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Master of Accounting
Launch a new career in accounting or level up your current position
The image of the so-called bean counter is not only obsolete, it’s inaccurate: accounting is a multifaceted, service-forward discipline that helps people and organizations use financial information to make better decisions. And there’s no better time than right now, when information plays such a crucial role in our lives—how it is organized, who does or doesn’t have it, and how it can be deployed. Today’s accounting professionals have a unique opportunity to serve the financial interests of businesses, government and law enforcement agencies, nonprofits and individuals.
Whether you want to pursue a new career in accounting or reimagine your current role, the Master of Accounting program is an open door to diverse and challenging career paths. Choose between a General concentration or Forensic Accounting—an increasingly high-demand specialty based in fraud analysis and investigation. Career changers and students new to the field will learn foundational accounting principles from an applied, real-world perspective. And all students will work with dedicated, professional faculty to explore core topics in accounting practice and theory, including: auditing, tax planning, cost and managerial accounting, information systems, financial reporting and analysis, and ethics.
The Master of Accounting at Norwich University. Start here and go wherever you want.
Degree
- Master of Accounting
Concentrations
- General (no concentration chosen)
- Forensic Accounting
Quick Info
100%
Online
Courses completed entirely online
15
Students
Maximum number per class
15-21
Months
Average time to program completion
7
September
First start date
10
August
Application deadline
Why Norwich
- Learn from expert faculty members dedicated to your success, who provide one-on-one feedback, guidance, and a personal learning experience.
- Apply for one of four start dates.
- Benefit from a university recognized for academic excellence. U.S. News & World Report ranks Norwich University in the Top 100 for Regional Universities in the North (rankings based on undergraduate programs).
Accreditation and Recognition
Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
Scholarship Opportunities
Norwich University offers a range of opportunities to help you lower your overall tuition costs. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about the below options. Please note that scholarships are not additive. In addition to the below scholarships, students may also be eligible for discounts if their organization partners with Norwich University.
Achievement Scholarship
Recognizing your past academic and professional achievements, the Achievement Scholarship is for newly enrolled students. You could receive a $4,200 scholarship, which will be distributed equally over the courses of the program. To be considered for this scholarship opportunity, submit your application package (application form, resume, letter of intent, and essay (if applicable)) for your program of interest at least one week prior to the upcoming application deadline. The Scholarship Selection Committee will review all application materials and select the recipient.
Norwich Alumni Scholarship
Norwich University alumni and their spouses, parents, and children are eligible to receive our Alumni Scholarship. The scholarship is award for each term of enrollment at $425 per term.
Active Duty Military Scholarship
Active duty, National Guard, and Reserve personnel are eligible to receive a $250 award for each term of enrollment in an online master’s degree program.
Accounting Curriculum
Accounting Curriculum
Position yourself for career advancement and success through multiple pathways
The online Master of Accounting includes a Forensic Accounting concentration, or student may take the general path with no concentration chosen. Both feature two course tracks – Advanced Track and Full Track – based on educational experience.
Add education to your experience
The Advanced Standing Track is designed for career enhancers: students with an undergraduate degree in accounting, or who have professional experience with accounting, are eligible for advanced standing status.
The Advanced Standing Track offers an abbreviated timeline that proceeds directly into upper level coursework for students already working in the field.
Students entering through our Advanced Standing Track must complete 10 total courses — including six core courses and four concentration courses — for a total of 30 credits. You can complete advanced coursework in as few as 15 months.
No accounting background? No problem!
The Full Track is designed to accommodate the needs of career changers and others who are new to accounting or students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-business bachelor’s field. Students entering through our Full Track must complete 14 total courses — including four foundational courses, six core courses, and four concentration courses — for a total of 42 credits. You can complete Full Track coursework in as few as 21 months.
For applicants that do not have hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business, Norwich offers preparatory courses that are designed to prepare students for the Master of Accounting coursework. Preparatory courses available include finance, economics, and statistics. Students must satisfactorily pass the preparatory course(s) in order to be admitted into the accounting degree program. Preparatory courses do not satisfy degree requirements. Speak with your admissions advisor to learn more.
Both the Full Track and Advanced Standing Track are designed from a real-world perspective and help to fulfill the 150 hours required to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination, in addition to meeting criteria for the CMA certification exam. If you are interested in using the Master of Accounting program to be qualified to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and you do not hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business, you will need to complete a minimum of 24 undergraduate credits in business prior to completing the Master of Accounting program.
In addition, coursework emphasizes the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to interpret or produce financial statements for various types of organizations.
Our graduates can gain the ability to:
- Understand the ethics of accounting on a personal, business, company, and international scope.
- Demonstrate ethical knowledge of accounting practices adopted by professional accounting organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
- Utilize Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to interpret or produce financial statements for various types of organizations.
- Perform advanced management accounting issues including cost behavior, activity-based costing, budgeting, pricing, cost management, capital investment, and inventory management.
