According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for accountants and auditors nationwide is expected to grow by 10 percent over the next decade, leading to a need for individuals who have successfully completed Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Pennsylvania. In 2016, there were over 52,000 accountants in the state of Pennsylvania, earning an average salary of $74,730, higher than the $69,350 earned nationally. However, there are many other careers in Pennsylvania that a Master’s in Accounting will qualify someone for, some with much higher salaries. For example, a financial advisor in Pennsylvania can make as much as $117,510 per year while a financial analyst can make $89,120. Credit and budget analysts make between $72,740 and $77,660 per year.
In order to become an accountant or auditor, individuals must hold a college degree. However, most states now require 150-credit hours in order for someone to sit for the Certified Public Accountant examination. Most bachelor’s degree programs are only 120-credit hours, which means an individual must earn 30 additional credit hours in order to qualify for the CPA exam. A Master’s in Accounting degree program in Pennsylvania provides the necessary credit hours for the CPA examination and passing the exam allows people to perform more accounting functions for others. Some colleges offer dual bachelor and master’s programs that allow students to achieve the credits necessary to sit for the exam.
See first:
- Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Pennsylvania (A-G)
- Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Pennsylvania (H-P)
Saint Joseph’s University
Haub School of Business
The Erivan K. Haub School of Business is named for the noted German businessman who provided generous support to business programs at the university. Haub was a managing director and part owner of the Tengelmann Group, one of the largest retailers in Germany. U.S. News & World Report ranked several programs offered through the school as some of the best in the country. Princeton Review ranked the school in their list of the “Best 294 Business Schools.”
Accounting Major
Saint Joseph’s University’s accounting program is one of only three AACSB-accredited programs in Pennsylvania. The program prepares students to be responsible, competent and ethical accounting leaders, preparing them for careers in business, government and non-profit agencies. Courses required for the program include:
- Auditing & Assurance Services
- Business Analytics
- Business Policy
- Business, Society and Ethics
- Business Statistics
- Concepts: Financial Accounting
- Essentials of Management
- Essentials of Organizational Behavior
- Federal Income Taxation
- Financial Accounting Information Systems I, II & III
- Introduction to Finance
- Introduction to Information Systems
- Introduction to Law Honors
- Introductory Economics Macro
- Legal Environment of Business
- Management Accounting Information Systems I
- Managerial Accounting
- Principles of Marketing
- Writing for Organizations
In the Master’s in Accounting degree program in Pennsylvania, students learn to analyze financial information and prepare financial reports in order to maintain accurate business financial data. They also learn to examine and analyze accounting records to determine the financial status of organizations. Students gain an understanding of how to analyze credit data to determine risk and to prepare reports with this information for use in decision-making.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
Contact
Saint Joseph University
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19131
Telephone: 610-660-1650
Seton Hill University
School of Business
The School of Business at Seton Hall University prepares students for business careers at many different levels. Students are prepared for leadership positions in existing companies or can capture their entrepreneurial spirit, developing the skills they need to start their own company. Through the Adult Degree Program, students can obtain their degree online, on-campus or through a hybrid of both. The award-winning Center for Career and Professional Development works with students to help them plan for a career in whatever industry they choose.
Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination (M.B.A.)
The Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination is a Master’s in Accounting degree program in Pennsylvania that specializes in meeting the growing need for accountants, forensic accountants, fraud examiners and auditors. The program is available online or on campus and provides students with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly complicated accounting world. The degree provides the necessary credit hours to sit for the CPA, DFE or CIA as well. Students gain an understanding of investigation techniques as well as methods for deterring fraud in a wide range of organizations. The program is available online, on campus or in a hybrid format, providing students with the flexibility they need to meet other obligations. Courses required include:
- Advanced Auditing
- Auditing
- Current Accounting Topics
- Economics for Decision Making
- Global Management
- Human Resource Management
- Introduction to New Venture Development
- Management Information Systems
- Managerial Accounting
- Marketing and Sales Strategies
- MBA Foundations
- Not-for-Profit Accounting
- Principles if Accounting I & II
- Project Management
- Strategic Management
- Tax Research and Practice
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education
Contact
Seton Hall University
1 Seton Hill Drive
Greensburg PA 15601
Telephone: 800-826-6234
Temple University
Fox School of Business
The Fox School of Business at Temple University has been providing students with high-quality education for more than 100 years. The school has a distinguished tradition of creating business leaders for successful careers in business. It is the largest, most comprehensive business school in the Philadelphia area. Fox Business School has been nationally recognized by such publications as U.S. News & World Report, Financial Times, BusinessWeek, Princeton Review and more. The school is committed to creating graduates who are well-prepared for today’s changing business world.
