Accountancy, MAcc: Accounting Analytics Specialization
- Duration 12 months
- Cost per Credit $895
- Credit Hours 30
Program Benefits
- Available On-Campus or Online
- Pair your accounting expertise with this market relevant specialization and no application fee
- Use new technology to analyze accounting data
- Macc Bridge Options available for Non-Accounting Majors
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DOUGLAS BOYLE: One thing that’s very unique about our online program is we didn’t force fit a program that we already had to the online format. We designed our program completely with the practitioner in mind. We put together a council of partners who work in public accounting, and many of them work at the big four and other firms. And that council is really working hand in hand with us on curriculum development, on mentoring our students, and providing them with the skill sets that they need to be successful.
To have a good online experience, it’s not just the faculty talking, but it’s really your peer group and your fellow students. And my experience has been our program attracts students of that caliber.
DANIEL MAHONEY: We place an emphasis on the development of interpersonal skills, whether interacting with colleagues at the firm or our clients. Another one of the key goals and objectives of our program is the development of strong ethical skills within the individual.
DOUGLAS BOYLE: A lot of our students are going to be pursuing the CPA exam, so we really want to develop them in areas that are going to help them succeed in their career. It’s not just a public accounting focused program. It’s also what it would take to advance your career through the private ranks up to titles like controllers and CFOs.
DANIEL MAHONEY: A student who has a particular interest in the area of forensic accounting might find it appealing that, within our program, we do offer three very specialized courses in that area. The certified fraud examiner focuses on the detection and deterrence of fraud in general.
DOUGLAS BOYLE: As folks rise up the ranks in accounting, to have really strong ethics and to have really strong networks and to have really strong interpersonal skills is absolutely critical and vital. So really, that ties in perfectly with our Jesuit mission because here at the University of Scranton, we’ve always taught those things.
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Set Yourself Apart With the Latest Technology
Go beyond the core Master of Accountancy curriculum and gain advanced analytical and computing skills to support financial and managerial accounting.
Harness new leaps in data gathering and information processing with the Accounting Analytics specialization.
Through five courses, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of business trends while learning to create financial reports based on reliable data and use accounting systems to their fullest.
Our Accounting Analytics specialization prepares you to assess competitive intelligence, simulate real-world business situations, apply forecasting models, and use the R programming language relied on by statisticians and data miners.
You’ll develop the skills you need to gain a competitive edge over other accountants with hands-on expertise in one of the nation’s most in-demand disciplines.
Learn directly from faculty who are CPA-certified industry experts and experienced field practitioners. Our Master of Accountancy is offered on-campus or online and designed to fit your life.
“Data analysts will help leaders make informed, data-driven decisions to drive a company forward, improve efficiency, increase profits, and achieve organizational goals.”– American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)1
Career Outlook: Crucial to Business
According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, data analysis skills are “crucial” for accounting success1 and employment site Glassdoor has ranked the profession of data scientist No. 1 in America four years in a row, with a median base salary of $108,000 and a job satisfaction rate of 4.3 out of 5.2
Pairing your accounting expertise with this market-relevant skill set will set you up for both long-lasting career stability and exciting new possibilities.
View Career OutlookCurriculum: Hands-On Techniques
This specialization begins with business analytics and data mining fundamentals. You’ll complete hands-on exercises in predictive modeling, anomaly detection, and more.
Next, choose from electives in the R programming language, forecasting models, business intelligence, and other topics, and finish with an applied capstone.
To ensure you learn up-to-the-minute techniques, our Accounting Department Professional Alumni Council advises on how to keep the MAcc curriculum current.
Master of Accountancy CurriculumProgram Outcomes: Real-World CPA Preparation
The Master of Accountancy prepares you to:
- Apply extensive, practical knowledge in the field of accounting.
- Use advanced approaches to leverage accounting as a means of solving business problems.
- Identify and navigate red flags that could indicate occupational fraud.
- Critically analyze accounting information and create value-added insights to make effective economic decisions.
- Understand the global environment and critical leadership roles that are associated within the broader business environment.
- Demonstrate effective and advanced communication skills to key stakeholders within and outside of the firm.
You’ll complete this program with the robust accounting knowledge you need to take the CPA exam.*,**
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Master of Accountancy, you’ll need:
- Completed application (no application fee required)
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or non-accounting business bachelor’s degree (Bridge courses may be required)
- Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
- Résumé
- Personal statement
- Two letters of reference from someone with whom you have an academic or professional relationship
- MAcc Academic Honesty Certification and Agreement Form
Students with a non-accounting business bachelor’s degree may still apply through the MAcc Bridge option, which offers pre-requisite courses in accounting and finance.
Find more details on the Master of Accountancy’s Admissions Requirements page.
Admissions InfoTuition Details
The Master of Accountancy program at The University of Scranton consists of 30 credit hours and costs $895 per credit hour.
We strive to provide you with an affordable, high-quality education. That’s why we’re ranked a Best Value School, Regional Universities North, by U.S. News & World Report for 2024.
See TuitionFaculty: Support From Industry Pros
The University of Scranton’s CPA-certified faculty are more than industry experts.
They are also working practitioners and consultants with a long list of award-winning publications. These experienced professionals will work with you directly and provide support as you earn your master’s degree.
You’ll also benefit from the close advisement and mentorship of Scranton alumni, our partners at Big 4 accounting firms, and Scranton’s Accounting Department Professional Alumni Council.
Faculty at ScrantonFrequently Asked Questions
If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 570-941-4416.
The Master of Accountancy program accepts up to six transfer credits with program director approval. To learn more about credit transfers, request more information or call us at 570-941-4416.
You can complete the Master of Accountancy program in 18 months. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.
Yes, the Master of Accountancy program offers two specializations, including Forensic Accounting and Accounting Analytics. You may also select any five electives — out of 16 available courses — to tailor your degree to suit your interests. Learn more about the curriculum for this program here.
The University of Scranton has six start dates throughout the year. To find out when the next start date is, call 570-941-4416 or email.
Sources
- AICPA Store Certificate Programs (2018). Data Analytics and Beyond. Retrieved November 25, 2019, from https://www.aicpa-cima.com/cpe-learning/certificate-program.
- Glassdoor (2019). 50 Best Jobs in America. Retrieved November 25, 2019, from https://www.glassdoor.com/List/Best-Jobs-in-America-LST_KQ0,20.htm.
Footnotes:
*The University of Scranton accounting program also meets the NYS CPA license education requirements as an “Equivalent to a NYS Licensure Qualifying Registered Program.”
**Many states require 150 semester hours of education within a prescribed accounting coursework curriculum for obtaining the CPA license. Students without prior accounting and related coursework are unlikely to meet this requirement through completing the MAcc program. Such students may need to complete additional required course(s). Please refer to your individual state’s requirements.