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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

Accounting

Online Master of Science in Accounting (MS)

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Develop the advanced knowledge needed to tackle complex accounting issues found in business, nonprofit, government, and private organizations with a Master of Science in Accounting from American Public University (APU).

APU’s master’s in accounting online program emphasizes theory and practical skills, while enabling you to enhance written communication and research capacities to address complex problem solving. Simulations and labs provide an immersive learning experience. The program ends with a thesis based on your research of a current industry issue. 

Our online master’s in accounting program has earned specialized accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Successful completion may or may not satisfy the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Educational requirements for the CPA exam vary by state.

This program is not designed to prepare graduates for any state-issued professional license or certification and therefore has not been approved by any state professional licensing agency. Successful completion of this bachelor of accounting may or may not satisfy the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Educational requirements for the CPA exam vary by state. Please see State Requirements for more information.

This program has specific admission requirements.

What You Will Do

  1. Analyze an organization’s financial information in depth, assessing the findings in writing
  2. Evaluate and organize financial data to aid managerial decision making
  3. Apply past, present, and emerging standards in accounting to complex financial transactions
  4. Produce and interpret financial statements for various organizations using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and International Financial Reporting Standards
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical framework for accountants adopted by professional accounting organizations

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Accredited
ACBSP Accredited

ACBSP® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Number of Credits
36
Transfer up to 15 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:

This concentration is designed for students who have a solid understanding of accounting concepts. Mastery of accounting disciplines such as auditing, financial reporting, cost/management accounting, regulation, and taxation is expected from prospective students. This concentration could serve as a review of concepts that may be necessary for the CPA exam.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Apply appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to various scenarios regarding auditing, business environment and concepts, financial reporting, regulation, and taxation.
  • Solve problems relating to auditing, business environment and concepts, financial reporting, regulation, and taxation.
  • Demonstrate written communications skills in preparing solutions addressing complex accounting problems and situations.
  • Illustrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in formulating solutions to cases.

Choose 9 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 4622

|
This course covers the knowledge and understanding of general business environment and concepts. The topics in this course include knowledge of corporate governance; economic concepts essential to understanding the global business environment and its impact on an entity's business strategy and financial risk management; financial management processes; information systems and communications; strategic planning and operations management.

Course ID: 4623

|
This course covers the knowledge and understanding of the financial reporting framework used by businesses, not-for-profit, and government entities. The financial reporting frameworks covered in this course include those issued by the FASB, the IASB, the SEC, and the GASB.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4624

|
This course covers the knowledge and understanding of the following professional standards: Auditing standards promulgated under U.S. GAAS [related to audits of an issuer (a public company), a non-issuer (an entity that is not a public company), government entities, not-for-profit entities, and employee benefit plans], standards related to attestation and assurance engagements, and standards for performing accounting and review services.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4625

|
This course the professional ethics issues relating to tax practices and based on the AICPA® Code of Professional Conduct, Treasury Department Circular 230, and rules and regulations for tax return preparers. Business law topics covered include the legal implications of business transactions, auditing, and financial reporting. AICPA® is a registered trademark of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5298

|
This foundational course equips students with the essential knowledge and tools to interpret, analyze, and leverage data in the business landscape. Students will explore key analytical principles, learn about a diverse range of tools and techniques, and understand their application in real-world business scenarios. From data collection to insightful interpretation, students will gain a holistic perspective of the analytics domain.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 Fall 2024 Session D 8 Week session
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4807

|
A study of the techniques used to interpret and analyze financial statements effectively. Managers, accountants, investors and analysts often perform analytical procedure to learn more about what is being reported by public corporations. The viewpoint is that of the user of financial statements. This course is designed primarily for students who expect to be intensive users of financial statements as part of their professional responsibilities. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3906

|
An advanced analysis of accounting theory and practice designed to prepare the accounting major for complex problems that arise from partnerships, consolidations and mergers, receiverships, and governmental units. Also a study of the theoretical and practical approach of accounting, budgeting, reporting and auditing for governmental units, colleges and universities, hospitals and other not-for-profit organizations. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. Please refer to the Course Materials section for additional details on materials and pricing or contact [email protected]. (Prerequisite: ACCT608) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 Fall 2024 Session D 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4166

