M.S. in Accounting

Accelerate your career and open doors across industries in just nine months with the M.S. in Accounting Program. You’ll harness accounting and analytics to solve complex business challenges, deliver high-impact client presentations, and lead with confidence. Whether you choose the Financial Reporting & Assurance or Tax Consulting track, you’ll develop specialized expertise, build essential leadership and communication skills, and graduate with a network to open doors at the world’s most respected organizations. Along the way, you can fulfill CPA requirements and gain advanced technical skills that give you an edge in today’s data-driven marketplace.

Duration

9 months | August start

Format

Full-time

Location

Full-time, in-person

Tracks

Financial Reporting & Assurance/Tax Consulting

Prerequisites

Four courses

Designations

STEM-designated

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A top-ranked program.

Top 25 Master's in Accounting Rankings Schools with Fewer Than 17 Full-Time Accounting Faculty, Public Accounting Report, 2017

Best Master's in Accounting Programs TFE Times, 2021

#13

First-Time CPA Pass Rate [out of 758 institutions] NASBA Report, 2019

Academics

Accounting That Opens Doors

By pursuing either Financial Reporting & Assurance or Tax Consulting, you’ll gain deep technical expertise and advanced data skills that are in demand across a range of industries, from finance and consulting to technology, healthcare, and other dynamic fields. Our STEM-designated program blends analytical rigor with applied learning, preparing you to navigate, and shape, the future of business.

You’ll go beyond the numbers, mastering tools and technologies that turn data into insight, while also developing the leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills employers value. Courses in leadership, decision-making, and project management will strengthen your ability to guide teams, advise clients, and make strategic decisions in complex, multidimensional business environments.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have the opportunity to fulfill the 150-hour CPA licensure requirement in most states. Check with the board of accountancy for the specific requirements of the state in which you plan to practice.

Download M.S. in Accounting “At a Glance”

An Accelerated Path to a Variety of Career Options

Prepare for careers that span public accounting, corporate finance, consulting, government, nonprofit, and emerging industries. Your ability to interpret complex financial data, apply analytical methods, and leverage technology will position you for high-impact roles in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Build a Foundation of Highly Marketable Skills

Through case studies, applied projects, and technology-focused coursework, you’ll gain advanced proficiency in data analytics, financial modeling, and emerging accounting technologies. These skills, combined with your technical expertise, will empower you to provide strategic insights and drive value for employers across industries.

Develop Essential Soft Skills That Employers Value

Our Management Communication faculty will help you refine the interpersonal and leadership capabilities that set top professionals apart. You’ll strengthen your ability to present and clarify complex ideas, negotiate effectively, and make sound decisions, preparing you to excel from day one in your chosen career.

Explore new opportunities.

Our program goes well beyond teaching you to master accounting: You'll be prepared to excel in many aspects of business. As you develop your expertise in advanced data analytics, you'll also grow crucial executive communication and presentation skills that will make you immediately stand out to potential employers.

In addition to your in-demand portfolio of talents, you'll find that the skills and network you've developed at McIntire will set you up for success as you enter the job market and prepare you to pursue any opportunities in the years to come.

Explore Career →

95%

have offers or are pursuing graduate school (100% response rate) Class of 2024

$75,335

average annual base salary Class of 2024

75%

signed with Big Four firm Class of 2024

Meet the Ambassadors

M.S. in Accounting student ambassadors are an invaluable extension of our admissions team. They're here to offer unique student perspectives and to answer any questions you may have about the culture and community at McIntire.

Connect with an Ambassador

Success Stories

Participating in cultural excursions and company visits during the program offers a unique opportunity to cultivate cross-cultural thinking skills. These experiences enable participants to understand diversity better and appreciate how various cultural perspectives influence perceptions and approaches.

Deborah Okai

M.S. in Accounting 2024
B.Sc. Business Administration 2020, Ashesi University, Ghana

I love how the program emphasizes the development of soft skills, such as leadership, communication, and teamwork! I also think it is extremely helpful that students are given the ability to specialize in an area of accounting by choosing between one of two tracks: Financial Reporting & Assurance or Tax Consulting.

Sophia Grillo

M.S. in Accounting 2024
B.S. in Accounting 2023, The University of Alabama

I always wanted to attend UVA and was fortunate enough to participate in Meet McIntire back in 2020. I was amazed by the courses offered and the class size of the program. In addition, the M.S. in Accounting is STEM-designated, which is a huge advantage for international students.

Emily Shen

M.S. in Accounting 2023
B.S. in Accounting 2022, Clemson University

I was looking for a program to help me switch from a business and economics background to an accounting perspective. When I compared each of the schools I was interested in, the M.S. in Accounting Program here at UVA had some of the best statistics (percent employed after graduation, CPA pass rates, average starting pay).

Grace Hutcherson

M.S. in Accounting 2023
B.A. in Business Administration and Economics 2022, Furman University

I liked that the program helps students prepare for the working world rather than focusing solely on passing the CPA exam. I also liked how UVA's courses focused on leadership, decision making, and project management, skills that can be leveraged upon graduation. In addition, I wanted a program that had a hands-on career services center to help navigate the job market, as well as an extensive alumni network.

Macy Foster

M.S. in Accounting 2020

I believe that the ability to solve case problems in a team, articulate ideas/opinions to your peers, and interact with the class in a professional setting is crucial in succeeding in business. This program provides numerous opportunities for us to achieve this goal and increases our exposures in accounting applications.

Gracie Xie

M.S. in Accounting 2020

Admissions

The M.S. in Accounting Program is designed for accounting majors or those with significant accounting coursework. Our admissions process is holistic—we look for well-rounded individuals who showcase strong intellectual capabilities, qualities of character, and a passion for their chosen field of study.

We strive to create a classroom that brings together a multitude of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Explore our most recent class profile.

Connect With Us

We look forward to connecting with you about your interest in our Graduate Programs and encourage you to be in touch with any questions you may have.

Contact Information
msaccounting@virginia.edu
+1 434-982-6800

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