Master of Science in Accounting

Master of Science in Accounting

Maximize Your Expertise with a UMD Smith MSA

Explore how major businesses track and report their finances. You’ll gain specialized knowledge of how to analyze and manage financial and tax data while following today’s strict accounting guidelines.

Why Get a Smith MS in Accounting Degree?

The Smith School’s STEM-designated MSA program provides you with a valuable set of accounting knowledge extending far beyond the fundamentals most learn at the undergraduate level. You’ll learn how to integrate AI, cybersecurity, data analytics and other advanced technological concepts into your work, giving you a competitive edge in today’s job market.

Advance Toward Your CPA Certification

Receive one-on-one CPA advising and take courses that can be applied toward the CPA requirement.

Connect with Recruiters

Meet recruiters from the Big Four and other accounting firms who frequently hire our MSA grads.

Learn Advanced Concepts and Technology

Apply what you learn to real-world scenarios through hands-on projects and Big Four case competitions.

Get your MS Accounting tuition fully funded through the Deloitte Foundation's Accounting Scholars Program award. Learn how.

Upcoming MS in Accounting Events

Admissions, Info Session

Finance/Accounting Business Master’s Webinar

Friday, May 3, 2024
8:30 AM EDT
View Event Finance/Accounting Business Master’s Webinar

Alumni Profiles

Our MSA students pursue competitive and exciting accounting opportunities in their fields after graduating. Their experiences at UMD Smith help them to expand their network, solidify their career goals and prepare them to perform their job responsibilities a step above the rest.

“In undergrad, a lot of businesses were looking for accountants and other business-related majors. I also felt business fields provided more opportunities for me to interact with people compared to public health, which is more research based. If you’re worried about the transition from a non-business undergraduate degree to a business master’s degree, it can be done.”

Margaret Chen
MSA ’20

“Professor McKinney taught us the newest and latest technology being used in the audit industry. I use what he taught us on automating and streamlining processes in my current work.”

Ning Chi
MSA ’19
Accountant at Kaboom!

The biggest value for a master’s in accounting degree - especially if you’re going to the Big Four - is knowing that you have extra knowledge compared to an undergraduate student. The professors put it in a way where you understand how the work is done and what you’ll see in the real world.

Hector Chica
MSA ’21
Audit Associate at CohnReznick
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“One of the first projects I worked on was a financial statement analysis project. It showed me not only how to work through numbers, but also how to analyze numbers.”

Charlotte Cullen
MSA ’19
Tax Associate at KPMG
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Pursuing a degree in accounting was more investigative than I thought. One thing I thought would deter me from the program was the math aspect, but once I got there, everyone was so willing to teach me knowing that I didn’t have a background in accounting.

Adama Doukouré


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“The networking potential of this program is second to none. The contacts you meet while you’re in the program are going to serve you all through your life going forward.”

Rick Rademacher
MSA ’14
Senior Consultant at Deloitte

“Being able to interact and share experiences with students from all over the world is a rare opportunity. I've learned and expanded my knowledge of people from places I didn’t know much about.”

Christopher Rolle
MSA ’18
Senior Audit Associate at KPMG

“The investigative mindset cultivated through my criminology and criminal justice undergrad major combined with the technical knowledge of accounting helps me come into forensic accounting with this ready-set-go mindset for finding and detecting fraud.”

Eleanna Weissman
MSA ’22
Staff Auditor at EY
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MS Accounting at a Glance

2 or 3
Semesters
30
Credits
STEM
Designated Program
Average tuition money saved by pursuing a business master’s degree through the Plus 1 program compared with a traditional graduate program path.

Available as a Plus 1 Program 

If you're a current University of Maryland freshman, sophomore or junior, you can pursue your Master of Science in Accounting degree through the Plus 1 program. You’ll save time and thousands of dollars on graduate tuition though this accelerated business master’s program.

Learn More: Plus 1 Program

Apply and Receive Admissions Benefits

Maryland Advantage can make it easier for applicants who have completed their undergraduate and/or graduate degree in the United States to transition into the business master’s program by helping them save money on tuition, skip graduate entrance exams and get personalized career counseling before starting their program.

Learn More: Admissions

Acquire Valuable Skills with STEM Designation

Our MSA students build upon their current strengths to gain an in-depth, advanced understanding of the field. You’ll think critically about accounting methods and how to use data to solve the most pressing accounting issues firms face. Concepts and tools you’ll explore include:

  • Accounting analytics and valuation
  • AI
  • Alteryx
  • Automation Anywhere
  • Corporate and real estate taxation
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data-driven decision making
  • Financial statement and data systems analysis
  • IDEA
  • Information security, audit and control
  • Internal, external, forensic and automated auditing
  • Internal, state, local and individual taxation
  • Machine learning
  • Microsoft SQL
  • MindBridge Analytics
  • Tableau

Specialized Career Tracks

Choose a specialized track to acquire the targeted skills you’ll need in your accounting career.

