Master of Accountancy: Fundamentals Tracks (M.Acc.) (2024)

Why earn a Master of Accountancy degree?

Graduate Application Deadlines

Fall:: Aug. 1
Spring:: Dec. 1
Summer:: May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Join one of the few fields that spans all industries and is valuable to every business by completing our part-time online Master of Accountancy fundamentals program.

Our Master's of Accountancy key program features include:

No GMAT required
100% online with 3 starts per year
Designed for career changers
Graduate in as few as 20 months
Continue working while you earn your degree
All undergraduate majors welcome
Prepare you for the CPA exam

Don't have an undergraduate degree in Accounting?

If you have no previous accounting coursework or experience but would like to transition into the field, then our M.Acc. fundamentals-focused program is meant for you. If you already have an undergraduate degree in accounting, then please explore our M.Acc. Professional Track.

Areas of Study

Study topics range from business law for accountants to accounting systems. Our online Master of Accountancy program prepares you, regardless of your background, for a successful career in accounting.

Our accounting graduate program will:

Prepare you to sit for the CPA exam.
Focus your studies on applying accounting principles to complex transactions like deferred taxes, leases and pensions.
Teach you processes and controls with an emphasis on the financial cycle.
Help you obtain internships and career placement.

Online Accountancy Master's

Offered by UND's College of Business & Public Administration and accredited by AACSB International and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Accreditation by AACSB International puts the UND in the top 5% of business schools in the world.
Ranked #7 as a best online business degree program by Best Value Schools.
Students gain valuable classroom experiences as well as prestigious internship placements at top firms around the country through experiential learning opportunities.
The Herr School of Accountancy awards approximately $100,000 annually, in addition to Nistler College and other scholarships, to its students.
UND accountancy students consistently perform well on all four parts of the CPA exam, with two M.Acc. graduates receiving the Elijah Watt Sells Award during 2022-2023.
Receive personalized career support through thePancratz Career Development Center. The Center is dedicated exclusively to career development for online and on-campus business and public administration students.

What can I do with an accountancy master's?

127K

Annual job openings for accountants and auditors in the U.S.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

15%

More earnings than their peers for CPAs in non-management positions.

Investopedia

Master of Accountancy Careers

Research shows that M.Acc. graduates are more likely to be placed in many accounting positions and are more likely to be promoted within public accounting than bachelor of accounting graduates.

This program prepares you for a variety of business roles including:

Accountant
Accounting managers
Auditor
Budget analysts
Business owners
Chief executive officers
Chief financial officers
Comptrollers
Financial Analyst
Forensic accountants
Partners in public accounting firms
Tax preparer
Tax consultant

Career Networking

Networking is a key element of the accounting industry, and here at UND, we have built strong relationshipswith top accounting firms and recruitersacross the country,and we put those relationships to work for our students.

Each year,wehost asignificant number of online and in-person internship and career placement and networking activities specifically for our accountancy students, such as:

VirtualAccountancyFieldTrip(featuring top firms like PwC, EY, Deloitte, BDO, RDO and Eide Bailly)
Ernst & Young Office Hours
Virtual RecruitingEvent withpublicaccounting firm EideBailly
Fall Accountancy Career Fair
SpringUND Career Fair
Bowling with Recruiters
Master of Accountancy Hall of Fame Event

Accountancy Master's Courses

ACCT416. Business Law for Accountants. 3 Credits.

Both foundational and advanced topics in business law relevant for the practice of public accountancy including agency law, contracts, negotiable instruments, ethics, legal representation in business, and the impact of selected governmental regulations on businesses. Prerequisite: Declared CoBPA majors or students admitted to the Master of Accountancy program, only. F,S,SS.

ACCT521. Financial Accounting I. 3 Credits.

This is a first course in financial accounting for graduate students that has a preparer orientation, but also provides a foundation for analyzing financial statements. Specific content focuses on assets and current liabilities as well as the formats and uses of the primary financial statements. Prerequisite: Permission of MAcc Director. F,S,SS.

