Master of Science in Professional Accountancy

Program Overview

---

Master of Science in Professional Accountancy

The Master of Science in Professional Accountancy at UAlbany is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting who want to get licensed as a certified public accountant in New York State.

Program Overview

This 30-credit program can be completed in two semesters of full-time study. The curriculum builds on your existing knowledge of accounting practice, covering topics such as:

• Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
• Investment valuation methods
• Data mining and analysis
• Accounting software and technologies
• Commercial fraud
• Auditing
• Internal controls
• Budgeting
• Cost-profit analysis

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Professional Accountancy is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This program is registered with the Division of Professional Education of the State Education Department of New York and meets the 150-hour education requirement for initial CPA licensure.

Program of Study

Required Courses

• Statistical Methods for Forensic Accounting and Assurance
• Financial Statement Fraud and Corporate Governance
• Contemporary Developments in Accounting Thought
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Advanced Cost Management
• Corporate Financial Problems
• Research Seminar in Accounting
• One accounting elective
• One business elective

Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for program requirement details.

Career Paths

As a graduate student in accounting at UAlbany, you'll be able to access special career services offered by the Massry School of Business. Graduates are highly sought after by recruiters from major accounting services firms, private corporations, and government agencies.

Sample Job Titles

• Audit Associate
• Assurance Associate
• Municipal Auditor
• Program Auditor
• Staff Accountant
• Senior Associate

Sample Potential Employers

• The Big Four: Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Mid-Size Firms: Baker-Tilly, BDO Seidman, CBIZ, Citrin Cooperman, Grant Thornton, Mazars, RSM, Hilltop, UHY Advisors
• Corporations: Bain Capital, Cantor Fitzgerald, Comcast, Ayco (division of Goldman Sachs), IBM, MGM Resorts, Moody's, Showtime Networks, Viacom, Xerox
• New York State Government: Office of the State Comptroller, Office of the Attorney General, Department of State, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Department of Taxation and Finance
• United States Federal Government: Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Defense, Government Accountability Office, Securities and Exchange Commission

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant

The AACSB-accredited full-time MS in Accounting program at UAlbany meets the education requirements for certified public accountant licensure in New York and qualifies you to apply for the Uniform CPA Examination.

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

• Priority Review Deadline: Fall (November 1), Spring (Not Available), Summer (Not Available)
• Departmental Assistantship Consideration: Fall (March 1), Spring (Not Available), Summer (Not Available)
• No Departmental Assistantship Consideration: Fall (July 1), Spring (Not Available), Summer (Not Available)

Required Application Materials

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three Letters of Recommendation (one academic reference is required, however two academic references are preferred)
• Resume
• Statement of Goals (one to two pages discussing what you have to offer the program and what you wish to get out of the program)
• GMAT (A waiver will be applied for students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher)

Special Notes

• Admission to the program requires a NYSED-approved undergraduate degree in accounting from an accredited U.S. university, or its equivalent (including 24 accounting credits and 36 business-elective credits).
• The application deadline for International Students is March 1.
• This program is licensure qualifying. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.

Student Learning Objectives

• Students will be able to interpret and analyze accounting information for internal control, planning, and performance evaluation.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the application of accounting tools to business problems.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of accountants and the importance of ethics in the financial reporting process.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of the global business environment on the practice of accounting.
• Each student will demonstrate an ability to communicate complex auditing and accounting issues.
• Demonstrate an ability to critically analyze a financial reporting situation and devise a cogent argument.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

---

Overview:

• The Master of Science in Professional Accountancy (MS-PA) program is designed for students with an accounting undergraduate degree who want to become certified public accountants (CPAs) in New York State.
• The program allows eligible students to take the Uniform CPA Exam in just one year.
• It is offered on a full-time basis, with the option for part-time study for accounting majors.

---

Objectives:

• Build upon existing knowledge of accounting practice.
• Prepare students for the CPA Exam.
• Equip graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in accounting.

---

Description:

• The curriculum covers various topics, including:
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Investment valuation methods
• Data mining and analysis
• Accounting software and technologies
• Commercial fraud
• Auditing
• Internal controls
• Budgeting
• Cost-profit analysis
• The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
• It meets the 150-hour education requirement for initial CPA licensure in New York State.

---

Outline:

---

Program Structure:

• Full-time (30 credits, 2 semesters) or part-time (2+ years)
• 8 required courses covering various accounting topics
• 2 elective courses (one accounting, one business)

---

Courses:

• Statistical Methods for Forensic Accounting and Assurance
• Financial Statement Fraud and Corporate Governance
• Contemporary Developments in Accounting Thought
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Advanced Cost Management
• Corporate Financial Problems
• Research Seminar in Accounting
• Accounting elective
• Business elective

---

Careers:

• Graduates are highly sought after by major accounting firms, private corporations, and government agencies.
• Some potential job titles include:
• Audit Associate
• Assurance Associate
• Municipal Auditor
• Program Auditor
• Staff Accountant
• Senior Associate
• Sample potential employers include:
• Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC)
• Mid-size accounting firms
• Corporations (e.g., Bain Capital, Comcast, IBM, MGM Resorts, etc.)
• New York State government agencies
• United States federal government agencies (e.g., Treasury, IRS, etc.)

---

Other:

• The program is approved for CPA licensure in New York State.
• International students have a March 1 application deadline.
• The GMAT requirement is waived for admission until Fall 2024.
• Students with a felony conviction are advised to contact the program regarding potential impacts on licensure.
• Testimonials from program graduates are included in the provided context.