MBA in accounting programs apply financial analysis and recordkeeping to inform and improve business leadership. Compared to general accounting master's programs, which focus on specialized accounting topics and skills, MBAs in accounting take a broader and more interdisciplinary approach.
Compared to a general MBA, the accounting specialization provides more skill diversification, which many MBA educators and students desire. According to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, MBA programs with specializations experienced nearly 50% more enrollment growth in 2021 than standard MBA programs.
As more schools develop specialized MBA programs to meet the demand, picking the right program becomes more challenging. In this guide, discover unique traits of the top-ranked MBA in accounting programs, where they can lead, and how to choose the best program for your needs.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Accounting MBAs
#1 Best MBA in Accounting Programs 2024
Amberton University
- Garland, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $300
Out-of-State | $300
Credits to Graduate: 30-36
Located in Garland, Texas, the Amberton MBA in accounting program builds upon a BBA in accounting. This degree can prepare graduates to sit for the certified public accountant exam. Offered 100% online, the curriculum covers 30 credits in accounting, including ethics for accountants and tax planning and research.
Amberton offers courses in four 10-week sessions each year, allowing you to earn your degree quickly and efficiently. The university reports that about 98% of graduates say they have gained the skills necessary to solve problems in their field.
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
85%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Best MBA in Accounting Programs 2024
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Year:
In-State | $68,500
Out-of-State | $68,500
Credits to Graduate: 62
Offered through the Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt's MBA in accounting can prepare you for careers at the Big Four accounting firms. The program requires four accounting courses, which can include accounting for mergers and acquisitions, along with taxation of business and investment transactions.
Each year, Vanderbilt enrolls about 160 MBA students who have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.5. Some of the university's accounting faculty serve on the editorial boards of accounting research journals and are frequently quoted in business publications.
Percent Online Enrollment
11%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best MBA in Accounting Programs 2024
Baruch College
- New York, NY
- 4 years
- Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $612
Out-of-State | $1,188
Credits to Graduate: 67-75.5
Located in New York City, Baruch's MBA in accountancy program educates its nearly 20,000 learners just a short walk from Wall Street, a major global finance hub. Baruch serves the needs of students with undergraduate degrees in subjects other than business or accounting.
Required core courses include managerial statistics, firms and markets, and managing people and organizations. Students also take nine accounting courses and conclude their degrees with a capstone project.
Percent Online Enrollment
86%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 Best MBA in Accounting Programs 2024
Ana G. Mendez University
- Orlando, FL
- 4 years
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $495
Out-of-State | $495
Credits to Graduate: 38
With campuses across Florida, AGM offers a multi-lingual, competency-based approach to higher education. AGM's MBA with a specialization in accounting can help prepare graduates to pursue accounting management roles. Courses include corporate financial reporting, financial transactions, and contemporary assurances and audit services.
Instructional language and delivery modes depend on availability. Each applicant should hold a bachelor's degree with a 2.5 GPA or better, along with six undergraduate credits in financial accounting from an accredited college.
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#5 Best MBA in Accounting Programs 2024
California State University-Fullerton
- Fullerton, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $270
Out-of-State | $666
Credits to Graduate: 45
Enrolling almost 42,000 students, CSUF offers degrees across eight colleges in Orange County. CSUF's flexible MBA in accounting requires 24 credits of business foundation courses, 18 concentration credits, and a three-credit capstone.
Course topics include accounting theory, budgeting, auditing, and taxation in a business environment. The program takes about two years and can be completed part time or full time. Applicants should submit transcripts and GRE or GMAT scores (or apply for a testing waiver).
Percent Online Enrollment
80%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Our Ranking Methodology
Accounting.com ranks the best accounting degrees using reputable sources such as the U.S. Department of Education. We build our rankings with four main metrics in mind: academics, cost, reputation, and program availability. We also consider subfactors like retention rate, federal aid amounts, and return on investment to help you find the right program for you.
This ranking is from 2024. Learn more about our process by visiting our school rankings methodology page.
Why Get an MBA Degree in Accounting?
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Specialized Leadership Skills: An accounting specialization helps add accounting and financial expertise to your business leadership toolbelt. Your unique skill set and perspective can help make you a more effective manager and increase your earnings.
