Online Master of Science in Accounting
Online Master of Science in Accounting
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Organizations across many industries depend on skilled accounting professionals to ensure financial integrity, interpret data and navigate complex regulations. Our Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree provides opportunities to develop advanced skills in key areas of modern accounting, such as financial reporting, data analytics and accounting research.
This program is designed for students who hold a BS in Accounting and helps prepare graduates for the CPA exam. Through a hands-on, practical approach to learning, you can connect your coursework to real accounting scenarios. Interactive classes and CPA-focused simulations can reinforce your understanding of accounting principles and help you gain the technical and analytical skills that translate directly into the workplace.
Completing an online master’s in accounting program can equip you with the expertise needed to explore a wider range of career opportunities in corporate or public accounting. Job applicants with a master’s in accounting degree may set themselves apart from other candidates. Some accounting career paths require candidates to pass the Uniform CPA Exam.
An MS in Accounting may prepare you for the following careers:
Accountant
Auditor
Appraiser of personal and business property
Budget and credit analyst
Financial risk specialist
Financial examiner
Median annual wage for accountants and auditors in May 20242
Explore our frequently asked questions to learn more about pursuing a career in accounting and earning your MSA degree.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) does not specifically require a graduate-level degree to become a CPA. However, you will need a total of 150 credit hours, which you may earn by completing a graduate degree on top of your bachelor’s.3 It is imperative to have the knowledge, skills and fundamentals from an academic program, such as an MSA, to be properly prepared to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam.
An MSA degree can provide you with a deep study of accounting through a curriculum designed to help prepare you to take the CPA exam. Meanwhile, an MBA in Accounting covers important business, marketing and economic principles while integrating accounting courses.4 If your career goals involve managing financial aspects related to business, then you may want to consider learning more about an MBA with an Emphasis in Accounting.
Only you can decide which specific field is right for you. Take some time to reflect upon your career goals. An MBA with a finance emphasis can set you up to pursue positions that focus on financial strategy, projected future growth and management of a business’s present and future financial numbers, as well as how to influence those numbers. Accounting, on the other hand, revolves more around the day-to-day financial aspects of a business, processes, principles and reporting on past and present figures.5
The BLS estimates job growth for accountants and auditors to be 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average. Employers expect to hire about 124,200 new accountants and auditors, per year, through 2034.6 This growth suggests that there will be a sustained demand for skilled accounting professionals.
A master’s in accounting can be a valuable investment if you’re passionate about the field and interested in enhancing your career qualifications. A master’s degree offers deeper preparations for the Uniform CPA Exam and can help you build advanced skills beyond undergraduate coursework. It can also provide an additional qualification for your resume, which may set you apart from other job applicants as you pursue higher-level positions in accounting and finance.
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
The interactive online learning platform offers professionals a flexible and convenient format for pursuing their education. With GCU’s online master’s in accounting, you can balance coursework with your personal and professional commitments. Our program encourages engaging discussions with your peers and provides support from knowledgeable faculty.
Explore ethical best practices and legal compliance issues that are critical to the accounting profession. It is recommended that you sit for the Uniform CPA Exam during the program, as the capstone courses are designed to help prepare you for the exam through targeted instruction and simulation-based practice.
You will take three capstone classes during your master’s in accounting program.
Capstone I
Introduces you to the Uniform CPA Exam and covers the Accounting and Data Analytics Core sections of the exam
Capstone II
Examines the Audit and Accounting Information Systems Core portion of the test
Capstone III
Can help prepare you for the Tax Core section of the exam
This online MSA program provides you with an in-depth look at core auditing concepts, including financial reporting for government and not-for-profit entities, as well as meeting ethical obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
While working toward your MSA degree, you will examine a range of learning objectives, including:
Auditing and taxation
Data analytics
Financial reporting
Compliance and ethical accounting practices
Managerial and cost accounting
Take the next step in your accounting journey — prepare for the CPA exam and build confidence in your accounting expertise with an MSA degree at GCU.
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The Master of Science in Accounting holds additional programmatic accreditation from The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
There are many reasons to consider earning your MSA degree, from preparing to pass the Uniform CPA Exam to potentially broadening your career possibilities. A master’s in accounting isn’t always required for CPA exam eligibility if sufficient accounting credits were earned during your bachelor’s program. Eligibility will vary depending on your state requirements and undergraduate coursework.1
Beyond exam preparation, pursuing a graduate degree in accounting from GCU can refine your expertise, enhance your analytical skills and help you gain the confidence to drive meaningful change in financial contexts. You can also benefit from being part of a community that fosters integrity, purpose and personal growth during your academic journey.
