Online Master’s in Accounting MS in Accounting / MS in Accounting Finance

Developed with input from corporate partners like Fidelity, the MS in Accounting Finance online degree program can open up a variety of career opportunities in for-profit, nonprofit and municipal sectors. Your instructors, who collectively bring decades of accounting and financial experience into the coursework, know which skills are needed in the workplace today and how to prepare you to meet those needs.

Master of Science in Accounting Finance Degree Benefits:

• Median annual salary of $134,180 for financial managers¹
• 15% projected job growth for financial managers through 2029¹
• Key courses include: Cost Accounting, Auditing, Business Law and Corporate Financial Management.

SNHU's accounting and finance master's degree program will give you the tools you need to help these entities thrive by teaching you auditing methods, budgeting, cost analysis, financial reporting, and individual and corporate tax preparation.

With the business world facing increased scrutiny to comply with strict accounting practices, there's steady demand for trained professionals in corporate finance, banking, investing, government and nonprofits. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, opportunities for accountants and auditors are expected to grow 4% through 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.¹ Careers in accounting and finance include:

• public and corporate accountant
• budget analyst
• investment analyst
• personal financial planner

If you’re interested in an accounting finance degree, see the full curriculum. In addition to this program, we also offer a full master’s in finance if you are more interested in finance than accounting.

This program is the best option if you want to focus primarily on accounting. Choosing this option without a concentration will give you the most freedom to choose your courses with major electives. The 4 concentrations options are also hosted under this program option, allowing you to create the most customized degree experience for your career goals.

Learn how to:

• Appraise the effectiveness and limitations of financial accounting and reporting practices
• Generate complex financial statements for internal and external users
• Minimize the tax liability of individuals and organizations
• Communicate the significance of accounting information as it relates to strategic plans
• Prepare components of financial statements in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Assess an audit plan for compliance with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) audit standards

SNHU’s master’s in accounting online aligns with the Content and Skill Specification Outlines (CSOs/SSOs) set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

With this specialized concentration, you can design internal and external audits and information assurance plans that adhere to auditing best practices and principles and comply with established national and international auditing standards.

The online Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Auditing can increase your chances of landing the auditing job you want. You'll learn about the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – the federal law that sets requirements for public company boards, management and public accounting firms – and what steps companies must take to comply with these requirements. And you’ll also use the latest technologies to solve common auditing challenges.

By earning your master's, you can develop your ability to succeed in middle and senior management positions, and improve your advancement potential by helping corporations meet the demand for greater transparency in financial reporting.

Career outlook:

The need for accountants and auditors remains steady, with 6% projected growth through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.¹ And as the economy grows, more could be needed to examine financial records.

In May 2021, the median pay for accountants and auditors was $77,250.¹

Some types of auditor roles you could consider include:

• External auditors: Review financial statements and ensure that they've been correctly prepared and reported.
• Internal auditors: Identify ways to improve processes for finding and eliminating waste and fraud.
• Information technology auditors: Review controls for computer systems to ensure that financial data comes from a reliable source.

Courses may include:

• Detection and Prevention of Fraudulent Financial Statements
• Introduction to Forensic Accounting/Fraud Exam
• Seminar in Audit and Information Assurance

Enhance your accounting career by gaining the skills to investigate fraud with an online Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Forensic Accounting.

You'll learn how forensic accounting principles can be applied in complex financial transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and contract disputes.

You’ll also discover how forensic accounting findings are used in court cases to prosecute white-collar criminals.

Career outlook:

Financial crises and legislative demand for greater transparency in financial reporting continue to fuel growth in forensic accounting.

Graduates from forensic accounting programs can move into jobs in which they evaluate, review and describe financial and business matters in a variety of settings, including accounting firms, insurance companies, law offices and governmental agencies.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% employment growth through 2031.¹ In addition, the median annual salary was $77,250 for accountants and auditors in May 2021.¹

Courses may include:

• Detection and Prevention of Fraudulent Financial Statements
• Interview Techniques/Legal Aspects of Fraud
• Investigating with Computers

Become a strategic partner in your organization by providing financial information that can guide the internal management of employees, managers and executives, inform decision-making and improve performance.

The online Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Management Accounting offers focused studies in accounting as preparation for academic qualifications required for becoming a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and for a broader study of management related to the application of accounting theory and best practices.

You'll examine functions of controllership, global, government and nonprofit accounting to achieve an advanced understanding of accounting and financial management decision making and analysis.

Adding the management accounting concentration is a good option if you're interested in working in and leading the accounting division of a business, nonprofit or government agency rather than as a CPA. Instead of preparing tax documents, management accountants more often work as controllers to manage an organization's books, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll and more. The concentration courses will help you prepare to manage an organization's accounting department and prepare financial statements for senior management.

Career outlook:

With coursework covering the functions of controllership, business law and governmental, nonprofit and international accounting, SNHU's master's in management accounting can open up opportunities in the private and public sectors, as well as nonprofits.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% employment growth for accountants and auditors through 2031.¹ In addition, the median annual salary was $77,250 for accountants and auditors in May 2021.¹

Courses may include:

• Controllership
• Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
• International Accounting

The online Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation introduces you to rules and practices in income taxation for individuals, corporations and partnerships, as well as excise tax on estates and goods.