ACCT503. Advanced Financial Accounting. 3 Credits.

Accounting for inter-corporate investments, business combinations, and other advanced financial accounting topics. Prerequisite: Permission of MAcc Director. F,S.

Leaders in Quality Education

We're fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and AACSB International.

Apply to UND

Accountancy Master's Testimonials

I was attracted to UND’s online Master of Accountancy program mainly due to its flexibility (online format), its cost relative to other schools, and the fact that it is AACSB accredited. Those three things were what I really focused on when looking for schools

- Dexter K., Online Master of Accountancy Alumni
There are many factors that encouraged me to choose UND. Convenience, because as a mother of a newborn, an online part-time program allows me to work and eat from my home and with the time I have. Also flexibility, because even though there are weekly deadlines, these are still flexible. You can decide when you want to do it during the week. Prestige, of course, as I learn more about the University of North Dakota during my process of selecting a school, I learned about its prestige in the accounting world… Also, that your CPA pass rate is high.

-Laura Pflucker, Online Master of Accountancy Alumni

Leader in Accountancy

Zsofia Barandi became the 11th graduate to win the coveted Elijah Watt Sells Award for her performance on the CPA exam.

Read Zsofia's Story

As a seasoned expert in the field of accounting and finance, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the intricacies of pursuing a Master of Accountancy degree. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles, financial systems, and the broader business landscape.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:

Master of Accountancy Program Overview:
- The Master of Accountancy program highlighted is a part-time online program.
- It offers a fundamental-focused track for those without an undergraduate degree in accounting and a Professional Track for those with prior accounting education.
- The program is designed to accommodate career changers, allowing students to continue working while earning their degree.
- No GMAT is required for admission.
- The program prepares students for the CPA exam, covering diverse study topics ranging from business law for accountants to accounting systems.
Program Structure and Duration:
- The Master of Accountancy program is 100% online with three start dates per year, allowing flexibility for students.
- Graduation can be achieved in as few as 20 months, providing an expedited path to earning the degree.
Areas of Study:
- The curriculum covers a broad spectrum, including business law for accountants, accounting systems, deferred taxes, leases, and pensions.
- Regardless of the undergraduate major, the program aims to prepare students for successful accounting careers.
Accreditation and Recognition:
- The program is offered by UND's College of Business & Public Administration and holds accreditation from AACSB International and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
- AACSB accreditation places UND in the top 5% of business schools worldwide.
- The program is ranked #7 as a best online business degree program by Best Value Schools.
Career Opportunities and Support:
- Graduates are well-prepared for various roles, including accountant, auditor, budget analyst, business owner, CFO, and more.
- The article emphasizes the strong career networking opportunities facilitated by the university, connecting students with top accounting firms and recruiters.
- The Pancratz Career Development Center provides personalized career support.
Testimonials and Recognition:
- Testimonials from alumni highlight the program's flexibility, cost-effectiveness, AACSB accreditation, and the university's prestige in the accounting world.
- The success of M.Acc. graduates is demonstrated by accolades such as the Elijah Watt Sells Award received by two graduates in 2022-2023.
Statistics and Job Outlook:
- The article provides compelling statistics, including 127,000 annual job openings for accountants and auditors in the U.S., as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- CPAs in non-management positions earn 15% more than their peers, according to Investopedia.
Courses Offered:
- Specific courses, such as Business Law for Accountants, Financial Accounting I, Advanced Financial Accounting, Seminar in Accounting Issues, Accounting Information for Decision and Control, and Federal Taxation 1, are outlined with their respective credit hours and prerequisites.

In conclusion, pursuing a Master of Accountancy degree from UND's program not only offers a solid academic foundation but also provides a pathway to a successful and rewarding career in the dynamic field of accounting. The program's flexibility, accreditation, strong networking opportunities, and proven success of graduates make it a compelling choice for individuals aspiring to excel in the accounting profession.