Master of Science (M.S.) in Accountancy
Program Details
Why Xavier’s Accountancy Master’s Degree Program?
Whether you are a current accountant or new to the field, elevate your career by enrolling in Xavier’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Accountancy (MACC) program. Take 30 credit hours of comprehensive courses, developing a well-rounded understanding of financial accounting, tax accounting, and performing and communicating accounting research.
Housed in Xavier’s Williams College of Business, the Master’s in Accountancy program delivers a rigorous graduate education that strengthens your theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring you graduate with all the tools necessary to excel in the workforce.
Streamlined Pathway to Becoming a CPA
Combined with a bachelor’s degree that provides at least 120 credit hours, our M.S. in Accountancy program meets all the educational requirements for Ohio's Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure. With this simplified licensure route, we support your journey to becoming a successful personal accountant by saving you time and money.
Learn more about professional licensure opportunities.
Specialize Your Expertise by Pursuing a Concentration
The M.S. in Accountancy program offers two optional nine-credit concentrations: business analytics or finance. Opting for a concentration allows you to deepen your knowledge in an essential sector of accounting, which further specializes your degree and makes you a more competitive candidate in the field.
Enroll with or without an Accounting Background
While Xavier created the master’s program primarily for those with an undergraduate major or minor in accounting, our curriculum supports students with diverse academic experiences. Learn more below about our curriculum and courses flexibly designed for students with or without an undergraduate degree in accounting.
Admission
Whether you have previous academic or professional accounting experience, we encourage you to pursue your master’s in accounting at Xavier.
Our program has rolling admissions, allowing students to begin their MACC studies many times throughout the academic year. While there are no formal application deadlines in place, we recommend that you apply by the following dates to ensure the timely processing of your application materials and course registration:
- Fall - August 1
- Spring - December 1
- Summer - April 1
To be considered for admission into the Master of Science in Accountancy program, please submit the following materials:
- Completed application.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended sent directly from the institution; electronic transcripts are also accepted.*
- A current résumé documenting your work experience.
- The résumé is uploaded to the application system.
- Three letters of recommendation are requested and submitted through the application system.
Please have all application materials sent directly to:
Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-3221
Once the Admission Committee receives all your application materials, their review begins.
*Students applying before completion of their undergraduate degree should submit an official transcript that includes all coursework to date. A final transcript must be submitted after graduation and before the beginning of the second MACC semester.
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, Xavier University is a mid-sized Jesuit Roman Catholic university that warmly welcomes students from across the globe to study with us. International students are a vital part of Xavier, making up 3% of our graduate student population and representing countries such as Japan, France, Taiwan, Senegal, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, England and India.
Application Process
Admission for International MACC students needing an F-1 visa requires the following. Students needing an F-1 visa must be fully admitted to enroll in the program. Xavier does not offer conditional admission to graduate business programs.
In addition to the online application and supplemental materials, international students must also submit the following additional materials:
- Official TOEFL scores (internet-based score requirements: 80 total, minimum of 20 in each section).
- All undergraduate/graduate transcripts in English are sent directly from the university attended.
- Credential evaluation.
- If applicable: Change of School Report.
Check your application status page for updates to your application and to see your decision letter. Once we receive all application materials, the review process begins. Please contact us if you have not heard from us within two weeks of submitting your final item.
For Xavier to provide you with an I20, you must submit the following materials:
- Copy of passport.
- Official bank statement.
- Financial sponsor statement form.
- SEVIS Record transfer form (transfer students or those coming from an undergraduate institution in the United States only).
English competency exam requirements can be waived if you have received a previous degree in the United States or have worked in the United States for at least five years.
Please visit Xavier's International Student & Scholar Services and International Admission pages for more detailed information about applying as an international graduate student.
Curriculum
With a firm commitment to instilling proficiency and professional responsibility, the M.S. in Accountancy program’s curriculum offers challenging, comprehensive instruction that spurs new growth.
All students take traditional, in-person coursework and become competent in the primary functional areas of accountancy: financial accounting, managerial accounting, audit, taxation and accounting information systems.
Our accounting curriculum extends beyond the classroom, emphasizing hands-on experience and practical application. During the program, students participate in internships and real-world projects to develop critical skills, seamlessly bridging theory with practice and supporting professional development.
Through our accountancy program, students build their careers, empowering them to navigate complexities, operate ethically, and make meaningful contributions to finance and business.
If you’ve earned an undergraduate degree in accounting, you must complete 30 credit hours in the accounting master’s program.
Required Courses
MACC Core
MACC 521 Nonprofit & Governmental Accounting
MACC 529 Advanced Financial Accounting
MACC 612 Volunteer Income Tax Review and Advising
MACC 616 Taxation of Flow‐Through Entities
MACC 641 Capstone Seminar I
MACC 642 Capstone Seminar II
Electives:
- Four general electives
All students must complete four general electives (MACC 500+, BAIS 600+, FINC 600+). The available electives may be accounting courses or courses from related fields, such as business analytics and information systems, finance or economics.
If you enter the accounting graduate program with a non-accounting business major, you may need to complete up to 42 credit hours. Before enrolling, we recommend that you meet with the Program Director to determine your needs and create a plan for completing requirements.
