Program Overview

Master of Science In Accounting

The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree from the H-E-B School of Business and Administration provides graduates with the skillset needed in the competitive world of professional accounting. The 30-hour MSA program offers the credentials required by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to sit for the national CPA licensing examination.

Program Overview

Courses in the MSA program are offered on weekday evenings to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Classes meet once per week in eight- or 16-week terms. Classes are taught by full-time faculty with decades of experience in professional accounting, each with a CPA license.

MSA Curriculum

Graduate accounting students may choose from one of two areas of specialization - the Tax track or the Assurance and Financial Planning track.

Tax Track

The Tax track for the MSA degree focuses on contemporary aspects of taxation for use in both individual tax practices and business entities. This track is designed to enable students to become proficient in tax research, analysis, and problem-solving relevant to the current regulatory environment.

• Required Courses:
  • ACCT 6318 Ethics for Accounting and Business (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6333 Problems in Tax Practice (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6339 Business Communication (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6340 Advanced Financial Reporting (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6345 Federal Tax Research (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6355 Estate, Trust and Gift Taxation (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6360 Data Analytics in Accounting (3 hours)
  • Electives (9 hours)

Assurance and Financial Reporting Track

The Assurance and Financial Reporting track for the MSA degree provides a practical and theoretical exposure to current audit and assurance service topics. Students analyze and evaluate financial statements and related disclosures while gaining an understanding of the relationship between the responsibilities of entities and the public accounting profession.

• Required Courses:
  • ACCT 6318 Ethics for Accounting and Business (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6336 Financial Statement Analysis (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6339 Business Communication (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6340 Advanced Financial Reporting (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6348 Advanced Auditing (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6350 Problems in Accounting (3 hours)
  • ACCT 6360 Data Analytics in Accounting (3 hours)
  • Elective (9 hours)

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

The curriculum of the Master of Science in Accounting program at the H-E-B School of Business and Administration provides students the opportunity to obtain the credentials necessary to sit for the Certified Public Accountant licensing exam, as designated by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria for the MSA program include requirements, standards, and processes to begin the journey as an H-E-B School of Business and Administration MSA student.

Accreditation

Business programs in the H-E-B School of Business and Administration are accredited by The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. The University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.