Master of Science in Accounting
Learn to lead in the complex field of accounting.
Dive deep into the numbers to ensure compliance, make data-driven decisions, and provide ethical accounting leadership in any public, private, or government organization with the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) from Utica College.
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
- Duration 2 years
- Cost per Credit $775
- Credit Hours 30
Program Benefits
- CPA exam preparation
- Complete the coursework required for licensure in most states
- Master the in-demand skills most desired by top accounting firms, government agencies, and more
Apply Your Skills and Prepare for Your CPA
Combined with a typical undergraduate accounting degree, you’ll complete 33 credit hours in accounting and 36 general business credits, helping you meet the academic course requirements for licensure as a CPA in most states.
Career Outlook: Earn up to $208,000 Annually
As a graduate of Utica College’s online MSA program, you’ll be prepared to apply what you learn in the public, private, or government sector. With comprehensive financial knowledge and accounting skills, you’ll be equipped to fill in-demand roles like Accountant, Financial Analyst, Controller and Financial Manager—as well as earn up to $208,000 a year.1
Jobs and Income
Curriculum
Gain essential accounting skills as you explore financial models, quantitative analysis, corporate tax issues, and more. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to conduct financial and compliance audits, and interpret and prepare financial statements, reports, budgets, analyses, and forecasts. Coursework also prepares you to take the CPA exam.
Explore CoursesAdmission Requirements
To apply for the online M.S. in Accounting, you’ll need the following:
- Completed application
- 2.70 minimum GPA on a 4.0 scale
- B.S. in Accounting
- A non-accounting bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is acceptable as long as the following course prerequisites are met:
- At least 30 credit hours in business courses, including microeconomics, statistics, and finance
- At least 18 credit hours in accounting courses, including intermediate accounting I and II, a tax accounting course, and auditing
Tuition and Financial Aid
This 30-credit program costs $775 per credit hour. Utica College is dedicated to making an advanced education accessible and affordable and offers many avenues for financial aid.
Learn MoreFaculty Spotlight: Learn From Accounting Experts
Get to know our faculty of accounting professionals with decades of experience working in a variety of positions within the financial sector as they share their perspective and expertise. Their industry-tested insights can help you succeed as you enter the field.
Glen A. Hansen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Accounting
Glen Hansen, Ph.D., MBA, is Associate Professor of Accounting and coordinator of the on-campus Accounting program at Utica College. He has taught finance, accounting, and statistics at Brigham Young University, the University of Rochester, Penn State University, Baruch College, and Hunter College.
Dr. Hansen has worked in the financial industry designing accounting-based investment strategies for Ziff Brothers Investments, Battenkill Asset Management, and Morgan Stanley. He is currently a member of Utica College’s Retention and Completion Task Force and of the Business Department Business Leadership team.
Hansen has published finance and accounting articles in several international journals and a book chapter in the Handbook of Security Analyst Forecasting and Asset Allocation. His current research focuses on how managers use their discretion to influence accounting earnings and other financial statement accounts. Hansen has applied this research primarily in the banking industry.
Honors and Distinctions
- Ph.D. in Business Administration and M.S. in Applied Economics, University of Rochester
- MBA, Brigham Young University
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University
Atasi Basu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Accounting
Atasi Basu, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Accounting who joined the Utica College faculty in 2005. With more than 10 years of college teaching experience, Basu has taught at Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Purdue University, and the Indian Institute of Technology.
Basu’s primary research interests include financial meltdown effects on the consumer discretionary sector, allocation of service department costs, retail competition on the Salop Circle, and the effects on budgets as demands fluctuate.
Honors and Distinctions
- Ph.D. in accounting from Syracuse University
- Ph.D. in statistics from Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India
- M.S. in statistics from Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India
- Presented her published paper “Impact of Financial Meltdown on Consumer Discretionary Sector” at the Business Research Consortium in April 2016
- Presented parts of a paper she wrote jointly with C.A. Ingene, “Retail Competition on Salop Circle Under Linear Demand,” at several thought-leadership conferences around the world:
- April 2016 BBCRST (Buffalo, Binghamton, Cornell, Rochester, Syracuse, and Toronto) Conference at Rochester University
- June 2016 Informs Marketing Science Conference in Shanghai, China
- November 2016 North American Meetings of the Regional Science Association International in Minneapolis
- June 2017 Informs Marketing Science Conference in Los Angeles
Selected Publications
- Basu, A.K. and Heian, J.B. (2012). A Study of Environmental Capital Expenditures and TRI in Petroleum Refining Industry. International Research Journal of Global Business Development, Vol. 1, No. 1, 35–40
- Basu, A.K., Elder, R., and Onsi, M. (2011). Reported Earnings, Auditor’s Opinion, and Compensation: Theory and Evidence. Accounting and Business Research, Vol. 42, Issue 1, 29–48
- Basu, A.K. (2010). A Study of Environmental Capital Expenditures and TRI. International Journal of Global Business and Economics, Vol. 3, No. 1, 136–143, 2010
- Basu, A.K. (2009). Corporate Environmental Performance: A Proposal for Standards. Journal of Global Business Development, Vol. 2, No. 1, 155–162
Frequently Asked Questions
Advancing your life and career with an online degree comes with lots of questions, and we want to ensure your search for answers is effortless. If you have a question we haven’t covered, call (866) 295-3106 to speak with an enrollment manager.
The length of your program will vary based on your education background and how many credits you need to graduate. In addition, the number of courses you can take each term will impact the length of time it takes to complete the program.
No, not for this program.
On average, you should expect to dedicate a minimum of 12–15 hours per week, per course. The rigor and expectations for campus and online instruction are the same.
Yes. Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Accounting at Utica College purchase textbooks via our online bookstore. Utica College will ship the books to your home so that you have them in time for the start of class. Students can also purchase textbooks and supplemental materials on their own, as long as they obtain all of the materials necessary for them to complete their assigned work.
The program is designed to be completed in just two years at a part-time pace, but you can take up to five years if you prefer.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, job opportunities for Accountants and Auditors are expected to increase by 10 percent between 2016 and 2026—much faster than the national average.
To learn more about salaries and other jobs you could qualify for, visit our M.S. in Accounting career outlook page.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (April 12, 2019). Financial Managers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on May 21, 2019, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm