MBA With Accounting Emphasis
GCU’s MBA With Accounting Emphasis Takes Accounting Careers to New Heights
An MBA with accounting emphasis is a graduate degree program that combines core business administration courses with specialization courses in accounting. Prepare to immerse yourself in the financial practices and principles that underpin business stability. Economics, marketing, financial reporting practices and bookkeeping are covered in this degree program. You will benefit from stimulating discussions with peers and fully qualified faculty members who are experts in their field.
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Coursework You Can Expect During an MBA Degree Program With Accounting Emphasis
While pursuing an MBA degree with accounting emphasis, you can take advantage of valuable networking opportunities by building relationships with a diverse body of fellow students. The MBA program with accounting emphasis can inspire you to become a confident communicator who mindfully explores different perspectives and thinks critically. You will learn how to become an accomplished researcher who learns the quantitative methods necessary for turning raw data into applicable information. Some of the course topics you will cover in this program include:
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- Analysis of financial statements
- Financial accounting
- Probability and statistics in business
- Leadership in an organization
- Principles of finance
Acquire Valuable Skills in the MBA Program With Accounting Emphasis
The accounting emphasis master’s program at GCU teaches graduates important, valuable skills that can prove useful while pursuing a career in accounting. In this program, you can learn skills in areas such as:
- Effective leadership
- Business
- Marketing
- Management
- Qualitative methods and models
- Financial analysis
Study Advanced Competencies as an MBA With Accounting Emphasis Student
As an MBA with accounting emphasis student, you will start with an intensive look at the key concepts of leadership, including the way in which the science of organizational behavior contributes to effective management. You will study the fundamentals of accounting practices, managerial accounting and financial analysis to prepare for advanced study later in the program. Other MBA with accounting emphasis core competencies include:
- Microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts in contemporary business
- The definition, formulation and execution of strategy within organizations, with an emphasis on the role of innovation and competitive advantage
- Methods that streamline a firm’s internal processes to build a highly efficient organization
- In-depth analysis and interpretation of corporate financial reports, with an emphasis on the utility and limitations of financial accounting data
Career Pathways for MBA With Accounting Emphasis Graduates
MBA degree with accounting emphasis graduates will have studied coursework that aims to prepare them for management positions across a large range of industries. Some specific job titles that may be related to this degree include the following:
- Chief executive
- Compensation and benefits manager
- Cost estimator
- Logistician
- Management analyst
- Accountant
C-level accounting professionals are employed in many different settings, including corporations, government agencies, public organizations and faith-based groups. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for accountants and auditors to increase by about 6% from 2021 to 2031, as fast as average, accounting for an estimated increase of 81,800 jobs in the field.1
MBA Degree With Accounting Emphasis FAQs
Our frequently asked questions are here to provide you with more information on what you should know before enrolling in your program. Read through the questions and answers below to learn more.
There are many benefits to earning this advanced degree from an accredited MBA program with accounting emphasis. You may have opportunities to expand your professional network and benefit from a more diverse pool of job prospects. According to MBA.com, graduates with an MBA in accounting emphasis degree are prepared for leadership roles and have a strong basis on which to negotiate a higher salary potential.2
Based on your career goals, there are a number of degrees that can complement your MBA with accounting emphasis degree and give you a competitive edge in a specialized field. For example, an MS in Data Science can boost your knowledge in a technology field that conducts a lot of data mining and analysis. If you are interested in portfolio management, business mergers and acquisitions, you may want to consider an additional MBA in finance.
The evening and online accounting emphasis MBA program at GCU requires 54 credits for completion, with most online courses being eight weeks long. Fill out the form on this page to speak to a university counselor to learn more.
The MBA degree with accounting emphasis focuses on various disciplines and practices within the accounting and business field, particularly in management; thus, an accounting emphasis MBA degree can give graduates the skills and knowledge to pursue diverse career paths. An MS in Accounting (MSA) typically emphasizes accounting-specific skills and intensive study in a specialized area within the accounting field. Carefully consider your career goals and preferences before choosing your degree path.
Many graduate-level accounting programs require applicants to complete the GRE and submit their scores for consideration. At GCU, applicants for the MBA with accounting emphasis program may be accepted if they meet the GPA requirements for their undergraduate degree. The undergrad degree must be from an accredited college or university program that is approved by GCU’s transfer credit center. GRE and GMAT scores may be required in some instances to supplement the applicants’ undergraduate records.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors, retrieved April 24, 2023.
2 Turner, H. (Jan. 20, 2023). MBA in Accounting or Masters in Accounting: Which is Right for You? mba.com. Retrieved on April 28, 2023.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Business. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the College of Business, key concepts of leadership, and an overview of how the science of organizational behavior contributes to effective leaders and managers.
Course Description
This course is designed for students who are preparing for more advanced coursework in business but who have not had accounting in undergraduate work. Topics covered include the principles and practices of financial accounting, including the fundamentals of revenue recognition, the components of the balance sheet, and financial statement analysis. ?The course explores accounting theories using publicly traded companies and case studies.
Course Description
This course is designed for individuals who are preparing for more advanced coursework in accounting and is designed for students who have not had finance in undergraduate work. Topics covered include financial analysis, financial planning, asset evaluation, capital structure, and working capital management.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to prepare students in mathematical, probability, and statistical concepts for their upcoming studies in quantitative methods. The course is intended for those students who have not had any prior statistical education, although students who have had statistics should also consider taking the course as a refresher.
Course Description
This course introduces microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts that are relevant to contemporary business. Emphasis is placed on using economic data for business decision making.
Course Description
This course is a study in the quantitative tools and techniques used to model business functions and applications. Emphasis is placed on how to set up models, and how to interpret and apply their results. Prerequisite: SYM-506.
Course Description
Management of the marketing function, market environmental analysis, and marketing planning, strategy, and control are fundamentals of marketing management. The course examines the marketing process, marketing research, product development innovation and diffusion, pricing strategy, distribution value drain, advertising and promotion, and strategic marketing issues. Emphasis is placed on case study analysis and current academic research with a marketing plan as a significant curriculum component.
Course Description
This course covers managerial accounting concepts and procedures for internal reporting, including the study of cost behavior, cost systems, budgeting, and performance evaluation. Coursework includes case studies, group projects, and class discussion. Prerequisite: ACC-502.
Course Description
Operations Management examines managerial concepts and strategies relating to the management of operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Emphasis is placed on methods to streamline and drive inefficiencies out of a firm’s internal processes to build a highly efficient organization. The course also focuses on external processes by examining ways to achieve greater supply chain integration with suppliers and customers. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools are introduced and applied. Prerequisite: SYM-506.
Course Description
This course discusses elements of business financial decisions, including financial forecasting and development of proformas, management of working capital, capital budgeting, capital structure, and raising funds in capital markets. Prerequisite: FIN-504.
Course Description
This capstone course focuses on preparing and conducting a strategic analysis of a selected publicly traded firm to produce actionable intelligence used to formulate recommendations to promote the creation of a value-adding strategy. Based on the results of their strategic analysis, students are then required to prepare the framework of a strategic plan that creates significant value for the selected firm. Prerequisites: MGT-605, MKT-607, ACC-650, and FIN-650.
Course Description
This course is an exploration of advanced topics in financial accounting and reporting, including recognition, measurement, and valuation issues affecting organizations. Prerequisite: ACC-650.
Course Description
This course covers in-depth analysis and interpretation of corporate financial reports. Students examine the form, content, and general accounting principles governing the construction of financial statements. There is particular emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of financial data as well as on the utility and limitations of financial accounting data. Prerequisites: ACC-650 or ACC-653, and ACC-660.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.