arizona university accounting phd

Accountancy and Data Analytics, MACC

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• At a glance
• Concurrent program options
• Accelerated program options
• Degree requirements
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Accountancy, Business, CPA, accounting, approved for STEM-OPT extension, audit

Join us to propel your career and gain a strong foundation in data and analytics.

Possible to complete in one year, the MAcc program is delivered by the School of Accountancy, highly ranked by the Public Accounting Report. This program is offered in person or online, providing flexibility to students who are working professionals. A pathway program is available for students with a non-accounting background to prepare for success in the master's degree.

Infused with a data and analytics emphasis, the developed curriculum is structured to provide students with an in-depth working knowledge of advanced accounting topics that are most relevant in today's business environment and reviewed every year with input from accounting professionals and alumni. Esteemed faculty experts bring practical experience into each class, giving the degree even more long-term value.

The Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics is designed for individuals who want to prepare for professional success in accounting and develop the skills and knowledge needed to launch their accounting career. Graduates are prepared to pass several sections of the CPA exam. The CPA designation is not critical for all accounting career paths, but becoming a CPA could be advantageous in the accounting profession. CPA requirements are set by each state, and all states require a minimum total of 150 credit hours. Students are encouraged to review the requirements of the state in which they intend to seek a CPA license. Each state has a board of accountancy that can provide this information. Students can also contact the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy at https://nasba.org for additional information.

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.

• College/school: W. P. Carey School of Business
• Location: Tempe or Online
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details.

This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply .

30 credit hours including the required capstone course (ACC 512)

Required Core (3 credit hours) ACC 586 Shareholder Value Creation and Financial Statement Analysis (3)

Electives (24 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) ACC 512 Advanced Auditing (3)

Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for an approved list of elective coursework.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Applicants must have a foundational knowledge of accounting principles demonstrated either through a bachelor's degree in accountancy or demonstration of proficiency through an approved bridge or bootcamp.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts of all coursework completed at institutions other than ASU
• one letter of recommendation
• current resume
• short answer question responses
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The letter of recommendation should comment on the student's motivation, commitment, achievements, work experience and opportunity for success in the program.

Complete application instructions may be obtained from the department's website.

Applicants must complete program prerequisites prior to admission to the program. Graduate-level accounting courses are only open to students admitted to the graduate program.

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

Graduates are prepared with the essential academic preparation for pursuing professional careers in public, corporate and governmental accounting, as well as consulting or financial planning.

Career examples include:

• budget analyst
• tax auditor

WPC Graduate Programs | MCRD 350 [email protected] 480-965-3332 Admission deadlines

Page last updated:  May 20, 2013

Arizona Board of Regents � All rights reserved. General Catalog  http://catalog.arizona.edu/ The University of Arizona

Arizona Board of Regents © All rights reserved. General Catalog  http://catalog.arizona.edu/ The University of Arizona

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Accounting Graduate Certificate

Quick facts.

of all Higher-Ed Institutions

- Center for World University Rankings, 2022

The Online Graduate Accounting Certificate allows students and professionals to select 9 to 18 units of fully online, graduate-level accounting coursework tailored to their educational needs, with courses starting six times each year. All courses are taken through the School of Accountancy at the Eller College of Management, both of which are AACSB accredited, adding to the value of this program. Additionally, graduate-level accounting units earned can be applied towards the Online Master of Science in Accounting.

This certificate provides advanced accounting courses and enables eligible students to obtain additional coursework needed to become a CPA, including optional courses that meet the unique CPA requirements in certain states.  

To be eligible for the Online Graduate Accounting Certificate, students must possess a four-year bachelor's degree with at least a 2.75 GPA and must have completed an introductory financial accounting course.

Depending on the specific graduate courses selected in the program, the following prerequisite courses may be necessary. They can be completed in the summer as part of your program.

• ACCT 400A, Intermediate Financial Accounting I
• ACCT 400B, Intermediate Financial Accounting II
• ACCT 420, Introduction to Federal Taxation

For additional information, contact the master's program coordinator at [email protected] .

*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.

 The curriculum for this program includes:

ACCT 501: Advanced Accounting

Cover advanced financial accounting topics included on FAR section of the CPA exam including consolidated financial statements, mergers and acquisitions, and foreign currency.

ACCT 515: Ethics for Professional Accountants

Enhance awareness of ethical dilemmas that arise in the accounting profession and meet ethics course requirement of certain state boards of accountancy such as California.

