In order to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Alabama, individuals must have completed a 150-credit hour program of accounting studies which an accredited master of accounting degree program in Alabama provides. Bachelor’s degree programs are normally 120-credit programs which do not meet the requirement to sit for the CPA exam in the state.

Accountant positions are growing rapidly as there are more restrictions placed on businesses as far as reporting expenses and income. In 2016, there were 15,360 accountants in the state earning an average of $67,750 per year. A master of accounting degree program in Alabama also qualifies individuals for other types of financial degrees including auditors, appraisers, budget analysts, credit analysts and personal financial advisers.

Throughout the United States, the job outlook for auditors is expected to increase over the next ten years by 11 percent, higher than many other types of positions. The growth of the accounting industry is connected to the financial health of the country, although when the economy is not doing well, there is still a need for people who understand the requirements of reporting income and expenses both for businesses and individuals.

Accountants are also able to specialize in certain areas such as tax, personal or government accounting. Most accredited master’s degree programs in Alabama offer students the ability to concentrate their studies in one of these areas, creating even more job opportunities after graduation.

Auburn University

Raymond J. Harbert College of Business

Raymond J. Harbert College of Business is named for the CEO of an international investment firm who graduated from Auburn University in 1982. Because he felt that two of his professors, James Cox and John Blackstone, made a difference in his life by motivating and challenging him to work harder, Mr. Harbert committed $40 million, the largest in Auburn history and the largest received by an institute of higher learning in Alabama, for improvements to the College of Business. The university began offering business courses in 1869 when it was known as Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama. The Department of Business Administration was established in 1929. The college is dedicated to producing graduates that are in high demand in the business world and providing them with the knowledge that drives business thought and practice.

Master of Accountancy

The Master of Accountancy provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the accounting field. Students are provided research, technical and communication skills as well as extensive preparation for the Uniform CPA examination. Students who study on campus are also provided opportunities to study abroad. The program is a professional, non-thesis degree requiring 30-semester hours as well as a four and one-half day required on-campus residency. The program is available online which takes five semesters while the on-campus program can be completed in three semesters. Both programs require the on-campus residency. Courses required include:

  • Advanced Auditing & Assurance Services
  • Federal Tax Research
  • Integrated Accounting Applications
  • Research in Accounting

Students must also chose six of the following courses as electives</li>

  • Advanced Accounting Topics
  • Advanced Business Law
  • Advanced Investments
  • Advanced Management Information Systems
  • Advanced Special Topics in Taxation
  • Corporate Governance & Accounting Ethics
  • Corporation and Partnership Taxation
  • Enterprise Accounting Systems
  • Financial Analysis & Valuation
  • Fraud Examination
  • Governmental & Not-For Profit Accounting
  • Income Tax II
  • Security and Information Assurance

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Contact

Colby Lakas

MAcc Assistant

Raymond J. Harbert College of Business

405 West Magnolia Avenue

Auburn AL 36849

Telephone: 334-844-6253

Email: Colby.lakas@auburn.edu

Website: http://harbert.auburn.edu/academics/graduate/master-of-accountancy/index.php

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Collat School of Business

The Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama in Birmingham is located in the heart of Alabama’s business center. The school offers programs with an engaging learning environment and classrooms that go beyond campus. The unique location of the school allows students the opportunity for hands-on experience. The school is named for Charles and Patsy Collat in recognition of their $25 million in gifts and pledges to the school.

Master of Accounting

The Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a Master of Accounting degree that is available completely online. The program provides the tools necessary for graduates to understand the importance accounting has in the business world. Students increase their analytical, business and leadership skills in order to become leaders in the field. Courses required to complete the program include:

  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Advanced Auditing and Attestation
  • Advanced Financial Accounting
  • Business Law for Accountants
  • Corporate Governance
  • Cost Accounting
  • Current Topics in Financial Accounting
  • Financial Accounting I, II & III
  • Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
  • Income Taxation I
  • Principles of Accounting I & II
  • Tax Entities

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Contact

Christy Manning

Admissions Counselor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

1150 10th Avenue South

Birmingham AL 35205

Telephone: 205-934-8815

Website: https://www.uab.edu/business/home/degrees-certificates/master-of-accounting

University of North Alabama

College of Business

The College of Business at the University of North Alabama prepares students for career success in whatever business field they choose to enter. It is the fastest growing college at the university with both on-campus and online programs that serve more than 1,100 graduates. The Institute of Export Research and Transfer Technology as well as the Small Business Development Center are located in the College of Business. Graduates have found success in a wide range of business careers. The location of the college provides students with ample opportunities for internships which provide hands-on learning.

MBA – Accounting Concentration

The College of Business at the University of North Alabama is a 34-semester hour program designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for career sin accounting as well as other areas of business. The program fulfills the requirement to sit for the CPA examination in Alabama. Students must have a bachelor’s degree in order to apply for the program. Courses required include:

  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Advanced Accounting Theory
  • Advanced Auditing
  • Advanced Tax Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Business Combinations
  • Controllership
  • Cost Accounting
  • Decision Theory
  • Enterprise System Analysis and Design
  • Financial Management
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Fraud Analytics
  • Intermediate Accounting I & II
  • MBA Skills and Outcomes
  • Management Policy
  • Managerial Economics
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Research in Accounting
  • Tax Accounting

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Contact

Wesley Gahagan, Administrative Assistant

Department of Accounting and Business Law

Keller Hall 331

Florence AL 35632

Telephone: 256-765-4500

Email: cwgahagan@una.edu

Website: https://ww.una.edu/business/departments-majors/accounting-business-law/mba-accounting.html

For those who wish to advance in a current career or move into a new career, accredited master of accounting programs in Alabama are one of the best ways to achieve that goal. With many of the accredited master of accounting programs in Alabama offered in online formats, it is possible for those with work, family or social obligations to achieve their higher educational goal through those flexible delivery formats.