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Professional Credentials: Professional credentials like the certified public accountant (CPA) can improve your employment and earning potential. An MBA in accounting can help you meet the post-bachelor's education requirements for CPA licensure.
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Broader Employment Opportunities: An MBA in accounting expands your professional reach, opening doors in business management and accounting. You can apply your expertise in many organizations and industries in entrepreneurial, national, and global settings. An MBA can even prepare you to pursue accounting leadership positions without an extensive accounting background.
What to Expect From an Accounting MBA
An MBA in accounting typically features the same business management fundamentals as standard MBA programs but replaces some general management courses with specialized accounting classes. You'll also explore the practical applications of these accounting skills and techniques in a business management context.
The timelines and credit loads of an MBA in accounting can vary considerably but usually function similarly to MBAs without specializations. MBA programs typically feature 30-60 credits and take 1-2 years to complete. Some accounting specializations may add to your course load, but the additional classes usually replace electives.
You can shorten your program length with advanced standing, though MBA programs tend to offer fewer transfer credits than other master's programs because they are more practice-oriented and collaborative.
MBA in Accounting vs. Master's in Accounting
With multiple graduate programs available in accounting, choosing the right degree can seem challenging. To make the best decision, you need to consider your professional goals, educational background, and study interests.
The following table compares an MBA in accounting with a general master's in accounting.
Comparing an MBA and Master's in Accounting
| Key Factor |
MBA in Accounting |
Master's in Accounting |
| Program Length |
10-24 months |
10-24 months |
| Program Focus |
Develop practical leadership skills in an experiential setting |
Develop advanced accounting skills and techniques |
| Credit and Course Load |
30-60 credits |
30-60 credits |
| Types of Classes |
Accounting information systems, corporate accounting, financial decision-making |
Accounting ethics, taxation, financial statement analysis, auditing and assurance |
| Admission Requirements |
Bachelor's degree, GRE or GMAT scores, and possibly professional experience |
Bachelor's degree, GRE or GMAT scores, and possibly prerequisite accounting courses |
| Professional Outcomes |
Financial manager, business manager, financial analyst, CPA |
CPA, accounting manager, financial analyst |
| Student Demographic |
Experienced business professionals with little or no accounting background looking to increase their leadership skills |
Accounting bachelor's degree graduates working toward a professional credential and/or a management career in accounting |
There's plenty of overlap in an MBA and master's in accounting, and knowing these differences can help you make a decision. For example, you might choose a master's in accounting if you have a degree in accounting and want to advance your career in that field. You might opt for an MBA in accounting to build on your business background.
Admissions Process
The admissions process for an MBA in accounting can vary by program and school but typically requires you to submit a resume, recommendation letters, and transcripts demonstrating completion of a bachelor's degree.
Some programs have additional requirements, such as a minimum 3.0 GPA, prerequisite accounting or business courses, relevant business experience, and personal statements or essays. Since many schools have become test-optional, you may choose to submit GMAT and/or GRE scores if you feel they help your admission chances.
Once you collect and upload your application materials, you must pay an application fee, which may be free or as much as $275.
Popular Master of Business Administration Courses
Every MBA curriculum differs, but most programs follow a similar model. These programs typically include general or foundational business courses, accounting specialization classes, electives, and research or capstone project credits.
The following section highlights some common courses.
- Strategic Management: In this course, you learn to evaluate and improve an organization's operations, policies, strategies, and performances. You'll explore ways to identify and analyze organizational issues, measure effectiveness, and implement changes.
- Managerial Accounting: This class examines how professionals use accounting information to influence management decisions in various business settings. Topics may include budgeting and cost analysis, cost behaviors, and investment analysis.
- Financial Planning and Analysis: Enrollees explore the main methods and strategies for business-wide financial planning. Topics may include budgeting and forecasting, creating valuations, and financial statement analysis. Assignments require students to evaluate businesses, investment opportunities, and risks.
- Accounting Research Project: Often replacing a dissertation, an MBA research project allows you to conduct extensive research in an area of your choosing. In most cases, you'll investigate a real-world problem in accounting or financial management. While researching, you'll collect and analyze data to write and/or present your findings and conclusions.
How Much Do Accounting MBA Programs Cost?
Many factors influence tuition costs, including the school type and prestige, the program delivery method, and your location. As a result of these factors, tuition prices vary considerably. For example, a full MBA program tuition can cost less than $15,000 or more than $160,000.
