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Curriculum

The one-year full-time curriculum, together with most undergraduate accounting programs, should satisfy the 150-hour educational requirement for certification and licensure as a certified public accountant (CPA) in many states. This is also the educational standard advocated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). This MS Accounting program, together with an undergraduate degree in accounting, is a licensure-qualifying “registered program” with the NYS Education Department. The M.S. in Accounting Program enhances technical training and critical thinking skills while building valuable expertise in specialized accounting areas that closely parallel the areas of practice within most CPA firms. Students will choose courses from three specialization tracks— financial accounting and assurance, internal audit and risk management, and taxation. Alternatively, students can plan a self-directed track, subject to departmental approval. The M.S. in Accounting Program is designed not only to meet the requirements of the 150-hour licensing requirement of New York State (and most other states), but to also provide a competitive advantage for students seeking professional employment for the initial position and for subsequent opportunities.
 

Fall semester:	all courses three credits unless otherwise indicated
MGA 612	Taxation of Business Entities and Their Owners
MGA 614	Advanced Auditing
MGA 621	Advanced Accounting Information Systems
MGA 623	Professional Tax Research (1.5 credit)
MGA 624	Research in Accounting and Auditing Standards (1.5 credit)
Track Course:	(one course)
MGA 635	Global Financial Reporting (Financial Accounting and Assurance track),
MGA 640	Principles of Internal Audit (Internal Audit and Risk Management tracks)
MGA 652	Tax Planning for Multi-Jurisdictional Entities (Taxation track)
Spring semester:
All students:
MGA 618 or MGA 617	Current Issues in Financial Reporting or Advanced Topics in Management Accounting
MGX XXX	Business elective or internship
Track Courses:	(three courses)
Internal Audit and Risk Management tracks
MGA 641	Advanced Topics in Internal Audit
MGA 642	Information Systems Audit
MGA 643	Fraud Detection and Prevention
Taxation track
MGA 651	Tax Planning for the Closely Held Business
MGA 653	Advanced Topics in Corporate Taxation
Financial Accounting and Assurance track
MGA 637	Financial Statement Analysis & Valuation
MGA 643	Fraud Detection and Prevention
	See complete details and course descriptions in the MBA/MS Handbook.
Course Schedules Fall 2013 [PDF] Spring 2013 [PDF]

Alumni Testimonials

"While the University at Buffalo's MS in Accounting program has a reputation of providing a high quality education in an environment that fosters personal growth and career advancement; what truly sets UB apart is the professors' dedication to their students. My experience as a Master's student has reinforced my desire to achieve a position that provides an opportunity to inspire, educate and lead. The enthusiasm and passion for excellence exhibited by UB's professors has given me the educational foundation to succeed in the field. It will be an honor to represent our University throughout my future career."
Kelly Amos, MSA '12

"Thanks to the faculty and specifically the tax classes in the UB MS in Accounting program, I was well prepared for the CPA exam. The program is the best!
Nicholas Tirone, MSA '12