Become a Master in Taxation
- $627/credit (36 credits total)
- Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
- Continue your path toward a CPA
- Program accredited by ACBSP
- Alignment with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA™)
- Enrolling accounting students since 1932
Master’s in Taxation Online Concentration Overview
Gain expertise in tax rules and enhance your Master of Science (MS) in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation from Southern New Hampshire University.
The focused taxation curriculum will introduce you to key concepts, rules and practices in income taxation for individuals, corporations and partnerships, as well as excise tax on estates and goods.
Tax accountants aren’t hired simply for their ability to prepare tax returns. Businesses and individuals rely on them as experts in a complex, high-stakes subject. Taught by professionals in the field, the interactive master's in taxation degree program is designed to prepare you to meet the growing demand in the workplace for highly skilled accountants.
Learn how to:
- Understand tax law, auditing and financial reporting
- Gain the analytical and technical skills companies and municipal agencies require in their accounting professionals
- Build the foundation you need to launch your career in this high-demand accounting specialty
- Work towards preparation for the Uniform CPA (certified public accountant) Exam
Career Outlook
The Internal Revenue Code is complicated and changes every year. That's why individuals and businesses rely on tax accountants who are expertly trained to navigate the tax code to ensure compliance.
But what does a taxation concentration mean for your career path? Specializing your skill set in taxation could help prepare you to counsel individuals, corporations or nonprofits by helping them understand how to best manage their financial decisions in preparation for year-end taxes. Or, you could put your knowledge to work in the compliance and enforcement side of taxes investigating and uncovering potential tax fraud. Either way, you'll learn how to keep up with annually changing tax codes while becoming adept at communicating and working with clients.
Overall, accounting can be a lucrative job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants and auditors had a median annual pay of $73,560 in 2020.1
Many people in the taxation field work in federal government, litigation and valuation, investment funds, forensic tax and tax fraud. Our master's in taxation online degree was built to prepare you to take your career to the next level in middle and senior management roles including:
- Tax advisor. Help individuals and business avoid overpaying taxes. From knowing which deductions are available, to advising on ways to minimize tax liability in the future, tax advisors play an important role in tax strategy.
- Tax manager. Be the point-person on your tax accountant team. On top of providing clients with advisement and ensuring their taxes are within compliance, you'll supervise other tax staff in your company.
- Tax auditor. Examine financial records to evaluate whether or not they comply with tax laws. You'll have responsibilities such as conducting audits to identify what taxes are owed.
- Financial investigator. Much like the tax auditor, you'll be examining financial records, but as a special agent for the Internal Revenue Service. Your master's in taxation will lay a great accounting foundation, but as a sworn law enforcement officer, you'll need more training from the IRS.
- Tax law advisor. With your specialized knowledge in taxation, you could work in court, advising judges in cases concerning tax law. You'll do research and give advice as an expert in your field.
If the role you're after requires you have your CPA license, you're in luck. Our MS in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation program curriculum aligns with the Content and Skill Specification Outlines (CSOs/SSOs) set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and fulfills the educational requirements for CPA exam eligibility in most states.
"I needed the education and the credits to sit for the CPA exam," she said, noting that she also wanted "a curriculum that aligns with AICPA."
Woolsey has since earned the CPA credential.
Note: Students cannot earn CPA certification simply by earning a college degree. If you wish to follow the traditional CPA track upon graduation, you'll need to verify you meet all requirements to sit for the exam. Licensing requirements to sit for the CPA exam vary from state to state. See CPA requirements by state on our licensure and certification disclosure page.
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Taxation Degree
Why SNHU For Your Master’s in Taxation
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
As part of our mission to make higher education more accessible, we’re committed to keeping our tuition rates low. In fact, we haven’t raised our online tuition rates, some of the lowest in the nation, since 2012.
Prior coursework and work experience could also help you save time and money. SNHU’s transfer policy allows you to transfer up to 12 credits from your previous institution. You could also earn college credit for previous work experience.