On top of tuition, you have other costs to consider, including materials, insurance, and campus and facility fees. You might also have transportation expenses and out-of-state tuition costs.
Regardless of your tuition, you should always explore your financial aid options. For many students, available aid can include federal loans and grants, plus scholarships from schools, governments, and third-party organizations. Start the process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility.
You can find more details on these options in the links below.
Should You Get Your MBA in Accounting Online?
Online learning creates opportunities for people to pursue postsecondary education, particularly those who need flexible schedules to accommodate their busy work or home lives. An online graduate degree in accounting can help them remain employed by offering nontraditional class hours or an asynchronous delivery format.
You should note, however, that online programs can come with their own challenges. For example, online programs may feature less engagement, classroom interaction, and networking, something many MBA programs rely on. Online programs also require more independence and organization.
When choosing between an online and on-campus MBA in accounting, take stock of how you learn and what you want to get from the program. If you need something from both online and on-campus delivery methods, consider a hybrid program.
MBA Jobs and Salaries
An MBA in accounting can boost your career options and earnings. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, the $120,000 estimated median starting salary for MBA graduates in 2024 exceeded a master's of accounting by $45,000.
MBAs prepare you to pursue accounting and business management roles. While every employer differs, most management positions require professional experience. Here's a rundown of some of the most popular career paths after graduation.
Management accountants track and analyze financial data to gain insight into organization-wide performance. They look at expenses, budgets, and supply chains, searching for ways to save money or improve inefficiencies. While management accountants need bachelor's degrees, employers may prefer candidates who have completed graduate-level programs.
- Job Outlook (2023-33): +6%
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $79,880
These managers oversee accounting departments, manage staff, and prepare accounting reports. They also help other managers understand the organization's internal financial position and make decisions based on their findings. An accounting manager typically needs a bachelor's degree at a minimum, along with experience and advanced credentials.
- Job Outlook (2023-33): +17%
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $156,100
Top executives develop, implement, and monitor companies' operational strategies. Chief financial officers, for example, manage an organization's financial actions, identifying opportunities, correcting inefficiencies, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. A CFO needs a bachelor's degree at a minimum, but many employers prefer MBA graduates.
- Job Outlook (2023-33): +6%
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $103,840
Financial managers oversee businesses' financial decisions, including investment strategies. These managers may also analyze and report on their organizations' financial health. Employers typically require them to possess bachelor's degrees, though some may prefer master's-level candidates.
- Job Outlook (2023-33): +17%
- Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $156,100
Selecting the Right Graduate Program
Picking the right program can have a major impact on your educational experience and outcomes. When deciding on an MBA in accounting, consider the following factors:
- Accreditation: Ensure your school holds institutional accreditation, which delivers access to federal financial aid. Though not mandatory, programmatic accreditation from a respected organization can provide quality assurance as well.
- Program Length and Format: Check that the program length and format meet your learning needs and scheduling requirements. Online programs offer flexibility, but the experience differs from traditional campus programs. Fast-tracked programs can get you a degree quicker, but they also tend to be more intensive.
- Curriculum and Specializations: Scan the curriculum to see if it includes the material you're most interested in, along with the credits that will help you satisfy your professional goals.
- Location Requirements: Many MBA programs have in-person requirements, even if they occur online. If your school is far away, you may have trouble traveling to campus. Out-of-state programs may charge higher tuition, too.
Common Questions About MBAs in Accounting
Which MBA is best for accounting?
The best MBA program for accounting offers a specialization in the field. Some general MBA programs allow you to choose electives in a focused area, which can have a similar outcome as taking a formal specialization.
What does an MBA in accounting do?
An MBA in accounting prepares you to apply accounting skills and expertise to improve your business management capabilities. These programs can also lead to better career options and help you qualify for CPA licensure.
Is an MBA easier than a CPA?
An MBA is a graduate degree, whereas a CPA is a professional designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. For CPA licensure, you need to complete 150 total credits, which a bachelor's degree and an MBA in accounting can satisfy together.
Is an MBA worth it for accountants?
While an MBA can improve an accountant's employment income and opportunities, it is best suited for aspiring business leaders. For example, if you're an accountant and want to transition into a leadership position or take on more management responsibilities, an MBA can be a powerful resource.
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