Accounting (MSA)
Take your accounting career to the next level and refine your accounting skills and competencies so that you can reach your career goals.
Invest in Your Career
A Master of Science in Accounting degree will take your accounting competencies and skills to the next level. Our AACSB-accredited accounting program will prepare you for a successful career in public accounting, corporate settings or government enterprises. More than just tax forms and Pro Forma, you'll learn what it takes to provide organizations with valuable insight into operations and trends that can drive company profitability.
Nationally-Ranked Affordable Programs
The College of Business has been recognized by the highly anticipated U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2023 for several programs.
Curriculum
Prerequisites for Non-business Undergrad Majors
Prerequisites for Non-business Undergrad Majors:
Get your basics. Don't have an undergraduate degree in business? No problem, we've got you covered.
- Intermediate Accounting 1&2 (ACCT 502)
Core Accounting Courses
Core Accounting Courses:
Develop Professional Skills. Dive into topics like investment, corporate finance, monetary management, and financial reporting covered in the core courses.
- Accounting Research and Communication (ACCT 595)
- Advanced Managerial Accounting (ACCT 525)
- Auditing (ACCT 527)
- Business Law for Accounting (ACCT 568)
- Financial Statement Analysis (ACCT 575)
- Forensic & Investigative Accounting (ACCT 562)
- Government and Not for Profit Accounting (ACCT 522)
- Individual Income Tax (ACCT 538)
- Advanced Income Tax Accounting (ACCT 540)
- Advanced Accounting (ACCT 521)
Electives
Electives:
Make it your own. Customize your degree with electives covering a wide range of financial subjects.
- 2 Accounting Courses from COB Catalog
Available Minors
Available Minors (4 Courses) :
Invest in your future. Stand out from the crowd by adding a minor to your degree.
- Business Analytics
- Cyber Security
- Digital Marketing
- Economics
- Finance
- Financial Planning
- Economics of US Healthcare
- Marketing Analytics
- Corporate Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Real Estate
Available Certificates
Available Certificates (No Prerequisite Required)
Get noticed. Add a certificate to boost your job skills, and get hired!
- Auditing and Forensic Accounting
- Tax Accounting
COurse Rotations
See Yourself Succeed with a Degree in Accounting
Career Readiness
The College of Business offers an in-house Career Services Center focused on guiding business students seeking internships or employment.
Nationally Accredited
The College of Business is one of only 800 schools worldwide to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Industry Connections
Through guest speakers, company tours and internships, professional networking, and other opportunities, students, faculty and alumni are connected with the business community.
Accomplished Faculty
Engage with exceptional faculty who are industry leaders and significant scholars, producing cutting-edge research in their field.
Faculty Spotlight
Accounting is the language of the business.
I find accounting to be interesting and challenging. It is the language of the business world. Accountants are needed everywhere.
This being my third university teaching experience, I find the faculty at A&M-Commerce are much more likely to have recent and relevant work experience in their field. The combination of online and face-to-face instruction accommodates the nee…
My philosophy is to teach students to ‘learn how to learn.'
Accounting does not require a math genius. Its focus is on practicing logical thinking to assist decision-making. It’s an interesting and rewarding profession.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
A degree in accounting will offer you the opportunity to:
- Develop skills that prepare you for the demands of the global business environment.
- Prepare you for a number of certification exams.
- Learn about federal income tax on both individual and corporate levels.
- Sharpen your abilities to research, analyze and communicate topics in accounting and/or tax by using qualitative and/or quantitative research methodology.
- Gain an understanding of cost management concepts.
- Explore information systems that provide accounting and other information to make effective and efficient decisions.
Careers
Accounting gives you the ability to achieve competency in internal control systems, managerial accounting, income tax accounting, financial accounting and not-for-profit accounting. Our MS in Accounting degree program provides advanced learning in all major areas of accounting including business law, forensics and investment accounting. As a result, the courses in this degree program will position you to meet the trends in the business environment.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Minor
We offer various minors that can be combined with your Accounting (MSA) degree. You can learn more about the available minors and their course requirements by visiting the Minors for Graduate Programs page.
What You Will Learn
Learning is experiential in our MS in Accounting program. With courses covering tax accounting, audit, international accounting, business ethics and even forensics, you will develop the analytical skills and professional expertise demanded by top firms around the world. The College of Business Career Center will assist you in building a foundation for long-term career growth through internships and other services.
