What you will study
After just three semesters in our AACSB-accredited MA in Accountancy program, you
are ready to advance to your preferred area of the accountancy profession.
In the CPA emphasis area, you will take a variety of classes in financial reporting,
audit, taxation and data analytics. We jump-start your preparation for the CPA Exam
by integrating exam reviews into required program courses:
- Financial Accounting and Reporting I and II: Graduate-level financial accounting topics, combined with Becker CPA Review, help
you prepare for the FAR section of the CPA exam.
- Special Topics in Accounting-Auditing: Uses Becker CPA Review to prepare you for the AUD section of the CPA exam.
Our flexible CMA emphasis area includes courses on financial statement analysis, data
analytics and Excel for decision-making. This option allows you to tailor your Accountancy
master’s degree for specialty areas such as management, marketing and other business
areas. This path offers a greater number of night, hybrid and online courses, making
it a great choice for students who have full-time jobs.
Excellence in Accounting
- UCM's Harmon College of Business maintains prestigious accreditation from the Association
to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). In addition, since 1995, the School
of Accounting’s BSBA and MA programs have earned separate Accountancy Accreditation
by the AACSB, an accomplishment shared by only 190 programs worldwide. Accreditation
by the AACSB ensures our Accountancy programs achieve quality standards for curriculum,
faculty and student outcomes.
- Among the Most Popular Colleges for Accounting (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in accounting
When you join our School of Accountancy, you can expect a high-quality educational
experience and the attention you deserve throughout your graduate program:
- High-quality faculty: You will learn from full-time, dedicated faculty with Ph.D., JD, and CPA credentials
and real-world experience.
- Small class sizes: With an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, our faculty can really get to know our students,
creating a dynamic learning environment.
- Mentoring: On day one, you will be assigned a faculty mentor who can offer valuable career guidance
and help you navigate through the program and beyond as you continue on your journey
to your desired career.
- Internships: Nearly all Accountancy master’s degree students complete a paid internship as part
of their one-year program. Our designated internship coordinator will guide you through
the internship experience. Our interns receive excellent pay, get valuable work experience
and often receive offers of full-time employment.
- Cutting-edge facilities: MA in Accountancy students have access to a private computer lab and state-of-the-art
classrooms equipped for distance learning.
What can you do with an MA in Accountancy degree from UCM?
Public accounting firms, proprietary companies and governmental institutions from
Missouri and beyond consistently recruit and hire our alumni because our master’s
program has a reputation for producing graduates with the knowledge, professionalism
and work ethic to excel in the accountancy profession.
Our MA in Accountancy degree prepares you for a variety of jobs across the profession
of accountancy. School of Accountancy alumni have successful careers in specialties
such as:
- Public accounting firms (audit or tax services)
- Private accounting (companies/corporations)
- Nonprofit organizations (staff/project accounting)
- Government agencies (fund/general accounting or auditing)
Our well-qualified graduates are routinely hired by companies including: KPMG, Ernst
& Young, Forvis (formerly BKD), Deloitte, RubinBrown, Wilson Toellner CPA, the Missouri
State Auditor’s Office, Creative Planning, Williams-Keepers and the Internal Revenue
Service.
Explore careers in accounting
Find out more about where your MA in Accountancy from UCM will take you. Our interactive
tool below covers insights into the potential salary for master’s in accounting grads,
job growth, career outlook and more.
Financial assistance options for your Accountancy master’s degree
The University of Central Missouri ranks among the most affordable universities in
the country. Still, we know financing your education can be a challenge. That’s why we offer several options to help you pursue an Accountancy
master’s degree from UCM.
In addition to resources available to all of our students, the School of Accountancy
offers scholarships on a competitive basis funded by private donors, including:
- Accountancy Scholarship Fund
- Bennie Bargen Accounting Scholarship
- FORVIS Accounting Education Scholarship
- Charles 80 and Diane Dudley 81 KPMG Scholarship
- Dr. David Joy Scholarship
- Dr. Jo Lynne Koehn Accountancy Scholarship
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships by using the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Meet Curtis B.
BSBA Accountancy ’12, MA ’13 - Deloitte, LLP
“My UCM education, above all else, taught me how to be a confident professional and
have a strong boardroom presence. Most universities only teach the technical skills
needed for a career in public accounting. UCM goes above and beyond those basics,
which equipped me with the skills needed to stand out above my colleagues in the way
I present and communicate.”
Meet Megan S.
BSBA/MA Accountancy ’18 - EY (Ernst & Young, LLP)
“UCM is by far one of the best schools to attend for accountancy. What I learned from
the professors at UCM has allowed me to stand out among my fellow colleagues and be
one of the highest performers. Starting from the very beginning of Principles of Accounting
all the way to Advanced Accounting, the quality of education students receive beats
all expectations and standards.”
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Gain real, hands-on experience
VITA is offered on campus each tax season. You can attend training sessions to become
certified and then volunteer to prepare income tax returns for UCM students, staff
and the general public. The hands-on experience you will gain is invaluable, as is
the service provided to our many taxpayer participants.
Location, location, location
We’re close to job opportunities
Our proximity to Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Jefferson City, Sedalia and Springfield
means recruiters regularly visit campus, which translates to internships and jobs
for you.
leftright
