Online Master of Science in Accounting Public Accounting
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Apply accounting expertise
Public accounting specialists are needed in a wide variety of business and government settings. With a public accounting master’s degree from Strayer University, you can develop the knowledge and skills to help your organization make smart, ethical financial decisions. Update your knowledge of best practices in accounting and learn new skills that can expand your career opportunities.
Spring Classes Start on April 4
Program at a glance
12
11-week courses in the program
$1680
Cost per course
Online
Earn your degree online with Strayer
- Program details
- Costs & Savings
- Courses
- Admissions
Refine your accounting skills
Focus on auditing, taxation, and regulatory environments to learn how to present a company’s accounting information effectively and correctly. A CPA exam review course is built into this public accounting concentration, and you’ll have full access until you pass all parts of the CPA exam.
Build your skills
- Develop solutions to problems applicable to the federal taxation of individuals, corporations, partnerships, fiduciaries, estates, and gifts
- Perform functions of financial accounting, tax, and audit for individuals and businesses.
- Apply various advanced financial management tools and planning and measurement methodologies to business situation and solutions.
The high-quality higher education you deserve
Strayer University is proud to be certified
or accredited by
four respected organizations. We’re committed to meeting quality
standards, so you can earn an industry-recognized diploma you’re proud
to display. View
the ACBSP student achievement information.
Accredited online university
Strayer University is proud to be certified or accredited by four respected organizations. We’re committed to meeting quality standards, so you can earn an industry-recognized diploma you’re proud to display. View the ACBSP student achievement information.
Strayer University is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), www.msche.org. Strayer University’s accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. MSCHE most recently reaffirmed Strayer University’s accreditation status in June 2017, with the next self-study evaluation scheduled for the 2025–2026 academic year.
MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Courses earned from Strayer University do not automatically qualify the holder to participate in professional licensing examinations to practice certain professions in any state. All students interested in practicing a regulated accounting profession requiring licensure from a state regulatory agency should contact the appropriate state regulatory agency in their field of interest. A listing of contact information for the most common accounting-related licensing boards is available on the Strayer website at: https://www.strayer.edu/student-consumer-information/licensed-careers.
Licensing information is also available from the following
websites: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (www.aicpa.org),
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (www.nasba.org),
Institute of Internal Auditors (www.theiia.org), Institute of Management
Accountants (www.imanet.org) and the Accreditation Council
for Accountancy and Taxation (www.acatcredentials.org).
82
of Strayer master's alumni agree that their degree was a worthwhile investment.
Strayer Alumni Survey, 2020
Affording your degree
At Strayer, you’ll find plenty of ways to make your tuition affordable, so you can worry less about your budget and get down to business.
$1680
cost per course
$150
degree conferral (one-time only)
$65
technology fee (one per term)
Estimate the cost of your degree
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Estimate the cost of your degree
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Eligibility Rules and Restrictions apply
*Student is required to take two courses per quarter during disbursement period
PREPARING YOUR RESULTS
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Cost analysis
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Ways to reduce your cost
Transfer up to 4 classes toward your master's degree.
Save up to 25% off the cost of select master’s degrees. Eligibility rules apply.
Explore additional scholarships & ways to save.
More than 500 organizations – including corporations and community colleges – invest in their employees by partnering with Strayer University to offer access to discounted education programs. If your employer is a Corporate Alliance Partner, you may qualify for programs that can help you advance in your company and your career.
Grow your accounting expertise
Your coursework in this program covers business law, tax, and accounting concepts to help prepare you to understand the fiscal, legal and managerial implications of your decisions – and those of your employer. You’ll analyze financial records, review fiscal regulations and assist with tax reviews and preparation. View all courses.
Sample courses
Address advanced topics in the business law and tax environment. Discuss business ethics; business law; the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC); and federal income, estate and gift taxation. Analyze accounting information and make recommendations orally and in writing. Topics include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Code of Professional Conduct; ethics and responsibilities in tax practice; legal responsibilities and liabilities; agency and contracts; debtor-creditor relationships; the federal government’s regulation of business; and the federal taxation of individuals, corporations, S corporations, partnerships, fiduciaries, estates and gifts.
This course covers advanced topics in auditing and the general business environment for students pursuing a career in public accounting. Concepts covered include attestation engagements and advanced accounting functions affecting businesses. Students analyze advanced audit and accounting information and make recommendations both orally and in writing. Topics include auditing procedures, domestic generally accepted auditing standards, audit reports, other attestation reports, other professional services, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the nature of business structures, the analysis of economic concepts used in business, advanced aspects of the financial management of a business, information technology issues in business, and the accounting planning and management functions of a business.
This course covers advanced topics in financial accounting for students pursuing a career in public accounting. Concepts covered include complex accounting functions affecting businesses. Students analyze financial accounting and financial reporting information and make recommendations both orally and in writing. Topics covered include concepts and standards; financial statements; income statement items; financial statement disclosure; cash and inventories; receivables; inventories; property, plant, and equipment; intangibles and other assets; payables and taxes; employee benefits; long-term liabilities; leases and contingencies; equity; business combinations; foreign currency issues and other topics; governmental concepts; fund accounting and reporting; and not-for-profit concepts, accounting, and reporting.
Prerequisite: ACC 403
Surveys in-depth analysis of current auditing issues, including professional standards and ethics, internal control gathering and documentation of evidence, and statistical sampling. Focuses on detailed analysis of audit programs and electronic data processing, as well as concepts concerning the financial condition and operation of commercial enterprises.
Introduces the student to systems analysis and application of information systems concepts to the accounting process and accounting models, both manual and automated.
This course allows students to apply the knowledge gained in the program related to financial and managerial accounting, forensic accounting and auditing concepts. The students will apply critical thinking and decision-making skills to real world business cases involving complex accounting decision through analysis, synthesis, prescription and application of accounting concepts.
A grade of B or higher is required for satisfactory course completion.
Master’s admission requirements
Before you can pursue your master’s degree, you’ll need to enroll at Strayer. Here’s what you’ll need to get started for admission to the university.
A completed application and enrollment agreement, as applicable
Proof of a completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 out of 4.0
Official copies of transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended
A valid, current and legible government-issued photo identification
Learn more about the admission process at Strayer.
Students applying to Washington, D.C., or New Jersey campuses must provide proof of proper immunization.
Transferring to Strayer from another university?
Some or all of the credits you’ve earned may be transferable.
International students
We welcome international students from around the globe.
Campus Locations
We have 50+ campuses to serve you. While most Strayer University campus locations are currently closed due to COVID-19, select campuses have reopened for limited student services. Find an open campus near you.
Ready to take the next step?
Your admissions officer is here to guide you through every step of the process, from completing your application to choosing your concentration.