With some of the nation’s top business schools calling the state home, accredited accounting degree programs in North Carolina are easy to find. Declared the fourth best state for business by Forbes Magazine in 2013, the Tar Heel State’s diverse economy includes vibrant finance, technology, energy, biotechnology and engineering sectors. Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina’s biggest cities, are among the top ten fastest-growing metro areas in the country. With so much energy and growth, opportunities abound for people with the knowledge and skills needed to flourish in today’s fast-paced, increasingly global business world. Fluent in the language of business, professionals who have earned a master’s degree in accounting will be well prepared to thrive in this exciting environment.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Kenan-Flagler Business School

Chartered in 1789 as the United States’ very first public university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a long history of educational excellence. Ranked fifth among the nation’s public universities in the 2014 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges,” its 15 schools and colleges provide nearly 80 bachelor’s, over 100 master’s, close to 70 doctoral and seven professional degree programs. The university’s highly respected Kenan-Flagler Business School takes pride in molding students into exceptional leaders with a mix of academic rigor and experiential education that encourages them to work toward both success and positive change in the business world. The school is ranked tenth among the country’s business schools by U.S. News and World Report; Public Accounting Report ranks its Master of Accounting program tenth among the country’s graduate accounting programs.

Master of Accounting

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Master of Accounting degree program expands students’ core knowledge of business and accountancy while simultaneously refining their decision-making, communication and leadership skills. Students cultivate an understanding of accounting theory and the ability to apply that theory in practical situations. They also enjoy unique opportunities to network with representatives of major corporations and top accounting firms. Run on a module schedule, the one-year program offers students their choice of two tracks: tax or audit. Either track requires students to complete 32 credits. This total is comprised of 18 credits of core accounting courses, 7.5 credits of coursework for their chosen concentration, and 6 credits of coursework in graduate-level electives. When combined with an appropriate bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree program fulfills North Carolina’s 150-credit educational requirement for certified public accountants. Although the program is currently only available in the traditional classroom format, the addition of an online version is in the works. The UNC Chapel Hill Master of Accounting was ranked number seven of the “30 Top Affordable Master’s in Accounting/Master of Accountancy Degree Programs” by our editors.

Accreditation

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

Contact

300 Kenan Center Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Phone: (919) 962-3645
Email: mac_info@unc.edu
Website: http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/programs/master-of-accounting

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Belk College of Business

An urban research university, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is one of the state’s fastest-growing postsecondary institutions. Currently, its seven colleges over some 165 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs on the university’s 1000-acre campus. Its Belk College of Business is dedicated to fostering an inclusive campus culture that encourages a passion for learning and service, resulting in graduates who are critical thinkers ready to succeed in a global economy. The college offers undergraduate and graduate programs that serve the needs of students interested in the areas of accounting, management, economics, business, finance, marketing, operations management and business information systems.

Master of Accountancy

A flexible program designed to accommodate the needs of both traditional students and working professionals, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Master of Accountancy degree program can be completed on either a full-time or part-time schedule. Classes are offered during the day and evening, with a hiatus in March and April when tax professionals face their heaviest workload. The program offers three tracks. The financial accounting/auditing track is intended for people who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and wish to continue their studies while preparing for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. The professional accounting track is ideal for students who completed an undergraduate degree in another area, but have now decided to pursue a career as an accountant. The tax track is for students of various backgrounds who want to establish a career specializing in taxation matters. Students also have the option of creating their own unique individualized accounting track. To earn their master’s degrees, students much complete a total of 30 credits in topics determined by their chosen track.

Accreditation

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

Contact

9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
Phone: (704) 687-8622
Email: macc@uncc.edu
Website: http://macc.uncc.edu/about-macc

The University of North Carolina Greensboro

Bryan School of Business and Economics

When The Princeton Review included the University of North Carolina Greensboro in the 2015 edition of its “The Best 379 Colleges,” it marked the 16th consecutive time the university had appeared in the publication. With eight schools that offer degree programs in over 100 areas of study, the university strives to provide a student-centered learning environment that encourages learning and prepares students to become successful professionals and engaged citizens. The university’s Bryan School of Business and Economics uses challenging academics and hands-on learning opportunities to shape students into capable problem solvers who can identify solutions that are innovative, ethical, sustainable and globally aware.

Master of Science in Accounting

Intended for people interested in pursuing careers in business, governmental, nonprofit, and public accounting, the University of North Carolina Greensboro’s Master of Science in Accounting degree program is open to students who have earned a bachelor degree, regardless of what their major was. The program ensures students obtain the critical-thinking, communication and technical skills needed for an accounting career; it also provides the additional credits necessary to satisfy the state’s 150-credit education requirement for licensure as a certified public accountant. This 30-credit master’s degree program includes between 21 and 24 credits of accounting courses and six to nine credits in graduate-level electives in coursework from an area other than accounting. Full-time and part-time students can participate in the program. The average time to complete the degree is 18 months; students who restrict themselves to evening classes will need three years to finish their degrees.

Accreditation

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

Contact

PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
Phone: (336) 334-5390
Email: msa@uncg.edu
Website: http://www.uncg.edu/bae/acc/msa/

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Cameron School of Business

Holding the number six spot on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the South’s best public universities, the University of North Carolina Wilmington presents students with the choice of 55 bachelor’s, 42 master’s, and three doctoral degree programs through its five colleges and schools. Its Cameron School of Business, which The Princeton Review included in its 2014 edition of “The Best 295 Business Schools,” strives to transform students into superior leaders by emphasizing innovative problem solving, strategic critical thinking, teamwork, ethics and communication. The school offers 10 bachelor’s and four master’s degree programs.

