Accountancy (MS)


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Program Details

The Master of Science in Accountancy degree at Xavier prepares and develops students for careers as outstanding and ethical personal accountants. The MS in Accountancy meets all the educational requirements for Ohio's Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure when combined with a bachelor’s degree providing at least 120 credit hours.

Admission

Admission

To be considered for admission into the Master of Science in Accountancy the following materials are required:

  • Completed application.
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended sent directly from the institution; Electronic transcripts are also accepted.*
  • A current resume documenting work experience; the resume is uploaded to the application system.
  • 3 recommendations, 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

You will be considered for admission into the program once all application materials have been received. Admission is rolling, allowing students to begin their MACC studies at many times throughout the academic year. While there is no formal application deadline, the following dates are recommended to ensure timely processing of your application materials and course registration:

  • Fall - Aug. 1
  • Spring - Dec. 1
  • Summer - April 1

*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.

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International Admission

Xavier University is a mid-sized Jesuit, Roman Catholic university in the city of Cincinnati in the state of Ohio in the mid-western United States. Approximately 3% of our graduate student population is international, 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.

Complete an online application

Send the following documents to Xavier:

  • Current resume or CV uploaded to your online application
  • ALL undergraduate/graduate transcripts, in English, sent directly from the University
  • Credential evaluation
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS scores sent directly from the testing service*
  • 3 letters of recommendation, requested and submitted through the application system

Check your application status page for updates to your application and to see your decision letter. Your application will be considered once all materials have been received. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of submitting your final item, please feel free to contact us. Once you have received an admission letter, proceed to Step 4.

In order to provide you with an I20, you must submit the following materials. For full details on these requirements, please visit the Xavier International Admission website.

  • 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 requirement can be waived if you have received a previous degree in the United States or have worked in the United States for at least 5 years.

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Curriculum

Curriculum requirements for the Master of Science in Accountancy vary based on a student's academic background. Students with an accounting undergraduate degree will complete 30 credit hours.

Required courses
MACC Core
  • MACC 521 Nonprofit & Governmental Accountin
  • MACC 529 Advanced Financial Accounting
  • MACC 641 Capstone Seminar I
  • MACC 612 Volunteer Income Tax Review and Advising
  • MACC 616 Taxation of Flow‐Through Entities
  • MACC 642 Capstone Seminar II
Electives:
  • Four general electives
Electives

All students must complete four general electives (MACC 500+, BAIS 600+, FINC 600+). The general electives may be accounting courses or courses from related fields such as business analytics and information systems, finance, or economics.

Optional Concentration 
Concentrations are not required, but are available in Business Analytics or Finance. Concentrations are generally 9 credit hours (three courses). As of October 2021, the Values-Based Leadership concentration in the MS Accountancy program has been discontinued.

Students Without An Accounting Undergraduate Degree

A student with a non-accounting business major will complete at least 30 and up to 42 credit hours. Before entering the program, every student will meet with the Program director to determine his or her needs and create a plan for completing requirements.

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 not previously completed equivalent courses. These courses form the basis of knowledge on which the remainder of the degree will build. These courses will count as general and accounting electives.

  • 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 500
  • ACCT 550: Managerial Accounting or MACC 525: Cost Accounting 

Students who are new to accounting may need to pursue additional non-credit preparation prior to taking MACC 507. Contact the MACC program director at macc@xavier.edu for guidance.

MACC Core Courses

All students will complete the MACC core courses listed above.

Electives

Most students who do not have undergraduate accounting majors will use the above accounting fundamentals courses as their general and accounting electives, and will not be required to take additional electives. Students may take additional electives beyond those required for the degree if they choose.

Sample Courses

Nonprofit and Governmental Accounting (MACC 521)

Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting (MACC 529): This course is designed to enhance 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.

Corporate Income Tax Reporting & Compliance (MACC 611): This course introduces students to issues related to federal income tax planning and compliance and financial reporting for C-corporations.

Volunteer Income Tax Review and Advising (MACC 612): - Students in this course assist lower-income taxpayers with answers to their tax questions and in preparing 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 is designed to give students an experiential learning opportunity while providing a valuable service to the community consistent with the Jesuit tradition of service.

Taxation of Flow Through Entities (MACC 616): This graduate-level tax course focuses on the advanced taxation principles and intricacies of flow-through entities, specifically partnerships and S corporations. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of formation, operation, dissolution, and tax consequences associated with these entities. The course covers topics such as income allocation, distributions, basis adjustments, and the taxation rules specific to S corporations, enabling students to develop the expertise necessary for advising clients and understanding tax planning strategies.

Fraud Examination (MACC 622): This course is designed to enhance a student's understanding of the emerging field of fraud examination and forensic accounting. The course is intended for those interested in new and emerging areas of accounting.

Current Topics in Accounting Practice (MACC 625): This course examines current developments in accounting practice. Students will 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

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Master's in Accountancy Career Opportunities

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Xavier Accountancy graduates are connected with a network of more than 18,000 alumni with graduate business degrees. Some, like these graduates, have careers in baseball, education and Disney World.


Career Paths for Accounting Majors


Experiential Learning for Master's in Accountancy Students

Master of Science in Accountancy students preparing to volunteer to help community with tax returns

On Tax Deadline Day, Xavier accounting students help locals file as the hours tick down.


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Mentor Opportunities for Master's in Accountancy Students

MS in Accountancy student meeting with mentor in Downtown, Cincinnati

All students are assigned a faculty mentor to ensure their success in the program, which offers networking skills, personal and professional growth over an extended period of time.


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Accountancy (MS) Program at Xavier University

The MS in Accountancy at Xavier University is a 30-hour program that is designed to provide students with the competencies necessary to begin careers as outstanding professional accountants. Graduates of the program will demonstrate competency in financial accounting, tax accounting, and in performing and communicating accounting research.

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."