- Understand taxation as it applies to sole proprietorships, C and S corporations, partnerships, limited liability entities, and fiduciaries (based an advanced study).
- Examine accounting theory within the context of policy setting and financial reporting.
- Analyze, evaluate, and organize financial data to facilitate managerial decision-making.
- Conduct in-depth analyses of an organization's financial information and provide written assessments of results.
Foundation Courses (Full Track Only)
The following courses are taken by students entering the full track only.
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Introduction to Accounting Concepts and PracticesAC500 3 credit hours
This course provides an introduction to basic financial and managerial accounting concepts and practices. The course examines the role of accounting in producing information to support stakeholder decisions. Topics include transaction analysis and the accounting cycle, preparation and analysis of the financial statements. The course introduces several managerial accounting topics, such as cost definitions and behaviors, product costing and budgeting.
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Intermediate Financial Accounting IAC501 3 credit hours
This course provides further review of financial accounting topics introduced in AC500. The course discusses the development and structure of financial accounting theory. Additional topics include a more in-depth review of the accounting cycle, the balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows and revenue recognition. An introduction to time value of money concepts as well as MS Excel applications in accounting is provided.
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Intermediate Financial Accounting IIAC502 3 credit hours
This course focuses on entities that prepare financial statements, guided by principles of financial reporting practices and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These standards adhere to global practices and standards as well. To increase student knowledge and skills concerning these standards, the course begins with expanded explanations of income statements and balance sheets. As the course progresses, students will learn more complex accounting skills and applications such as leases, postretirement benefits and accounting for income taxes. The course includes advanced applications for the statement of cash flows.
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Federal Income TaxationAC503 3 credit hours
This course provides an introduction to general theory and fundamentals of federal income taxes as applied to individuals with an emphasis on individuals engaged in business activities. In addition, a brief review of tax laws applicable to business entities such as partnerships, S-Corporations, LLC, and corporations will be provided.
Core Courses
The following courses are completed by all students. Upon completion of the core courses, students enter the concentration of choice or take the general pathway.
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Tax Planning and ResearchAC510 3 credit hours
This course will prepare students to engage in tax planning and research activities. Students will utilize the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, rulings, and interpretations to research topics related to individuals and entities. Students will also focus on communicating results.
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Contemporary Auditing Theory and PracticeAC511 3 credit hours
This course provides an in-depth study of auditing and other assurance services and rules for engagement. The course will review legal, regulatory, and other requirements imposed on the accounting profession. In addition, the course examines the auditing process, including risk assessment, gathering evidence, sampling as well as auditor communication and reporting.
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Advanced Cost and Managerial AccountingAC512 3 credit hours
This course examines the compilation and use of information to support management decisions. The course examines cost definitions, classifications, and behaviors. Topics examined in this course include product costing, activity-based costing, budgeting, pricing, incremental analysis, capital budgeting and other decision costing.
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Accounting Information Systems and ControlAC514 3 credit hours
This course provides an examination of the use of information systems in the accounting process, with an emphasis on the design, implementation, operation, control, security, and audit of such systems.
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Ethics and Professional Responsibilities for AccountantsAC515 3 credit hours
The course will discuss the relationship of ethical reasoning, objectivity, independence, and other core values into the development of the professional accountant. The course will review the ethical standards of the profession as issued by the AICPA and other regulatory bodies. The course will explore ways to integrate ethical behavior into professional life.
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Advanced Financial Accounting, Reporting and AnalysisAC522 3 credit hours
The course examines selected topics in advanced financial accounting theory and applications. Topics include business combinations, interim reporting, and partnership accounting. The course reviews financial statement disclosure practices under US GAAP with an emphasis on how management choices affect the quality of earnings and financial position and overall financial statement analysis.
General Path Courses
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Development of Financial Accounting ThoughtAC513 3 credit hours
This course examines contemporary financial reporting issues in terms of the institutional, ethical, and regulatory environment and provides a framework for exercising judgment when literature provides no direct prescription for correct reporting. The course provides students the opportunity to identify, organize and integrate diverse sources of information to reach a conclusion or make a decision, and to analyze accounting issues by reviewing information and data.
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Accounting and Reporting for Governmental and Not-For-Profit EntitiesAC521 3 credit hours
The course examines accounting and reporting standards for governmental and non-profit entities. The course will specifically address how generally accepted accounting principles are applied to state and local governments and other non-governmental not-for-profit organizations. Other topics include fund accounting, the creation and use of non-financial performance measures and governmental auditing standards and reports.
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Contemporary Topics in AccountingAC523 3 credit hours
This course will explore various current issues in accounting and auditing. Topics that may be discussed include international accounting, forensic accounting, sustainability accounting, accounting for cryptocurrency and Block-chain transactions.
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Data Analytics and Communications for AccountantsAC532 3 credit hours
This course provides an understanding of data analytic terminology and structure as well as use of available technologies. In addition, the course will review the foundations of communications in business accounting. Students will demonstrate effective business writing principles, prepare documents and presentations that are concise and accurate and supportive of the subject matter and the conclusions drawn. The course will include an intensive writing component.