For more detailed information, please contact the program director at macc@xavier.edu.
Business Foundations
These courses are required for students who have not taken equivalent courses. These courses are taken with MBA students.
- FINC 550: Fundamentals of Finance
- BAIS 500: Business Statistics
Accounting Fundamentals
These courses are required for all students who have yet to complete equivalent courses.
The accounting fundamental classes count as general and accounting electives and form the basis of knowledge on which the remainder of the degree program builds.
- MACC 504: Accounting Information Systems
- MACC 507: Financial Analysis & Reporting I
- MACC 508: Financial Analysis & Reporting II
- MACC 511: Introduction to Taxation
- MACC 590: Auditing Concepts and Practice
- ACCT 550: Managerial Accounting or MACC 525: Cost Accounting
Students who are new to accounting may need to pursue additional non-credit preparation before taking MACC 507. Contact the MACC program director at macc@xavier.edu for guidance.
Electives
Most students who do not have undergraduate accounting majors use the above accounting fundamentals courses as their general and accounting electives and are not required to take additional electives. Students may take other electives beyond those required for the degree.
Sample Courses
- MACC 529: Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting - This course enhances a student's understanding of the theory and practice of financial accounting. Topics include mergers and acquisitions, consolidated financial statements, foreign currency transactions and partnership accounting.
- MACC 611: Corporate Income Tax Reporting & Compliance - This course introduces students to issues related to federal income tax planning and compliance and financial reporting for C corporations.
- MACC 612: Volunteer Income Tax Review and Advising - Students in this course assist lower-income taxpayers with answers to their tax questions and prepare their income tax returns. Students work one-on-one with taxpayers, reviewing fellow student-prepared tax returns and keeping a journal of these experiences. The course gives students an experiential learning opportunity while providing a valuable service to the community consistent with the Jesuit tradition of service.
- MACC 616: Taxation of Flow-Through Entities - This graduate-level tax course focuses on the advanced taxation principles and intricacies of flow-through entities, specifically partnerships and S corporations. Students gain a thorough understanding of the formation, operation, dissolution and tax consequences associated with these entities. The course covers income allocation, distributions, basis adjustments, and the taxation rules specific to S corporations, enabling students to develop the expertise necessary to advise clients and understand tax planning strategies.
- MACC 622: Fraud Examination - This course enriches students' understanding of the emerging field of fraud examination and forensic accounting. The course is for those interested in new and emerging areas of accounting.
- MACC 625: Current Topics in Accounting Practice - This course examines current developments in accounting practice. Students also learn to identify current trends, changes, problems, and other events or issues. Students learn and practice accounting research and communication skills.
Outcomes
The MACC program is open to all students with an interest in the accounting field. Graduates become competent in the primary functional areas of accountancy: financial accounting, managerial accounting, audit, taxation and accounting information systems.
The MACC program is designed primarily for students with an undergraduate major or minor in accounting. Students with other majors are welcome to apply for the MACC program. Some MACC electives may be used to make up for accounting undergraduate courses, but additional coursework beyond 30 credit hours may be necessary. Please contact the program director at macc@xavier.edu for more information.
MACC graduates are prepared for careers in:
- Assurance
- Taxation
- Financial accounting
- Management accounting
- Advisory services
Tuition and Fees
At Xavier University, we endeavor to make graduate education accessible to all by providing access to various financial aid resources and offering competitive tuition rates.
The tuition amounts listed below are for the 2023-2024 academic year and include classes from Summer 2023 through Spring 2024. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated. Review Xavier’s 2023-2024 graduate tuition and fees.
When we seek something more, we become something greater.
Find more information about how you can become a Musketeer.
Request InformationGain Real-World Experience
Put your accounting skills into practice and acquire real-world experience. Each year, Xavier’s accounting students help hundreds of residents prepare, review and submit their taxes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. This opportunity offers meaningful experiential learning while serving your community in a tangible and measurable way.
Receive Personalized Mentorship
In Xavier’s M.S. in Accountancy program, you learn from the best. Upon entrance into the program, we assign a faculty mentor to support your personal and academic success. Through this impactful, professional relationship, you learn from your mentor’s years of accounting experience, gain new skills and insight into the field, and receive exciting networking opportunities.
Join Xavier’s Extensive Alumni Network
No matter where you venture after graduation, Xavier’s support continues. As an accountancy graduate, you join a thriving network of more than 18,000 alumni with graduate business degrees. In your alumni community, you can connect with peers with exciting careers at Disney, MLB and other prominent corporations and foster relationships in the industry.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Accountancy Program at Xavier University
The Master of Science in Accountancy degree program at Xavier University elevates your financial expertise, practical competencies and understanding of accounting’s ever-evolving landscape. Through our rigorous yet flexible master’s program, you gain real-world experience in advanced accounting and tax advising, review and reporting, solidifying your skills and positioning you to excel as a CPA-licensed accountant. Tackle new career opportunities by applying to Xavier’s master’s in accounting program today!
Xavier University's Williams College of Business is accredited by the AACSB. AACSB-accredited schools offer students a relevant and challenging curriculum, the highest quality faculty and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."