Student giving a business presentation in front of a class.

Master of Science 

Taxation

Program of Study

programofstudy

In addition to preparing you for the Uniform CPA Exam, this master’s curriculum rounds out your knowledge of tax systems, regulations, and policies, and teaches you how to ethically and accurately calculate financial information, as well as conduct tax research and strategic transaction analyses.


Required Courses

These courses cover topics such as federal tax authority; tax law and regulation interpretation; C and S corporation formation and liquidation; partnership tax classifications and distribution of income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits; equity-based compensation; and strategic financial planning for individuals and businesses.

  • Principles of Tax Research
  • Corporate Taxation
  • Taxation of Partnerships
  • Seminar in Taxation and Financial Planning

Elective Coursework

Flexible elective options allow you to focus on subjects that support your career goals.

  • Two taxation electives, such as: Tax Practice and Procedure, Estate and Gift Taxation, International Taxation, or State and Interstate Taxation.
  • Two accounting electives, such as: Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-Profit Entities.
  • Two electives in business subjects, such as: Corporate Financial Management, Leadership and Managerial Skills, or Global Strategic Management.


Additional Information

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

career

You’ll benefit from the wide variety of career services provided by the Massry School of Business. UAlbany graduates with expertise in tax accounting are highly sought after by on-campus recruiters from major accounting services firms, private corporations, and government agencies.


Sample Job Titles

  • Income Tax Auditor
  • Federal Tax Business Analyst
  • Investment Tax Consultant
  • Risk and Financial Advisor
  • Corporate Finance Specialist
  • Audit and Assurance Associate
  • Multistate Tax Manager

Sample Potential Employers

The Big Four: Deloitte, EY (Ernst & Young), KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

Mid-Size Firms: Baker-Tilly, BDO Seidman, CBIZ, Citrin Cooperman, Grant Thorton, Mazars, RSM, Hilltop, UHY Advisors

Corporations: Bain Capital, Cantor Fitzgerald, Comcast, Ayco (division of Goldman Sachs), IBM, MGM Resorts, Moody's, Showtime Networks, Viacom, Xerox

New York State Government: Office of the State Comptroller, Office of the Attorney General, Department of State, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Department of Taxation and Finance

United States Federal Government: Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Defense, Government Accountability Office, Securities and Exchange Commission

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant

certified

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 MS in Taxation 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.

man doing accounting

“The two main reasons why I chose UAlbany’s master’s in taxation program were affordability and job placement. The cost was more than reasonable compared to similar programs at different schools, and almost all of the UAlbany accounting grads seemed to be employed upon graduation. 

"Getting exposed to different topics in taxation gave me a solid foundation for starting my career as a tax accountant. Also, the tax research skills that I learned at UAlbany are extremely valuable in my day-to-day work.”

- Dylan Devino, '17, Staff Accountant, Wojeski & Company

Admissions Requirements
Deadlines

Priority Review Deadline

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


Departmental Assistantship Consideration

  • Fall: March 1
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available


 No Departmental Assistantship Consideration

  • Fall: June 1
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available
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*

*The GMAT will be waived for admission through Fall 2024.

Special Notes

Admission to the program requires a NYSED-approved undergraduate degree in accounting from an accredited U.S. university, or its equivalent (including 24 accounting credits and 36 business-elective credits). The application deadline for International Students is February 1.

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.   

admissions
Student Learning Objectives

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

Master of Science
  • Each student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of issues pertaining to tax practice.
  • Each student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the impact of the global business environment on tax practice.
  • Each student will be able to demonstrate an ability to communicate complex tax issues.
  • Each student will be able to demonstrate an ability to critically analyze a given situation, consider a wide variety of options, and devise a cogent argument with strong supporting data.
  • Each student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the codes of conduct governing tax practice and be able to explain professional responsibilities.
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