Sailing toward high-profit financial services careers like accounting software developer, managerial accountant, controller, account director, and treasurer could require time at Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida.
According to the Sun Sentinel, Florida’s diverse economy is expected to accelerate toward a $1 trillion GDP by 2019. Accounting is an in-demand skill since firms like Kapila & Co., McGladrey, Ernst & Young, Kaufman Rossin Group, Deloitte, BDO, and Carr Riggs & Ingram LLC have offices across Florida. Since 1905, the Florida Society of CPAs has grown to over 19,500 certified members. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recognized the Tallahassee Metro for the United States’ second highest concentration of accounting jobs making an annual mean wage of $54,110.
Make your job prospects sunny at one of the accredited master’s degrees in accounting for Floridians. Don’t miss our first list (Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Florida (A-N)) for accounting schools here too.
Saint Leo University
Donald R. Tapia School of Business
Occupying a main 297-acre campus in the Tampa suburbs with 40+ education centers, Saint Leo University is the sixth-largest private, Catholic liberal arts school endowed for $43.68 million with 14,654 Lions enrolled. Ranked 31st for African-American master’s students by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Saint Leo is proclaimed the South’s 62nd best college on the USNWR report. Directed by Dean Balbir S. Bal, Ph.D., the Donald R. Tapia School features dual ACBSP and IACBE accreditations to provide 41 academic options, run the Center for Cybersecurity Education, and support corporate partnerships with agencies like GTE Financial.
Master of Accounting
Featuring a student-professor ratio of 14:1, Saint Leo’s Master of Accounting is accessible at the Tampa Education Center or online for post-grads to form the logical financial analysis skills to draw well-thought business decisions for social responsibility. Billing students $3,546 per semester, the 10-course curriculum spans one year full-time with classes like managerial economics, business entity tax, and fund accounting. Other opportunities include interning at Entegra Power Group, taking CPA or CFE exam prep, earning the Clay Ford Minority Scholarship, and studying in Ecuador.
On-Ground & Online MBA in Accounting
Ranked #1 in Tampa Bay Business Journal, the On-Ground & Online MBA is another of Saint Leo’s Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida where post-grads are shaped into effective, eco-friendly administrative leaders with real-world business expertise. Specializing in accounting is possible at the University Campus, online, Tampa, and Gainesville with flexible, eight-week terms. Active military receive a discount from $720 per credit to $555. The Donald R. Tapia School has placed accountants at JPMorgan Chase, IMG Enterprises, Tampa Electric, and more.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
33701 State Road 52
Saint Leo, FL 33574
(352) 588-8599
balbir.bal@saintleo.edu
Stetson University
School of Business Administration
Selectively admitting 4,330 scholars with a mean GPA of 3.76, Stetson University is a private, nonsectarian institution endowed for $207.8 million in the Atlantic Sun Conference that’s occupying 175 acres in DeLand’s I-4 Corridor. Given Campus Compact’s “Most Engaged Campus Award,” Stetson is ranked the fifth best university and fifth most military-friendly school in the South by the USNWR. Noted for the highest CPA exam pass rate statewide at 84.6 percent in 2013, the Stetson School of Business Administration accepts applications until July 1st for its Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida.
Master of Accountancy
Taught by award-winning practitioner-scholars from Mississippi State, Miami, Florida State, and Stetson, the Master of Accountancy currently charges $1,009 per credit as an accredited, results-oriented program where post-grad Hatters can open doors with financial analysis skills. Available with an optional Tax Track, the 30-45 credit program welcomes accounting and non-business majors to the DeLand Campus or online classroom for CPA prep. Success stories have taken alumni to Ernst & Young, McDirmit Davis, Siemens, and even the Public Accounting Oversight Board.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
421 N. Woodland Blvd.
DeLand, FL 32723
(386) 822-7406
nmero@stetson.edu
Strayer University
Masters in Accounting
Available 24/7 online via the iCampus virtual blackboard or at select Florida campuses, the Masters in Accounting at Strayer is billing $1,680 per course currently to lay a practical foundation for monetary analysts to expand their ability to record and manage assets. The course sequence satisfies CPA and CMA stipulations with four concentrations: Public Accounting, Forensic Accounting, Corporate Accounting, or Taxation. Admissions counselors expect post-grads to hold a minimum 2.50 GPA.
