Find your perfect college degree
If you have a limited budget as an accounting enthusiast and want to attain high-level qualifications, then finding an affordable degree can be a daunting task. In such a situation, students may consider leveraging distance learning opportunities to manage things within budget.
We have identified some affordable online master’s in accounting degrees below to make the research process easier for you.
Affordable Online Master’s in Accounting
Here are some cost-efficient master’s in accounting programs that will help you easily manage your educational expenses and keep things on track.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois offers a high-quality online master’s in accounting degree. It is an accredited 32-credit hour program that provides flexibility to students to take classes from anywhere. The total cost of tuition is $18,289, so if it suits your budget, you can consider this program.
It can take around eighteen months and four semesters to complete the degree. The core courses of this program are related to auditing, accounting analysis, managerial accounting, and federal taxation.
It is mandatory to have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least a 3.0 GPA. According to the World Report, this university is ranked at the top, so it shows the credibility of the institute.
Benedictine University
Benedictine University offers an excellent online master’s in accounting degree. This program has an online MBA with an accounting concentration. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the modern-day challenges of the accounting and business fields.
The university’s experienced faculty makes an invaluable contribution to student’s learning. The courses in the program are related to managerial accounting, corporate accounting, ethics and leadership, tax influences, and financial reporting.
You can choose an accelerated schedule or a normal one, according to your preference. In an accelerated schedule, you can study two courses at a time, and in a normal schedule, you can take one course at a time. The total tuition cost of this program is $17,888.
Stetson University
Another affordable online master’s in accounting program that you can consider is Stetson University. The program is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of accounting principles. It helps them harness the required skills to succeed in an accounting career.
You can get access to the virtual portal of the university to attend classes and collaborate with your instructors and peers. The courses in the program are related to business statistics, financial accounting, and managerial cost accounting. The total tuition cost of the program is $16,768.
To get admission to the program, you require GRE or GMAT scores, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. According to U.S. News, Stetson is ranked as the 6th best regional university, so earning a degree from this institute can increase the worth of your professional profile.
Keystone College
Keystone College offers an online master’s in accounting program. Apart from preparing students for a professional accounting career, this degree can also prepare you for the CPA examination. You have to complete 30 credit hours to earn the degree.
Students can complete the degree within one year. You can take two courses every seven weeks if it suits your schedule. Courses in this program are related to forensic accounting, corporate and partnership taxation, international accounting, and fund accounting.
You must have a good GMAT score of 500 or above to become eligible for this program. If you have earned a bachelor’s degree with a 3.40 GPA, then this GMAT score requirement can be waived. The total tuition cost of the program is $15,600.
Maryville University
Maryville University is a reputable educational institute. Their online master’s in accounting program has no residency requirements, and no GMAT score is required. This program is perfect for students who want to move at a fast pace, as you can complete the degree in only ten months.
The courses in the program are related to financial statement analysis, tax planning, strategic accounting issues, and data analytics. Some other relevant courses are also offered to help students prepare for the CPA examination. If you want to take those courses, additional completion time will be required. The total tuition cost of this program is $14,968.
Walden University
Walden University hosts a flexible and top-value online master’s in accounting program. This program is accredited by ACBSP, and you can also accept 15 transfer credits from students. The modality of the program is completely online, which gives you the flexibility to manage your daily activities.
You will study some courses in this program that are CPA-related. Walden is one of the top regional institutes, so earning a degree from here will set you apart from others. The total tuition cost of their program is $13,555.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a budget-friendly online Master’s in Accounting degree. The award-winning faculty of the university works closely with students through a virtual portal to assist them with assignments, projects, and other academic-related matters.
The courses in this program are related to business law for accountants, corporate governance, financial accounting, and tax entities. Students who do not have a bachelor’s degree can enroll in the bridge program for a master’s in accounting. The total tuition cost of this program is $7,588.
High Paying Accounting Jobs
As an aspiring accountant, you must know about the top accounting careers. Earning a master’s degree in accounting can make you eligible for various rewarding employment opportunities. Let’s find out about them.
Finance Manager
One of the highest-paying accounting positions is finance manager. You must have good analytical skills along with high-level accounting qualifications and CPA certification to become eligible for this position. The primary responsibilities include:
- Keep track of the company’s current expenses
- Create accurate financial reports
- Help different company’s departments to manage expenses within budget
The average annual finance manager’s salary is $132,094.
Accounting Professor
If you are interested in teaching at the university level, you can consider becoming an accounting professor. The main responsibilities of the accounting professor include:
- Deliver lectures to students
- Create accounting lesson plans and curriculum
- Research and assess relevant data to provide valuable insights to students
The average annual accounting professor’s salary is $137,565.
Compliance Manager
Another highest-paid job in accounting is compliance manager. Companies of every size require compliance managers to handle management and compliance issues. Some responsibilities of the compliance manager are:
- Assess sales
- Conduct audits
- Submit reports on time
- Verify the company’s policies
Some of the skills that are required to be a compliance manager are communication, problem-solving, and writing. The compliance manager’s average annual salary is $128,118.
Budget Analyst
Another high-paying and demanding accounting position is budget analyst. While working in this position, you have to monitor the process of budget creation. Some duties of the budget analyst include:
- Analyze the company’s past financial performance
- Create budgetary goals
- Provide analysis to upper management for budget creation
The average budget analyst’s salary is $75,624.
Credit Manager
As a credit manager, you are responsible for the collection of money owed to your employer. It is a rewarding position that comes with plenty of perks. Some of the main duties of a credit manager are:
- Take legal action when dues are not cleared
- Negotiate payment options
- Track accounts that are unpaid for a long duration
The average annual salary of the credit manager is $116,700.
Tax Consultant
Tax consultants are well-paid professionals who work in consulting firms or individually with clients. They specialize in tax returns, which are logistically and legally complex. Some of the tax consultant’s tasks include:
- Assess returns with clients
- Check that returns follow every tax codes and laws
- Gather every tax-related information
You require CPA certification to become a tax consultant. The average annual salary of the tax consultant is $68,757.
Related Questions
While pursuing a master’s in accounting degree, there are some questions that every individual has. Let’s find out those questions and their answers that will help you make the right decisions in your academic and professional career.
Is a Master’s in Accounting Degree Worth It?
Yes, earning a master’s in accounting degree is worth it because it makes you eligible for high-paying positions. With this degree, you can prepare yourself for advanced leadership and management positions with a high pay scale.
Which Master’s Degree Is Good for Accounting?
Some master’s in accounting degrees that you can consider are Accounting and Finance MSc, Accountancy and Audit, Business and Management (Accounting), and Controlling. You have to choose the program according to your area of interest.
How Hard Is It to Get a Master’s in Accounting Degree?
It can take around 12 to 18 months to complete the degree. The difficulty level can vary according to the accounting degree that you choose. Although, with complete focus and dedication, you can successfully complete the degree.
Conclusion
The programs mentioned above will help you choose the most affordable degree and open the gates of rewarding opportunities for you. It is also important to have clarity regarding your career choice, so make up your mind in advance to choose the right accounting position.