Respected
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 150,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Recently, SNHU 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 300,000 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 the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
96.5% of students would recommend SNHU (according to a 2019 survey of 9,200+ online students). Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Opportunities
SNHU was founded in 1932 as the New Hampshire Accounting and Secretarial School. Since then, we've grown to offer 200+ programs online and on campus. Beyond enrolling in one of our career-focused accounting programs, you'll have opportunities to get involved – even as an online student.
SNHUconnect is a private online community exclusively for online students. There, you can also join a professional accounting chapter – Institute of Management Accountants (SNHU Student Chapter). The SNHU IMA student chapter community helps accounting, finance and business students in our online programs plan, build and improve their careers.
Admission Requirements
Expanding 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:
- Completed free application
- Undergraduate transcripts, which we can retrieve for you by submitting a transcript request form
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms.
How to Apply
If you’re ready to apply, follow these simple steps to get the process going:
- Complete free graduate application
- Submit undergraduate transcripts
- Work with an admission counselor to explore financial options and walk through application process
Master's in Taxation Courses & Curriculum
The online master's in accounting curriculum is designed to provide you with practical knowledge in auditing, advanced financial reporting, business law, ethics, communication and research. When you add the taxation concentration to your program, you'll go beyond basic individual and corporate taxes and learn about estate and gift taxes, how to conduct tax research and special tax issues.
In the tax concentration, you'll take courses that cover individual income tax, corporate tax, tax research, international tax and flow-through entities. You'll learn how various business entities are taxed, how U.S. tax laws affect people and companies outside the country and more.
"I loved the intermediate/advanced accounting and taxation classes," said Lin Woolsey '20. "The accounting knowledge is useful at work while the taxation knowledge is helpful with my personal tax return."
The MS in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation is a 12-course program, with 9 courses in the major. The taxation concentration is made up of 3 tax-focused courses that will help you specialize your knowledge and skills:
- Estate and Gift Taxation. Learn about federal taxation of large gifts throughout life and also property transfers upon death. Using relevant statutes, regulations and case law, you'll develop different estate and gift planning strategies.
- Tax Research Methodology. Examine the methods and techniques used in federal tax research. You'll also learn rules and procedures for representing clients during IRS review.
- Special Topics in Taxation. Study special topics in federal taxation. You'll explore major contemporary problem areas of taxation in the U.S.
These courses are designed to give future tax accountants a strong foundation in all aspects of U.S. taxes. You'll have the opportunity to demonstrate your learning via case studies and projects. This work includes researching issues for tax clients and making tax planning recommendations.
Because tax law changes each year, it’s not always immediately clear how a particular tax provision should be applied. This is why you'll also learn how to research tax law and then propose a solution using your findings.
Our master's in taxation online curriculum aligns with the Content and Skill Specification Outlines (CSOs/SSOs) set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). As such, the MS in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation fulfills the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam in most states. Additionally, material covered in the taxation concentration will help prepare you for many concepts, including the regulation section of the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination.
Foundation Courses
While we enroll students with all kinds of undergraduate degrees, you might need to take some foundation courses before getting into the core master's in taxation courses.
If you did not earn your bachelor's degree in accounting, you may need to take these foundational accounting courses:
- Cost Accounting
- Financial Reporting I, II and III
- Auditing
- Federal Taxation of Individuals
If you do not have a bachelor's in business or accounting, you may need to take these business foundation courses:
- Mathematics and Statistics for Business
- Economics for Business
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
Through these courses, you'll learn the basic accounting and business concepts you need to succeed. With this solid accounting and business foundation, you'll be ready to build your expertise as you complete the master's in taxation online program.
