Overview
Earning a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree not only expands a student's education and job options, it amplifies earning potential and career advancement. On average, over 90 percent of graduates secure a job by graduation. From coast to coast, in every major metropolitan area of the country, even the world, KU MAcc graduates find success.
For students who have never considered accounting, a MAcc can be an excellent gateway into a career they're passionate about through a route they never thought to explore. The MAcc program welcomes students from many different backgrounds who are looking to enhance their professional options.
The KU MAcc program is designed as a full-time, in-person program. It offers a challenging curriculum, acclaimed faculty and opportunities for experiential learning that provide a comprehensive graduate program. The University of Kansas School of Business is accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). Not only is the School of Business as a whole AACSB-accredited, but the accounting program also holds the distinction.
Less than 5 percent of the 15,000 business programs worldwide earn an AACSB accreditation, and even fewer programs are dually accredited. Attending an AACSB-accredited program ensures students receive relevant coursework taught by highly qualified faculty who are working on the most current issues in the profession.
Baccalaureate Preparation
The Master of Accounting program offers a 30 credit hour degree for students with baccalaureate degrees in accounting equivalent to that required for accreditation by the AACSB and whose undergraduate academic records, scores on required standardized examinations, and/or prior work experience indicate that they have the capability to complete the program. Deficiencies in the undergraduate program result in additional hours being required for the degree.
Admission to the Master of Accounting Program
Standard Admission Requirements for all Graduate Programs
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Additional Program Requirements
- Transcripts: All Non-KU graduates must submit OFFICIAL paper or electronic transcripts as part of the application process. KU students may upload a copy of their “KU Advising Report” in lieu of an official transcript.
- The score from the applicant’s Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), if applicable. Applicants from schools other than the University of Kansas can contact the MAcc office to verify whether they are required to submit GMAT scores.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Pledge to support the Honor System of the School of Business.
- Current Resume.
- Three essays.
- $65 application fee ($85 for international students).
Completed applications are reviewed by committee, and action is taken on them periodically throughout the year. Admission to the program is limited on the basis of space, facilities, faculty, and other resources. Each applicant is notified by letter of the action taken on his or her application.
Graduate applications are submitted online. For detailed application steps and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the Getting Admitted section of our program website.
All admissions to any graduate program in business are subject to and in accordance with all rules and regulations. See Admission in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog for more information.
Curriculum
The Master of Accounting program offers five different concentrations of coursework, allowing students to specialize in assurance, tax, advisory/consulting services, corporate accounting or information systems and controls. Each concentration requires a total of 30 credit hours, 15 required credit hours and 15 elective credit hours. Students with a non-accounting undergraduate degree will take an additional set of classes prior to their concentration coursework.
See the Curriculum page of our website for more detailed concentration information.
Contact Information
For more information about the KU Master of Accounting programs, please see our website or email kuaccounting@ku.edu.
Assurance (Audit)
The Assurance (Audit) concentration curriculum prepares students for a career in external audit at public accounting firms. External auditors examine financial records and assess internal controls to ensure a company's financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Students in the Assurance (Audit) concentration are required to take the following five courses:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ACCT 545 | Advanced Taxation | 3 |
| ACCT 724 | Accounting Theory | 3 |
| ACCT 742 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 743 | Accounting Information System Risks and Controls | 3 |
| ACCT 746 | Accounting Technology and Analytics | 3 |
Tax
The Tax concentration curriculum prepares students to meet the demands of a career in taxation, including positions in public accounting or corporate tax. There are many opportunities to specialize as a tax professional, including state and local tax, international tax, transfer pricing and estate and trust planning.
Students in the Tax concentration are required to take the following five courses:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ACCT 545 | Advanced Taxation | 3 |
| ACCT 731 | Tax Practice, Procedure, and Research | 3 |
| ACCT 734 | Multijurisdictional Tax and Planning | 3 |
| ACCT 735 | Income Tax Accounting and Compliance | 3 |
| ACCT 736 | Advanced Taxation of Business Entities II | 3 |
Advisory/Consulting Services
The Advisory/Consulting Services concentration curriculum helps students develop the skills necessary to become successful advisors in a complex and diverse business world. Advisory and consulting services careers vary greatly and include risk management, IT audit, performance improvement, fraud and forensics, business valuation and mergers and acquisitions.
Students in the Advisory/Consulting concentration are required to take the following five courses:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ACCT 545 | Advanced Taxation | 3 |
| ACCT 724 | Accounting Theory | 3 |
| ACCT 743 | Accounting Information System Risks and Controls | 3 |
| ACCT 746 | Accounting Technology and Analytics | 3 |
| MGMT 885 | Business Consulting | 3 |
Corporate
The Corporate concentration curriculum prepares students for a career outside of public accounting, including private industry, not-for-profit and government. Typical entry-level positions are in the areas of corporate accounting and internal audit.
Students in the Corporate concentration are required to take the following five courses:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ACCT 500 | Special Topics in Accounting: _____ | 1-5 |
| ACCT 545 | Advanced Taxation | 3 |
| ACCT 721 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 724 | Accounting Theory | 3 |
| ACCT 728 | Business Valuation and Financial Analysis | 3 |
Information Systems and Controls
The Information Systems and Controls concentration curriculum prepares students for a career in information technology (IT) audit and advisory, information security and privacy, system and organization controls (SOC) engagements, and data management and information systems.
Students in the Information Systems and Controls concentration are required to take the following five courses:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ACCT 545 | Advanced Taxation | 3 |
| ACCT 743 | Accounting Information System Risks and Controls | 3 |
| ACCT 746 | Accounting Technology and Analytics | 3 |
| IST 706 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| BSAN 735 | Data Security | 3 |
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in and understanding of financial accounting concepts.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in and understanding of audit concepts.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in and understanding of tax concepts.
- Demonstrate proficiency researching topics within the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
- Demonstrate proficiency researching topics within the Statements on Auditing Standards.
- Demonstrate proficiency researching topics within the Internal Revenue Code.
- Demonstrate in manipulating and transforming raw data into workable datasets.
- Demonstrate proficiency analyzing and interpreting data and communicating data driving insights.
- Demonstrate proficiency in written communication.
- Demonstrate proficiency in oral communication.