Audit Analytics

Examine the accuracy of business's financial records within an accounting team. Future career roles often include auditing, risk consulting and assurance accounting.

Public Accounting

Progress toward your CPA and learn how to serve clients individually or within a business. Future career roles often include corporate accounting and financial consulting.

Tax Analytics

Work closely with individuals and businesses to help them prepare, file and manage their taxes. Tax accounting is a common future career role.

Learn from Expert Faculty

Your professors are industry experts and scholars who are invested in your success and will challenge you to take your skills to the next level. They are well-connected business leaders who offer guidance as you navigate through your professional journey.

Co-creator of the Gordon-Loeb Model for cybersecurity investments

Internationally known scholar and accounting author

Expert in cybersecurity and managerial accounting

Lawrence Gordon

Most Effective Core Professor and Allen J. Krowe teaching award recipient

Expert in financial reporting and disclosure, corporate diversification, accounting information in the macroeconomy and financial markets

Rebecca Hann

Allen J. Krowe teaching award recipient

Former CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers

Expert in corporate financial reporting and intangible investment accounting

Michael Kimbrough

Academic Director

Emanuel Zur
Academic Director, MS in Accounting Program
ezur@umd.edu

Faculty

M. Gisela Bardossy

Faculty Director, QUEST
bardossy@umd.edu

Sean Cao

Director and Co-founder of the AI Initiative for Capital Market Research
scao824@umd.edu

Jon Crocker

Clinical Professor
jcrocker@umd.edu

Stacey Ferris

Adjunct Professor of Accounting
sferris4@umd.edu

Lawrence A. Gordon

EY Alumni Professor of Managerial Accounting and Information Assurance
lagordon@umd.edu

Rebecca Hann

Assistant Dean of Doctoral Programs
rhann@umd.edu

Michael Kimbrough

Area Chair, Accounting and Information Assurance
mkimbrou@umd.edu

Woei-jyh (Adam) Lee

Associate Clinical Professor
adamlee@umd.edu

James McKinney

Associate Area Chair
jmckinne@umd.edu

Jeffrey Milton

Associate Clinical Professor
jmilton@umd.edu

Leslie Mostow

Adjunct Faculty
lmostow@umd.edu

Nick Seybert

Associate Professor
nseybert@umd.edu

Where Your Degree Can Take You

A UMD Smith MSA degree prepares you for a stable accounting career in a variety of settings, including Big Four accounting firms, the federal government and even nonprofit organizations. Whether you already have an undergraduate background in accounting or another subject area, this program is ideal for those interested in problem-solving, applying an investigative mindset to challenges and addressing discrepancies in business finances.

$1.7M
Difference in lifetime earnings with only a bachelor’s degree in accounting versus with an MSA and a CPA certification
13%
Salary difference between internal auditors with a bachelor’s degree compared to auditors with a master’s degree
$70K
Median starting salary for our MS in Accounting graduates 6 months after graduation*

Sources: UMD Smith Office of Career Services, 2022; Institute of Internal Auditors; Becker/ Accounting Today
*Data for 2023 graduates who reported their salaries to UMD Smith's Office of Career Services. Please note these figures do not meet the 75 percent MBACSEA reporting threshold.

93% of our domestic and international MS Accounting graduates secure job placement within six months of graduation.

Picture Yourself in These Job Roles

Assurance or Audit Accountant

Corporate Accountant

Financial Consultant

Forensic Accountant or Federal Criminal Investigator

IRS Field Agent

Risk and IT Risk Consultant

Tax Accountant

“Because of the location and the people I’ve met here, I discovered what my career goal was. That was the most rewarding benefit I got from the program.”

Chen Zhang
MS Accounting ’14
Tax Senior at Ernst & Young

Businesses who have Hired our MS Accounting Graduates

  • BDO
  • CohnReznick
  • Deloitte
  • EY
  • FBI
  • Grant Thornton
  • IRS
  • KPMG
  • Maryland Attorney General
  • Morgan Stanley
  • PWC
  • RSM

Boost Your Professional Skills 

UMD Smith’s Office of Career Services (OCS) can help you bridge the gap between being a student and an employed professional. You’ll have one-on-one access to a career coach who will provide you with personalized tips on how to articulate your strengths when interacting with your future employer.

Learn More: Office of Career Services

Connect With Your Classmates

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to make connections at Smith and engage in exciting social activities through the Smith Masters Student Association. You can join an accounting-related club or others that provide you with general connections and skills.

Learn More: Smith Masters Student Association

Contact Us

Business Master's Office
2303 Van Munching Hall
College Park, Maryland 20742-1815
Phone: 301-405-2559
E-mail: SmithMasters@umd.edu
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Financial Assistance Available

90% of incoming MS Accounting students receive some type of financial assistance.

Learn more

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