Strayer MBA in Accounting
The Strayer MBA offers 15 practical concentrations like Accounting and Business Data to present another of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida. The self-paced, 12-course curriculum draws on Strayer’s 130 years of experience for supportive on-campus or online courses with one-on-one success coaches. Courses begin every seven weeks for key topic discussions like organizational tax planning, corporate governance, and auditing.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
University of Central Florida
Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting
Positioned adjacent to the Central Florida Research Park with a 1,415-acre campus in Orlando, the University of Central Florida is a public, space-grant RU/VH hub that’s helping 64,335 scholars “Reach for the Stars.” Ranked alongside Carnegie Mellon and Columbia as America’s 22nd best “technology transfer” with 90 patents in 2016, UCF is deemed the 93rd top public university by the U.S. News. Named for the Leland Enterprises CEO in 2004, the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting offers three degrees with an average 20-year net ROI of $292,000 according to PayScale.
Accounting MSA
Accepting applicants with “B” averages or better until the July 15th, December 1st, and April 15th deadlines, UCF’s Accounting MSA is one of the campus-based, non-thesis Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida that emphasizes case studies for honing real-world analytical skills. The 30-credit, CPA-aligned curriculum includes courses like fraud auditing, advanced accounting theory, and multinational accounting before a written final exam. Majors could also receive Grad Fellowships, practice in the Bloomberg Essentials terminals, and take the one-week Global Mindset Bootcamp.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Millican Hall, Room 230
4000 Central Florida Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32816
(407) 823-5128
charles.kelliher@ucf.edu
University of Florida
Fisher School of Accounting
Affiliated with 330,000 alumni, including two Nobel laureates and 10 senators, the University of Florida is a public, sea-grant AAU member led by President W. Kent Fuchs to educate 16,819 post-grads from 2,000 acres in Alachua County. Featuring eight programs ranked in the globe’s top 10 by the Center for World University Rankings, UF was chosen as the seventh best public value in America on Kiplinger’s Personal Finance with average graduation debt at $21,028. Within Warrington College, the Fisher School of Accounting was also placed 10th nationally for accounting education by the USNWR survey.
Master of Accounting
The Fisher School’s Master of Accounting is its flagship, AACSB-accredited graduate program that admits post-grads with 12+ upper-division accounting credits and a GMAT score over 550 to develop the advance business acumen for joining the Florida Society of CPAs. Students can attend other undergrad B-schools or complete the 3/2 BSAc/MAcc program in five years as a Florida Gator. Both options offer a 34-credit curriculum with optional concentrations for Auditing and Taxation. In 2017, 100 percent of the 83 MAcc graduates had job offers.
Juris Doctor/Master of Accounting (JD/MAcc)
Partnering with the ABA-accredited Frederic G. Levin School of Law, the Juris Doctor/Master of Accounting (JD/MAcc) is one of the dual Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida where students take 20 fewer credits while concurrently building knowledge in financial reporting and legal matters. Preparing for the CPA and Bar exams, the intensive, four-year option has curriculum raodmaps like Business Law, Commercial/Bankruptcy Law, Entertainment & Sports Law, Public Service & Government Practice, and more. Externships are integrated with corporations, such as Sony and the FEC.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Gerson Hall, Room 210
P.O. Box 117166
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 273-0200
fsoa@warrington.ufl.edu
University of Miami
School of Business Administration
Sponsoring research expenditures of $326 million yearly, the University of Miami is a top-tier private, nonsectarian SURA member that’s sitting atop 453 acres in Coral Gables to enlighten 5,725 post-grad Hurricanes with “Lots of Race/Class Interaction.” Placed 182nd globally by the Times Higher Education, Miami was ranked 167th in America by The New York Times for assisting low-income students with great value. The School of Business Administration was also crowned the country’s 57th best business hub on the USNWR for two highly regarded Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida.
Master of Accounting
Open for rolling admission until March 15th for Fall or May 1st for Spring, Miami’s Master of Accounting is a specialized, non-thesis program charging $1,960 per credit for post-grads seeking to become financial information specialists in public service or industry. With an optional Summer Intensive for non-accounting majors, the 30-credit plan offers deeper specialization in Assurance or Corporate Accounting. Electives from tax policy to negotiation and enterprise technologies may be supplemented with internships arranged by the Toppel Career Center.
