Master of Science in Accounting Analytics

Thank you for your interest in the Master of Science in Accounting and Analytics program. If you are looking to complete your 150 hours to sit for the CPA exam, are seeking a career in accounting, or are a working professional who wants to advance your career, then this degree should be a perfect fit for you. 

The Accounting and Analytics program is designed to prepare accounting and business professionals to sit for the Texas CPA exam, with an emphasis on the skills accounting employers are seeking. What sets St. Edward’s graduates apart is our Holy Cross mission of educating not only the mind but also the heart. 

St. Edward’s is a Holy Cross university with a dedicated staff supporting you in the program. Our small class size ensures your ability to get individual attention from our dedicated instructors. Through online activities and breakout rooms, you will have the opportunity to form a network with your classmates that will last a lifetime. 

Our courses are a mix of 7-week and 14-week classes. Our graduates have found positions at the Big Four accounting firms, small and mid-size accounting firms, as well as in industry. St. Edward’s is an AACSB-accredited business school and ranked a “best university” by U.S. News & World Report.

I encourage you to take a close look at our program. I believe you will find it to be an exciting opportunity that will further your career, preparing you to take the CPA exam. If you would like to discuss the program further, do not hesitate to contact me at kathl@stedwards.edu. 

Katherine Lopez, PhD
Director, MS in Accounting and Analytics

Check Out This Helpful Q&A 

Katherine Lopez, MS in Accounting and Analytics program director and long-time faculty member, explains how St. Edward’s gives graduates an edge in the evolving accounting and business market.

The MS in Accounting Analytics prepares you to take on virtual accounting environments and unstructured accounting big data, with the goal of solving business problems by constructing meaning out of vast amounts of data. You’ll learn to:

• Identify and evaluate issues that require the application of professional judgment by conducting professional research within the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
• Evaluate financial data and apply relevant professional standards to resolve financial reporting issues of U.S. business entities.
• Apply knowledge of tax laws for planning and compliance purposes.
• Use accounting data to identify anomalies and trends to better understand a company, identify areas of potential risk and determine where further investigation may be needed.
• Evaluate an accounting ethical dilemma by correctly identifying the key stakeholders and appropriately applying an ethical framework to assist them in deciding what action should be taken

After graduation, our students are prepared for jobs with the Big Four, medium- and small-sized public accounting firms and internal accounting departments.

The MS in Accounting Analytics program requires 30 semester credit hours and is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in business*.

The 30-hour program can be completed in as little as 12 months for students with an accounting undergraduate degree and 17 months for students with a business undergraduate degree other than accounting.

*This program is designed to meet the accounting requirements of the Texas CPA certificate. The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy also requires 24 hours of business courses other than in Accounting in order to sit for the CPA exam, including two hours of business communication (see their website for additional information).

Three Distinct Paths

1. A Bridge program for students with an undergraduate degree other than accounting who seek to complete their 150 hours and obtain the accounting requirements to sit for the CPA exam, and obtain a CPA license in Texas. 

If students need Intermediate Accounting I and II, the program must be started in the summer.

Sample Degree Plan

• Intermediate I (1st Summer, 1st 7 weeks)
• Intermediate II (1st Summer, 2nd 7 weeks)
• Accounting Theory and Research (Fall, 1st 7 weeks)
• Auditing (Fall, 2nd 7 weeks)
• Advanced Accounting Problems (Fall, 14 weeks)
• Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting (Spring, 1st 7 weeks)
• Accounting Ethics (Spring, 2nd 7 weeks)
• Individual and Corporate Taxation (Spring, 14 weeks)
• Accounting Analytics (2nd Summer, 2nd 7 weeks) 
• Audit Analytics and Technology (2nd Summer, 1st 7 weeks)

*Students who have taken the equivalent of Intermediate Accounting I, Intermediate Accounting II, Audit, Individual and/or Corporate Taxation may substitute these classes with Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA electives that meet the student's long-term professional goals. 

*Students who have already taken an ethics and/or research course that meets the requirements to obtain a Texas CPA license may replace Accounting Ethics and/or Accounting Theory and Research, respectively, with Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA electives that meet the student’s long-term professional goals.

2. A heavy analytics-based program for students with an undergraduate degree who seek to complete their 150 hours and obtain the accounting requirements to obtain a CPA license in Texas.

