Welcome to the Online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Program at the University of Nevada, Reno. at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Fall Applications Due:
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Summer Classes Start:
Monday, May. 15, 2023
The University of Nevada, Reno’s online Master of Accountancy program goes far beyond the fundamentals to explore the intricacies of advanced accounting, tax laws, financial analysis, and reporting. Our online MAcc program is carefully designed to help you develop the strong technical skills that many employers seek.
With a curriculum that’s structured to elevate your understanding of general accounting principles, we help foster innovative thinking through an emphasis on the skills needed to perform exceptionally and thrive in the business world. You’ll also learn the virtues of teamwork, leadership, and effective communication with the convenience of 100% online coursework, meaning you can schedule classes around work and other important life commitments.
As an experienced or future accountant, there’s no shortage of graduate-level business programs from which to choose. Earning your online Master of Accountancy degree will empower you toward career fulfillment with a focused, specialized skill set that draws from a broader set of business insights.
AACSB accredited College of Business
Designed to prepare students for the CPA exam.
View state licensing requirements.
GRE/GMAT waiver for qualified applicants
Study with an R1 Carnegie Classification research institution
Benefits of Pursuing an Online MAcc Program
When you enroll in our online MAcc program, you’ll enjoy a flexible educational experience that allows you to conveniently take classes around your busy schedule. You’ll learn from the same expert faculty as our on-campus program, without the need to routinely visit a physical campus. Plus, with online communication and collaborative tools such as community bulletin boards and videoconferencing programs, opportunities to connect and collaborate with other students are abundant — even from your own home
What Can You Do With an Online Master of Accountancy Degree?
There will always be a need for professionals with strong accounting skills. When you earn an online Master of Accountancy degree, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape the financial future of organizations in a wide range of industries and settings, including:
- Banking and financial institutions
- Retail and manufacturing
- Government agencies
- Corporations
- Nonprofits
- Education
- Private Equity
What Is the Typical Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Salary?
The median annual salary for professionals with a MAcc degree was around $77,000 as of December 2022.*
Earning a MAcc degree online can lead to careers with a diverse range of salaries. Salaries can be affected by factors such as experience, education level, and location.
Certified Public Accountant
$77,000**
Financial Analyst
$95,000**
Forensic Accountant
$71,000*
Compliance Officer
$76,000**
Tax Manager
$102,000*
Credit Analyst
$88,000**
*Source: Payscale, December 2022** Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021
Master of Accountancy Job Outlook
Accounting is a steady field.
Accounting jobs are poised to experience steady growth over the next several years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of accountants will grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031, adding more than 80,000 new jobs.
Accountants will always be needed.
Businesses will need skilled accounting professionals as long as they continue to make financial transactions. Earning a MAcc degree allows you to enter a field that will never become obsolete.
The globalization of business will create greater opportunities.
As the business world increasingly becomes globalized, companies will rely on accounting expertise for matters related to international trade and international mergers and acquisitions.
Why Choose the University of Nevada, Reno, for Your Online MAcc Degree?
Accounting involves much more than simply crunching numbers. Today’s economy requires accountants to possess a broad range of skills and abilities — knowledge that ensures compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards of practice. Accountants are time managers, multitaskers, and excellent record-keepers with an impeccable sense of detail.
The University of Nevada, Reno’s online MAcc program is fully equipped to help you cultivate the skills and knowledge needed to excel in any role in the field. We’re an institution of higher learning with a proud tradition that redefines excellence in research — earning the designation of a National Tier 1 University by U.S. News & World Report. We’re committed to helping our students excel in a field that promotes extensive career and postgraduate research opportunities.
The Accounting Department shoulders this responsibility through its insightful, impactful curriculum and teaching best practices. Real-world experience through applied business research is supported and nurtured by a faculty of industry experts, who are ready to support you throughout your online learning experience. Our faculty can also help you cultivate the advanced knowledge needed to effectively prepare for CPA certification. As industry-active accounting professionals, our faculty’s real-world experience adds depth and perspective to an already strong curriculum.
Our commitment to our student’s success is further demonstrated by a number of strategic relationships that have been forged between the university, our expanding alumni network, business leaders, and various local communities. In keeping with our mission, the Accounting Department seeks to provide the strong knowledge base and conceptual infrastructure our graduates will need to make valuable and lasting contributions as business professionals in a global economy.
Supplemental accreditation and licensure
The College of Business and the Accounting Department are each accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This supplemental accounting accreditation underscores our commitment to education at the highest standard of professionalism.
Students who complete the Master of Accountancy program at the University of Nevada, Reno, meet the educational requirements for licensure in most states. View the state licensing requirements.
Online MAcc Program Curriculum
The University of Nevada, Reno’s online Master of Accountancy program features curricula specifically designed to advance your career at any phase. Our program offers two separate tracks based on your level of experience and education.
