According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting is one of the fastest-growing professions in demand for qualified professionals. Accountants work in a wide variety of organizations as well as in accounting firms. The field of accounting requires dedication to learning the fundamentals, but degree completion often leads to a lucrative and rewarding career path. An undergraduate degree is a requirement for entry-level accounting jobs, but many upper level positions require a graduate level degree for candidates to be considered. Application packets may require a personal statement, professional references, transcripts from undergraduate studies and a resume submission. After earning an undergraduate accounting degree, Florida-based prospective graduate students can select from several excellent schools to continue their studies. The state is an excellent option for available jobs in the accounting field due to a diverse economy and several thriving metropolitan areas throughout the state.

St. Thomas University

School of Business

The St. Thomas University School of Business focuses on preparing students for entry-level positions in both public and private sectors. Graduates routinely find jobs in government organizations, corporations, or as self-employed CPAs. Coursework focuses on mastery of fundamental concepts that graduates can apply in a variety of workplaces. The accounting department and the university’s career center offer dedicated students a variety on internship opportunities and networking events that could possibly lead to future employment.

Master of Accounting

Graduate accounting students can concentrate on either forensic accounting or taxation for this degree program at the St. Thomas University School of Business. Forensic accounting coursework focuses on auditing and fraud investigation. Taxation courses offer concentrations in corporate taxation, estate taxation, and related areas. Both of these options concentrate on simulated real-world scenarios and preparation for the Certified Public Accountant exam. Both graduate accounting degree options are awarded to students who successfully complete four selected courses in their chosen areas of concentration. As with many graduate programs, a minimum 3.0 grade point average is required to stay enrolled. Interested new students are encouraged to meet with an advising faculty member in the graduate accounting department to determine which degree concentration would fit their educational and professional backgrounds.

Courses in the Forensic Accounting Program

  • Computer Auditing and Investigation
  • Forensic Accounting Applications
  • Advanced Auditing
  • Fraud Examination

Courses in the Taxation Accounting Program

  • International Taxation
  • Tax Research
  • “S” Corporation and Partnership Taxation
  • Taxation of Estates, Trusts, and Gifts

MBA in Accounting

The Master’s Degree in Business Administration allows a concentration in accounting and is open to students with undergraduate degrees in accounting, finance, business, or similar. Past work in the accounting field is considered for admission to this program as well. Admission is based on performance in undergraduate coursework, though students with credit deficiencies are able to complete them in this program before moving on to more advanced coursework. This graduate degree program requires 42 credits of coursework in advanced accounting topics and issues. A minimum 3.0 grade point average is required to remain in the program, and students have the option to complete it on a part-time basis.

The MBA in Accounting curriculum includes preparatory coursework in economics, financial accounting, and statistics for students who have not previously completed these particular courses. Minimum grade point averages are required for students to remain enrolled in the program. Many graduate students opt for this advanced accounting degree due to a high demand for MBA graduates, and accounting is a specialty with projected high job growth.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contact
16401 NW 37th Ave
Miami Gardens, Fla. 33054
Phone: (305) 628-6674 ext. 1
Email: business@stu.edu
Website: www.stu.edu/business/Graduate/Accounting/tabid/2251/Default.aspx

Stetson University

School of Business Administration

The School of Business at Stetson University is the oldest and one of the most established ones in the state of Florida. It focuses on both theory and practical applications of material students learn in their courses. Business students get access to mentorships from faculty members, opportunities to study abroad and guest lectures from top members of the business community. The goal of this department is to equip graduates with the decision-making skills needed to be successful in their chosen specialties.

Master of Accountancy (MAcc)

This advanced accounting degree carries higher earning potential than a general graduate degree in accounting. This advanced degree includes a rigorous set of coursework that covers accounting theory and technical skills needed to succeed in the business world. Graduate students can complete this program either on campus or online around their schedules. The program’s faculty is comprised of high-caliber teachers who have won awards in their respective fields.

The MAcc degree program also prepares enrollees for the CPA exam and ensures they complete all required hours of study for this credential. Alumni of this accounting program have excellent track records of moving to high-level job positions in both the public and private sectors.

Related Resource: https://www.masters-in-accounting.org/faq/how-much-time-per-week-does-earning-an-online-masters-in-accounting-take/

Accreditation

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contact
421 N. Woodland Blvd.
DeLand, Fla. 32723
Phone: (386) 822-7100
Email: admissions@stetson.edu
Website: www.stetson.edu/portal/business

University of Central Florida

Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting

The Dixon School of Accounting is a renowned institution that’s gained national recognition for the quality of education in this field. Its accounting curriculum prepares graduates for careers in a variety of institutions, such as government, banking, non-profits and other industries.

Master of Science in Accounting

This graduate level accounting program concentrates on teaching students the theory and skills they need to score well on the Florida CPA exam. Degree completion requires 30 credit hours combined with a final spoken examination covering the core concepts. Graduates finish with the necessary analytical and problem-solving skills to distinguish themselves in the workplace. Courses required in this accounting graduate program include:

  • Accounting Theory
  • Advanced Managerial Accounting
  • Advanced Auditing
  • Advanced Tax Topics

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
UCF College of Business Administration
4000 Central Florida Blvd., P.O. Box 161991
Orlando, Fla. 32816-1991
Phone: (407) 235-3917
Email: Charles.Kelliher@ucf.edu
Website: www.bus.ucf.edu/accounting

University of Florida

Warrington College of Business Administration

The UF College of Business Administration includes the Fisher School of Accounting, which offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in this specialty area. The faculty emphasizes educating business leaders of the future with the skills to make critical decisions. U.S. News and World Report has named this business college one of the top 20 in the country.

