Graduate degrees in business and accounting are some of the most sought after in the nation. Obtaining a master’s-level degree in business, accounting, or finance all but guarantees gainful employment with the employer of your choosing. In Colorado, master degree programs in business are not only in abundance but also high in national rankings. The following list contains six of the top accredited accounting degree programs in Colorado, from N to Z.

Regis University

School of Management

According to US News & World Report, Regis University is ranked among the top thirty universities in the West and among the top one hundred and fifty universities offerings business administration degrees online. Located in Denver, Colorado, Regis University is a private, co-ed Roman Catholic, Jesuit university with an enrollment total of less than ten thousand students. The small enrollment number allows faculty to work with students individually, both in-person and through an online format. Students from across the country choose Regis University particularly for its outstanding academic programs. The School of Management, which offers bachelor’s and master’s-level degrees and certificates, is a particularly popular option for incoming students. It offers thirteen undergraduate degrees, thirteen graduate degrees, and five combined certificates. Students at Regis University’s School of Management graduate with the ability to think innovatively, understand ethical environments, and make creative-decisions necessary in the ever-changing modern world.

Master of Science in Accounting

The M.S. in Accounting program is designed to ensure graduates meet the 150 credit hour requirements necessary to sit for the CPA exam. The degree itself consists of ten, three-credit courses with seven additional foundation courses in either business or accounting, depending on the student’s career path. For applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in either business or accounting, prerequisite courses might be required in order to ensure no gaps in knowledge are present. The program is designed to cater to working adults who are serious in their pursuit of a career in accounting. Therefore, courses are available both on-campus and online for those who cannot make it to the campus. Course objectives include the mastering of accounting techniques, industry technology proficiency, and a strong ethical foundation. Graduates of the program pursue careers as accountants, financial analysts, and auditors.

Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting

The Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting program provides applicants with the training necessary to provide management with data as well as with the innovative tools necessary to improve a company’s profitability. The program requires applicants to either hold a bachelor’s-level degree in business administration or finance or prove proficiency in this area. Applicants are also required to take the GMAT. The degree consists of 36 credit hours, and graduates typically obtain careers as corporate controllers, accounting managers, financial analysts, management consultants, chief financial officers, and financial managers. Program objectives include understanding how to improve the efficiency and profits of complex organizations. Financial aid is available for applicants with demonstrated financial need. Regis University’s online MBA in Accounting was ranked number two of the top ten online MBA in Accounting degree programs by our editors.

Accreditation

  • The Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association

Contact
Regis University
School of Management
3333 Regis Boulevard
Denver, Colorado 80221-1099
Phone: (800) 944-7667
Email: info@regis.edu
Website: http://www.regis.edu/CPS/Schools/School-of-Management

University of Colorado Boulder

Leeds School of Business

As US News& World Reports notes, the University of Colorado at Boulder is ranked among the top one hundred United States Schools for Business majors. The campus is relatively small, yet the students are highly successful. The faculty at UC Boulder is award-winning and internationally recognized, particularly at the Leeds School of Business. Over thirty-four percent of the graduates of the Leeds School of Business have secured employment prior to graduation, and graduates are considered some of the most well-read in their field. During their time spent at UC Boulder, students within the Leeds School of Business have over forty clubs to choose from and are offered a plethora of internships to participate in.

Master of Science in Business Administration

The MSBA program at the Leeds School of business is a highly competitive two-year program designed to place graduates in high-power business firms. Each year, award winning faculty help nurture over fifty graduates who typically have job offers in hand prior to even completing the program. The degree program involves ten three-credit courses that can be completed in three semesters prior to completing the CPA exam. In addition to completing for-credit courses, students are also encouraged to involve themselves in internships as well as the tax program with the Colorado Law School, a program that provides real-life experience as an accountant. Successful graduates of the program gain employment as auditors, accountants, and management specialists.

Accreditation

  • UC Boulder’s Leeds School of Business is accredited by AACSB

Contact
University of Colorado Boulder
Leeds School of Business
995 Regent Drive
419 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309
Phone: (303) 492-8410
Website: http://leeds.colorado.edu/msbaaccounting#overview

University of Colorado Denver

Business School

The University of Colorado at Denver’s Business School enrolls just over six-hundred graduate students per academic year. They offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees to those interested in obtaining employment within the business world. Offering sixteen departments from which students can choose, UC Denver’s Business School ensures students have the ability to pursue a career in business and graduate with expertize in a more specialized subfield if they should so desire. As a result of the selective admissions process, students at UC Denver’s Business School are guaranteed an individualized education with one-on-one faculty advising and ample resources.