A master’s in taxation not only helps you meet CPA exam requirements, but also helps prepare you for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) professional certification exams.

Courses may include:

• Estate and Gift Taxation
• Special Topics in Taxation
• Tax Research Methodology

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 12 credits from your previous institution.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 160,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

Recently, Southern New Hampshire University has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
• Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate your industry. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

History

Founded as an accounting school, Southern New Hampshire University has been graduating successful accountants since 1932.

At that time, what's now known as SNHU was just a two-room business school above a nondescript storefront in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. Originally named the New Hampshire Accounting and Secretarial School, the tiny enterprise enrolled fewer than 10 day students and 35 evening students in bookkeeping, accounting and secretarial courses.

The school’s founder, Harry Alfred Benjamin “H.A.B.” Shapiro, launched courses at SNHU to train bookkeepers in the theory and method of accounting. Shapiro, who was still running his accounting practice at the time, believed passionately in the value of knowing the “why” of accounting and not just the “how.”

To this day, business programs – including accounting – are some of the university's most popular degrees that students enroll in.

96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.² Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials — with no GRE or GMAT required.

Students with an undergraduate GPA below 2.75 are eligible for provisional acceptance.

To apply, use the online application.

Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions, and walk you through the application process, which includes:

• Completing a graduate application
• Providing undergraduate transcripts

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.

Notes: 

• Laptop or desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility. 

• Note:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10. 

• Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government. 

• Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers. 

Quite a lot, actually. Like many professions, accounting has become much more diverse, and while CPA is one avenue, there are also many others.

Transparency in financial reporting has taken on far greater importance in the corporate world than it once had – and with it, the need for accounting professionals to help maintain that transparency.

Intrigued? You might consider specializing in auditing. Along with improving financial reporting, many auditors serve the critical function of helping companies develop growth strategies based on long-term goals.

As businesses strive to compete in a global marketplace, accounting plays a broader strategic role in general. Master’s degree candidates who specialize in management accounting improve their odds of becoming the kind of strategic partner who can help guide the management of internal resources at every level, help executives make decisions and improve performance.

And then there are accountants whose passion for numbers is rivaled only by their passion for digging into them. With a concentration in forensic accounting, you’ll apply those innate critical thinking skills to complex financial transactions like mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and contract disputes. Is criminology your thing? You’ll learn to investigate corporate fraud too.

In addition to these career directions, a few equally good alternatives include financial examiner, financial analyst, finance manager, comptroller, CFO, budget analyst or business and financial consultant.

While both enhance your skills and advancement potential, one focuses on depth of knowledge, the other on breadth. The MS in Accounting deepens your accounting expertise. The MBA in Accounting broadens your business acumen.

The MBA program is for students "who want to move into higher levels of management that require more overall business skills and fewer accounting skills,” according to Mona Stephens, an accounting faculty lead at SNHU – but that's not the program's only audience, she said. As professionals advance their careers, it's vital to develop a better understanding of skills like accounting: By undertaking a more holistic approach to business, you can build better organizational strategies and make financially sound decisions.

Courses in the master’s in accounting dig into more complex accounting topics and foster critical thinking of accounting theory and practice. Stephens says this degree makes sense “for accountants who want to expand their accounting knowledge and perhaps specialize in a certain type of accounting, like management accounting or taxation.”

The MS in Accounting is also an ideal stepping stone for the CPA or CMA exams or for anyone who wants to teach accounting.

According to the CPA Accounting Institute, a certified public accountant is an accounting professional who has passed the CPA exam.⁵ They’ve also fulfilled all the education and work experience requirements to become a licensed CPA within the state where they intend to work.

You can work as an accountant without becoming a CPA, but the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) considers it the industry-standard designation of quality and trust.⁶ For non-CPA candidates with an accounting degree, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics¹ recommends these positions:

• Management accountant
• Government accountant
• Internal auditor
• External auditor
• IT auditor

The CPA credential gives you the experience and expertise to perform functions a non-certified accountant can’t do, such as audits and reviews and taxation services.

Non-certified accountants are not allowed to audit public companies, issue audit reports or opinion letters, or review public company financial statements for the SEC. And only a CPA can sign a client’s tax return as a paid preparer and represent the client in front of the IRS.

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. This program and its concentrations are also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on College Navigator. Learn more about our university accreditations.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (viewed Jan. 9, 2023). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

² According to more than 9,200 SNHU online students in survey responses from the fall of 2019.

³ American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, CPA Study Exam Study Materials, on the internet, at https://www.aicpa.org/becomeacpa/cpaexam/examinationcontent.html (viewed March 3, 2020)

⁴ Institute of Management Accountants, CMA Certification, on the internet, at https://www.imanet.org/cma-certification (viewed March 3, 2020)

⁵ CPA Accounting Institute for Success, on the internet, at https://www.ais-cpa.com/become-a-cpa-without-an-accounting-degree/ (viewed Feb. 21, 2020).

⁶ American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Frequently Asked Questions, on the internet, at https://www.aicpa.org/BECOMEACPA/GETTINGSTARTED/FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS#CPAs_vs_Accountants (viewed March 17, 2020).