- The Background Track is for students who are new to the profession and features essential courses on Cost Accounting, Federal Taxation, and Auditing.
The Core Track is specifically designed for industry professionals interested in cultivating skills at an expert level. Courses include Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting, Taxation of Corporations, and Business Analysis Methods.
Online MAcc Program Admission Requirements and Tuition
To be eligible for admission into the online Master of Accountancy program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Undergraduate degree in Accounting
- Applicants with a degree from an AACSB-accredited school and minimum GPA of 2.75 and B or better in all accounting courses.
- Applicants with a degree from any other regionally-accredited school must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and B or better in all accounting courses.
- Undergraduate degree in other fields
- Applicants with an undergraduate degree in fields other than Accounting with a minimum of two years of relevant work experience will be required to complete up to six courses in the Background program and will be required to maintain a grade of B or better in the Background program before matriculating into the Core program.
- English language proficiency
- Additional Documentation. The following additional documentation must also be provided in order for consideration into the Online MAcc program:
- Two letters of recommendation (supervisor, professional, academic)
- Statement of purpose
- Résumé
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended
- Tuition
- Cost per credit hour: $750
Joanna Kardys-Stone, Lecturer of Accounting
We’ve asked Joanna Kardys-Stone, lecturer of accounting in the College of Business, for her thoughts on the Master of Accountancy program. Here are her responses:
What are some of the areas of focus within the online Master of Accountancy degree program?
The great benefit of the MAcc program is that it has something for everyone. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, students in the MAcc program get introduced to a series of tax courses (for tax heroes), advanced and intermediate accounting in the Background track (for future controllers and CFOs), and governmental and nonprofit accounting (for those making a difference in the community) — all preparing students for a career as a CPA or an expert accountant equipped to make decisions in leadership roles. Yet the area that makes this program stand out is the business analysis and data transformation courses preparing graduates to make informed decisions based on a data-driven approach.
What advice would you give to someone studying accountancy?
The accounting profession provides endless opportunities, whether we’re in an economic boom or bust. Accountants are part of any industry, providing great insights for business decisions and helping stakeholders understand the decision’s impact. I would recommend students stay open-minded while learning all they can in each course. Don’t limit future opportunities and focus only on one area. Accounting students should be flexible in learning new things and take advantage of the well-rounded curriculum in our online MAcc program, which is designed to prepare them for any career they choose.
What are the most important skills employers in this field are looking for?
Accounting skills are usually separated into hard and soft. The hard accounting skills include basic technical accounting skills, using accounting software, preparing and reporting on financial statements, and knowledge of spreadsheets. Soft accounting skills include effective communication, time management and organization, critical thinking, problem-solving, and strong attention to detail. Also, I would stress the importance of relationships management with internal and external stakeholders.
Why should students choose to take this program at the University of Nevada, Reno?
The unique value of the University of Nevada, Reno, is that it provides you with access to very helpful faculty. We’re available to you throughout your journey. Always be sure to reach out with any concerns, if you need help or just to chat about the profession, opportunities and anything else that we can guide you in.
What is one area of accountancy that you’re most excited to teach?
As a CPA myself, I love teaching practical approaches and real-world applications, which work great in intermediate accounting. I focus on helping students understand the broad application of accounting concepts, diverse opportunities in the profession, finding the right information, and understanding the ins and outs of financial statements.
What should I do to be successful in the online MAcc program?
Follow the course design and complete all activities assigned in each module. Try to complete all steps by the due dates and don’t leave anything for the last minute. But probably the most important advice is to reach out to your instructor or student support services when you encounter challenges. We are here to help.
What do I need to do to become a CPA?
Reach out to your state’s board of accountancy. Each state has its own licensure requirements. Ask them about the education and experience requirements. Most likely, you’ll be able to start taking CPA exams during your online MAcc journey, so you want to be ready and know what you need to do according to your state’s requirements. I would also encourage students to network with the local chapters of the Society of CPAs.
Frequently Asked Questions
An online MAcc degree can equip you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a wide range of accounting roles across a broad spectrum of industries.
Research is our specialty.
It’s what separates us from the rest.
We’re an institution of higher learning with a proud tradition that redefines excellence in research — earning the designation of a National Tier 1 University by U.S. News & World Report. We’re committed to helping our students excel in a field that promotes extensive career and postgraduate research opportunities.
The Accounting Department shoulders this responsibility through insightful, impactful curriculum and teaching best practices. Real-world experience through applied business research is supported and nurtured by a faculty of industry experts, each dedicated to promoting your growth and achievement.
Our commitment to our students’ success is further demonstrated by a number of strategic relationships that have been forged between the university, our expanding alumni network, business leaders and various local communities. In keeping with our mission, the Accounting Department seeks to provide a strong knowledge base and conceptual infrastructure our graduates will need to make valuable and lasting contributions as business professionals in a global economy.