Maximizing your marketability with CPA licensure will require smartly investing in Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado. Doing so pays off big since America’s 38th state has an economic boon for accounting majors.
According to the U.S. News, Colorado has the #1 best economy worth $295 billion. In 2017, 24/7 Wall St. placed the “Centennial State” fourth among the top states for business in which 14.5 percent of residents hold a graduate degree. The Colorado Society of CPAs alone has 8,500 members who work at diverse firms like Arrow Electronics, Newmont Mining, CH2M Hill, Ball Corporation, Biggs Kofford, and The Shafer Group. The BLS honored Denver for the ninth highest employment level of accountants who make a mean salary of $80,360 yearly.
Advance your career prospects to management at these graduate accounting schools in Colorado.
Colorado State University
College of Business
Positioned on the 1,438-acre Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Forbes’ 18th best place for business, Colorado State University enrolls 7,458 post-grads and employs 1,468 faculty across 55 departments as a public, land-grant RU/VH Mountain West school. Ranked in the top 350 globally by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Colorado State University is placed #4 for The Princeton Review’s “Top 50 Green Colleges in America.” Housing one of the campus-based Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado, the College of Business was deemed the eighth best value for the money in The Financial Times.
Master of Accountancy
Estimated to cost $20,810 for Coloradoans and $34,785 for non-residents total, CSU’s Master of Accountancy is a nine-month, full-time program that instills the financial acumen to secure coveted managerial positions with average job placement at 97 percent within 90 days. The 10-course major covers real-world specialties like oil and gas accounting, fraud auditing, state taxation, and shareholder valuation. Post-grads may also add the Business Intelligence Certificate, join Beta Alpha Psi, practice in the Student Center for the Public Trust, and get support in the Accounting Tutoring Lab.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Rockwell Hall, Room 205
501 W. Laurel Street
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(970) 491-1184
jennifer.ivan@colostate.edu
Colorado Technical University
Business & Management Degrees
Enrolling 2,703 post-grads with a 27 percent graduation rate, Colorado Technical University is a three-site, for-profit polytechnic institution and NSA Center of Excellence that’s led by President Andrew H. Hurst with 1,204 instructors. Continually included in Military Times’ best for vets schools with its full-tuition Wounded Warrior Scholarship, Colorado Tech is deemed America’s 95th best online university on Niche. Featured in CEO Magazine’s first-tier North American MBA schools, the Business & Management Degrees Division upholds ACBSP and PMI accreditation to deliver the 95th best master’s degrees in business online according to the U.S. News.
Master of Science in Accounting
Classes start every other month for $585 per credit in Colorado Tech’s Master of Science in Accounting program, which is available in Colorado Springs, at the Auraria campus, or wholly online. Aligned with AICPA standards, the 48-credit curriculum nurtures greater depth of knowledge on financial functions from assurance to forensics and managerial economics. Most full-time CTU post-grads finish in 18 months with extra funding from the Corporate Alliances Grant. Hastening the industry-focused, Intellipath curriculum is also possible with Experiential Learning Portfolio (ELP) credits.
Master of Business Administration – Accounting
Recognized by the International Graduate Forum for meeting CPA competencies, the Master of Business Administration at CTU turns into another of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado when the four-course Accounting Concentration is added. Currently costing $28,080 total, the 48-credit degree builds a core of strategic management, finance, marketing, and human resources knowledge before specializing. Whether taken 100 percent online, in Colorado Springs, or at Denver, the MBA will require finishing a bachelor’s with a minimum 2.75 GPA and 500 GMAT score.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
3151 South Vaughn Way
Aurora, CO 80014
(303) 362-2901
kearmstrong@coloradotech.edu
4435 North Chestnut Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
(719) 598-0200
ccaldwell2@coloradotech.edu
University of Colorado, Boulder
Leeds School of Business
Endowed for $1.063 billion, the University of Colorado Boulder is the flagship public, space-grant AAU and URA member directed by Chancellor Phil DiStefano that’s serving 5,191 post-grand Buffaloes within the Pac-12 from its 786 acres just south of Pearl Street Mall. Named America’s 119th best value and 20th top regional school on Forbes, CU Boulder is ranked 127th globally by the Times Higher Education. Leeds School of Business is also touted as the 79th best graduate school with the 46th top MBA for adults on the U.S. News.