Accelerated Master of Accounting
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant in just 4.5 years after high school is possible for high-achieving, motivated undergrads choosing Miami’s Accelerated Master of Accounting. By September 30th of their junior year, bachelor’s students with a minimum 3.5 GPA can apply. Entrants fulfill the 150-hour requirement within the Assurance Track, Corporate Accounting Track, or Master of Science in Taxation Track. Students may also join Beta Alpha Psi, practice on the $500,000 Student Managed Investment Fund, and travel abroad from Israel to Argentina.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Kosar Epstein, Room 304
P.O. Box 248027
Coral Gables, FL 33124
(305) 284-3101
maccmst@bus.miami.edu
University of North Florida
Coggin College of Business
Nestled south of Mill Cove upon 1,300 acres in Jacksonville, Forbes’ #2 “City Where Americans are Moving to,” the University of North Florida is a public, upper-division institution split into five colleges to educate 2,769 post-grad Ospreys with 83 percent retention. Given the 2016 Insight into Diversity HEED Award, North Florida is ranked within Washington Monthly’s top 30 values for your money nationally. Housing one of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida, the Coggin College of Business is also applauded for the 215th best part-time business education by the USNWR.
Master of Accountancy
Separately accredited by the AACSB since 1978, UNF’s Master of Accountancy is a three-semester program in Jacksonville that teaches Florida and federal business regulations to prepare post-grads for assuming controllership functions. Offering graduate assistantships with stipends of $2,500-$5,000, the 33-credit degree relates theory to practice in General Accounting or Taxation tracks. Courses delving into data decision-making, auditing theory, and forensics are offered during evenings with a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Coggin Connections also attracts internships from Landstar, Rayonier, RSM, Deutsche Bank, and more.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 42, Room 3236
1 University of North Florida Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
(904) 620-2630
djaeger@unf.edu
University of South Florida
Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy
Having produced 228,000 alums, including Lauren Hutton, John Chiang, Mark Consuelos, and Pam Iorio, the University of South Florida is a public, space-grant doctoral SURA member generating an economic impact of $3.7 billion that’s located on 1,913 main acres in Tampa along Hillsborough Bay. Ranked #1 for “Overall Student Success” by Eduventures, USF is proclaimed America’s 46th most socially responsible university in Washington Monthly. The Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy belongs to the globe’s 277th top college according to the USNWR for another of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida.
Master of Accountancy
Reporting an average CPA pass rate of 77 percent in 2015, USF’s Master of Accountancy draws resources from the AACSB-accredited Muma College to give employees greater depth and breadth of know-how in financial services niches. In addition to the generalist track, students can concentrate the 10-course degree in Taxation or Audit/Information Systems. All 600-level courses are capped at 35 students for engaging, discussion-based study from enterprise resource planning to partnership taxation for a median post-graduate salary of $100,194.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
C.H. Anderson Hall, Room 3403
4202 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33620
(813) 974-4281
muma-accounting@usf.edu
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Kate Tiedemann College of Business
Led by Chancellor Sophia Wisniewska, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg belongs to the multi-site, land-grant RU/VH system as Pinellas County’s sole public college to educate 540 post-grad Bulls devoted to “Truth and Wisdom” upon its 46-acre campus along Bayboro Harbor near Clearwater. Included in Yahoo Finance’s top 105 smartest schools, USFSP is ranked the 72nd best Southern college and 24th best public university by the U.S. News. The Kate Tiedemann College of Business also stands out for the 18th top online Master of Business Administration nationally.
Master of Accountancy
One of the most flexible, self-designed Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida is USFSP’s Master of Accountancy, which grants access to shortened, eight-week online courses 24/7 or convenient evening sessions starting at 6pm in Downtown. Post-grads select their own schedule for completing the 30-credit degree in 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time. The coursework is even customized with the General Accounting, Tax Accounting, and Forensic Accounting tracks. Prospective students can take the GMAT Prep Course for $450 three times annually.
MBA/MAcc Dual Degree
Another of the Office of Graduate Studies’ offerings in St. Petersburg is the MBA/MAcc Dual Degree that meets AACSB standards for launching students’ managerial careers with interdisciplinary leadership skills in global business and accounting. Thanks to nine shared credits, the joint program takes just 57 credits with an MBA concentration in Finance, Forensic Accounting, Corporate Social Responsibility, or International Business. USFSP post-grads could also consult with Suncoast Sierra Club, intern at Loden Fraze & Associates, or study in The Baltics.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Pippenger Hall, Room 122
140 7th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 873-4622
ktcobdean@usfsp.edu
University of Tampa
Sykes College of Business
With a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, the University of Tampa enrolls 8,310 Spartans as a private, nonsectarian IC&UF constituent endowed for $33.8 million for teaching upon a 110-acre, 60-building Moorish Revival campus on Hillsborough River. Featured in the College Access & Opportunity Guide, UT was ranked the South’s 21st best university and 16th top veteran-friendly campus by the U.S. News. Given a Tampa Bay Business Journal Readers’ Choice Award, the Sykes College of Business was ranked 79th nationally by TFE Times in 2017 for one of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida.