The Fisher School of Accounting also has a high national ranking and has a roster of successful alumni. Accounting students routinely score well on the CPA exam and are hired for excellent job positions in government, industry, and many other sectors.

Master of Accounting

The Master of Accounting degree program at the Fisher School is open to students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in accounting or a similar field. Grade point average and past industry experience are taken into consideration for admission to this graduate program. The coursework covers advanced accounting and applied principles, along with elective topics of students’ own choosing. Graduate students in the Fisher School of Accounting can select a degree emphasis in taxation, auditing, or financial accounting.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)

Contact
Warrington College of Business Administration
University of Florida
100 Bryan Hall
PO Box 117150
Gainesville, Fla. 32611-7150
Phone: 352-392-2397
Fax: 352-392-2086
Email: fsoa@warrington.ufl.edu
Website: www.warrington.ufl.edu/accounting

University of North Florida

The Coggin College of Business

The Coggin College has been named an outstanding business department by the Princeton Review for several years in a row, and it has AACSB accreditation for both accounting and business. The school also has an active learning and research community that provides career assistance, internships, and opportunities to study abroad.

Master of Accountancy

This graduate degree program at the Coggin College has a separate accreditation from the International Association of Management Education, making it among the most reputable accounting programs in the nation. Graduate accounting students can specialize in managerial accounting, financial accounting, auditing, and taxation. Past transcripts of undergraduate work are the main deciding factors for admission to this accounting program. The core requirements of this Master of Accountancy program include:

  • Administrative Management
  • Legal Environment of Business
  • Strategic Management and Business Policy
  • Federal Income Tax
  • Accounting Information Systems

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
Coggin College of Business
University of North Florida
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, Fla. 32224
Phone: (904)-620-1000
Email: graduatestudies@unf.edu
Website: www.unf.edu/coggin

University of South Florida

School of Accountancy

The USF School of Accountancy is part of the College of Business and offers both undergraduate and graduate studies in this field. Accounting is one of 16 different options for graduate work in the business college, and the program has AACSB accreditation.

Master of Accountancy

This graduate accounting degree’s curriculum emphasizes master of accounting theory before applying it to case studies similar to those found in the workplace. The school includes an organization called The Accounting Circle that entails collaboration and networking among current students, faculty and alumni. The core curriculum includes required classes in:

  • Advanced Accounting Theory
  • Auditing Methods
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Advanced Topics in Taxation

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)

Contact
University of South Florida
College of Business
4202 E. Fowler Avenue
BSN 3403
Tampa, Fla. 33620
Phone: (813)-974-4281
Email: staceebender@usf.edu
Website: www.usf.edu/business/departments/accountancy

University of Tampa

Sykes College of Business

The Sykes College of Business affords undergraduate and graduate students with a broad business core curriculum combined with a liberal arts education. Graduates complete their degrees with the critical thinking skills needed to make sound decisions in a variety of professional settings. Students also have access to a wide variety of networking opportunities with the local Tampa business community.

Master of Science in Accounting

This advanced accounting degree prepares students to score well on the CPA exam and apply their knowledge to the field upon graduation. The program educates students in the fundamentals of creating, organizing, managing and auditing financial information for a variety of institutions. Core coursework includes these requirements and electives:

  • Federal Tax Accounting
  • Internal Auditing
  • Business Ethics
  • Financial Accounting Theory
  • Advanced Management Accounting
  • Accounting Systems Control

Contact
University of Tampa
Sykes College of Business
401 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Fla. 33606-1490
Phone: (813)-253-3333
Email: dverreault@ut.edu
Website: www.ut.edu/msaccounting

University of West Florida

Department of Accounting and Finance

This business college offers smaller class sizes and more individualized instruction compared to some other schools. Undergraduates can opt to complete a dual degree in both disciplines or concentrate on only one area. Graduate students can complete a Master of Accountancy degree or a stand-alone certificate that prepares them to pass the CPA exam. Although certification through this college is possible without earning the graduate degree, this Master of Accountancy will stand out on recent graduates’ resumes.

Master of Accountancy

This graduate degree focuses on current technical issues in the accounting field and how to best respond to them. Changing technology requires accounting professionals to stay current on the latest software applications and methods that improve productivity as well as accuracy. Applied information systems and technology are the focuses of several courses in this accounting program, and this coursework is required for degree completion. Students focus on procedures to be applied in accounting jobs found in both the private and public sectors. Some of the 30 required advanced accounting courses include:

  • Governmental Accounting
  • Advanced Managerial Accounting
  • Advanced Financial Accounting
  • Contemporary Professional Issues
  • Tax Accounting

Contact
University of West Florida
11000 University Pkwy
Pensacola, Fla. 32514
Phone: (850)-474-2000
Email: account@uwf.edu
Website: www.uwf.edu/cob/departments/account/graduate-programs/master-of-accountancy

Prospective accounting graduate students are encouraged to contact the advising departments of each school to determine which degree program would be the best fit. Location, tuition, and time to degree completion are all factors when applying for Master’s in accounting degree programs Florida. Some of these schools also allow enrollees to earn their graduate degrees online, though out-of-state tuition and fees can apply for non-Florida residents. A number of graduate accounting programs give enrollees the option of attending full-time or part-time. This type of graduate accounting program allows students the flexibility to complete classes while working at full-time jobs. Students seeking accredited accounting degree programs in Florida have a multitude of options to fit their lives and needs.