Online Master of Science in Accounting Analytics

Learning Goals:

The M.S. in Accounting Analytics prepares students to take on virtual accounting environments and unstructured accounting big data, solving business problems by constructing meaning out of vast amounts of data. Students will learn to:

• Identify and evaluate issues that require the application of professional judgment by conducting professional research
• 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 deciding what action should be taken

Outcomes:

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

The MSAA program ranges from 30 to 39 required semester credit hours, depending on the student's undergraduate coursework. 

• Students with an undergraduate accounting degree should be able to complete the MSAA in 30-hours. 
  • A 30-hour program can be completed in 12 to 17 months
• Students with an undergraduate degree in an area of business outside of accounting will typically need to take 39-hours to complete the program. 
  • A 39-hour program and be completed in 17-22 months.

The MSAA program consists of 30 semester hours of core courses and elective courses.

*Students in this program without an undergraduate degree in Accounting will be required to complete the following additional undergraduate-level Accounting coursework in order to satisfy prerequisite requirements: Intermediate Accounting I and II, Federal Taxation of Individuals, and Auditing. 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 (see their website at  www.tsbpa.state.tx.us/ for additional information). 

Core Courses:

Graduate Bulletin

ACCT 6303 Business Law, Contracts and Equity for Accountants

ACCT 6305 Advanced Federal Taxation

ACCT 6309 Accounting Theory and Practice

ACCT 6310 Advanced Accounting Problems

ACCT 6312* Accounting Ethics

ACCT 6323 Cases in Cost Accounting

ACCT 6324 Accounting Analytics

ACCT 6326 Audit Analytics and Technology

*Students who have completed Accounting Ethics in their undergraduate curriculum may substitute this course with a three-hour elective from the MSAA, MBA or MSBA program

Elective Courses:

In addition to the eight core courses, students choose two three-hour elective courses from the MSAA, MBA or MSBA programs to broaden and deepen their knowledge from a variety of advanced electives.

Detailed Course Description:

ACCT 6303 Business Law, Contracts and Equity for Accountants

A detailed legal analysis of the Uniform Commercial Code, including sales, commercial paper, bank deposits and collections, electronic transfer funds, letters of credit, secured transactions, and creditors’ remedies. This course may also include discussions of the Bankruptcy Act, the legal analysis of the Uniform Partnership Act, and the Business Corporations Act.

ACCT 6305 Advanced Federal Taxation

Introduction to advanced topics: taxation of corporations and stockholders’ transactions in stocks; income taxation of partnerships and fiduciaries; gift and estate taxation; and tax research techniques. Prerequisite: ACCT 5334 or introductory tax course.

ACCT 6309 Accounting Theory and Practice

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. Prerequisite: ACCT 5331 and 5332 or equivalents.

ACCT 6310 Advanced Accounting Problems

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: ACCT 5331 and ACCT 5332 or equivalents.

ACCT 6312 Accounting Ethics

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: ACCT 5343 or equivalent.

ACCT/FINC 6316 Financial Statement Analysis

Financial statements provide a basis for a wide range of business analysis. 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.

ACCT 6318 Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting

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.

ACCT/FINC 6320 Valuation

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.

ACCT/FINC 6322 Corporate Governance

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.

ACCT 6323 Cases in Cost Accounting

This course examines accounting techniques utilized by managers to plan, implement and control organization resources to improve performance and comply with the organization’s strategies. Cost accounting is used by managers to gather cost, analyze cost, and prepare cost reports for decision making in the organization. The topics to cover in this course include cost analysis and estimation, cost management systems, and management control systems. The case based teaching method will be used in this course to provide an analytical approach to evaluate cost problems encountered by the organization.

ACCT 6324 Accounting Analytics

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.  Learn data analysis through data manipulation
6.  Problem solve through statistical data analysis
7.  Report results through data visualization

ACCT 6326 Audit Analytics and Technology

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 the audit field. Prerequisite: ACCT 5343 or equivalent.

The Bill Munday School of Business delivers an impactful education that connects students with the marketplace and prepares them for today’s dynamic business environment. MSB 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 are CPAs with professional experience working in accounting, and all adjunct professors are currently employed in the field.

At $37,260* the online Master of Science in Accounting Analytics is a smart investment. Tuition does not include books, comprehensive fees or other course materials. Once accepted to the program, students are required to submit a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit. Deposits are applied towards the total tuition costs 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.