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| MS in Accounting - Taxation |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| MS in Accounting Taxation | ||
| ACC 645 | Advanced Auditing | This course is designed to introduce the student who is familiar with financial auditing principles to advanced auditing topics including 1) beyond the financial audit, 2) when audits go wrong, and 3) behavioral and ethical concerns for auditors. The course utilizes a combination of case studies, student presentations, and reviews of current auditing research and professional materials to assist students in increasing their knowledge of auditing. This is a reading intensive course. |
| ACC 675 | Control/Audit of Accounting Info System | New auditing and quality control standards adopted by the PCAOB and the AICPA require auditors to have adequate technical training and must understand the role information technologies play in the maintenance and effective internal control of financial information. Knowledge of EDP auditing and control is particularly important in complying with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), which requires auditors to attest to the standards of internal control and any material weaknesses disclosed by senior management. This course will give auditors the knowledge they need to comply with SOX Section 404 by allowing them to test the process rather than just the product of the financial information system. Select curricular standards set by ISACA will be addressed to assess and to improve auditing and internal control practices. |
| ACC 690 | Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting | Students will utilize acquired accounting skills through statement preparation and analysis of business planning for advanced topics. Relevant themes prepare students for roles that manage U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reporting, corporations in financial difficulty, foreign currency transactions, and government and nonprofit accounting. Emphasis will be placed on reporting standards and requirements outlined by governing bodies. |
| ACC 696 | Situational Ethics in Accounting | This course deals with the application of academic research related to ethical decision making, identifying evolving ethical issues in the accounting and business environment, and evaluating and applying theories of ethics and justice. Students will be exposed to ethical situations affecting the accounting and business environments to gain a solid foundation on which to address possible circumstances they may face as accounting professionals. |
| ACC 700 | Accounting Capstone | This capstone course is the culminating experience for the M.S. in Accounting program. The aim of the capstone is to assess students' ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework, rather than introducing new concepts. This course is structured to support student success in fulfilling program requirements. |
| FIN 550 | Corporate Financial Management | This course is a study of finance from a corporate perspective including investments, capital structure and re-structuring, budgeting, financial markets, policy, and portfolio management. Students will analyze a firm's opportunities and risk level within these categories to evaluate the impact on shareholder's value. |
| MBA 610 | Business Law | This course provides a survey of the legal environment of business by looking at legal issues and regulations in a business context. The students assess the impact of business law on organizational decision making for informing strategic legal decisions. The course covers employment law, contracts, tort and product liability, internet law as well as other legal issues affecting the business environment. The students also assess the legal and ethical implications of US companies doing business abroad. |
| MGT 550 | Managing Through Communication | Learn how to manage people and organizations effectively using communication as a tool. Enhance skills and techniques in motivating, leading change, developing relationships and team building through effective communication of core visions, active listening and providing feedback. Develop strategic management and communication skills that positively affect stakeholder behavior. Gain comprehensive, hands-on-experience in constructing documents and presentations that inform, persuade and influence the intended audience to achieve strategic goals. |
| TAX 655 | Federal Income Tax of Corporations and Partnerships | This course studies the theories and practices of income taxation of corporations and partnerships and excise tax on estates and gifts. |
| TAX 665 | Estate and Gift Taxation | This course deals with the federal taxation of gratuitous transfers during a taxpayer's lifetime and property transfers at death. After gaining knowledge of the relevant statutes, regulations and case law, the student will develop estate and gift planning strategies to address estate and gift planning aspects of business and life events. |
| TAX 670 | Tax Research Methodology | Explore the methods and techniques of federal tax research. Learn the rules and procedures for representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service. |
| TAX 700 | Special Topics in Taxation | This course offers an in-depth study of special topics in federal taxation. Major, contemporary problem areas of taxation are explored. |
| EDU 630 | Strategies for Online Instruction | With a focus on the intricacies of online instruction, educators will analyze and apply strategies for student engagement, differentiation, instructional delivery methods, and feedback. Special attention will be paid to the diversity of student populations and how online instructional strategies can benefit all students. |
| Total Credits: 36 | ||
Minimum Hardware Requirements
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Component Type |
PC (Windows OS) |
Apple (Mac OS) |
|---|---|---|
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Operating System |
Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
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Memory (RAM) |
8GB or higher |
8GB or higher |
|
Hard Drive |
100GB or higher |
100GB or higher |
|
Antivirus Software |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
|
SNHU Purchase Programs |
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Internet/ Bandwidth |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
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.
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
Is a master's in taxation worth it?
A master's in taxation is a great degree if you're interested in the tax side of accounting. Whether earning your master's degree is "worth it" depends on what you value:
- Earning potential. In 2020, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that accountants and auditors had a median salary of $73,560.1 According to the BLS, this is much higher than the median annual wage for all workers, which was $41,950 in 2020.
