Online Master’s Degrees in Accounting: Finding the Right School

Are You Ready for an Online MAcc?

Pursuing an online master’s in accounting is a significant commitment. Beyond meeting admissions criteria, it’s important to self-assess your readiness for the academic challenge and the online learning environment. This section details five introspective questions to ask yourself before applying to ensure this path aligns with your goals and circumstances. By reflecting on these questions, you’ll better understand your readiness to embark on an online master’s in accounting and how to set yourself up for success from day one.

1. Do I have clear career goals that a Master’s in Accounting will help me achieve?
   Consider why you want this degree: are you aiming for CPA licensure, a managerial position, or a pivot into accounting from another field? Having a defined vision such as “I want to become a controller within five years” or “I need 30 more credits for the CPA” can motivate you through the program and help you choose the right courses.
2. Am I prepared to invest the time and effort required for a rigorous online graduate program?
   Evaluate your schedule and commitments, as a typical online MAcc will demand 15–20 hours of study per week. Successful online graduate students are disciplined time managers. Can you carve out reliable study time alongside work and family duties? Be honest about whether you can allocate evenings, weekends, or lunch breaks to watch lectures, complete assignments, and participate in discussions consistently.
3. Do I possess the self-motivation and learning style to thrive in an online setting?
   Online courses offer flexibility, but they also require proactivity. There’s no classroom bell or professor physically present, so you must take initiative to log in, digest materials, and seek help when needed. If you are comfortable working independently, communicating via email/forums, and reaching out to instructors or tutors as necessary, you’re likely well-suited for online learning. If you struggle without face-to-face interaction or a set routine, consider how you’ll bridge that gap in ways such as forming virtual study groups or scheduling regular check-ins with faculty.
4. Do I have the foundational knowledge (or willingness to acquire it) to succeed in advanced accounting courses?
   Reflect on your academic background. If you’ve never taken an accounting class or it’s been years since you did, are you ready to dive into graduate-level accounting topics? Many programs welcome students from non-accounting majors but may require prerequisites or extra effort to catch up. Assess whether you might need to take introductory accounting, finance, or math courses beforehand. Your comfort with numbers, attention to detail, and analytical thinking will all be assets in tackling the master’s curriculum.
5. Is this the right time for me to pursue a master’s, financially and professionally?
   Examine your current life situation. Can you afford the tuition (and have looked into financial aid or employer tuition reimbursement)? Will your employer support your growth, perhaps with schedule flexibility or promotion opportunities afterward? Also, consider your professional experience level: some students go straight from undergrad to a MAcc, while others benefit from a few years of work first. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but make sure you feel confident that this is the opportune moment to earn your degree and advance your career.

In-Depth: 3 Online Accounting Master’s

Below, we profile three accredited U.S. universities offering online or hybrid master’s in accounting programs. Each overview highlights key features — from curriculum and format to cost and admissions — to give you a sense of what these programs provide.

The Cost of an Online Accounting Master’s

The cost of an online master’s degree can be a major deciding factor, and it’s important to understand both the fixed and variable expenses involved for an MAcc. Tuition is usually the largest fixed cost, but you’ll also need to budget for fees: online programs may have technology fees, online library or services fees, and one-time fees (like application or graduation fees). Another cost factor is whether the school charges in-state vs. out-of-state tuition; many online programs charge a single rate for all students regardless of residency, but some public universities may have a slight premium for non-residents. Lastly, consider if you plan to study part-time — stretching the program out longer could incur additional semester fees (though per-credit tuition remains the same, paying over more terms might mean more fees each term). 

Overall, it’s wise to compare programs by looking at the total number of credits and the cost per credit, and inquire about any hidden fees. Below is a comparison of three online MAcc programs and their current tuition rates:

Note: Tuition figures are as reported for the current academic year and may change. Always check the university’s official tuition page for the most up-to-date information on costs, fees, and any available financial aid.

What Can You Do After Graduating with Your MAcc?

Earning your master’s in accounting opens the door to a wide range of accounting and finance careers and advancement opportunities. As a CPA or advanced-degree holder, you’ll qualify for roles beyond the entry level. For instance, you could move into positions like senior accountant or auditor, taking on more complex projects and supervising junior staff. Many MAcc graduates work in public accounting firms (including the Big Four and regional firms) in areas such as audit, tax, or advisory services. Others pursue roles in corporate accounting departments, such as financial analyst, accounting manager, or internal auditor, where the master’s degree accelerates their promotion track into management. Ultimately, a master’s degree often translates into higher earning potential over the course of your career. 

