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Master of Science in Accounting (Online)

Young professional male providing accounting services in an office setting.

Whether you’re looking to attain greater responsibilities in an accounting role, transition into the accounting field or validate your accounting proficiency with a CPA credential, Eastern’s M.S. in Accounting program provides a high-quality educational experience that’s tailored to working professionals.

Explore the Program
Meet the Faculty
Who Should Enroll
Curriculum
FAQs
Related Articles

Why Earn a Master’s in Accounting?

Pursuing a master’s degree in accounting can help deepen your expertise in financial management, taxation, auditing and more. It also helps you meet the 150-hour educational requirements for CPA licensure, expanding your opportunities for senior roles in accounting, finance and management. Combined with the advanced knowledge and specialized skills gained from a master’s program, a CPA license confirms your expertise in accounting and can help make you more competitive in the job market.

Eastern offers you the opportunity to complete your M.S. in Accounting in 12 months as an accelerated online (asynchronous) program with seven-week-long academic terms.* This 30-credit-hour master’s program helps equip you with in-depth accounting knowledge and will challenge you to develop problem-solving strategies, showcase your leadership skills, and communicate ideas effectively.

  • Advanced Functional Knowledge of Accounting: Learn the concepts, theories and practices in accounting information systems and financial reporting, assurance service, accounting for governmental and not-for-profit organizations, international accounting and taxation.
  • Critical Thinking: Identify and analyze complex technical information to reach well-reasoned conclusions about accounting issues.
  • Professional Responsibility: Learn the professional responsibilities and ethical standards of the accounting profession.

*You must enroll with full-time status with no breaks in attendance to complete this program in 12 months. Full-time status may vary based on the program and term. This timeline may vary depending on your individual circumstances and course availability. For more information about this opportunity, please contact a Student Success representative.

  • To be eligible to apply for Eastern’s M.S in Accounting program, prospective students must provide evidence of having earned a bachelor’s degree from an approved/accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.7**. Work experience will be part of the assessment if your GPA is below 2.7. Other requirements for admission include:

    • A completed application with a $50 non-refundable application fee. Start your application.
      • Priority Spring Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
      • Regular Spring Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
    • Recommendations from two references.
      • Two recommendation surveys completed by individuals knowledgeable about the applicant’s abilities to complete graduate work.
    • Official college transcript(s) for all non-Eastern colleges/ universities attended.
    • Personal/Philosophy statement, explaining your professional goals.
      • Personal statements can be uploaded as supplemental items in the online application system.
    • A résumé/CV addressing your professional history, educational, and career interests.

    **Additional undergraduate accounting course prerequisites may be required after admission for applicants with non-accounting degrees and who have inadequate background in accounting.

  • The following link contains course and credit requirements for the M.S. in Accounting program with Eastern. Please use them to help plan your course of study but be aware that offerings may change in the future.

    Graduate Plan of Study (PDF Download)

     

  • Eastern’s online accounting program is designed for professionals who want to hone their accounting skills and expand their career potential while balancing work and personal commitments.

    • Join a Community of Likeminded Learners

    The accounting program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, offering a flexible learning environment where you can ask questions and learn from professionals in various stages of their careers.

    • 100% Online Courses

    Lectures are recorded so you can pause, rewind and watch them again on your schedule to ensure you gain a comprehensive understanding of the material. All coursework can be accessed 24/7, anywhere with an internet connection.

    • Experienced Faculty

    Benefit from the expertise of dedicated faculty members with years of professional experience teaching accounting and actively working in the field. Eastern’s faculty also includes active researchers who want to inspire students to pursue innovation in the field.

  • The cost per credit hour is $750 with a per semester fee of $60. Supplemental material including textbooks must be purchased separately.

    Rates are subject to change.

  • Advanced Functional Knowledge of Accounting: Knowledge and understanding of concepts, theories, and practices in accounting information systems and financial reporting, assurance service, accounting for governmental and not-for-profit organizations, international accounting, and taxation.

    Upon completion of M.S in Accounting, graduates will be able to demonstrate advanced functional knowledge of accounting by:

    • Using the concepts and theories of advanced functional knowledge in professional settings.
    • Advising clients and supervisors on advanced tax issues related to corporations, S-corporations, C-corporations, trusts and estates, and partnerships.
    • Forming an informed and objective opinion regarding the reliability and relevance of accounting and financial information.
    • Applying International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and mastering international financial reporting practices.

    Critical Thinking: Identification and analysis of complex technical information to reach well-reasoned conclusions about accounting issues.

    Upon completion of a M.S. in Accounting, graduates will be able to demonstrate critical thinking by:

    • Identifying an accounting problem or issue to be addressed,
    • Evaluating technical information relevant to the problem or issue,
    • Evaluating the assumptions and limitations of decision alternatives, and
    • Formulating well-reasoned decisions and conclusions.

    Data Analytics Skills: Extracting, transforming, and analyzing data, and identifying irregularities and patterns in big data to predict outcomes using data analytics techniques.

    Upon completion of a M.S. in Accounting, graduates will be able to demonstrate data analytics skills by:

    • Applying appropriate data analytics techniques to solve accounting problems.
    • Using data analytics software (IDEA, Power BI, and ACL software) to extract, transform, and load relevant accounting data.
    • Applying fundamental business knowledge to analyze accounting problems.
    • Conducting applied scientific research.
    • Using analytics and data visualization technologies to support accounting data analysis.

    Professional Responsibility: Understanding the professional responsibilities and ethical standards of the accounting profession.

