNHU has some serious roots in teaching business and accounting. In fact, founder Harry Shapiro wanted his students to fully understand the "why" behind accounting and not just the "how."

It's not much different today.

Our new MBA program weaves accounting and finance throughout the program, integrating core principles across all courses. This means, in the coursework for this program, you'll learn how to assess financial viability as well as make sound fiscal decisions that will be beneficial in both the short and long term scenarios. This program will allow you to gain the overarching business skills you want, plus the financial skills you need to make smart business decisions.

The current program also incorporates many dynamic learning experiences and formats, including:

  • Scenario-based learning: Practice and problem-solve within real-world business scenarios and work with your instructors as mentors.
  • Multimedia content: Watch animations for complex topics, video featuring industry leaders sharing business insights and collaborate with video communication tools.
  • Embedded credentials from external partners: Earn more than a degree with a selection of integrated and optional credentialing opportunities.

These formats culminate to help prepare you for a successful accounting career that can help support any number of organizations.

"Financial resources are one of the most important things that all organizations have to manage, and every manager in the organization plays a role in managing those resources," said Mona Stephens, faculty accounting lead at SNHU. "Whether it’s keeping track of sales, purchasing inventory, supplies, or equipment, or just running a department, managers need to understand the numbers."

The 3 graduate-level accounting courses you'll take in your MBA in Accounting program are:

  • Financial Reporting I: Learn foundational financial accounting theories and practices, with emphasis placed on standards and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). You'll analyze financial statements and accounts for advising stakeholders on related business decisions.
  • Financial Reporting II: Focus on additional financial activities – stockholders’ equity, income management, pensions, leases and statement of cash flows – and the impact they have on financial statements.
  • Tax Factors in Business Decisions: Get an introduction to tax factors that are relevant in business and personal financial planning decisions – like fiduciaries, regular and S corporations, partnerships, tax shelters and tax research.

Taking these courses online can also help you gain more confidence with current applications, practices and technology.

Not only can our MBA in Accounting program help you get an edge in the job market, but you can benefit now from the convenience it gives you. If you're already working, a program at a brick-and-mortar campus may not work for you, due to class times or a commute. Our online courses are accessible 24/7, meaning you can complete your work at the time of day that works best for you.

“The people considering an online MBA typically have established careers and other obligations," Greenlaw said. "They can’t quit their job to go to school full time."

You can work with your academic advisor to establish a class schedule that works around your commitments and create a timeline that allows you to reach your goals when you need to.

Don't have a business background? No problem. Our MBA is accessible to everyone. Interested students must have a conferred undergraduate degree for acceptance, but it can be in any field. Those without an undergraduate degree in business or a related field may be asked to complete up to 2 foundation courses to get started. These foundations cover essential business skill sets and can be used to satisfy elective requirements for the general-track MBA. With foundations, the maximum length of your online MBA would be 36 credits.

Attend full time or part time. Students in the MBA have the option to enroll full time (at 2 classes per term) or part time (with 1 class per term). Full-time students should be able to complete the program in about 1 year, while part-time students could finish in about 2 years. Our SNHU students are busy, often juggling jobs, family and other obligations, so you may want to work with your academic advisor to identify the course plan that works for you. The good news is, you can switch from full time to part time and back again as often as you want.

University Accreditation

New England Commission of Higher Education Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Graduate Programs Per Course Per Credit Hour Annual Cost for 15 credits 
Degree/Certificates $1,881 $627 $9,405 
Degree/Certificates
(U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)*
$1,410 $470 $7,050 

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
*Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs:
$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

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References

Licensure and Certification Disclosures

SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.