Sample Degree Plan

• Audit Analytics and Technology (1st Summer, 1st 7 weeks)
• Accounting Analytics (1st Summer, 2nd 7 weeks)
• Accounting Theory and Research (Fall, 1st 7 weeks)
• 3-Hour Elective from Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA Program (Fall, 2nd 7 weeks)
• Advanced Accounting Problems (Fall, 14-weeks)
• Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting (Spring, 1st 7 weeks)
• Accounting Ethics (Spring, 2nd 7 weeks)
• Individual and Corporate Taxation (Spring, 14-weeks)
• 3-Hour Elective from Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA Program (2nd Summer, 1st 7 weeks)
• 3-Hour Elective from the Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA Program (2nd Summer, 2nd 7 weeks)

*Recommended Business Analytics elective courses for students seeking a stronger analytics background include: 

• Introduction to Business Analytics and R – BANA 6310
• Data Summarization and Visualization – BANA 6312
• Python for Business Analytics – BANA 6320
• Big Data and Database Management – BANA 6330
• Inferential Statistics – BANA 6332
• Predictive Analytics – BANA 6340
• Simulation Modeling – BANA 6350
• Artificial Intelligence – BANA 6352
• Optimization Modeling – BANA 6360

*To complete this degree in 12 months, the student has the option to take 4 courses in their summer session, 2 courses in their summer session and 4 courses in the fall and spring semesters; or 3 courses in their summer session and 4 courses in either the spring or fall semester. 

*Students who have taken the equivalent Individual and/or Corporate Taxation may substitute this course with an Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA elective that meets the student’s long-term professional goals. 

*Students who have already taken an ethics and/or research course that meets the requirements to obtain a Texas CPA license may replace Accounting Ethics and/or Accounting Theory and Research, respectively, with electives that meet the student's long-term professional goals.

3. For finance or other business majors who seek a master’s degree that will give them a stronger background in accounting and finance, but who are not seeking to meet the requirements to obtain a CPA in Texas.

Sample Degree Plan

• Intermediate I (1st Summer, 1st 7 weeks)
• Intermediate II (1st Summer, 2nd 7 weeks)
• 3-Hour Elective from the Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA Program (Fall, 1st 7 weeks)
• Auditing (Fall, 2nd 7 weeks)
• Advanced Accounting Problems (Fall, 14-weeks)
• Three-Hour Elective from the Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA Program (Spring, 1st 7 weeks)
• Three-Hour Elective from the Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA Program (Spring, 2nd 7 weeks)
• Individual and Corporate Taxation (Spring, 14-weeks)
• Audit Analytics and Technology (2nd Summer, 1st 7 weeks)
• Accounting Analytics (2nd Summer, 2nd 7 weeks)

*Recommended MBA elective courses for finance students in the Non-CPA-Seeking track include: ACCT/FINCE 6322 Corporate Governance, ACCT/FINC 6320 Valuation, and ACCT/FINC 6316 Financial Statement Analysis.

*Students who have taken the equivalent of Intermediate Accounting I, Intermediate Accounting II, Audit, Individual and/or Corporate Taxation may substitute these classes with Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics or MBA electives that meet the student's long-term professional goals.

Prerequisites for the program: Principles of Accounting I and II, or equivalent.

The Program is 30 hours and can be completed in as little as 12–17 months.

Course Descriptions

Intermediate Accounting I – ACCT 6331

This course covers recording business transactions in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Topics include: accounting for cash, receivables, inventories, investments, intangibles, current liabilities and contingencies, property, and equipment.

Prerequisites: ACCT 2301 and ACCT 2303 or equivalents.

Intermediate Accounting II – ACCT 6332

This course is a continuation of ACCT 63YY, Intermediate Accounting I. It continues the coverage of recording business transactions in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The course also provides exposure to the use of the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification

website. Topics include: accounting for taxes, pensions, bonds, revenue recognition, and corporate capital. 

Prerequisite: Intermediate Accounting I or equivalent.

Auditing – ACCT 6343

An introduction to the theory, concepts and principles of auditing, emphasizing audit evidence, audit risk, ethical conduct and legal restrictions, professional standards, audit planning, and audit reporting.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Accounting I or equivalent.

Individual and Corporate Taxation – ACCT 6340

Introduction to the broad structure of income tax law as it applies to individuals and corporate tax issues. Includes issues associated with the personal tax return, corporate tax returns, and tax planning.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Accounting I or equivalent.

Accounting Theory and Practice – ACCT 6309

Covers accounting theory and the conceptual framework for generally accepted accounting principles and procedures. Includes professional pronouncements and reporting regulations as well as issues involved in the preparation of financial statements. 

Prerequisites: Intermediate Accounting I and Intermediate Accounting II or equivalents.

Advanced Accounting Problems – ACCT 6310

The application of GAAP related to the proper accounting for consolidations, mergers and acquisitions, and the preparation of consolidated financial statements. Accounting for partnerships, reorganizations, estates, and foreign currency translations and transactions is covered. 

Prerequisites: Intermediate Accounting I and Intermediate Accounting II or equivalents.

Accounting Ethics – ACCT 6312

A study of ethical issues in the accounting profession, including analysis of core values and ethical reasoning applied to ethical dilemmas as well as the professional standards of integrity, objectivity and independence. Approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to qualify candidates to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam in Texas. 

Prerequisite or concurrent registration: Audit or equivalent.

Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting – ACCT 6318

A study of occupational fraud and abuse, as well as fraud prevention, detection, and forensic accounting techniques. Topics include: perpetrator behavior and demographics, asset misappropriation, fraudulent financial statements, corruption, fraud investigations and corporate governance policies.

Accounting Analytics – ACCT 6324

This course explores the impact of data analytics on financial accounting and auditing. As technology advances, traditional methods of financial accounting and auditing are also changing. The accounting profession today is faced with the challenge of embracing the power of data analysis in all aspects of accounting practice. Developing the skills necessary for an understanding of how data can be collected and analyzed in financial accounting and auditing settings is critical to the continued advancement and value of the accounting profession. Students will learn seven skills in this course:

1. Develop an analytics mindset
2. Understand the process of data scrubbing and preparation
3. Recognize data quality
4. Perform basic analysis in descriptive analytics
5. Analyze data through data manipulation
6. Solve problems through statistical data analysis
7. Report results through data visualization

Audit Analytics and Technology – ACCT 6326

This course explores appropriate analytics used in the audit profession, the theory behind advanced audit techniques, and hands-on learning of audit analytic tools and other technologies used in the audit field.

Prerequisite: ACCT 5343 or equivalent.

Possible Electives

Financial Statement Analysis – ACCT/FINC 6316

Financial statements provide a basis for a wide range of business analyses. The primary goal of this course is for students to learn how to improve business decision-making by taking a set of financial statements and systematically analyzing the data. This course consists of three parts:

1. Accessing the historical performance of the firm using ratio analysis and cash flow analysis
2. Forecasting the firm’s future performance
3. Estimating the equity value of the firm 

This course is designed to help students develop the necessary analytical skills required for careers in corporate management, investment banking, credit analysis, security analysis, or consulting.

Prerequisites: ACCT 2301 and ACCT 2303 or equivalent for ACCT 6316; FINC 6317 or equivalent for FINC 6316.

Valuation – ACCT/FINC 6320

This course builds on the financial theories, intuitions, and tools developed in Financial Management courses. It introduces valuation concepts related to the valuation of projects and business enterprises and to the claims on the cash flows that they generate. Topics covered include forecasting cash flows, discount rate estimation, the interaction between capital structure and value, as well as cost, market, income, and option‐based valuation methods. Students are introduced to the relevant theories and tools and are taught how to apply these theories and tools in realistic settings. 

Prerequisite: FINC 6301 Financial Management or FINC 6317 Finance for Managers.

Corporate Governance – ACCT/FINC 6322

This course is designed to increase individual skills and knowledge of good governance practices such that graduates would be seriously considered for appointment to the board of directors of a small not-for-profit organization. The course aims to increase understanding of the legal, economic, managerial and psychological issues directors confront as well as provide a better appreciation for their normal duties. Using this knowledge, students will be asked also to consider how directors should deal with a range of complex crises: the gradual decline of a company, hostile takeovers, proxy battles, changes in corporate strategy, or the faltering performance of a CEO. While many issues in corporate governance remain controversial, a critical aspect of this course is to acquaint participants with the broad range of governance options, their implementation, best practices, and their consequences. 

Prerequisite: ACCT 2301 and ACCT 2303 or equivalent for ACCT 6322. FINC 6301 Financial Management or FINC 6317 Finance for Managers for FINC 6322.

For more information, view the Graduate Bulletin.

Faculty within the Bill Munday School of Business deliver an impactful education that connects students with the marketplace and prepares them for today’s dynamic business environment. The business school’s curriculum and programs all reflect five pillars of the Austin business scene: entrepreneurial thinking, social enterprise, innovation management, global collaboration, and business analytics.  

All full-time faculty members in the Accounting Analytics program are CPAs with professional experience working in accounting, and all adjunct professors are currently employed in the field.

Mathew Behrend, PhD, CPA

Associate Professor

Donna Knapp, MBA, MSS, CPA

Adjunct Professor

Katherine Lopez, PhD, CPA

Associate Professor

Joseph Nketia, PhD, CPA

Assistant Professor

Steve Rosner, CPA

Adjunct Professor

At $37,260, the online Master of Science in Accounting Analytics degree is a smart investment. The skills acquired in this program prepare business and accounting professionals to sit for the CPA exam and move into executive-level roles in accounting and finance. Tuition* includes all course fees but does not include books, comprehensive fees or other course materials. Once accepted to the program, you are required to submit a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit. Deposits are applied toward tuition and secure your place in the upcoming class.

*Tuition is subject to change at the discretion of the St. Edward’s University Board of Trustees.

Financial Aid

The St. Edward’s University Financial Aid Office provides information about financial aid opportunities available to graduate students. Please visit our Financial Aid page or call us at 512-387-3110 if you are interested in additional details.

To apply for the program, students are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and complete the application process. Review application dates and submit an application. 

Need more information? Please contact an Enrollment Counselor at 512-326-7501.