Master’s in Accounting or Taxation
Led by experienced faculty from PwC, KPMG, Standard Federal Bank, Reuters, Exxon Mobil, and more, the Master’s in Accounting or Taxation at CU Boulder boasts a 79 percent first-time CPA pass rate with 41,000+ alumni who are proficient monetary decision-makers. Taking from nine to 21 months, the 33-credit curriculum has a Financial Track or Taxation Track along with three credits for paid, busy-season internship experience. Graduates can also add the Socially Responsible Enterprise Certificate, research in the Burridge Center for Finance, and receive the George Norlin Award.
Concurrent BSBA & MS Accounting/Taxation
Undergrads working toward the BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, Finance, or Accounting and Finance could meet the 150-hour CPA rule faster by entering the Concurrent BSBA & MS Accounting/Taxation option in their third year. Aspiring juniors need a cumulative GPA of 3.1 or higher with prerequisites like cost management and Corp I/II. After their October 31st or July 15th application deadline, successful juniors will start taking 500-level courses for acceleration. Other opportunities include studying in Shanghai, pledging Sigma Beta Delta, and interning with Eide Bailly LLP.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Koelbel Building, Room 419
995 Regent Drive
Boulder, CO 80309
(303) 492-1028
leedsaccounting@colorado.edu
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
College of Business
Generating an economic impact of $450 million for El Paso County, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public, co-educational regional institution founded in 1965 that’s now led by Chancellor Venkat Reddy with record-high enrollment at 12,753 Mountain Lions upon 520 acres along Fountain Creek. Ranked Sierra Magazine’s 63rd “Coolest School” for sustainability, UCCS is deemed the 161st best Western value in Washington Monthly. The College of Business also has 92 percent acceptance into America’s 47th top online MBA according to the U.S. News.
MS in Accounting
Maintaining a 15:1 student-professor ratio, UCCS’ Master of Science in Accounting is delivered on-campus in Colorado Springs with evening sessions after 5pm to excite working professionals seeking advancement with mentoring from well-qualified faculty. Satisfying Colorado’s CPA processes, the 30-credit curriculum ranges from corporate taxation to government accounting and accounting ethics before a final assessment on Blackboard. One course currently costs $2,369 for Colorado residents and $3,977 for non-residents. Students may also join Delta Sigma Pi, participate in Graduate Student Association events, and intern with BDO.
MBA Accounting Emphasis (Campus)
Another of UCCS’ on-campus Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado submitting post-grads with an average GMAT score of 560 or GRE score of 152 is the MBA Accounting Emphasis. Taking 18 to 36 months, the Master of Business Administration has served the Pikes Peak region since 1965 to develop managerial acumen in a flexible, evening format. The “Military Friendly” courses will include change management, information systems, corporate finance, and income taxation. Each MBA student takes a Global Perspectives Elective in Europe, Asia, or Central America.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Dwire Hall, Room 301
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 255-3465
business@uccs.edu
University of Colorado, Denver
Business School
Operating on a $1.8 billion annual budget, the University of Colorado Denver has produced alumni like Gloria Tanner, Rick Alden, and Michael Hancock as a public, research-intensive AAHC institution with 18,000 Lynxes and 4,023 faculty engaged on its 352 acres in the U.S. News’ #1 “Best City to Live.” CU Denver is ranked the 157th best public and 188th top research university according to Forbes magazine. Reporting a median mid-career salary of $116,000 on PayScale, the CU Denver Business School ranked 90th out of 114 programs in Bloomberg Business Week.
MS in Accounting
Unlocking an average salary hike of 29 percent, CU Denver’s MS in Accounting is another of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado that’s providing respected education aligned to the latest GAAP standards either on-campus, online, or in a hybrid combination. The 10-13 course curriculum welcomes specializations in Accounting and Information Systems Audit Control, Auditing and Forensic Accounting, or Controllership and Financial Leadership. For the accounting capstone, students are mentored by award-winning faculty, including one Price Waterhouse Fellow. There’s also a dual MS in Accounting/MBA option.
Professional MBA: Accounting Specialization
Delivered at the Downtown or South Denver locations, the Professional MBA currently costs $571 for Coloradoans and $1,315 for non-residents per credit to gather the cutting-edge global business tactics for real-world application in administrative careers. Spanning 11 months full-time or three years part-time, the 48-credit, cohort-based option lets strategic decision-makers choose from 19 specializations, including Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, and Taxation. Aspiring CPAs will fulfill the 150-hour threshold with courses from capitalism to tax planning and financial strategy. Partners like Ernst & Young, IMA Financial, US Capital, and Comcast actively recruit alums.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Business Building, Room 1200
1475 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 315-8200
bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu
University of Denver
School of Accountancy
Originally established as the Colorado Seminary under railroad industrialist John Evans, the University of Denver is a private, nonprofit NAICU member of The Summit League that’s charging annual tuition at $42,090 for its 11,614 Pioneers. Ranked 453rd overall and 324th for quality of education globally by the CWUR, Denver was positioned 90th in the United States based on student outcomes in The Wall Street Journal. Included in the Poets & Quants’ 44th “Top Business School,” the School of Accountancy was also placed 47th nationally for its master’s program by The Public Accounting Report.