Master of Accountancy
Fox Business School at Temple University offers a master of accounting degree program in Pennsylvania whose graduates are recruited by nationally recognized companies throughout the world. Students are prepared with the knowledge they need to succeed in the accounting world. As part of their studies, students complete the Becker CPA review courses which prepare them for the CPA exam. The program is 30 credit hours and can be completed in three semesters. Statistics show that graduates of the program have a 70 percent pass rate, 15 percent higher than the national average. Graduates of the program also report a 96 percent job placement rate and 50 percent of those graduates find jobs in nationally recognized firms. Courses required for the program include:
- Advanced Studies in Financial Reporting
- Advanced Auditing & Assurance Services
- Advanced Federal Taxation
- Concepts & Analysis of Financial Statements
- Colloquium on Current Issues in Accounting Practice
- Enterprise Systems & Internal Controls
- Law, Ethics & Regulation
- Professional Skills Development
- Taxes & Business Strategy
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education
Contact
Fox School of Business
1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia PA 19122
Telephone: 215-204-7676
Email: foxinfo@temple.edu
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School
Founded in 1881, Wharton was the first collegiate business school in the country and, since its inception, has embraced a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. The school was founded by Joseph Wharton whose pioneering vision was to produce graduates who would become pillars of the community. Today, Wharton has over 5,000 students and boasts more than 96,000 alumni.
MBA Accounting Major
Wharton offers an MBA program with an Accounting major that provides students with the skills they need to succeed in an industry that changes often. Students are not only provided extensive instruction in accounting but also in a variety of business disciplines. This provides them with a well-rounded understanding of how accounting impacts business decisions. The program provides students with the credit hours they need to sit for the CPA examination. Courses required for the Master’s in Accounting degree program in Pennsylvania include:
- Accounting for Mergers, Acquisitions, Complex Financial Structures
- Auditing
- Corporate Valuation
- Cost Management
- Financial Statement and Disclosure Analysis
- Problems in Financial Reporting
- Taxes and Business Strategy
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Office of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid
The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
Vance Hall, Suite 111
3733 Spruce Street
Philadelphia PA 19104-6340
Telephone: 215-898-6183
Email: mba-admiss@wharton.upenn.edu
University of Pittsburgh
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh is named for university alumnus Joseph Katz, who founded Papercraft Corporation. In the 1990s, Katz became the first United States institution to offer an MBA in Central Europe. Instruction at Katz is focused on experience-based learning, believing that combining hands-on coursework, competitions and simulations prepares students to lead in an increasingly global business world.
MS in Accounting
The Master’s in Accounting programs in Pennsylvania offered through the Katz Graduate School of Business prepares students for leadership roles in financial and managerial accounting. Students gain an understanding of business as well as specialized skills in accounting. The program prepares students to pass the CPA examination by covering subjects included in the exam and satisfying the 150-credit hour requirement. Courses required for the program include:
- Accounting and Finance Law*
- Accounting Research and Writing*
- Advanced Financial Accounting
- Business Law
- Controllership
- Corporate Tax Accounting and Planning
- Data Analytics
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Forensic Accounting
- Individual Tax Accounting and Planning
- Not for Profit and Governmental Accounting
- Risk Management*
- SEC Reporting and Disclosure*
- Strategic Cost Management
- Tax Policy*
*Students choose three courses from these electives
In order to apply to the program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting and must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. GMAT scores are also required. The GMAT requirement can be waived for students enrolling from University of Pittsburgh branch campuses or the College of Business Administration who have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. Those students must have completed at least 90 undergraduate credits as well.
Accreditation
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
- American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business Accrediting Council
Contact
MBA Admissions
Katz Graduate School of Business
301 Mervis Hall
Pittsburgh PA 15260
Telephone: 412-648-1700
Email: mba@katz.pitt.edu
University of Scranton
Kania School of Management
The Kania School of Management is named for Arthur J. Kania, a dedicated trustee and alumnus of the University of Scranton. The school is nationally recognized for supplying the tools necessary for students to succeed. There are ten programs offered through the school and it has been ranked in the top 25 schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Programs are grounded in the real world of business and prepare students for advanced careers in the business world or to continue their studies at the graduate level.
Accountancy, MACC
The Master of Accounting degree program in Pennsylvania offered at the Kania School of Management at the University of Scranton is targeted toward recent accounting graduates as well as those who have been in the accounting field for less than three years. The program meets the 150-credit hour requirement to sit for the CPA examination. The program is available both online and on campus, or students may choose a hybrid program that includes both options. Students must hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or an undergraduate degree in another field with satisfactory accounting coursework completed. Courses required for the degree include:
- Accounting Ethics: The Foundation of the Profession
- Accounting Integration and Configuration*
- Advanced Auditing
- Advanced Taxation & Regulation
- Applied Accounting Research
- Contemporary Financial Accounting Topics
- Contemporary Managerial Accounting Topics
- Effective Accounting Communication
- Financial Management
- Financial Reporting and Research*
- Financial Reporting Fraud Detection & Prevention*
- International Accounting*
- Managerial Economics
- Occupational Fraud & Abuse*
*Students choose four of these electives
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
James Boyle, DBA, CPA
Graduate Accountancy Program Director
Assistant Professor of Accounting
University of Scranton
Scranton PA 18510
Telephone: 570-941-6495
Email: james.boyle@scranton.edu
Villanova University
School of Business
The goal of the Villanova School of Business is to create leaders who will create a better world through the Augustinian values of community, caring, truth and leading through service. Students are provided an outstanding education from renowned faculty who blend formal business training with real-world applications. Students are able to bridge theory and practice, allowing them to become creative problem-solvers.
