masters of accounting in georgia

Georgia is known for its:

  • delicious soul food
  • thriving arts and entertainment scene in Atlanta
  • exquisite southern culture and charm

The State is also home to some of the nation’s best accredited accounting degree programs. A career in the accounting field can be extremely lucrative for someone who enjoys working numbers. Here you can solve complex financial and accounting problems for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Here is an overview of some of Georgia’s accounting programs along with ways of how to find out more information about these different schools and programs. To see more accredited accounting degree programs in Georgia, visit Master of Accounting Degree Programs in Georgia (A-J).

Kennesaw State University

Coles College of Business

The Michael J. Coles College of Business is Kennesaw State University’s premier business school. The School is made up of:

  • the School of Accountancy
  • the Department of Economics
  • Finance & Quantitative Analysis
  • the Department of Manager & Entrepreneurship
  • the Department of Marketing & Professional Sales
  • the Department of Information Systems

The school was established in 1983. Coles College is the 2nd largest b-school in the state of Georgia. KSU is the 3rd largest university in the state with nearly 24,000 students

Master of Accounting

The Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program is a professional graduate degree designed to help individuals meet the challenges of a career in accounting, whether:

  • public
  • private
  • governmental

The School of Accountancy at Kennesaw State University is home to the largest accounting program in Georgia and offers excellence in accounting education. The Master of Accounting program is delivered in an accelerated, one-year format. Students complete the program electing one of two specializations:

  • Financial Reporting
  • Auditing or Taxation.

Accreditations

  • AACSB International
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contacts
Burruss Building, KSU Main Campus
1000 Chastain Road, Building 33
Kennesaw, GA 30144
mwill321@kennesaw.edu
http://coles.kennesaw.edu/departments_faculty/accounting.htm

Mercer University Atlanta

Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics

At Mercer University’s Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics, students learn leadership in business at a school recognized for excellence. Mercer Business holds accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). It’s among the top 25 percent of all business schools in the world. For 2011, the Princeton Review recognized Mercer Business as No. 3 for “Greatest Opportunity for Women” and one of its “Best 300 Business Schools.” Mercer Business also is recognized among the top 15 schools in the nation for marketing and accounting by MBA students.

Master of Accountancy

Mercer’s Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree is offered on the Atlanta campus. It’s designed to prepare students for careers in accounting. Students have the option to pursue the degree in an accelerated, one-year format or part-time. It provides an in-depth study in the basic areas of accounting. The program’s electives allow students to specialize in one of two areas:

  • Public accounting (including tax and financial accounting)
  • International accounting (relevant to public and private accounting)

The program is taught by faculty with relevant professional experience. It’s taught in a small class setting providing students greater support in their coursework and professional development throughout the program. Students also gain real-world business accounting experience through internships and assistance with job placement opportunities.

Dual MBA/MAcc

This professional degree for qualified students is intended for those who see career advantages in preparing for the management of human, material, and financial resources. They will also prepare for opportunities in public or private accounting. The Dual MBA/MAcc degree meets the course requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA exam, and for CPA licensure in the State of Georgia.The program requires 48-69 credit hours of graduate course work in both the MBA and MAcc curricula. This is compared to as many as 90 hours if the degrees were earned separately. Therefore students minimize the time and investment to earn both degrees. Upon completion, the MBA and MAcc degrees are concurrently awarded.

Accreditations

  • AACSB International
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contacts
Cecil B. Day Graduate and Professional Campus
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Business.Admissions@mercer.edu
678-547-6300
http://business.mercer.edu/programs/macc/

Southern Polytechnic State University

The School of Engineering Technology and Management

Master of Science in Accounting

The MSA program is a 30 hour, 10 course program. Within each 16 week semester, the MSA program divides each semester into 2 eight week sessions. Two courses are available each session. This allows a student to:

  • take four courses per semester
  • complete the program with the remaining 2 courses in the 8 week summer session

MBA in Accounting

The MBA program at SPSU offers you a dynamic curriculum. It’s responsive to changing international, economic, social, political, and regulatory environments concentrations in:

There are small classes where students are more than just a number. There are  flexible delivery of courses – evenings, weekends, hybrid (partly online), and some fully-online. There is also:

  •  exposure to diverse students and faculty from around the world
  • international partner universities in China and Germany
  • completion of the 12 MBA courses on a part-time basis (2 courses per semester) in two years
  • convenient transition courses that cover the business prerequisites for the MBA.