    Upon completion of a M.S. in Accounting, graduates will be able to demonstrate professional responsibility by:

    • Recognizing the roles and duties of the professional accountant in accounting firms, businesses, and other agencies.
    • Identifying ethical considerations relevant to accounting problems.
    • Evaluating the ethical impact of accounting practices and decisions.
    • Using ethical and professional judgement to make accounting and business decisions.

Meet the Faculty

Photo of Dr. Moh’d RuJoub

Dr. Mohd RuJoub

Professor, Department Chair, Accounting Program Coordinator

Dr. RuJoub holds a Ph.D. presented with honors in accounting from the Sam Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas and an MBA from Ball State University. His expertise includes accounting information technology and business solutions, assurance services, management accounting, international accounting, and governmental accounting. He also has served as an accountant and internal auditor for several industries. He is an active member of the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Association and continues to serve as an ad hoc reviewer for the American Accounting Association publications and others.

Photo of Dr. Meng Guo

Dr. Meng Guo

Assistant Professor, Accounting Program Faculty

Dr. Guo earned her B.S. in Business Administration with an Accounting major from The Ohio State University, her M.S. in Accountancy from Bentley University and her Ph.D. in Accounting from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research interests are in the areas of ESG reporting, financial accounting, and auditing. She has been published in the Journal of Business Ethics.

Photo of Mindyleigh Vail

Mindyleigh Vail

Lecturer, Accounting Program Faculty

Mindyleigh Vail is an adjunct professor with more than five years of experience teaching accounting courses. On a full-time basis, she works at a national furniture retailer in the finance department creating company-wide budgets, forecasts, and financial analysis. Her background includes public accounting experience at Connecticut-based firms providing services to non-profits, construction, manufacturing, and real estate businesses. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has a Chartered Global Management Accountant certification.

Who Should Enroll

The online M.S. in Accounting program is ideal for:

  • Professionals who aspire to obtain CPA licensure or sit for the CPA examination.
  • Current accounting professionals who desire a more senior-level accounting role.
  • Those seeking accounting careers in local and state governments, not-for-profit organizations, financial institutions, and/or public accounting firms.
  • Individuals looking to pursue certification in public accounting or other related accounting certifications.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors are projected to see a 6% job growth rate through 2033***. This equates to approximately 91,400 new jobs over the next decade. Additionally, approximately 130,800 job openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, through 2033. According to the BLS, the continued globalization of business, a growing economy and a complex tax and regulatory environment are expected to keep accounting roles in demand.

Whether your goals are to pursue a public accounting/taxation career, earn your CPA designation, or work in the industry, Eastern’s master’s program will provide you with rigorous preparation to achieve future success regardless of your chosen career path. Holders of any academic discipline are welcome to apply. 

***U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (accessed Sept. 16, 2024).
National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Degree program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.

Curriculum

With course offerings in assurance services, international operations, taxation, management, and more, the M.S. in Accounting program provides students with a specialized education in accounting as well as core functional areas such as talent management, financial management, and strategic management.

Students must earn 30 credits by successfully completing 10 courses. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in and graduate from the program. All courses are worth three (3) credit hours and are seven (7) weeks in length.****

Students with non-accounting degrees and inadequate background in accounting will be required to complete some prerequisite undergraduate accounting classes in addition to the 30-hour graduate accounting classes.

Core Courses

  • MGT 502 Talent Management
  • FIN 545 Financial Management
  • MGT 510 Strategic Management

Graduate Accounting Courses:

  • ACC 515 Accounting Info Systems and Financial Reporting
  • ACC 520 Accounting for not-for-Profit Organizations/Govt
  • ACC 525 Accounting for International Operations
  • ACC 530 Topical and Current Issues in Accounting
  • ACC 531 Accounting Theory and Prof. Development
  • ACC 535 Advanced Studies in Taxation: Estates and Trust
  • ACC 549 Assurance Services

Download our program guide or contact a Student Success representative at 844-701-6069 for more information.

****Courses taken in the summer term are six (6) weeks long.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Eastern Connecticut State University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

  • The cost per credit hour is $750 with a per semester fee of $60 and a $50 non-refundable application fee. Tuition does not include textbooks or other materials.

  • As an online student with Eastern, you should expect to devote 12-16 hours per week toward earning your degree. This includes watching your pre-recorded lectures and completing relevant coursework. Additional time may be spent participating in online discussions or meeting with faculty members during their office hours.

  • Yes, students who qualify may be able to receive support for their Eastern graduate degree program. Potential options include student loans, military savings, veteran’s benefits and employer tuition assistance. Contact a student success representative for more information.

  • Eastern’s online programs offer flexible priority and standard application deadlines throughout the year. Three (3) start dates are offered each year and it is recommended that applications be submitted at least six (6) weeks in advance of a student’s preferred start date. Entrance exams (GMAT/GRE) are not required.

  • Potential accounting careers include:

    • Accounting manager
    • Senior auditor
    • Financial accountant
    • Corporate controller
    • Senior financial analyst

  • Graduates of the program can expect to qualify for roles in auditing, finance, taxation, insurance and banking, management, and related fields.

    The accounting program also has strong relationships within the accounting profession, which has allowed Eastern to place graduates at corporations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), KPMG, Blumshapiro, Cigna, United Technology, Pratt and Whitney, Travelers, Federal DCAA, Connecticut State Auditors of Public Accounts, and other State of Connecticut Agencies.

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