Master of Accounting with Data Analytics
The collection of data is having an impact on the accounting industry which is why the Master’s in Accounting programs in Pennsylvania offered through the School of Business at Villanova has a concentration in data analytics. Students gain an understanding of accounting principles as well as how the analyzation of data is necessary for businesses to make informed decisions. Students learn to use data as it relates to tax, fraud, valuation, risk analysis, performance measurement and other functions related to accounting. The program provides students with the 150-credit hours required to sit for the CPA examination as well. Courses required include:
- Accounting Systems & Controls
- Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting
- Data Models, Data Analysis & Visualization
- Leadership for the New Accounting Professional
- Negotiation
- Performance Measurement & Business Risk Management
- Taxes and Business Strategy
- Valuation Issues in Accounting
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Villanova School of Business
800 E. Lancaster Avenue
Kennedy Hall – 2nd Floor
Villanova PA 19085
Telephone: 610-519-4500
Email: gradinformation@villanova.edu
Widener University
School of Business Administration
The Widener School of Business Administration prepares students for careers in business and hospitality management. Students are provided hands-on learning along with industry knowledge that focuses on leadership development. The school has been creating business leaders since it was established in 1918.
Master of Business Administration
Widener’s School of Business offers a Master’s in Accounting programs in Pennsylvania that is an MBA with an accounting information systems concentration. The degree provides students with the knowledge they need to design, use and audit sophisticated accounting information systems. Students have the knowledge to act as consultants who can advise corporations regarding the liabilities and risks related to changing accounting technology. In addition, the degree has a strong focus in business, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of business, accounting and information technology. Courses required include:
- Accounting and Managerial Decision Making
- Information Systems and Data Analytics
- Leading Organizations and People
- Managerial Economics in an Innovative Environment
- Managing Business Processes
- Managing for Results
- Managing Human Capital
- Marketing
- Strategic Financial Management
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Jose Proenca
Graduate Program Director
Associate Dean
Widener University
Quick Center, Room 244
Telephone: 610-499-4330
Email: jproenca@widener.edu
Wilson College
Business
The Business Department at Wilson College provides students with the critical interpersonal and analytical skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly complicated business world. Students gain an understanding of finance, economics and other business-related subjects in order to flourish in both public and private sector positions.
Master of Accountancy
The Business Department at Wilson College offers a Master’s in Accounting programs in Pennsylvania that is designed to create leaders in the business world. Students gain a solid foundation in accounting in order to help them assume leadership roles. The program meets the requirements to sit for the CPA examination as well. Courses required for the program include:
- Advanced Accounting*
- Advanced Auditing/Assurance*
- Advanced Managerial Accounting*
- Business Consulting*
- Business Law for Accountants
- Business Valuation*
- Chief Financial Officer/Executive Leadership
- Data Mining*
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Forensic Accounting*
- Fraud Examinations*
- Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting*
- International Accounting*
- Interpersonal Dynamics/Covert Behavior
- Tax Planning*
*Students choose six of these elective courses.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Contact
Kierstin Stockum
Wilson College
1015 Philadelphia Avenue
Chambersburg PA 17201
Telephone: 717-264-2985
Email: kierstin.stockum@wilson.edu
York College Pennsylvania
Graduate Programs
Graduate programs at York College of Pennsylvania can help individuals advance their career, providing them with the expertise they need to become leaders in their field. The college offers graduate degrees in business, education and nursing with classes taught by faculty who are experts in their field.
Master of Accounting
The Master of Accounting degree program in Pennsylvania offered at York College of Pennsylvania is designed for students who wish to focus on accounting and finance. Students build on their undergraduate studies, developing outstanding analytical skills in accounting, taxation, auditing and professional research. The program is 30 credit hours and meets the requirements for students who wish to sit for the CPA examination. Courses required for the program include:
- Accounting Information Systems
- Advanced Auditing
- Advanced Managerial Accounting
- Controllership Issues
- Corporate Finance
- Federal Taxation Implications on Business
- Financial Statement Analysis
Students must also choose between an MBA course above the 510 level or to complete a graduate internship in accounting.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Accrediting Council of Business Schools and Programs
Contact
York College of Pennsylvania
441 County Club Road
York PA 17403-3651
Telephone: 717-846-7788
As the accounting field grows more complicated, industries will need more individuals who have completed Master’s in Accounting programs in Pennsylvania and other states.
