Masters of Science in AccountancyHenry Predolin School
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.
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
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
MSA, Staff Accountant, Wegner CPAs
Elizabeth Heins-Van der Weide
“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
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.
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
Associate Dean for Business, Communications, and Innovation / Assistant Professor, Department of Business
Victoria Palmisano
VPalmisano@edgewood.edu
![Jacob Gill](https://www.edgewood.edu/wp-content/uploads/Jacob-Gill_600x600.jpg)
Director of Accounting Programs/ Senior Lecturer
Jacob Gill
JGill@edgewood.edu
Professor
Ken Kavajecz
KKavajecz@edgewood.edu
![Leigh Maxwell](https://www.edgewood.edu/wp-content/uploads/Leigh-Maxwell_600x600.jpg)
Associate Professor
Leigh Maxwell
LMaxwell@edgewood.edu
Associate Professor
Xiaodong Kuang
XKuang@edgewood.edu
Associate Professor
Daniel Schroeder
DSchroeder@edgewood.edu
![raj kamal](https://www.edgewood.edu/wp-content/uploads/raj-kamal-600x600.jpg)
Senior Lecturer
Raj Kamal
RaKamal@edgewood.edu
Senior Lecturer
Annette Mondry
AMondry@edgewood.edu
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).
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.
Related Programs
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On-campus
Bachelor of Science in Business -
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On-campus
Bachelor of Science in Accounting