If you’re searching for accredited accounting degree programs in Montana, you’ll be happy to learn that there are two prestige master’s-level degrees offered to fulfill CPA requirements. In the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Montana is our nation’s fourth largest state with two public university systems, three private colleges, and seven tribal colleges. Although Montana has the third lowest population density in America, it has a thriving economy with high-performing lumber, mineral extraction, microbrewing, agriculture, and tourism industries. There’s currently 3,030 accountants employed in Montana earning an annual mean salary of $61,100, but employment is expected to grow slightly faster than average by 13% over the next decade. When you attend either of the following AACSB-approved master’s in accounting programs, the sky’s the limit for your professional career in “Big Sky Country.”

Montana State University

Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship

As a flagship comprehensive public land-grant research institution, Montana State University serves more than 21,000 students annually from its main 1,170-acre urban campus in the lively college town of Bozeman as well as its satellite locations in Billings, Havre, and Great Falls. Since its inception in 1893, MSU has grown dramatically to become one of the top 150 universities in America according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). With full accreditation from the elite AACSB International, the Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship is dedicated to providing students with opportunities for experiential learning and professional career coaching to enhance long-term business success.

Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc)

Featuring a historically above-average CPA pass rate, the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) program is housed in Montana State’s JJCBE to prepare graduate students with a fifth year of education for professional accounting practice. Building on the broad business education at the undergraduate level, the program delves deeper into advanced topics on financial accounting, taxation, business law, auditing, and managerial accounting. Not only are graduates qualified for joining the AICPA, but they’re also recruited on-campus by accounting firms and corporations across the western United States. CPA exam prep courses are automatically included within the 30-credit curriculum. High-achieving students can join the MSU Beta Alpha Psi chapter, which has maintained the distinction of Superior Chapter for 12 years.

Accreditations

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

451 Reid Hall
P.O. Box 173040
Bozeman, MT 59717
(406) 994-4423
busgrad@montana.edu
http://www.montana.edu/business/accounting/MPAc/

University of Montana

School of Business Administration

Nestled on a scenic 220-acre urban campus in the college town of Missoula along the Clark Fork River between the Glacier and Yellowstone Parks, the University of Montana is a major public state-supported research institution educating more than 14,900 students. Placed among America’s top 10 colleges for academic quality and outdoor recreation in Outside magazine, UM is ranked the 194th best university, 110th top public school, and 69th best college for veterans in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. First founded in 1918, the School of Business Administration is UM’s largest professional division offering enriching academic experiences for learning the fundamentals of business.

Master of Accountancy (MAcct)

As one of a few master’s-level accounting programs to hold separate AACSB accreditation in the Northwest, the Master of Accountancy (MAcct) at UM has a proven track record for giving students the essential breadth and depth of knowledge to excel in professional accounting. Students can finish the 30-credit program quickly by beginning in the summer session and finishing the following summer. Boasting small class sizes under 30 students, the program offers diversified electives ranging from business valuation and sustainability to entrepreneurship and data analytics. The certified accounting faculty has an open door policy, which allows for plentiful individualized attention and personalized advising. Accounting majors also have the option to study abroad in their final semester to places like Italy, Germany, Romania, China, Australia, and New Zealand.

Accreditations

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-2064
dawn.hambrick@umontana.edu
http://www.business.umt.edu/programs/graduate/macct-program/default.php

Like many other states nationwide, Montana mandates that professionals must have at least 150 semester hours in higher education, including at least 24 semester hours in upper-division accounting, to be granted the CPA credential. Becoming a Certified Public Accountant is a smart move for obtaining a higher salary, better career security, increased job satisfaction, respect in the field, and more opportunities for advancement to leadership. CPAs are multi-talented professionals who can soar into jobs as an accounting supervisor, senior management accountant, tax manager, controller, audit committee chair, and even Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Make certain your accounting career won’t stagnate by checking out these accredited accounting degree programs in Montana and unleashing your full professional potential.

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