Courses to Prepare You for Your Career
- Foundation courses including Research and Communications, Auditing, Financial Statement Analysis and Government and Not-For-Profit
- Core accounting courses including Advanced Accounting and Advanced Income Tax Accounting
Featured Courses
Course Delivery and Resources
Our programs are designed to be flexible, meeting the needs of working professionals who want the convenience of a fully online degree, full-time students who prefer face-to-face classes and blended options for those who need the convenience of both. We offer a graduate-level business degree to fit your lifestyle and career aspirations.
Student Organizations
Beta Alpha Psi
Beta Alpha Psi is an international scholastic and professional financial information honors society. The primary objective of the society is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the fields of accounting, finance and management information systems.
National Association for Black Accountants
National Association for Black Accountants (NABA) is dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for black accounting and finance professionals by providing leadership and technical training, as well as networking and career opportunities. NABA is the largest professional membership organization focused specifically on African-Americans and people of color in the accounting, finance and business-related fields. NABA's members share and promote a professional ethos – “Lifting as We Climb!” NABA is represented at Texas A&M University-Commerce campus. For more information, please visit the Department of Accounting and Finance.
Graduate Business Program Costs
Program Costs
Use the following links to get further information to tuition and fees, financial aid and scholarships.
Department contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the MSA offered?
The MSA is offered both in Dallas and online. A few courses are also available in Commerce.
Do I need to take ACCT 501 and 502 first?
Yes, but there are several other courses that you can also take at the same time.
If I already have an MBA from TAMUC, how many additional hours are required to also get an MSA?
How many hours are required to earn the MSA?
The MSA is a 36 hour program, or 42 hours if you lack the two prerequisites.
What are the MSA prerequisites?
ACCT. 501 and 502 are required if you have not already passed Principles of Accounting and Intermediate Accounting, respectively.
Can I complete the courses in any order?
Yes, you can, so long as you have any required prerequisites for a course.
How long does it take to complete the MSA program?
Some students may be able to totally complete the program in one year and one semester; however, everyone’s situation is different and it could take longer.
Do I have complete choice as to which 36 hours I take?
No. There is an accounting core of 24 hours and an advanced accounting core of 6 hours. The remaining 6 hours consists of electives.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Please contact the Director of the College of Business Graduate Advising, Shanna Hoskison at 1-866-622-3899 or at [email protected].
How can I take the Comprehensive Exam?
During your last semester you must apply for graduation to initiate the Comprehensive Exam process. When you apply for graduation (in your final semester) you will be notified regarding the exam expectations. The exam details will come about 1-2 weeks after the graduation application period closes to your MyLeo Email.
Comprehensive exams are typically given around midterms. Contact the graduate advising office [email protected] no later than the second week of the semester if you have any questions.
What other use do the electives have?
If you have already completed a particular course, or subject material, elsewhere and are not getting credit for it in the MSA, you will choose an elective to achieve your required hours rather than repeating the course again.
Can I use the prerequisite courses as electives?
No, they do not form part of the degree. They are required so that you have the background in accounting to be able to take the courses which comprise the MSA program.
How has ACCT 595 changed?
The research component previously used to satisfy the Research requirement of the State Board (CPA exam) has been removed. ACCT 595 no longer satisfies the State Board’s requirement for research.
Please see “Where can I get the required research hours?” for more information.
Do the changes to ACCT 595 mean I need to take additional classes?
Not necessarily.
If you are not planning to take the CPA exam, changes to ACCT 595 are not relevant.
If you completed ACCT 521 and ACCT 538 in Fall 2014 or later, then you have earned the research hours required. If you need research credit to satisfy the State’s requirements, you may take ACCT 588, which will count as an elective course.
Will the MSA qualify me to take the CPA exam?
This will depend upon the rules of each individual state. Please see the following link provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Additional information about becoming a CPA, including about the exam, can be found at www.aicpa.org/becomeacpa.html
Where can I find the MS accounting comprehensive exam procedures?
Where can I get the required research hours?
The State Board approved ACCT 521 and ACCT 538 for one-hour of research each. Going forward, both courses (ACCT 521 and ACCT 538) will each provide one hour of the required research credit.
Where can I get the required communication hours?
The communication hours required by the State Board are still satisfied in ACCT 595.
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- College of Business
- 903.886.5659
- 903.886.5650
- [email protected]
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011
