Online Master's Degree in Accounting

Our Degree Makes a Statement.

Few people in the business world understand numbers and put that knowledge to work like accountants. Behind the scenes, accounting professionals hold crucial roles in the success of any business, but developing that expertise doesn’t happen overnight. The online Master of Accounting degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business can help expand your analytical, business, and leadership skills — assets that can positively impact your success in the field. Get a first-rate education with a 100% online accounting degree that can help you build your expertise and further your career.

Online Master's in Accounting Program Highlights

  • 100% online programs with a 24/7 technical help desk
  • Faculty of award-winning industry experts
  • Networking opportunities
  • Flexible transfer credit policy
  • Scholarships available to qualified candidates
  • Preparation for professional certification exams, including the CPA exam

Why Choose a Master’s in Accounting?

Banks

Private Companies

Nonprofiits

Government

The accounting field needs experts. Become one.

The accounting field is projected to add 166,700 jobs by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and many of these will be geared toward candidates who have proven their abilities by earning higher degrees. Accountants are in demand in good and bad economic times, which means a steady stream of opportunities for you in the years to come. Expertise is all about continuous learning, and that’s where a master’s in accounting comes in. Staying relevant in your field is essential to establishing your reputation as an expert, and even more so for taking the next step in your career. Move your career forward on weekends, evenings, and lunch breaks by earning your master’s in accounting degree online from one of the first programs to earn dual accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). A graduate online accounting degree from UAB can help further your expertise through an innovative curriculum and technology-driven instructional methods, all in a comfortable educational setting that fosters continuous improvement.
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Who Should Pursue a Master's Degree in Accounting?

Even if you earned your bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, you can still pursue a master’s in accounting by participating in our bridge program. No matter your level of experience, your passion for accounting is what counts with us. Our program is designed for seasoned accounting professionals and aspiring accountants alike. No matter your level of experience, your passion for accounting is what counts with us. Gain the formal knowledge necessary to earn your master’s degree in the field without another four-year commitment. With a 100% online platform, you have the flexibility to sharpen your accounting, communication, interpersonal, technological, and applied research skills on your schedule, not ours.

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Why Choose UAB’s Collat School of Business for your Graduate Accounting Degree?

Develop Accounting Skills that Count

Your online accounting degree carries weight when it is from a recognized institution. We have garnered national and international respect for our rigorous academic standards and consistent record of growth and accomplishment. Our accolades include:

  • UAB ranks #22 among the U.S. News & World Report “Best Online Graduate Business Programs” and one of the nation's "Best National Universities" in its 2017 annual guide to America's Best Colleges.
  • The Princeton Review named UAB among the "Top 10 Universities in the United States for Diversity" for four consecutive years.
  • The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Collat School of Business is accredited by AACSB and the SACS.
Our renowned business school is focused on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We create and share business knowledge that transforms our students’ lives through a relevant and robust curriculum, technology-driven instructional methods, and a climate that fosters continuous improvement. We offer an engaging learning environment with classrooms extending well beyond the UAB campus walls. Our metropolitan location allows our faculty to build strong relationships with professionals from the state’s leading companies — from Fortune 500 corporations to entrepreneurial startups — and to integrate their practical experiences into our programs.

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Accounting Industry Outlook and Career Opportunities

Crunch the Numbers

With potential benefits including higher salaries, increased authority, and the ability to sit for CPA certification, a master’s in accounting creates opportunities that a bachelor’s in the field simply cannot. Master’s in accounting graduates represent almost 90% of new CPA firm hires, which is significantly greater than the hiring rates for graduates earning a master’s in taxation or an MBA in accounting (AICPA Trends Report, 2013). What are some career options for accountants? A master’s in accounting can lead to careers in auditing, accounting, and management. Depending on experience, education, and job title, in 2012 accounting professionals earned an average of $44,518 to $109,740. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment in the accounting field to grow 13% through 2022, adding 166,700 jobs in that time frame. At left are some common career paths for accounting professionals, along with average salaries according to the BLS, career site Glassdoor.com, and Payscale.com.
Lead Accountant

Average Annual Salary $85,058From analyzing financial data and preparing financial reports to maintaining records of assets and liabilities, lead accountants are responsible for the accounting department and their company’s overall financial health.

Auditing Manager

Average Annual Salary $81,693Auditing managers oversee audits for clients or within their organizations, review financial statements and identify potential risk areas, such as mismanagement, fraud, and financial discrepancies. They also identify ways to improve the processes for finding and eliminating waste and fraud within a company.

Financial Analyst

Average Annual Salary $76,950Ranked No. 13 among "Best Business Jobs" by U.S. News & World Report (2014), financial analysts help individuals and businesses make informed investments by assessing stock market behavior, economic and business trends, and bond performance. Candidates with the most experience and education are more likely to land this position.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Average Annual Salary $73,800CPAs help with tax preparation, personal financial planning, auditing services, and advice on developing effective accounting systems. They are more than number crunchers — they are business and financial strategists.