Accreditations

  • AACSB International
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP

Contacts
SPSU School of Engineering Technology & Management
1100 South Marietta Pkwy
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: 678-915-7439
http://www.spsu.edu/business/ms_accounting/

University of Georgia

Terry College of Business

The C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business is at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. The Terry College is the flagship business school in the state of Georgia. It’s one of 17 schools and colleges at the oldest state-chartered public university in the country.

It’s consistently ranked among the nation’s top business schools. The Terry College is home to two top 10 programs:

  • risk management insurance
  • real estate

All programs are accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The Terry College MBA Program is often recognized as a top graduate business program. The Terry MBA is offered as:

  • a full-time degree on campus in Athens
  • an MBA for working professionals in Gwinnett County and in the Buckhead district of Atlanta
  • an Executive MBA in Buckhead

According to U.S. News & World Report (2015), the Terry MBA’s ranking is 23rd among U.S. public institutions.

Master of Accountancy

The Master of Accountancy program consistently ranks in the top 12 in the nation and for good reason. The program educates some of the best financial experts in the field. The in-depth knowledge and technical focus of the rigorous curriculum is unmatched. The school’s graduates are highly recruited. While the school provides the standard post-baccalaureate MAcc program, it also offers a five year BBA/MAcc program designed for current undergraduate accounting students at UGA.

  • AACSB International
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP

Contacts
Terry College of Business
Brooks Hall
310 Herty Drive
Athens, GA 30602-6269
http://www.terry.uga.edu/macc

University of West Georgia

Richards College of Business

The Department of Accounting and Finance provides quality student learning in a personal environment. Excellence in student learning and professional development activities complement each other. Professors enhance and update their course  through research and professional development activities. Faculty members keep their knowledge current through interaction with the professional community. Department members are also engaged in service to the institution through involvement in:

  • the University
  • Richards College of Business
  • Departmental committees

Master of Professional Accountancy

The MPAcc program provides students with a high quality education. It prepares them for careers in:

  • corporate accounting
  • public accounting
  • for entrance into doctoral programs in business and accounting

MPAcc students  gain technical accounting proficiency. They also prepare to enter the fast-paced business world. Ethics and technology as well as oral and written skills are incorporated into every aspect of the curriculum. Completion of the MPAcc program satisfies the requirements needed to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in the state of Georgia. Combined with an undergraduate degree, the MPAcc also satisfies the educational requirements of 150 total semester hours and 30 hours of upper-level courses needed to obtain certification. Students gain the confidence and technical knowledge needed to successfully complete the outside work experience requirements.

Accreditations

  • AACSB International
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP

Contacts
1601 Maple St.,
Carrollton, GA 30118
Dr. Hope Udombon
Academic Advisor
678-839-5355
hudombon@westga.edu
http://www.westga.edu/accfin/

Salaries are extremely high for those who earn their CPA certification. According to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, certified public accountants made over $60,000 in 2014. Consulting firms, large multinational corporations and other industry titans need certified public accountants. Salaries obviously will vary based on:

  • geographic location
  • years of experience
  • education level
  • size of organization or company
  • overall demand

Cities with the strongest demand for certified public accountants include:

  • New York City
  • Los Angeles, Chicago
  • Philadelphia

Healthcare organizations and Information Technology firms also have a strong need for certified public accountants as well. If you are looking for a top notch accounting program in the state of Georgia, this guide should help you find the best accredited accounting degree programs.

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