Master of Science in AccountancyHenry Predolin School of Nursing, Business, Education, and Health Sciences

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Balancing business in today’s world

Whether you’re building a career in public or private accounting, an Edgewood College MSA is the right degree for you. Expertise in this field can provide the foundation to become a CPA in a public accounting firm, to pursue a career in corporate management accounting, to work in government or not-for-profit sectors or to succeed as an entrepreneur.

The MS Accountancy program is geared toward knowledge-seeking learners who aspire to develop the specialty skills required to pursue a career in the accounting field. The accounting field is dynamically changing, driven by a variety of factors such as increased regulation, the complexity and competitiveness of the business climate and the move toward a global economy. Expertise in this field can provide the foundation for students to become CPAs in public accounting firms, to pursue a career in corporate management accounting, to work in government or not-for-profit sectors, or to succeed as an entrepreneur.

The MS Accountancy program is a rigorous and thorough, experienced-based curriculum integrating critical thinking, real-world experience, and values-based management. Coursework is grounded in an ethical value system which will serve students throughout their careers and personal lives and provide a foundation for ethical leadership. The curriculum not only helps prepare students for the CPA exam, it lays the groundwork required for leadership roles beyond the initial accounting position. Because the MS Accountancy degree is an opportunity for students to gain specialized accounting skills, specific course prerequisites are required prior to entering the program. Most candidates with accounting degrees will have met the prerequisites before entering the 30 credit graduate program.

Locations
Madison, WI

Formats
Virtual

Number of Credits
30

Next Start Date
January 21, 2025

Careers within Accountancy

Whether you’re pursuing a career in the public, private, or not-for-profit sector, you’ll have the educational training, the work experiences and the networking opportunities to succeed. Our curriculum provides a deep understanding of the complex and dynamic world of accounting, preparing you for careers in public accounting in audit and tax, private accounting, governmental and not-for-profit accounting.

In addition to academic preparation, accounting faculty will encourage you to obtain valuable work experiences while you complete your accounting degree program. Work experiences range from volunteer work such as in our Edgewood sponsored VITA program–to full or part-time internships in public or private accounting — to part-time corporate or not-for-profit work experiences.

$78,000

Average annual salary for an Accountant

Projected employment growth rate, from 2022-2032

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Students and graduates of the MSA program lead positive growth in a variety of fields throughout Wisconsin and in some of the top companies in Madison. Sample careers include:

Owner & CEO, Capital Accounting and Tax
Senior Auditor, CUNA Mutual Group
Accountant, MCD, Inc
Tax Staff, Plante Moran
Owner & CEO, Wilson Financial
Senior Accountant, UW Credit Union
Office Auditor, Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Director of Finance and Operations, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Senior Financial Analyst, A.O. Smith
Senior Accountant, BDO
Financial Office Manager, Linville Architects
Staff Accountant, Culver Franchising System, Inc.
Auditor, Schenck CPAs

Accountancy Student Spotlight

Elizabeth Heins-Van der Weide

MSA, Staff Accountant, Wegner CPAs

“Edgewood College allowed me the opportunity to retool for an accounting career… and worked with me to help achieve my goals. When I decided to return to school, through the Adult College Completion and then the M.S. programs, I was guided in both course selection and course projects relevant to achieving my career goals. I was challenged and encouraged in ways that allowed me to transition from student to accountant, knowing I was well prepared for my new career.”

Featured Courses in Accountancy

BUS 616 – Business Ethics

This interdisciplinary course explores and implements the critical thinking and managerial and ethical decision-making skills necessary for developing ethical organizations and an ethical society. The objective of this course is to design ethical organizations and create organizations of high integrity. Students explore real-life ethical dilemmas and benchmark their organization’s performance with the best practices in business ethics.

BUS 727 – Governmental & Not-For-Profit Accounting

A study of advanced accounting topics including accounting for governments and not-for-profit organizations. Topics include the analysis of organizational structure, strategy decision-making and reporting. Practical application includes governmental CAFRs and not-for-profit financial and tax compliance reporting.

BUS 756 – Fraud & Forensic Accounting

Detecting and deterring occupational fraud are key elements of an organization’s risk management plan. Topics included in this course include the impact of fraud on auditing and financial reporting, the recognition of weaknesses in business processes and control systems, the measures organizations can take to prevent fraud, and the ways allegations of fraud should be investigated and resolved.

Explore All Courses For This Program

Program Highlights

30 credits
Flexible face-to-face format with online options designed for working adults
Finish in 1 year on full-time schedule or in 2-3 years part-time
Fall, Spring or Summer semester start dates
Build expertise for a career in the private, public, or not-for-profit sector
Taught by accessible faculty with exceptional practitioner experience
Learn skills that you can take back to workplace immediately
Receive superior student advising and career counseling from staff committed to your success
Interact with the local community through participation in the annual accounting dinner, annual career fair, tours of area accounting firms, attendance at Accounting Club events, and through opportunities in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
Receive a discount to the leading CPA review program in the country (Becker CPA Review) through our business partnership

Accounting Faculty Spotlights

Victoria Palmisano

Associate Dean for Business, Communications, and Innovation / Assistant Professor, Department of Business

VPalmisano@edgewood.edu

Jacob Gill

Director of Accounting Programs/ Senior Lecturer

JGill@edgewood.edu

Raj Kamal

Senior Lecturer

RaKamal@edgewood.edu

Leigh Maxwell

Associate Professor

LMaxwell@edgewood.edu

Ken Kavajecz

Professor

KKavajecz@edgewood.edu

Xiaodong Kuang

Associate Professor

XKuang@edgewood.edu

Annette Mondry

Senior Lecturer

AMondry@edgewood.edu

View All Faculty

Accreditation

Edgewood College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  The Masters of Science in Accountancy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Students are, at the culmination of the program eligible to sit for the CPA examination for the state of Wisconsin. Each state has their own specific regulations/requirements, but the Wisconsin licensure is transferable to all states except Massachusetts, which has additional requirements.

In order to meet the requirements of the State of Kansas, students should complete the Business Analysis and Reporting concentration. Students will also be required to show evidence of completion of an upper-level Economics course.

In order to meet the requirements of the State of West Virginia, students must have completed a minimum of 27 credit hours of Business coursework beyond the requirements of the MSA Degree.

Students seeking to sit the CPA examination in the State of Nevada who have not completed a prior degree in Business or Accounting should check with the State Licensure Board to determine additional course needs.

Advance Your Degree

Achieve both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting within 5 years from Edgewood College. Upon completing the Bachelor’s in Accounting program, you can pursue an additional 30 credits through our Master of Accountancy program, complete it in just one year. Graduate with an advanced degree, the necessary credits to quality for taking the CPA exam in the state of Wisconsin, and the confidence that you have elevated your career prospects to new heights, positioning yourself as a highly qualified and competitive professional in the field of accounting.