Master of Science

Accounting

Prepare for a Professional Career in Accounting

If you want to become a certified public accountant but didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting, the 21-month MS in Accounting program at UAlbany can help you achieve your goal.

Designed for students with no prior background in accounting or business, this cohort-based program includes four semesters of full-time study that fulfill the education criteria required to obtain initial licensure as a certified public accountant in New York State. (A part-time/evening option is also available for this program).

Coursework covers management fundamentals, in-depth study of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and practical training in contemporary accounting software and emerging technologies. Advanced topics include liabilities, assets, and income tax; auditing and internal controls; and budgeting and cost-profit analysis. In your last semester, you complete an academic research seminar.

AACSB Accreditation

The Master of Science in Accounting program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This program is registered with the Division of Professional Education of the State Education Department of New York and meets the 150-hour education requirement for initial accounting licensure.

Program of Study
Career Paths
Become Certified
School of Business Home

Program of Study

In your first year in the program, you’ll take introductory accounting courses and gain a solid foundation in general business and management subjects. In your second year, you’ll dive into advanced accounting principles and develop the skills you need to land the job you want.

Prerequisites: Admission to the master’s in accounting program requires the completion of an undergraduate degree, including 3 credits in each of statistics, economics, computer science, and financial accounting.

You may be able to waive up to 10 credits of the curriculum if you previously completed equivalent coursework.

Business Courses

Law and the Corporation
Law and Business
Economic Analysis
Marketing Management
Financial Management
Corporate Financial Problems
Organizational Behavior and Managerial Skills
Presentation Skills
Quantitative Analysis for Business
Operations Management
Advanced Excel with Visual Basic for Applications
Strategic Management

Accounting Courses

Theory of Financial Accounting I, II, and III
Introduction to Cost Analysis
Survey of Taxation
Auditing
Internal Controls and Financial Information Systems
Contemporary Developments in Accounting Thought
Research Seminar in Accounting
One accounting elective

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.
For more information, contact Dr. Mark Hughes at [email protected].

This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State and the institution has not made a determination regarding the educational requirements for any other state.

Career Paths

As a graduate student in accounting at UAlbany, you’ll be able to access special career services offered by the School of Business and connect with recruiters from the Big Four professional services firms (Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers).

Graduates of this program are also highly sought after by private corporations such as IBM and government agencies such as the Office of the NYS Comptroller and the Internal Revenue Service.

Sample Jobs Titles

Audit Associate
Municipal Auditor
Program Auditor
Staff Accountant

Common areas of practice include auditing, financial management and advising, tax preparation, fiscal analysis, and assistance with business transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. CPAs can also serve as subject matter experts in legal settings.

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant

Public accounting is a regulated profession that requires you to meet certain requirements before you can obtain your license to practice.

As a certified public accountant (CPA), you’ll be legally authorized to prepare and review financial statements and other fiscal information for corporations, nonprofits, and/or government agencies.

The AACSB-accredited full-time MS in Accounting program at UAlbany meets the education requirements for certified public accountant licensure in New York and qualifies you to apply for the Uniform CPA Examination.

This comprehensive accounting exam is developed by multiple organizations and required for CPA licensure in all 50 states.

"The master’s program in accounting helped me start my career as an auditor. I use information I learned in graduate courses in my everyday work – for instance, I use concepts from cost accounting all the time in audit sections such as capitalized software and depreciation, and auditing concepts when I need to test certain aspects of a company’s financial statements."

- Cody Golub, '16, CPA, Eisner Amper, Auditor

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

Priority Review Deadline

Fall: August 1
Spring: November 1
Summer: Not Available

Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: May 1
Spring: Not Available
Summer: Not Available

No Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: Rolling
Spring: December 1
Summer: Not Available

Admission Deadline for International Students is May 1 for the Fall, and November 1 for the Spring.

Please note: Spring is for Part-time only and can take up to 3 or more years to complete.

Required Application Materials

Transcripts from all schools attended
Three Letters of Recommendation
One academic reference is required, however two academic references are preferred
Resume
Statement of Goals
The statement is generally one to two pages discussing what you have to offer the program and what you wish to get out of the program. It should include a brief description of the applicant's field of interest, related background, desired area of study and research emphasis or career goals.
GMAT*
A GMAT waiver is available for current UAlbany undergraduate and graduate students with a GPA of 3.6.

*The GMAT will be waived as a requirement for admission to the Accounting program for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 applicants. All other listed admission criteria remain applicable. An additional requirement for admitted students is that all incoming students must successfully complete pre-semester orientations that cover foundational concepts.

Available information for International Applicants.

Special Notes

Admission consideration requires students to have an undergraduate degree and completion of a minimum of three credits (one course) in each of the following areas: Financial Accounting, Computer Science, Statistics, and Economics.

This program is licensure qualifying. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Master of Science

Students will be able to interpret and analyze accounting information for internal control, planning, and performance evaluation.
Be able to demonstrate knowledge of the mechanics and concepts of financial reporting.
Be able to demonstrate knowledge of the impact of the global business environment on the practice of accounting.
Each student will demonstrate an ability to communicate complex technical auditing and accounting issues.
Demonstrate an ability to critically analyze a financial reporting situation and devise a cogent argument.
Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of accountants and the importance of ethics to the practice of accounting and to the world of business.
Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the legal environment of business.