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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

Accounting

Online Master of Science in Accounting (MS)

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Develop the advanced knowledge needed to tackle complex accounting issues found in business, nonprofit, government, and private organizations with a Master of Science in Accounting from American Public University (APU).

APU’s master’s in accounting online program emphasizes theory and practical skills, while enabling you to enhance written communication and research capacities to address complex problem solving. Simulations and labs provide an immersive learning experience. The program ends with a thesis based on your research of a current industry issue. 

Our online master’s in accounting program has earned specialized accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Successful completion may or may not satisfy the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Educational requirements for the CPA exam vary by state.

Note: Please note that sitting for and passing the CPA exam does not guarantee licensure in any state. The CPA exam is a state-by-state license, and each state requires different courses for licensure. As such, it is your responsibility to find the specific coursework that your state’s Board of Accountancy requires for licensure.

This program has specific admission requirements.

What You Will Do

  1. Analyze an organization’s financial information in depth, assessing the findings in writing
  2. Evaluate and organize financial data to aid managerial decision making
  3. Apply past, present, and emerging standards in accounting to complex financial transactions
  4. Produce and interpret financial statements for various organizations using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and International Financial Reporting Standards
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical framework for accountants adopted by professional accounting organizations

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Accredited
ACBSP Accredited

ACBSP® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Number of Credits
36
Transfer up to 15 credits
Cost Per Credit
$425 | $250*
*with military grant
Save with one of our many grant options
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:

This concentration is designed for students who have a solid understanding of accounting concepts and are interested in pursuing the Certified Public Accountant license. Mastery of accounting disciplines such as auditing, financial reporting, cost/management accounting, regulation, and taxation is expected from prospective students. This concentration will serve as a review of concepts that may be necessary for the CPA exam.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Apply appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to various scenarios regarding auditing, business environment and concepts, financial reporting, regulation, and taxation.
  • Solve problems relating to auditing, business environment and concepts, financial reporting, regulation, and taxation.
  • Demonstrate written communications skills in preparing solutions addressing complex accounting problems and situations.
  • Illustrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in formulating solutions to cases.

Choose 9 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 4622

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This course covers the knowledge and understanding of general business environment and concepts. The topics in this course include knowledge of corporate governance; economic concepts essential to understanding the global business environment and its impact on an entity's business strategy and financial risk management; financial management processes; information systems and communications; strategic planning and operations management.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4623

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This course covers the knowledge and understanding of the financial reporting framework used by businesses, not-for-profit, and government entities. The financial reporting frameworks covered in this course include those issued by the FASB, the IASB, the SEC, and the GASB.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4624

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This course covers the knowledge and understanding of the following professional standards: Auditing standards promulgated under U.S. GAAS [related to audits of an issuer (a public company), a non-issuer (an entity that is not a public company), government entities, not-for-profit entities, and employee benefit plans], standards related to attestation and assurance engagements, and standards for performing accounting and review services.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 Fall 2023 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4625

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This course the professional ethics issues relating to tax practices and based on the AICPA® Code of Professional Conduct, Treasury Department Circular 230, and rules and regulations for tax return preparers. Business law topics covered include the legal implications of business transactions, auditing, and financial reporting. AICPA® is a registered trademark of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5298

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This course examines issues and functions that business managers face within the context of day-to-day operations and long-term planning of the organization. Topics include the tools used in business operations, the global dimensions of business, financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, ethical behavior, and economic analysis for decision-makers.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 Fall 2023 Session B 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4807

|
A study of the techniques used to interpret and analyze financial statements effectively. Managers, accountants, investors and analysts often perform analytical procedure to learn more about what is being reported by public corporations. The viewpoint is that of the user of financial statements. This course is designed primarily for students who expect to be intensive users of financial statements as part of their professional responsibilities. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3906

|
An advanced analysis of accounting theory and practice designed to prepare the accounting major for complex problems that arise from partnerships, consolidations and mergers, receiverships, and governmental units. Also a study of the theoretical and practical approach of accounting, budgeting, reporting and auditing for governmental units, colleges and universities, hospitals and other not-for-profit organizations. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. Please refer to the Course Materials section for additional details on materials and pricing or contact [email protected] (Prerequisite: ACCT608) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 Fall 2023 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4166

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In this course students evaluate how organizations process and report accounting information in adherence to ethical standards and generally accepted accounting principles. Topics include accounting literature related to the accounting cycle, adjusting and closing entries, ethics, financial reporting & analysis, international accounting, auditing, taxation, and governance.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session