A master’s in accounting also allows you to specialize in niche areas of the field and pursue roles such as a tax manager, or you could leverage a forensic accounting concentration to work as a forensic accountant. Some go even further to reach the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) level, especially when the master’s is combined with a CPA and several years of results-driven experience. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that financial managers (a category that includes controllers and CFOs) have a median annual wage of $156,100 and a much-faster-than-average job growth of 17% projected through 2033, making this an attractive long-term goal for MAcc graduates.

Questions from Online MAcc Students

Q: Will an online master’s in accounting qualify me to sit for the CPA exam?

A: Yes — in most cases, an accredited online MAcc will satisfy the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam. Almost all states’ CPA licensing requirements include 150 semester hours of education (about 30 hours beyond a typical bachelor’s degree) with specific accounting coursework. Be sure to verify your chosen program covers topics like auditing, taxation, financial accounting, and business law at the necessary level. 

You should double-check with your State Board of Accountancy for any unique requirements, but an online MAcc from a respected university will generally put you on the right track. After completing the degree, you’ll still need to pass the CPA exam and meet experience requirements, but you’ll have the academic credential firmly in hand.

Q: How do employers view an online master’s in accounting? Is it respected?

A: Employers today typically regard an online MAcc the same as any other accredited master’s degree in accounting. The key is that your degree comes from a reputable, accredited university. In fact, many well-known business schools offer online accounting master’s programs, and often the diploma is identical to the on-campus version. Hiring managers are far more concerned with your skills and the school’s accreditation/status than the delivery format of your degree.

Q: My bachelor’s degree isn’t in accounting — can I still get a Master’s in Accounting?

A: Absolutely. Many online MAcc programs are designed to accommodate students from non-accounting backgrounds. Generally, as long as you have a bachelor’s in any discipline and a willingness to complete some foundational coursework, you can pursue the degree. For example, UNC Chapel Hill explicitly states their MAC has no prerequisites and is open to applicants with any undergraduate major or experience level. Similarly, other programs will admit students without an accounting degree but may require you to take a few introductory accounting courses (such as intermediate accounting, auditing, or tax) either before starting the graduate curriculum or as part of the program.

Q: Do I need to take the GMAT or GRE to get into an online master’s in accounting?

A: In many cases, no — standardized tests are often not required for online accounting master’s programs. Schools have found that past academic performance and work experience can be better indicators of success than a test score, especially for working professionals. Some programs might list the GMAT/GRE as optional or waive it if you meet a minimum GPA (e.g., 3.0) or have relevant professional experience or certifications. There are still a few traditional or highly competitive programs that might ask for a test score, but even those often grant waivers readily.

Q: What’s the difference between a Master’s in Accounting and an MBA with an accounting concentration?

A: While there is some overlap, the two degrees serve different purposes. A Master’s in Accounting (MAcc or MS Accounting) is a specialized graduate degree focusing deeply on accounting topics and professional practice. An MBA, on the other hand, provides a broader business education with a leadership and management focus.

For those that want to become a highly skilled accountant or meet the requirements for CPA licensure, the MAcc is usually the better path. It’s often shorter (1 year vs. 2 years for many MBAs) and laser-focused on accounting skills — essentially preparing you to be an accounting specialist. If your goal is to broaden your business skillset or move into executive management, and you already have a solid accounting foundation, an MBA might be more appropriate. Some people even choose to do both at different stages of their career. Ultimately, consider your career objectives: for accounting-focused careers, a MAcc is typically the most direct route, while an MBA can be ideal if you’re aiming for wider management roles with some accounting knowledge on the side.

Ranking the Best Online MAcc Programs

Choosing the right master’s program can be overwhelming, which is why our rankings of the best online MAcc programs are here to help. We’ve analyzed colleges and universities using information from the U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS. Schools were evaluated on key factors that matter to you: affordability (tuition and fees and the availability of financial aid), the number of online programs and enrollment in online courses (as an indicator of online learning expertise), institutional and program accreditation status, and the strength of student support services. Discover which online accounting master’s programs stand out and find the one that best fits your needs and goals.