|
In this course students evaluate how organizations process and report accounting information in adherence to ethical standards and generally accepted accounting principles. Topics include accounting literature related to the accounting cycle, adjusting and closing entries, ethics, financial reporting & analysis, international accounting, auditing, taxation, and governance.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Choose 6 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 4231

|
This course examines methods of international accounting concepts, practices, and issues. The course focuses on the accounting issues encountered by multinational companies engaged in international trade and invested in foreign operations. The course analyzes the global financial environment, foreign exchange market, foreign exchange risks, global financing and investment decisions. (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 Fall 2024 Session D 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3907

|
A study of income determination and concepts for individuals with emphasis of the impact of taxation on personal and/or business decisions, advances student knowledge of research techniques, and understanding of the IRS tax code. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. (Prerequisite: ACCT610) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4373

|
This course is a continuation of ACCT615 Individual Tax Research and Planning for students with an interest in continuing their study of Federal Taxation. The course will consider tax reporting issues for regular C Corporations, S Corporations, and Partnerships. A brief introduction to International Tax transactions and Federal Estate and Gift Taxes is included. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. (Prerequisite: ACCT615) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 Fall 2024 Session D 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4808

|
This course covers the analysis of accumulating and reporting costs of operations, budgets, and other tools of management for measuring profitability of a business enterprise. Emphasis is given to the various cost systems like job order, process cost, standard cost, and variable costing. (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 Fall 2024 Session D 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4882

|
The focus of managerial accounting is to provide key information to internal parties (e.g., managers) to enable them to make better business decisions. This course will provide students key facets of cost analysis and various cost accounting systems. Students will learn how managerial accounting is used to facilitate and guide business decisions. Topics include planning (e.g., budgets), variance analysis, and overall performance measurement, among others.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3908

|
This course is a study of forensic accounting with an emphasis on using accounting techniques in white collar criminal investigations. The course exposes students to criminology topics such as skimming, cash larceny, check tampering, billing schemes, payroll and expense reimbursement irregularities, non-cash misappropriations, corruption, and interviewing witnesses. The course advances student knowledge of auditing, financial statement analysis, and research techniques in the context of fraud. This course requires the student to purchase additional materials. Please refer to the Course Materials section for additional details on materials and pricing or contact [email protected]. (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4626

|
A required capstone course that explores the rationale and structure of accounting theory including the concepts underlying current accounting thought. Students will conduct accounting research and complete a thesis that bears to their intended area of practice and facilitates a broadened perspective by exploring relevant technical constructs in a theoretical context.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
06/24/24 - 11/29/24 12/02/24 - 01/26/25 Fall 2024 Session D 8 Week session
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Dec 2
Register by Nov 29
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require you to have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

In addition, you will need to provide an official transcript of your completed bachelor’s or master’s degree showing proof of completion of this required coursework:

  • Auditing: 3 credit hours
  • Cost Accounting or Managerial Accounting: 3 credit hours
  • Individual Federal Taxation: 3 credit hours
  • Intermediate Accounting: 6 credit hours

Preadmission courses must be grade C or better at the undergraduate level; B or better at the master’s level.

Students are required to take BUSN604 as their first required course. If you have a bachelor's degree that is accredited by ACBSP, AACSB, or IACBE, you are NOT required to take the course listed above, and instead may take one graduate-level elective course.

Students pursuing the Government Accounting Concentration will need to have credit for ACCT410 – Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting as it is prerequisite for ACCT614 – Government & Non-Profit Accounting.

You will also be required to submit a signed statement of understanding (SOU).

Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).

There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.

An APU admissions coach will contact you with further details about how to submit the required documentation after you complete the enrollment application.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

State Requirements

For more information on CPA educational prerequisites applicable to you, please see the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website or select your state from the drop down list for more information.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.