Choose 6 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 4231

|
This course examines methods of international accounting concepts, practices, and issues. The course focuses on the accounting issues encountered by multinational companies engaged in international trade and invested in foreign operations. The course analyzes the global financial environment, foreign exchange market, foreign exchange risks, global financing and investment decisions. (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 Fall 2023 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3907

|
A study of income determination and concepts for individuals with emphasis of the impact of taxation on personal and/or business decisions, advances student knowledge of research techniques, and understanding of the IRS tax code. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. (Prerequisite: ACCT610) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4373

|
This course is a continuation of ACCT615 Individual Tax Research and Planning for students with an interest in continuing their study of Federal Taxation. The course will consider tax reporting issues for regular C Corporations, S Corporations, and Partnerships. A brief introduction to International Tax transactions and Federal Estate and Gift Taxes is included. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. (Prerequisite: ACCT615) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 Fall 2023 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4808

|
This course covers the analysis of accumulating and reporting costs of operations, budgets, and other tools of management for measuring profitability of a business enterprise. Emphasis is given to the various cost systems like job order, process cost, standard cost, and variable costing. (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4882

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The focus of managerial accounting is to provide key information to internal parties (e.g., managers) to enable them to make better business decisions. This course will provide students key facets of cost analysis and various cost accounting systems. Students will learn how managerial accounting is used to facilitate and guide business decisions. Topics include planning (e.g., budgets), variance analysis, and overall performance measurement, among others.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3908

|
This course is a study of forensic accounting with an emphasis on using accounting techniques in white collar criminal investigations. The course exposes students to criminology topics such as skimming, cash larceny, check tampering, billing schemes, payroll and expense reimbursement irregularities, non-cash misappropriations, corruption, and interviewing witnesses. The course advances student knowledge of auditing, financial statement analysis, and research techniques in the context of fraud. This course requires the student to purchase additional materials. Please refer to the Course Materials section for additional details on materials and pricing or contact [email protected] (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 Fall 2023 Session B 8 Week session
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4626

|
A required capstone course that explores the rationale and structure of accounting theory including the concepts underlying current accounting thought. Students will conduct accounting research and complete a thesis that bears to their intended area of practice and facilitates a broadened perspective by exploring relevant technical constructs in a theoretical context.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 Summer 2023 Session B 8 Week session
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 Summer 2023 Session I 8 Week session
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 Summer 2023 Session D 8 Week session
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 Fall 2023 Session B 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Aug 7
Register by Aug 4
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require you to have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

In addition, you will need to provide an official transcript of your completed bachelor’s or master’s degree showing proof of completion of this required coursework:

  • Auditing: 3 credit hours
  • Cost Accounting or Managerial Accounting: 3 credit hours
  • Individual Federal Taxation: 3 credit hours
  • Intermediate Accounting: 6 credit hours

Preadmission courses must be grade C or better at the undergraduate level; B or better at the master’s level.

Students are required to take BUSN604 as their first required course. If you have a bachelor's degree that is accredited by ACBSP, AACSB, or IACBE, you are NOT required to take the course listed above, and instead may take one graduate-level elective course.

Students pursuing the Government Accounting Concentration will need to have credit for ACCT410 – Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting as it is prerequisite for ACCT614 – Government & Non-Profit Accounting.

You will also be required to submit a signed statement of understanding (SOU).

Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).

There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.

An APU admissions representative will contact you with further details about how to submit the required documentation after you complete the enrollment application.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

State Requirements

The State Board of Accountancy requires fully online programs to use test proctoring. Students in all upper-level accounting courses (i.e., 300-level and above) are required to use test proctoring in several assessments. Any challenges that may impede the student from using test proctoring (e.g., military deployments, overseas travel, connectivity issues, etc.) need to be taken into consideration by the student before enrollment since exceptions to the use of test proctoring are not permitted.

Except as indicated below, APUS has not made a determination whether this program meets the educational prerequisites for licensure or certification in your state.  For more information on educational prerequisites applicable to you, please see the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website or select your state from the drop down list for more information.

Maryland: This program meets a portion of the educational prerequisites needed to sit for the CPA Exam in the state of Maryland.  Click here for the full list of educational requirements in Maryland.

Texas: This program meets a portion of the educational prerequisites needed to sit for the CPA Exam in the state of Texas.  Among other prerequisites, Texas requires that you complete a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours of upper-level accounting coursework resulting from physical attendance in class, which this program does not provide.  Additionally, this program, by itself, meets a portion of Texas’s credit hour requirements related to accounting courses and business courses to sit for the CPA Exam.  Click here for the full list of educational prerequisites in Texas.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course | $0 for active-duty military, National Guard members, and Reservists.

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Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

*Cost Per Credit Hour

U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents, receive a tuition grant that caps undergraduate, master's degree, and graduate certificate tuition at $250/credit hour. 
See all military student benefits.