Forensic Accounting Concentration
Those interested in specific career paths such as law enforcement or government service may be interested in the Forensic Accounting concentration, which provides students with practical, applicable knowledge to succeed in this specialized area. Skills include fraud investigation, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies, contract disputes, and other complex financial topics.
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Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination IAC530 3 credit hours
This course discusses the skills need to the forensic accountant including investigation, dispute resolution, and litigation support. Emphasis is placed on theories, practice and methods of fraud prevention and detection. Interviewing techniques are discussed. The course provides an overview of the legal environment relevant to forensic investigations. Cases will be used throughout this course.
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Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination IIAC531 3 credit hours
The course is a continuation of AC530. This course examines occupational abuse and other specialized areas of fraud. Other forensic accounting services, such as cybercrime and business valuations and dispute resolutions, such as bankruptcy and divorce are examined.
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Computer Forensic Investigations IAC534 3 credit hours
This course focuses on various tools and techniques used to investigate digital incidents whether in a civil or criminal environment. Information assurance professionals are expected to have a broad understanding of digital incidents, their management, investigation and analysis.
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Computer Forensic Investigations IIAC535 3 credit hours
This course builds on the materials issues and practices covered in AC534.
Admissions
At a Glance
- No GMAT or GRE required
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or better preferred
Next Start Date
Monday, March 6, 2023
Application Deadline
Monday, February 6, 2023
Contact Admissions
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT
Extended hours available by appointment
Call: 1-802-962-4330
Email: onlineadmissions@norwich.edu
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Transfer CreditsA maximum of nine graduate credits is transferable to this program. Transfer credits only are awarded for seminars that cover the same subject areas as a Norwich Master of Accounting seminar and are less than ten years old. -
International AdmissionsNorwich University welcomes students from all countries who want to study through our online programs. You must complete all the steps in the admission process. -
Norwich Alumni BenefitsReconnect with Norwich to complete your master's degree. As apart of our alumni community, you are eligible for a $2,500 scholarship and other benefits.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Norwich University, in compliance with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.
Tuition & Fees
About
Norwich’s online Master of Accounting provides a top-notch educational experience. We work hard to help make it affordable. Financial aid and several strategies can help finance your education. Norwich is committed to making this often-difficult process easier for you.
Tuition at a Glance
- Credit Hours: 42 (Full Track); 30 (Advanced Standing Track)
- Cost Per Credit Hour: $850
Financial Aid Resources
Ways to Pay
Do You Qualify for a Tuition Discount?
We Accept Military Benefits
2021-22 Tuition and Fee Schedule
| Rate Per Credit |
Term
Tuition |
Additional Expenses | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$850
|
$5,100
|
|
$27,525 (advanced track); $37,725 (full track)
|
Careers & Outcomes
The demand for accountants and auditors is projected to add 140,000 new positions to the job market by 2026. As accountants from the baby boomer generation retire, the supply of younger accountants entering the field isn’t enough to keep pace.* This creates greater opportunity for those seeking career advancement or enhancement. Professionals in the field earn a median salary of $70,500, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Graduates of the program can obtain accounting skills crucial to individuals in the public and corporate setting, with positions as:
- Auditors
- Financial Planners
- Financial Managers
- Accountants
- Budget Managers
- Budget Directors
- C-level positions (i.e. CFO)
*Norwich University's Master of Accounting (MAcc) program extends student's knowledge of accounting theory, research, and practice, and offers the opportunity for significant educational credits towards various states' licensure requirements. It may lead some students to pursue a CPA license. Given the diverse educational backgrounds of our students and the variety of state laws governing CPA licensure, Norwich University has not determined whether its educational program is sufficient to meet the educational licensure requirements in every location in the United States. Additionally, further coursework, experience, fieldwork, or background checks may be necessary. Please review our Professional Licensure Disclosure.
**Accounting Today
Faculty & Staff
Academic Director
Linda A. Ratsep, MCE, MBA, PE
Linda Ratsep is the Program Coordinator for the Master of Civil Engineering (MCE) program. She earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire; an MBA from Drexel University; and an MCE from Villanova University. Linda has been continually involved in the MCE program since 2005 as Course Developer, Senior Instructor, and Academic Associate Program Director prior to appointment as Program Coordinator in 2016. Linda is a registered professional engineer and member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
In 1995, Linda co-founded The Ratsep Group, Inc., an environmental science and civil engineering consulting firm in Pennsylvania. As a practicing civil engineer she has designed and managed hundreds of projects involving site development design for residential, commercial, industrial, airport, and recreational facilities; stream/stream corridor, wetland, and watershed studies and assessments; storm water management design; municipal engineering reviews; airport engineering design; and expert witness testimony. Her projects involve the development and utilization of project-specific Geographic information Systems (GIS) technologies and the creation of 3-D visualizations and advanced civil engineering software applications for unique project needs.
Program Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
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