Online MS in Accounting: Tax Compliance and Planning Emphasis
Online MS in Accounting: Tax Compliance and Planning Emphasis
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The Master of Science in Accounting with an Emphasis in Tax Compliance and Planning degree at Grand Canyon University is a graduate degree that teaches advanced theoretical and practical accounting skills for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) candidates.
This master’s degree is designed to prepare you to sit for the CPA exam by teaching you material covered in the CPA Discipline of Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP). As a CPA candidate, you will be guided to enhance your understanding of compliance with tax codes, research and planning techniques while applying skills in accounting and taxation.
As an institutionally accredited university, we prioritize the quality of our education. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The Colangelo College of Business shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Online: $665 per credit [More Info]
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).
By covering two main competencies — CPA core and tax planning and compliance — this degree may help you feel prepared to work in a range of settings. Government agencies, insurance companies and accounting and tax preparation agencies are some of the most common employers of accounting professionals. Alternatively, you may decide to establish your own accounting business as a self-employed professional.1
Median annual wage of accountants and auditors as of May 20232
In this MS in Accounting: Tax Compliance and Planning emphasis, you will be guided to strengthen your knowledge of critical accounting and taxation principles while working to build and further your professional practice. As you near your expected graduation date, you will be required to complete a capstone course. This course summarizes the entirety of your degree program and gives you the opportunity to prepare for the tax compliance and planning section of the CPA examination through Gleim CPA Exam Review assignments.
You will be expected to master course topics including:
The accounting degree for tax associates can help you reach the next stage in your career by preparing you to sit for the CPA exam and focusing your career on the taxation specialty.
With an academic framework of advanced competencies in accounting, you may decide to pursue positions such as:
Accountants and auditors
Forensic accountants
Financial examiners
Tax preparers
Tax examiners and collectors and revenue agents
Gain the advanced skills to lead tax compliance initiatives and develop innovative tax strategies.
If you’re considering enrolling in tax accounting classes, read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about degree specifics and what is needed for a career in taxation.
There are many concepts to learn and skills to master to become a successful tax professional, which can indeed be challenging and time-consuming. However, as with any master’s-level program, if you are dedicated to improving your knowledge and committed to meeting the requirements of your program, you may find a taxation and accounting degree to be a rewarding next step.
At minimum, tax-related careers such as that of a tax accountant typically require a bachelor’s in an accounting-related field, such as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. However, those who wish to earn their CPA license can choose to advance their education and enroll in a relevant master’s degree program to meet exam requirements and prepare for the exam. Candidates can then take the CPA exam to obtain licensure and position themselves to potentially pursue career advancement in taxation.3
The type of degree that is best for you depends on your career aspirations. Compared to a finance degree, an emphasis that covers tax planning and compliance (as well as other tax accounting degrees) provides a more specialized knowledge base, focusing on specific accounting practices, principles, regulations and strategies concerning taxation.
A Bachelor of Science in Finance degree is broader and includes course materials that cover theoretical financial knowledge, financial analysis and reporting, along with general courses in business, statistics and economics to teach you diverse competencies in the financial industry.
In addition to meeting the educational requirements, a tax accountant can benefit from having a variety of hard and soft skills so they can best serve their clients’ interests.
Some of the skills and qualities that are helpful for accountants can include:3
We offer tax accounting classes online. Being an online student at GCU means that you have access to online resources, support and flexibility while receiving a quality education. Our online programs can provide you with everything you need to incorporate your studies into your life, so you can earn your degree without sacrificing what’s important to you. As a member of our interactive online learning community, you’ll have opportunities to enjoy meaningful interactions with peers and instructors.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Accountants and Auditors: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Accountants and Auditors as of May 2023, retrieved Sept. 25, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as accountants and auditors, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become an Accountant or Auditor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 25, 2024.
This degree program teaches a range of advanced competencies in the accounting field with a focus on tax planning and compliance. The Colangelo College of Business develops degree programs that are guided by an emphasis on conscious capitalism, a Christian worldview and our three guiding pillars: servant leadership, ethics and entrepreneurism.
Your instructors will encourage you to develop a keen sense of professional ethics and responsibility as you prepare to make a positive impact on your community and the business environment. Using curriculum guided by industry needs and expectations, this degree program teaches accounting skills that are immediately applicable in the field.
MS Accounting Core Program
