Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) at Dominican, accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), provides students with in-demand data analytics and critical thinking to succeed professionally in both accounting and business. The MS in Accounting meets the 150-hour California educational CPA requirement and can be completed in just 12 months. 

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The Master of Science in Accounting is a 12-month intensive program for college graduates and individuals interested in a career change or acquiring new skills in accounting with a focus on accounting analytics. 

The MS in Accounting curriculum aligns with the industry’s rapidly evolving needs, balancing the new demand for accounting analytics skills with traditional accounting.

MS in Accounting Program Highlights

Students will graduate with the expertise to apply accounting principles at the decision-making level.

  • CPA exam preparation: With Wiley CPA test-prep materials integrated into masters-level courses, students not only prepare for the CPA exam but graduate with a competitive business edge. 
  • STEM-designated degree: STEM programs are degrees awarded in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
  • Includes data analytics: The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has added data analytics to the CPA exam in 2019. Set apart from other business schools, Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ of California’s MS in Accounting program emphasizes a focus on analytics and prepares our students for success as a CPA.
  • Accelerated 12-month format: Students take classes during the evenings and alternate Saturdays.
  • Affordable and accessible: Earn a Master's degree in Accounting for as little as $20,000, including scholarships and a six-unit waiver earned through prior accounting coursework. (Terms and conditions may apply, contact the Barowsky School of Business for more information.)
  • Data visualization: Learn data visualization techniques to communicate accounting data effectively to accounting professionals as well as non-accountants.
  • GRE or GMAT: Not required.
Application DeadlinesTuition Rate Per UnitNumber of UnitsFormat and Length
Fall: July 1
 
$872

View Tuition and Financial Aid Information for details.

30-36 Units

Courses can be waived if completed as an undergraduate with a minimum grade of B- or better.

Mondays, Wednesdays, and every other Saturday

12 Months

 

Paying for Your Masters in Accounting

Learn about tuition per unit, additional fees, and total tuition.

We'll also show you how a Dominican education is more affordable than you might think with support from financial aid, scholarships, and loans. 

Tuition and Aid

How to Apply to the MSA in Accounting Program

A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required to apply to our graduate programs.

  1. Completed Application â€”&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
    (Please note — admission to the program is limited.)
  2. Official Transcript(s)
    Official transcript of coursework from each college or university attended (undergraduate and graduate). Find complete instructions on how to submit your transcripts to Dominican here.
  3. Resume
  4. Statement of Purpose/Intent
    A one-page essay describing professional and/or personal goals and reasons for obtaining the above graduate degree
  5. One Letter of Recommendation or Interview With The Dean Letter of recommendation: Academic or professional, on letterhead
  6. International Applicants
    International candidates must meet additional admissions requirements.

The MS in Accounting is a full-time program, with cohorts beginning each fall. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

If an application deadline falls on a weekend and/or holiday, applications will be accepted through the end of the next business day.

Fall Deadline July 1

MSA Classes, Format and Career Paths

The Masters in Accounting allows students to take classes during the evening and weekends.

Format: 12-month program. Six terms (two courses per term).
Delivery: Mondays, Wednesdays, and every other Saturday

 

Graduates who earn an MS in Accounting can gain a competitive advantage in roles such as Auditor, Actuary, Tax Examiner, Revenue Agent, Tax Analyst, Financial Analyst, Credit Analyst, and of course, Accountants, including Public Accountant, Management Accountant, Forensic Accountant.

CPA applicants must complete 150 units, including 24 units of accounting-related subjects. The Dominican MS in Accounting program is considered CPA-track by meeting the 24-unit accounting and 150-unit total requirements.

First Term: August-October

Intermediate Financial Accounting I (Can be waived with prior background)
Intermediate Accounting provides an in-depth study of the conceptual framework of accounting as it relates to recording, reporting, and disclosing financial information on the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement. Intermediate Financial Accounting I has a focus on the assets.

Business Law, Ethics and CSR in Financial Reporting
This course will introduce the student to ethical theories and value systems as they relate to the accounting field. Students will apply these perspectives to moral issues, problems, and situations which arise within the business environment. Emphasis will be placed on how business laws, pertaining to the accounting profession, are interpreted and applied.

Second Term: November-December

Intermediate Financial Accounting II (Can be waived with prior background)
This course focuses on the application of GAAP on liabilities, leases, pensions, shareholder’s equity, revenue, expenses, and income.

Accounting Analytics And Visualization
This course explores the world of accounting through a data analytics lens. It uses analytics
techniques and data visualization to understand budgeting, cost control, decision making,
and financial analysis. Students will learn to use accounting analytics tools hands-on.

Third Term: January-February

Advanced Managerial Accounting
This course focuses on formulating, evaluating, and interpreting accounting information for
managerial decision making. The strategic role of managerial accounting is to serve as a tool for business strategy, implementation, and performance evaluation. The role of the accountant as both data provider and decision-maker is considered.

Financial Statement Analytics
In addition to exposing students to the traditional financial statement analysis tools, this course will teach students how to use analytics to visualize financial statement data, display them more intuitively, and find the composition, progress, and trend in a company’s development. Because of the power of data analytics, students will learn how to extend such analysis to an industry, a market, or an even broader scope, by using a large number of companies’ financial statements.

Fourth Term: March-April

Federal Taxation of Business Entities
This course provides an introduction to the U.S. federal income taxation of corporations and their shareholders. It compares taxation of C corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and partnerships. Students will also learn statutory interpretation and consider policy issues that affect how the taxation of businesses is structured and enforced under the Internal Revenue Code.

Auditing Analytics and Risk Management
The focus of this course is to apply data analytics to auditing and risk management for increased quality and efficiency while reducing cost. This new insight-driven audit course covers both internal audit and the assurance service. For a hands-on experience, this course will use software such as IEDA.

Fifth Term: May-June

Forensic Accounting and Analytics for Fraud Detection
Forensic analytics combines data analytics with forensic accounting and investigative techniques to identify potential fraud and rare events of consequence, to meet growing regulatory and customer demands for fraud mitigation. In addition to the theory and regulations, this course employs modeling and analytics tools to reveal signals of emerging risks.

Advanced and International Accounting
This course covers business combinations and diversified companies, consolidations of financial statements, segments, and foreign currency transactions. It is also designed to prepare students to analyze and interpret financial statements in a global setting.

Sixth Term: July-August

Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting
This course is a study of the specialized accounting principles applicable to state and local governments and other non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on fund accounting principles used in the recording of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenditures.

Practicum
The practicum is the culminating experience of the program. It involves applying the tools and concepts learned in the MSA program to real-world problems. Students will work with a local business or a public firm to apply their accounting and accounting analytics skills.

Degrees Offered

MS

School/Department

Barowsky School of Business

Course Catalog

Program Contact

Michele Richards

Graduate Admissions Counselor

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La Vida Dominican

La Vida Dominican is a program for all students, increasing educational access and connection to support services, enabling degree completion and post-graduation success. Particularly, La Vida is centering experiences of students from Latinx and other historically underserved backgrounds.

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Faculty and Staff

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Yung-Jae Lee, PhD

Dean, Barowsky School of Business
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Aslihan G. Korkmaz, DBA

Associate Professor of Finance
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Courtney Budesa

Director of Internships and Professional Development Integrative Coach
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Bo Zhang, PhD

Adjunct Professor
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Mondale Felix

Adjunct Assistant Professor
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Sankaran Venkateswar

Adjunct Associate Professor

Barowsky School of Business: In The News