Master of Science in Accounting
Housed in the 80,000-square-foot Skyes College, UT’s Master of Science in Accounting blends group projects and case studies to provide a 32-60 credit curriculum that mirrors the Uniform CPA exam content. Presently charging $564 per credit, the program spans courses from resource allocation to accounting systems control and auditing. Majors could also manage investments in the Huizenga Family Foundation Trading Center, intern with Hallmark CPA Group LLC, take the Global Access Partnership to Amsterdam, and contribute to the Naimoli Institute for Business Strategy.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
401 West Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 253-6249
grad@ut.edu
University of West Florida
College of Business
Founded in 1963 by the Florida Legislature under attorney Harold Crosby, the University of West Florida is designated a public, space-grant research institution of the Gulf Coast Conference that’s serving 2,920 post-grad Argos from 1,600 wooded acres north of Pensacola. Named America’s 77th most affordable college for parents on StudentLoans.net, UWF was proclaimed the 32nd best master’s value by College Choice. The College of Business was also crowned the 521st best college for business out of 1,054 schools by Niche.
Master of Accountancy
Ranked #5 for CPA pass rates among small accounting programs by the NASBA, West Florida’s Master of Accountancy is a competitive, non-thesis post-grad option requiring a minimum 450 GMAT score for studying the technical issues facing today’s accountants. The 10-course major offers two specializations for Taxation or Professional Accountancy to build upon the prerequisite “Foundational Proficiencies.” Students may also pledge Beta Alpha Psi, find part-time internships via JasonQuest, take the Becker CPA Review, and add the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics.
MBA Accounting Emphasis
Given AACSB accreditation among the top 4.7 percent of B-schools, UWF confers the MBA Accounting Emphasis as another of the Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida that rejuvenates professionals’ skills for corporate leadership. Available on-site in Pensacola, abroad at Germany’s Transatlantik-Institut, or online from anywhere, the 36-credit program pushes cohorts into courses like financial reporting, corporate tax, and information resources for $456 per credit. Graduates also access the Tax & Accounting Library, MIS Lab, Beta Alpha Psi Tutoring, and Compustat Database.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 76, Room 212
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850) 474-2717
account@uwf.edu
Webber International University
Graduate School of Business
Positioned on a 110-acre campus in Babson Park along Crooked Lake just 40 minutes from Walt Disney World, Webber International University is a private, nonprofit co-educational business institution tracing back to 1927 that’s now endowed for $4.9 million to serve 800 Warriors. Labeled America’s 232nd “Most Diverse College” on Niche, Webber was ranked the 28th best baccalaureate school by the Institute for International Education. The Graduate School of Business holds IACBE approval for another of the well-rounded Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida charging $620 per credit.
Accounting MBA
Selectively admitting 51 percent of applicants, the Webber Accounting MBA melds in-class didactic instruction in Babson Park with team projects to support students with a minimum “B” average who strive for accounting management. The 12-course curriculum includes evening courses starting at 6pm that meet once weekly for 10-week semesters. Prepare for CPA credentialing by studying shareholder value, partnership tax, global economics, strategic thinking, and organizational behavior. Action is emphasized over lecture with consulting at BDO Orlando, Vestal & Wiler, Baldwin Accounting CPA, and more.
Accreditation
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1201 N. Scenic Highway
Babson Park, FL 33827
(863) 638-2910
admissions@webber.edu
According to the AICPA, Big Four recruiters expect their accounting hires to display strong communication skills, show comfort with high-tech software, and pass the CPA exam. KPMG and Grant Thornton both report a $5,000 extra incentive to accountants who get certified within a year. Satisfying Florida’s 150-hour education rule is mandatory first though. Accredited B-schools undergo third-party evaluation to ensure their business courses reflect the field’s highest standards and craft a diversified résumé. Scrolling through our two-part listing of Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Florida will help you see what training the Sunshine State offers.
