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. Deficiencies in the undergraduate program result in additional hours being required for the degree.
Admission to the Master of Accounting Program
The MAcc program is open to graduates who have earned baccalaureate degrees from accredited colleges or universities 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. Admission to the program is limited on the basis of space, facilities, faculty, and other resources.
Applicants from schools other than the University of Kansas can contact the MAcc office to verify whether they are required to submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores.
All applications for admission to the MAcc program must include:
- Transcripts: 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 GMAT, if applicable.
- Proof of English proficiency, if required: Non-native English speakers must meet Graduate Studies’ English proficiency requirement.
- 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. 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 four different concentrations of coursework, allowing students to specialize in assurance, tax, advisory/consulting services or corporate accounting. 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 of Business Entities I | 3 |
| ACCT 724 | Accounting Theory | 3 |
| ACCT 742 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 743 | Accounting Information System Risks and Controls | 3 |
| ACCT 746 | Accounting 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 of Business Entities I | 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 of Business Entities I | 3 |
| ACCT 724 | Accounting Theory | 3 |
| ACCT 743 | Accounting Information System Risks and Controls | 3 |
| ACCT 746 | Accounting 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 of Business Entities I | 3 |
| ACCT 721 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 724 | Accounting Theory | 3 |
| ACCT 728 | Financial Analysis | 3 |
