Maximize Your Expertise with a Maryland Smith MS Accounting
Explore how major corporations and public accounting firms track and report their finances. The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program gives you advanced knowledge of how to manage financial data while following today’s strict accounting standards. This program is ideal for recent grads who have taken financial and accounting courses and non-business majors with liberal arts backgrounds who are seeking to diversify their portfolio.
Why Get a Smith MS Accounting Degree?
Maryland Smith’s 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 an competitive edge in today’s job market.
Learn Advanced Concepts and Technology
Apply what you learn to real-world scenarios through hands-on projects and Big Four case competitions.
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.
Alumni Profiles
Our MSA students pursue competitive and exciting accounting opportunities in their fields after graduating. Their experiences at Maryland Smith help them to expand their network, solidify their career goals and prepare them to perform their job responsibilities a step above the rest.
“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
BS Accounting
MS Accounting ’19
Accountant, Kaboom!
“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
MS Accounting ’19
Tax Associate, KPMG
“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
BA Criminal Justice
MS Accounting ’14
Senior Consultant, 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
BS Accounting
MS Accounting ’18
Senior Audit Associate, KPMG
“My professors were so experienced and had so much knowledge. They’re more than people who sit in the classroom. They gave me so much career advice. They’re great assets to have.”
Hayley Smith
BS Marketing and Supply Chain Management
MS Accounting ’18
Audit Associate, KPMG
MS Accounting at a Glance
2 or 3
Semesters
30
Credits
3.4
Average GPA
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.
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.
Acquire Valuable Skills
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Allen J. Krowe teaching award recipient
Former CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers
Expert in corporate financial reporting and intangible investment accounting
Where Your Degree Can Take You
$1.5M
Difference in lifetime earnings with only a bachelor’s degree in accounting versus with an MSA and a CPA certification
100%
Job placement rate for our MSA grads who are U.S. residents
41%
Employers planning to hire job candidates with a master’s degree in accounting
Sources: Becker/ Accounting Today, Maryland Smith OCS, GMAC
Picture Yourself in These Job Roles
Assurance or Audit Accountant
Forensic Accountant
Tax Accountant
Corporate Accountant
Risk and IT Risk Consultant
Financial Consultant
“Because of the people I’ve met here and the location, I’ve really found out what my career goal is. This is the most rewarding benefit I got from the program.”
Chen Zhang
MS Accounting ’14
Tax Senior, Ernst & Young
Businesses who have hired our MSA Grads
Boost Your Professional Skills
Maryland 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.
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.
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
Interested? Connect with us.
