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About the Program

We’ve designed the MS in Accounting Transitions Track for students with non-accounting backgrounds who would like to enter this rapidly growing field. It's an affordable, flexible, world-class education that prepares students for new career possibilities.

Why Switch to a Career in Accounting?

The accounting field is booming. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for accounting expertise will grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026. Isenberg’s MS in Accounting, which is AACSB-accredited at both the school and program levels, is an efficient, flexible, and affordable path to a career in accounting.

The Isenberg MS in Accounting Transitions Track will provide you with skills and expertise to pursue a career in the field of accounting. You will gain knowledge in auditing, tax, financial valuation and explore ethical standards, and can choose from three focus areas of specialized knowledge in Forensic Accounting, Data Analytics and Taxation. The Transitions Track will enable you to fulfill the educational requirements to become CPA-licensed in Massachusetts and launch a career in accounting.

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$68,000
MS in Accounting Graduate Average Starting Salary
10,000+
Accounting Alumni Network
#1
Best Graduate Accounting Program in New England (Public Accounting Report, 2018 & 2019)
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4+1 Master's Degrees

4+1 Master's Degrees

Undergraduate students at UMass Amherst and other colleges in the Five College Consortium can pursue a 4+1 option, completing their undergraduate degree and their master's degree in 5 years. 

The 4+1 option can also be accelerated, allowing students to complete both their undergraduate and master's degrees in fewer than 5 years. Isenberg's Master of Finance, Master of Science in Accounting, and Master of Science in Business Analytics all offer this accelerated option.

Interested students should apply to a master's degree program in their junior year or early in their senior year.

 

4+1 ProgramsLearn More
There are so many different directions you can take with accounting. I didn't expect my prior skillset to carry over so much to accounting but I'm finding it useful. Despite accounting being about the numbers, you still need to have customer service skills, persuasive abilities, and above all else time management.
Karyn Boutin '19
The Transitions program set me up to succeed in the more evenly paced MS program. It was a balancing act, because the career services piece involved lots of networking, job interviews, and presentations by public accounting firms.
Sylvia Wu '18
I entered the MSA program by completing the Accounting Transitions Program, which I did relatively recently. I am most excited to learn as much as I can and hopefully find a career path in which I can apply myself mathematically and analytically.
Martin Wiedershein '20
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AACSB Accounting Accreditation

AACSB Accounting Accreditation

AACSB represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Isenberg is part of the one percent of the worlds' 13,000 business programs that have earned this recognition. AACSB-accredited schools produce highlight skilled graduates valued by employers over graduates from non-accredited schools. Isenberg is proud to have this distinction.

Accolades
2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Grad Business Programs
Online MS in Accounting
#6 Overall
U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Ranked #3
MS in Accounting
#3 Overall
Fortune Education, 2023
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CPA Licensure in MA

All Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs. While both deal with the financial business of individuals, companies, and other organizations—such as preparing and examining financial records and reports—CPAs are certified professionals who can do more and take their careers further. The MS in Accounting program meets all requirements for education in Massachusetts for the CPA license.  

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

UMass Amherst accepts students from all 50 states into online programs and classes. The University of Massachusetts Amherst operates distance education classes and programs for out-of-state students under the terms and provisions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). California does not participate in the Agreement but allows all public institutions to offer distance education to its residents.

Revolutionary Flexibility

Revolutionary Flexibility

This Isenberg program is a UMass Flex program, a designation that enables flexible access to UMass Amherst.

 

Proudly representing UMass Flex—a commitment to our university’s core values, while delivering a flexible educational experience to meet the needs of today’s students.
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Fill out the form to start the conversation and one of our program specialists will follow up with you directly. You'll also receive a link to download our MS in Accounting brochure and program information emails.






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Apply Now

Follow our step-by-step process to complete your online application.

  1. Review the program specific admissions requirements.
  2. Click Apply Now to go to the University's Graduate School site where you can find a link to the secure online application.
  3. First-time users will need to create an account to start a new application. Note: You can submit your application before you have all your materials ready, simply save and resume your application as you gather required materials.
  4. After submitting, track your application at the Graduate School Status of Application page.
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