ACCT 521: Business Law for Accountants

Cover topics included on REG section of the CPA exam including US contract law, creditors' rights, agency and employment law, business organizations, and securities regulation.

ACCT 522: Advanced Federal Taxation

Cover topics included on the REG section of the CPA exam including taxation of C-corporations, S-corporations, Partnerships, Estates, and Gifts.

ACCT 525: Accounting Theory & Institutions

Critique the underlying concepts and theories of existing accounting rules and hypothesize how changes in the regulatory and business environment will reshape accounting standards.

ACCT 531: Principles of Auditing

Cover the theory of auditing and internal controls over financial reporting to assist with AUD section of the CPA exam.

ACCT 551: Financial Statement Analysis

Build skills related to understanding accounting disclosures and financial statements, including profitability measurement, credit analysis, footnote analysis, forecasting, and valuation.

ACCT 572A: Accounting for Not-For-Profit Entities

Cover governmental and not-for-profit accounting topics included on FAR section of the CPA exam.

ACCT 575: Financial & Managerial Accounting in Healthcare

Cover topics related to healthcare accounting including financial statements, budgets, revenue streams, expansion decisions, and revenue generators versus cost centers.

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Tuition & Aid

Accounting PhD Placement

The accounting phd program strives to prepare candidates for competitive faculty positions at tier-1 accounting research universities..

Past graduates have earned faculty positions at premier institutions such as University of Chicago, University of Rochester, University of Texas at Austin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Ohio State University, Texas A&M University, University of Georgia, University of Notre Dame, University of Illinois, University of Southern California, Rice University and Washington University at St. Louis, among others.

View Current PhD Job Market Candidates

  The following is a detailed list of the initial placements and dissertation topics of our recent doctoral graduates since 2013

Accountancy, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting

The W. A. Franke College of Business

This undergraduate degree provides a solid foundation for students planning to pursue a variety of accounting careers in industry, government, or public accounting.  Students completing this academic plan may apply for the competitive MBA-ACC program, one of several avenues for a student to complete the 150 units needed for the CPA exam.

This program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

University Requirements

To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

• All of Northern Arizona University's diversity , liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements .
• All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
• At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
• At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

The full policy can be viewed here .

In addition to University Requirements:

• At least 43 units of business core requirements
• At least 30 units of major requirements
• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.
• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

• Measurement and Reporting: Analyze financial, business, and tax information and appropriately apply a given measurement and reporting method.
• Risk Analysis: Identify risks of negative outcomes and evaluate controls that mitigate such risks through prevention or detection and correction.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Use appropriate analytical techniques to identify a business problem, generate and compare alternatives, and develop a solution.
• Leveraging Technology to Develop and Enhance Core Competencies:  Appropriately use spreadsheets and other software to build models and simulations.  Access appropriate digital relevant standards, rules, and other information to obtain decision support.
• Communication: Communicate clearly and objectively and, where applicable, using applicable standards of disclosure or reporting.
• Professional and Legal Responsibilities: Identify issues that may present ethical challenges and apply ethical and applicable professional codes of conduct.
• Professional Development: Develop an understanding of expectations regarding professionalism and career management.

Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Admission to Northern Arizona University qualifies you for admission into the preprofessional program in The W. A. Franke College of Business. You must meet the following requirements to enter our professional programs:

• Complete at least 56 units with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better.
• Prerequisite: (MAT 108 or MAT 110 with a grade of C or better); or Math Placement Test Results (MTHPLACE 50+; ALEKS 50+; PLACE 55+); ...">MAT 121
• Complete six (6) different Pathways experiences (one pathway credit must be the Career Steps online module). Transfer students who have met all of the requirements listed above need to complete four (4) Pathways experiences (one pathway credit must be the Career Steps online module) during their first semester in The W. A. Franke College of Business.
• If you have a 2.75 GPA in these courses and have satisfactorily completed Pathways activities designated by The W. A. Franke College of Business, we guarantee your acceptance into our professional program. If your average is less than a 2.75 but you have at least a 2.5 and have satisfactorily completed all designated Pathways activities, we admit you into the professional program on a space-available basis according to the rank order of your grade point average in these courses.
• If you are in the preprofessional program and have completed all required courses with "C" or better, but have a GPA in those courses that is below the acceptable grade point average for admission to the professional program, you may repeat up to two of the required courses in which you earned a "C" to meet the minimum GPA requirement. You may only repeat a required course in which you earned a grade of "C" one time.

Major Requirements

This major requires 73 units distributed as follows:

• Business Core: 43 units
• Accountancy-specific Major Requirements: 24 units
• Other Major Requirements: 6 units

Business Core (43 units)

• Prerequisite: Business Professional Program (BPP) Milestone">FIN 311 (3 units)
• Prerequisite: (MAT 108 or MAT 110 with a grade of C or better); or Math Placement Test Results (MTHPLACE 50+; ALEKS 50+; PLACE 55+); ...">MAT 121 (4 units)
• Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone or Business Analytics Milestone">MGT 301 , ( Prerequisite: Business Professional Program (BPP) Milestone">ACC 340 or Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone or Business Analytics Milestone">MGT 340 )
• ( Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone or Business Analytics Milestone">MKT 333 and Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone">MGT 300 ) or ( Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone">MKT 333I and Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone">MGT 300I )
• Prerequisite: Upper-Division Business Core ((FIN 311, MGT 300, MGT 301, MKT 333), and (ISM 360 or ACC 300), and (MGT 350W or ENG 302W...">MGT 490C which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units)

Accountancy-specific Major Requirements, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (24 units)

• Prerequisite: Business majors: Business Professional Program Milestone Non-Business majors: ((ISM 120, ACC 255, and ACC 256) and (a...">ACC 300 , Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone or (ISM 120, ACC 255, and ACC 256 for non-business majors in Accounting Cert )">ACC 302 , Prerequisite: Business majors: Business Professional Program Milestone Non-Business majors: ((ISM 120, ACC 255, and ACC 256) and (a...">ACC 355 , Prerequisite: ACC 355 with a grade of C or better; and Business Professional Program Pre- or Corequisite: ACC 300 or ISM 360">ACC 356 , Prerequisite: ((ACC 300 or ISM 360) with a grade of C or better); and ACC 356">ACC 455 , Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone or (ISM 120, ACC 255, and ACC 256 for non-business majors in Accounting Cert )">ACC 460 , Prerequisite: ((ACC 300 or ISM 360) with a grade of C or better) Pre- or Corequisite: ACC 356">ACC 480 (21 units)
• Prerequisite: Junior status and ACC 205">ACC 405 *, Prerequisite: ACC 356 with a grade of C or better">ACC 448 , Prerequisite: ((ACC 300 or ISM 360) with a grade of C or better) Pre- or Corequisite: ACC 356">ACC 456

* Prerequisite: Junior status and ACC 205">ACC 405 counts toward your degree. It does not count toward CPA licensure requirements (30 units of upper-division accounting).

Other Major Requirements (6 units)

• Prerequisite: Foundation English Requirement or International Exchange Student Group">ENG 302W or Prerequisite: Foundation English Requirement; and (Business Professional Program Milestone or Business Analytics Milestone)">MGT 350W , or if you take ( Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone">MKT 333I and Prerequisite: Business Professional Program Milestone">MGT 300I ), choose Prerequisite: Foundation English Requirement and Business Professional Program">MGT 350IW which meet the junior-level writing requirement
• Prerequisite: (ECO 284 and ECO 285 with grades of C or better); and Junior status or higher">ECO 486 , Prerequisite: FIN 311 and Business Professional Program">FIN 480 , Prerequisite: MGT 300 and Business Professional Program">MGT 405 , Prerequisite: (MKT 303, MKT 333, or HA 365) with a grade of C or better">MKT 480

You must have completed all of the coursework used to fulfill these requirements within the last 10 years.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.

Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Master of Business Administration at NAU.

• Students must apply to the master's program by the graduate program's application deadline, meet all admissions requirements listed in the policy Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs , as well as the admissions requirements for the specified master's plan to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with the Master's Program Director/Coordinator regarding your interest in the accelerated plan.

Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:

• Prerequisite: Admission to Master of Business Administration program (MBA) or ACC 460 with a grade of B or better">ACC 570 , Prerequisite: Admission to Master of Business Administration program (MBA) or ACC 480 with a grade of B or better">ACC 580 , Prerequisite: Admission to Master of Business Administration program (MBA) or ACC 455 with a grade of B or better">ACC 590

General Electives

Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

• You must complete at least 15 units in your major and 9 units of the upper-division business core at The W. A. Franke College of Business (FCB).
• You must earn 50% of your overall business units required for your degree at the FCB.
• All transfer credits must be approved by the FCB and are subject to guidelines listed in the current general catalog. The FCB does not accept upper-division transfer credits from programs not accredited by the AACSB (such as the University of Phoenix or the Bachelor of Business Administration program at NAU-Yuma).
• Students must complete the following courses at the FCB: Prerequisite: Upper-Division Business Core ((FIN 311, MGT 300, MGT 301, MKT 333), and (ISM 360 or ACC 300), and (MGT 350W or ENG 302W...">MGT 490C (Business Strategy) and the junior writing requirement (if filled by Prerequisite: Foundation English Requirement; and (Business Professional Program Milestone or Business Analytics Milestone)">MGT 350W (Business Communication)).  Students who satisfy the junior writing requirement with Prerequisite: Foundation English Requirement or International Exchange Student Group">ENG 302W (Technical Writing) must complete that course at Northern Arizona University.
• Students earning two BSBA majors within The W. A. Franke College of Business must take 18 credit units in the first major and an additional 18 units exclusive to the second major (for a total of 36).

Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

Campus Availability

• How to Apply
• Cost and Aid
• Career Management

Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics

The 9-month Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics (MACC) program from ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business is among a select group of accounting master’s programs that offers a data and analytics emphasis. Develop the skills and knowledge you need to launch your accounting career, while opening the door to top hiring firms and preparing to pass several sections of the CPA exam. Our partnership with Becker CPA Review will provide you an excellent foundation for CPA exam prep, meaning you can study for, take, and pass the exam while still in the program. This degree is also offered 100% online .

As a STEM-designated program, eligible MACC graduates on student visas have access to an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension for up to 36 months. This longer work authorization term may help international students gain additional real-world skills and experience in the U.S.

Develop vital accountancy skills and prepare for the CPA exam. Through case methods and group discussion, you'll not only deepen your knowledge, you'll also strengthen your strategic thinking, decision-making, and communication skills. You’ll discover how to navigate today’s highly complex and data-centric audit and financial consulting environment while learning from esteemed faculty. Courses are taught by a mix of research faculty, former Big Four partners, and professionals with substantial experience and expertise.

Understanding the CPA designation

The CPA designation is not critical for all accounting career paths, but becoming a CPA could be advantageous in the accounting profession. CPA requirements are set by each state, and all states require a minimum total of 150 credit hours. Students are encouraged to review the requirements of the state(s) in which they intend to seek a CPA license. Each state has a board of accountancy that can provide this information. Visit the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) for additional information.

Pathway for non-accounting students

The School of Accountancy offers a Pathway Program for students with a non-accounting background. Including four foundational courses that you can complete in person or online, the program delivers essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the master’s degree. To get started, simply submit your Pathway Program application .

The School of Accountancy also offers a dynamic MACC/MTax Bootcamp — including three, custom-designed non-credit courses that allow you to complete the foundational program prerequisites 100% online and in a single summer. No matter which option works best for you, our graduate recruiters are available to answer questions and support your next steps.

MACC fast facts

No. 14 for accounting Ahead of MIT, Columbia, and Cornell U.S. News & World Report , 2023

93% of MACC students employed within 90 days of graduation

9 months Program length

CPA exam test prep partnership with Becker CPA Review  Learn more

Enjoy life on the ASU Tempe campus — in the middle of a vibrant metropolis, with access to major hiring companies, year-round activities, and the beautiful desert southwest.

How to apply

Start your journey on the right foot: Join us for an upcoming event to learn more about the W. P. Carey MACC, and take note of application deadlines and application materials.

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Application deadlines

Dec. 1, 2024

Round II (Int'l. priority)

Feb. 1, 2025

Round III (Int'l. final)

April 1, 2025

Round IV (Final)

July 1, 2025

Note: Applications for Fall 2025 admission will be accepted on a rolling basis until July 15, 2025.

Round V (Final)

July 1, 2023

Estimated total program cost

No matter where you are in the world, the highly ranked MACC features the same program cost.

Fall 2023 admits

Estimated tuition and fees

Nonresident

International

Paying for your degree is one of the most critical steps in your decision to go to business school. Work with us to find the right solution for you, whether it’s scholarships, graduate assistantships, or loans.

Career management

The W. P. Carey Career Services Center helps you tell your story through individualized support and targeted resources. Our dedicated team of experienced professionals will assist you in defining career goals, implementing job search strategies, and leveraging your degree.