Master of Science in Accountancy

A demanding program with competitive admission, the Master of Science in Accountancy degree program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is only available to students prepared to commit to a challenging, full-time program. Students who begin the program together form a cohort that completes the program at the same pace. Designed to hone students’ accounting, business and professional skills while encouraging them to develop a global perspective, the coursework is intense; the university recommends that students make every effort to avoid even part-time work while completing the program. As part of this 32-credit degree program, students must complete 23 credits of required accounting core coursework, seven credits in coursework for either a tax service or assurance/systems advisory specialization, and two credits of approved electives coursework. In addition, students are required to assemble an oral and written comprehensive case analysis. Although tough, earning a master’s degree through this program creates the potential for great professional rewards. Many international, national and regional accounting firms recruit its graduates.

Accreditation

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

Contact

601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5680
Phone: (910) 962-3000
Email: kerlerw@uncw.edu
Website: http://www.csb.uncw.edu/msa/index.htm

Wake Forest University

School of Business

Ranked among the top 25 universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2014, Wake Forest University understands excellence. Its seven schools are home to some of the best undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the country. The university’s School of Business provides undergraduate degree programs in accountancy, business and enterprise management, finance, and mathematical business. Graduate degree offerings include accountancy, business administration and management. In 2013, Public Accounting Report ranked the school’s undergrad accounting program fifth among midsized programs and its master’s program sixth among midsized programs.

Master of Science in Accountancy

With the nation’s best pass rate for the Uniform Certified Public Accountants Examination, Wake Forest University’s Master of Science in Accountancy is inarguably a top-quality accounting program. Students gain knowledge, skills, experience and confidence as they complete demanding coursework, seminars, research and a 10-week paid internship. As they complete this 30-credit master’s degree, students choose one of three tracks. The assurance service track is for students who wish to pursue careers in auditing and assurance. The tax consulting track suits students interested in tax services careers. Unique to Wake Forest University, the financial transaction services track is designed for students who are seeking advisory services or financial transactions careers. To complete their degrees, students must earn 15 credits in core coursework and 15 credits in a mix of track-specific and elective coursework. The vast majority of students seeking employment will be fielding offers before they actually graduate; Thanks to the accounting program’s fantastic reputation, major international, national and regional accounting firms actively recruit its graduates.

Accreditation

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

Contact

1834 Wake Forest Road
Building 60, Farrell Hall
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Phone: (336) 758-5422
Website: http://business.wfu.edu/ms-accountancy/

Western Carolina University

College of Business

Western Carolina University’s six schools offer degree programs that cover more than 120 specialties and attract students from some 35 countries. Listed among The Princeton Review’s 2013 edition of “Best 296 Business Schools,” the university’s College of Business provides quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs in areas like accounting, finance, business administration and law, sports management, information systems, economics, global management, entrepreneurship, project management, hospitality and tourism, and marketing. Many programs are available in traditional classroom and online formats.

Master of Accountancy

Instilling a thorough understanding of taxation, tax research, auditing standards, accounting theory, business law and the information systems commonly used in the accounting field, the Master of Accountancy degree program at Western Carolina University prepares students for public accounting careers. Full-time students can complete the program in one year. Evening and weekend classes make this master’s program accessible for working professionals who wish to earn their degree through part-time study. While most students complete the program in two years, they have up to six years to finish their degrees. Earning this master’s degree requires students to complete a total of 30 credits. This is comprised of 21 credits from core accounting coursework and an additional 9 credits in graduate-level business elective coursework. Graduates of the program will satisfy North Carolina’s 150-credit educational requirement for licensure as a certified public accountant.

Accreditation

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

Contact

110 Cordelia Camp
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Phone: (828) 227-7211
Email: swanger@email.wcu.edu
Website: http://www.wcu.edu/academics/wcu-graduate-school/graduate-degree-programs/accountancy-graduate-degree.asp

Wingate University

Porter B. Byrum School of Business

Coming in sixth on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the best value schools in the South, Wingate University offers a 14 to one student to faculty ratio to students participating in undergraduate and graduate degree programs on its three campuses. The university’s Porter B. Byrum School of Business provides programs in accounting, business administration, management, marketing and finance. Students balance a broad, liberal arts education with detailed instruction in their chosen major. Internships, projects and classroom experiences are combined to create programs that prepare students to serve as ethical business leaders capable of inspiring positive change in their communities.

Master of Accounting

While not limited to students whose undergraduate degrees were in accounting, the Master of Accounting degree program at Wingate University is designed for students who intend to become certified public accountants. When completed after an appropriate bachelor’s degree, it fulfills North Carolina’s 150-credit educational requirement for certified public accountants. A flexible program suitable both for traditional students and for working professionals, it offers full-time and part-time schedules with classes offered four days a week in the morning. Participants must complete 10 courses in topics like auditing, financial reporting, accounting theory, taxation, accounting research and managerial accounting for a total of 30 credits. Depending on their chosen schedule, students generally complete the program in one or two years. The program prepares student to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountants Examination and careers in auditing, consulting, taxation and financial management.

Accreditation

  • The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contact

220 N. Camden St.
Wingate University
Wingate, North Carolina 28174
Phone: (704) 233-8000
Email: mmaye@wingate.edu
Website: http://www.wingate.edu/master-of-accounting

North Carolina’s thriving, business-friendly economy has brought plenty of bright prospects to this southern state. Businesses in finance, technology, engineering, energy, and biotechnology need qualified professionals ready to work in today’s global economy. They are finding many excellent prospects among the graduates of the state’s excellent business schools. Accredited accounting degree programs in North Carolina are a fantastic source of knowledge, skill, and professional opportunities.