Master of Accountancy
Directed by Dr. Sharon Lassar, CPA, the Master of Accountancy helps DU post-grads rise above the numbers game to develop a rigorous skill platform for managerial advancement in four specialization areas: Business Valuation, Assurance, Taxation, or Data Analytics. Open for admission on a space-available basis until August 1st, the curriculum includes 10 to 17 courses of 10 weeks each for NASBA exam qualification. Degree plan electives range from corporate governance to foreign operations accounting and financial forecasting. The Class of 2016 reported a 98 percent placement rate in three months with a mean salary of $52,738.
Denver MBA with Accounting Concentration
When looking for Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado, don’t forget the Denver MBA that’s highly regarded for using learning lab-based courses and challenges concurrently to power up students’ growth agenda for management. For example, the Corporate Challenge lets teams solve real-world problems with partners like Charles Schwab, Pacific Life, Enterprise Holdings, and Oracle. The two-year curriculum lets post-grads specialize six electives in the Accounting Concentration for CPA prep. Majors also undergo the Pulse 30 Review for personal coaching on their resume and job search.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Daniels Building, Room 355
2101 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-2032
slassar@du.edu
University of Northern Colorado
Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business
Boasting a Sigma Delta Pi Honor Chapter for eight years, the University of Northern Colorado is a top-tier public, co-educational “R3” doctoral under President Kay Norton’s leadership that educates 2,374 post-grad Bears on a Tree Campus USA Award-winning site in Greeley just 32 minutes from Loveland. Ranked the 261st best national university for social mobility in Washington Monthly, UNC is crowned the 13th top value in Colorado with a 20-year net ROI of $210,000 on PayScale. The Kenneth W. Monfort College grants one of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado as the 614th best school of business on Niche.
Accounting, MAcc
Coordinated by Dr. Don Gudmundson, the Accounting MAcc bills Coloradoans $575 and non-residents $1,108 per credit to deliver the specialized master’s skills expected of Certified Public Accountants for an average six-month placement rate of 98 percent. At the main UNC campus, students take daytime or evening courses, including business law, institutional accounting, cost analysis, and financial reporting, for 30 total credits emphasized by the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative. Winter internships from January through mid-March can be added at firms like Grant Thornton and Bartels & Co.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Carter Hall, Room 2007
501 20th Street Box 135
Greeley, CO 80639
(970) 351-2411
don.gudmundson@unco.edu
Webster University
Walker School of Business & Technology
Affiliated with successful alumni like William Broad, Kathy Mazzarella, and Rob Riggle, Webster University is a private, nonprofit historically Catholic institution in Missouri that’s enrolling over 22,000 Gorloks, including off I-25 in Colorado Springs and within the Denver Metro. Ranked in the top 600 universities by Times Higher Education, Webster is given four stars with a 95 percent recommendation rate on GraduatePrograms.com. The Walker School of Business & Technology also has two Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado with 14:1 student-faculty ratios.
Masters in Forensic Accounting
Recognized by the National Registry of CPE, Webster’s Masters in Forensic Accounting unlocks average salaries of $71,500 to $116,750 by preparing accountants for investigating financial crimes to thwart economic crises. The 36-credit, ACBSP-accredited curriculum includes evening courses starting in August or January for working professionals in Colorado Springs or Denver. Taught solely by CPAs, the program spans topics from cyber forensics to substantive law with real-world case studies. There’s also a 1-week Global Hybrid course from Brazil to China.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
5475 Tech Center Drive Suite 110
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
(719) 590-7340
coloradosprings@webster.edu
9250 E. Costilla Avenue
Greenwood Village, CO 80112
(303) 708-8305
denver@webster.edu
Accreditation is an important, third-party evaluation tool used by students to decipher which B-school meets high-quality standards for the best value. Accountants who attend IACBE, AACSB, or ACBSP accredited universities can rest assured that their degree will pass muster when becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Check out the 13 accredited Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Colorado above for your post-grad training venture.
See also: Top 35 Master of Accounting Online Degree Programs