Senior Budget Analyst

Average Annual Salary $69,280Ranked No. 5 among "Highest Paying, Fastest Growing Jobs" by Forbes, senior budget analysts are tasked with helping public and private institutions organize their finances by preparing reports and monitoring institutional spending.

Chief Accounting Officer

Average Annual Salary $127,026Chief accounting officers, or a company's controller, are in charge of all things accounting. As the head of the accounting department, these accounting professionals are responsible for financial statements, payroll, budgeting, tax compliance, and more.

Financial Manager

Average Annual Salary $109,740Financial managers are charged with ensuring their organization's financial health. Financial reports, investment opportunities, and long-term financial goals are common aspects of any financial manager’s work. With competitive salaries and steady job growth, this position ranked No. 18 among "Best Business Jobs" by U.S. News & World Report (2015).

Chief Financial Officer

Average Annual Salary $101,650Chief financial officers, or CFOs, are responsible for a company's financial reporting. They direct financial goals, objectives, and budgets by overseeing investments or managing associated financial risks.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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  • Master's in Accounting Curriculum

  • Accounting Career Resources

Earn Your Degree on Your Schedule

Successful businesses rely on skilled accounting professionals for their organization’s financial health, which makes developing essential skills and experience vital to a successful career in accounting. Strengthen your accounting skills and strategies with a relevant and rigorous curriculum from UAB’s Collat School of Business, a leader in business education. Navigate the field with a 100% online accounting degree that reinforces your body of knowledge and allows you to garner additional experience and skills while expanding your network.

Want to learn more?
Explore our online master’s in accounting degree course descriptions.

Accounting Bridge Program (24 Credit Hours)
AC 200 Principles of Accounting I — 3 credit hours
AC 201 Principles of Accounting II — 3 credit hours
AC 300 Financial Accounting I — 3 credit hours
AC 304 Accounting Information Systems — 3 credit hours
AC 310 Financial Accounting II — 3 credit hours
AC 401 Cost Accounting — 3 credit hours
AC 402 Income Taxation I — 3 credit hours
AC 430 Financial Accounting III — 3 credit hours
Master of Accounting Core (21 credit hours)
LS 557 Business Law for Accountants — 3 credit hours
AC 514 Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting — 3 credit hours
AC 580 Advanced Financial Accounting — 3 credit hours
AC 600 Current Topics in Financial Accounting — 3 credit hours
AC 612 Corporate Governance — 3 credit hours
AC 606 Advanced Auditing and Attestation — 3 credit hours
AC 620 Tax Entities — 3 credit hours
Elective Courses (9 credit hours)
Courses numbered 500-600 level with AC, LS, or MBA prefix may be chosen with approval of the program director.

The help you need to get the career you want

We provide many tools to help jumpstart your successful career, starting with Career & Professional Development Services. This service provides resume, interviewing, and job search tips to aid you on your path to employment, as well as networking and professional experience opportunities.

Career & Professional Development Services also gives you access to DragonTrail Jobs, an online career management site for students, alumni, and employers nationwide. Career & Professional Development Services has the tools and tips to help you reach your employment goals.

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Online Master's in Accounting FAQs

What should I look for in an online program?
We recommend students pursuing online undergraduate or graduate degrees consider programs with extensive experience delivering online learning, professional accreditation (AACSB), a dedicated full-time faculty, a high level of student satisfaction, and a low student attrition rate. UAB’s online accounting degree offers you all of these advantages, providing the benefits of a traditional university education with the convenience and flexibility afforded by the use of advanced technology.
Why is accreditation important?
It’s important to entrust your education to an academic institution recognized for professional excellence and tested for quality assurance. Since 1982, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Business has maintained accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a seal of excellence afforded to only 176 universities worldwide for undergraduate and graduate business degree programs.
I have a bachelor’s degree in a different field. Can I pursue a master’s in accounting?
Yes, students without a bachelor's degree in accounting or business have the opportunity to participate in our bridge program. For more information on our master’s in accounting bridge program, please complete the form above to download a brochure or to speak with an advisor.
Do I earn the same degree that on-campus students earn?
Yes, the University of Alabama at Birmingham awards the same accredited accounting degrees regardless of the delivery method.
Does the diploma say "online"?
Your master's in accounting diploma will not distinguish that you are a distance student in our online program. Students can be confident that UAB's standards of excellence are the same for on-campus and online accounting degree programs. Online students, if they wish, attend the same graduation ceremony as on-campus students.
How long will it take to earn my Master of Accounting degree?
Students can complete their master’s in accounting (30 credit hours) in as few as 5 semesters. Completion of the entire accounting degree is contingent upon individual student general education course completion and transfer credit evaluation.
Can I transfer credit hours earned at another institution to UAB?
Yes, UAB accepts transfer credits from other institutions. For more information, please complete the form above to download a brochure or to speak with an advisor.
What if I have more questions?
To learn more about UAB’s master’s in accounting degree, please complete the form above to download a brochure or to speak with an advisor.
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