- Career options. If you're already in the accounting field, but want to do something a little outside of the box, earning your master's in taxation could help you get there. You could find yourself working in tax advising and preparation or even auditing and fraud investigation.
- Program affordability. Earning your master's degree is an investment. You could do it affordably by getting your master's in taxation online from an accredited university.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a Master of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation program that can be completed in as few as 15 months. Classes are taught by professionals with industry experience, and the school offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the U.S.
What can you do with a master's in taxation?
Getting your master's in taxation opens you to a whole world of opportunity in the accounting and taxation field.
Is your goal to help people navigate the complicated tax code and manage financial decisions as they prepare for tax season? You'd find interest in positions such as:
- Tax advisor. Advise individuals, businesses or nonprofits on how to minimize their owed taxes.
- Tax manager. Develop efficient tax plans and oversee the implementation to ensure tax code compliance.
- Tax planner. Help businesses forecast the tax implications of business decisions and how to avoid excess costs.
Do you dream of being a detective of sorts? There's plenty of opportunity in the world of taxation. Some of these roles include:
- Tax auditor. Evaluate financial records to make sure they comply with the latest federal, state and local tax codes.
- Financial investigator. Work for federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service to uncover financial crimes like tax fraud.
And finally, if you just want to present the facts, a career as a tax law advisor might be for you. In this job, you'll use your specialized knowledge in taxation to advise judges and other key players in the courtroom when it comes to tax evasion cases.
What is MTax?
MTax is an abbreviation for the Master of Taxation degree. This graduate program focuses specifically on advanced taxation principles, which could help you specialize your skills and stand out to employers.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a 36-credit MS in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation. You'll learn the ins and outs of federal taxation laws and regulations while studying the methods professionals use in federal tax research. You'll also learn how to represent clients under IRS investigation.
We enroll students from all kinds of educational backgrounds. But because of the technical nature of the master's in taxation coursework, you'll want to come in with a good foundation in accounting. If you don't have a background in accounting or a similar field, consider reaching out to our admission team as you'll need to take foundation courses first.
At SNHU, a new term start is always right around the corner. With five 10-week graduate terms per year, you can start whenever you're ready. That means you can earn your master's in taxation online in as few as 15 months. But if you have a busy lifestyle, you can also choose to take 1 course per term, or even take terms off here and there. And since there are no set login times, you can complete your weekly coursework when your schedule allows. Whatever your situation is, our online courses were built with flexibility in mind.
Can you get a master's in taxation online?
Yes, there are quite a few schools that offer programs to complete your master's in taxation online. Your next step? Finding the program that fits your needs.
Some things to consider when looking for an online taxation degree program include:
- Accreditation. If you want to get your degree online, you'll want to make sure the university you're earning it from is reputable. One of the most important measures of this is accreditation.
- Affordability. Online degrees are known to be a cost-effective option, but some are certainly more affordable than others. Make sure to compare tuition rates of multiple schools.
- Convenience. You're probably looking for an online program because it offers more flexibility. Looking into frequency of due dates and number of terms offered per year can help you figure out which program will work best for you.
For Lin Woolsey '20, it was crucial to find a program that didn't interfere with her life.
"I was looking for a master’s in accounting program that would offer the most flexibility without compromising quality," she said. "I did not want to give up my job."
Her career wasn't the only aspect of her life that she had to work around.
"I had two kids while pursuing the program," Woolsey said. " I couldn’t have done it without the flexibility of the program and support from my family."
Southern New Hampshire University is an accredited, nonprofit university offering 200+ online degree programs – including the MS in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation. If you're looking for an affordable and convenient way to earn your master's in taxation, enrolling at SNHU could be a good option for you.
With no set class times, you can complete your assignments and participate in discussions with your peers throughout the week. The 36-credit program can be completed in as few as 15 months. And with 5 graduate terms per year, the next opportunity to begin your program is right around the corner. What's even better? Our online graduate tuition rates are $627 per credit hour – some of the lowest in the nation.
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.
University Accreditation
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.
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References
Sources & Citations (1)
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 Feb. 25, 2022). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.