Master of Science in Accounting

The MS in Accounting program at the University of Colorado at Denver’s Business School is intended for students who have a pre-established background in business, finance, or accounting. Many of the students enrolled in the program have experience as auditors or tax consultants but have the desire to further their careers. Course outcomes include the ability to understand and successfully interpret financial reporting standards and practices, financial analysis, and tax transactions for individuals, corporations, and partnerships. Applicants must pass the GMAT in order to be accepted within the program unless they were recent graduates from the University of Colorado at Denver. The program offers online classes in order to increase flexibility, and the program can be completed in less than two years if accelerated.

Accreditation

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact Information
University of Colorado Denver
The Business School
1475 Lawrence St.
Denver, CO 80238
Phone: (303) 315-8000
Website: http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/business/degrees/ms/accounting/Pages/Accounting.aspx

University of Denver

Daniels College of Business

According to US News & World Report, the Daniels College of Business is ranked among the top forty colleges for graduate degrees in business. Additionally, in 2011, EuropeanCEO Magazine named the Daniels College of Business the most innovative business school in the Western United States. In total, the Daniels College of Business has been ranked by seven publications as a top college for business graduates. There are 16 programs within the Daniels College of Business and 22 percent of graduates have obtained employment prior to graduation. Three months following graduation, however, 95 percent of graduates have successfully gained employment in the field of their choosing. The success rate of graduates, due in part to dedicated faculty as well as a real-life-applicable curriculum, makes the Daniels College of Business one of the top schools in the nation.

Master of Accountancy (MAcc)

The Master of Accountancy program at the Daniels College of Business is designed for dedicated, driven candidates who have a demonstrated desire to contribute to the business world. The program consists of forty credit hours and can be completed in as little as nine months, if pursued on the full-time track. Students are encouraged to participate in internships, and many graduates obtain full-time employment after graduation at the companies for which they completed an internship. Course objectives include developing ethical frame works; the ability to make difficult, complex decisions; mastering enterprise software; mastering the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams; and obtaining expertise in IT, taxation, or valuation. Upon successful completion, graduates secure employment as auditors, tax specialists, and business analysts.

Accreditation

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC NCA)

Contact
University of Denver
Daniels College of Business
2101 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208-8921
Phone: (303) 871-3416
Website: http://daniels.du.edu/masters-degrees/accountancy

University of Northern Colorado

Monfort College of Business

The Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado offers students seven undergraduate programs and one graduate program to choose from. For graduate students, the Master of Accounting program is accredited and satisfies the 150-hour requirement for licensing as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Colorado and as well as in other states. Beginning in 2014, however, the Monfort College of Business will introduce a Master of Business Administration program in addition to their MAcc program. The college itself is small in size, but with fewer than thirty students per classroom, the learning experience is individualized and tailored to fit each student’s career path.

Master of Accounting (MAcc)

The Master of Accounting program at the Monfort College of Business is designed primarily for students who have completed, or are about to complete, their undergraduate degree at the Monfort College of Business. Nevertheless, applicants from outside the University of Northern Colorado are also welcome to apply. The MAcc program at the Monfort College of Business requires applicants complete thirty credit hours as well as successfully complete an oral exam prior to sitting for the CPA exam. Additionally, applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the duration of the program. The courses taught in the MAcc program prepare candidates for successful entry into positions such as auditor, accountant, and business analysts. The MAcc program has a 95 percent rate of graduates obtaining employment within six months of graduation.

Accreditation

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC NCA)

Contact
Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business
The University of Northern Colorado
Kepner Hall, Campus Box 128
Greeley, CO 80639-0019
Phone: (970) 351-2855
Email: monfortcollege@unco.edu”
Website: http://mcb.unco.edu/Programs/MAcc/

Attending an accredited accounting degree program in Colorado is an investment in and of itself. Businesses often require management as well as individuals qualified to complete taxes and offer advisement as to how businesses can be improved. While a bachelor’s-level degree in business, finance, or accounting offers ample knowledge, a master’s-level degree supplies the experience and finely-tuned knowledge and skill-set necessary in order to thrive in the business world.