Master in Public Accounting

The M.S. in Public Accounting is a value-added program that is a registered 150 Credit Hour Licensure-Qualifying Program. Upon completion of the prerequisite and requisite courses, you can sit for the Certified Public Accountant CPA examination in New York State. If you possess undergraduate degrees in accounting or another field, a Master of Science in Public Accounting is for you, especially if you want to be a public accountant or if you're a professional accountant who wants to meet the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) 150 Credit Hour curriculum criteria.

Graduates of the MS in Public Accounting Program who aspire to become CPAs will satisfy the New York State licensure requirement with one year of appropriate professional work experience.

The M.S. in Public Accounting will prepare you for employment in a dynamic profession. Our program is perfect for you if you wish to enter or advance your career in the profession of public accountancy, industry, government or not-for-profit organizations.

Public Accounting Fast Facts

• GMAT Optional
• Westchester/Manhattan Campus
• Evening program
• VITA (tax training Program)

Public Accounting M.S. Curriculum

Accounting Courses

• ACCT 510 Global Financial Statement Analysis
• ACCT 520 Contemporary Issues Auditing
• ACCT 530 Advanced Accounting Theory & Applications
• ACCT 540 Advanced Business Entity Taxation
• ACCT 550 Cost Management Advanced Controllership
• ACCT 560 Fraud Examination

Business Courses

• FINC 703 Corporate Financial Policy

or

• FINC 710 Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions
• MBAA 504 Marketing Systems
• MBAA 535 Communication Processes
• MBAA 602 Managerial Economics

Adherence to the schedule will enable students to complete the program in five quarters of continuous study.

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Purpose

The Master of Science in Public Accounting prepares its graduates for employment in a dynamic profession. The program is offered to qualified candidates who wish to enter or advance their careers in the profession of public accountancy or in industry, government or not-for-profit organizations. The program integrates advanced study and research in auditing, taxation, financial and management accounting with business courses in the Master of Business Administration Program, which provide depth and breadth to the learning experience. The Master of Science in Public Accounting is designed for individuals possessing undergraduate degrees in accounting/business or unrelated fields of study who wish to enter the public accounting profession and for those professional accountants who wish to meet the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) 150-hour curriculum criteria. Candidates who have no business or accounting background, or who have not completed the necessary prerequisite coursework, will need to complete the undergraduate pre-requisite program prior to being eligible to start the M.S. degree. Contact the Accounting Department chair for information. Graduates of the M.S. in Public Accounting Program who aspire to become Certified Public Accountants will satisfy the New York State licensure requirement with one year of appropriate professional work experience.

Degree Requirements

Requirements for matriculation and admission into the Master of Science in Public Accounting include:

A baccalaureate transcript with 120 credits of prerequisite course in the specific content areas of accounting, business, and liberal arts and sciences are required for entrance into the program. Contact the Accounting Department chairperson for prerequisite course specifics. International students must submit a formal evaluation of all international coursework; an evaluation by World Education Services (WES) is preferred. TOEFL scores must also be submitted. A detailed Professional Goals Statement stating the reasons for applying to the program and how the applicant can benefit from its completion. Interview with the Accounting Department chairperson or designee. Satisfactory GMAT score may be required for applicants with no substantive business experience or GPA below 3.0. The successful completion of the CPA or CMA examination or an equivalent examination could be used instead of the GMAT.

Public Accounting Objectives

The objective of the program is to prepare students for practice in the profession of public accountancy by enabling them to acquire, develop and apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies required in this field. Students will be encouraged to integrate and apply knowledge from accounting and business, think independently, engage in research and maintain high ethical standards.

Expectations of the Graduate

Graduates of the Master of Science in Accounting program will be able to accomplish the following:

• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for careers in the field of public accounting or a related field
• Demonstrate proficiency in comprehensive analysis, communication, and information technology
• Pursue careers in the field of public accounting or a related field and compete successfully
• Apply knowledge of personal, ethical and social responsibilities toward effective decision-making

Program Outcomes

By the end of this program, students should be able to:

• Use strategic analysis and quantitative methods to solve problems
• Make decisions utilizing knowledge of accounting, auditing, and taxation concepts and standards
• Use oral, written, and presentation skills to communicate accounting and other business information effectively
• Work effectively and collaboratively in teams
• Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical responsibilities of accountants and auditors
• Evaluate ethical dilemmas to determine the impact of possible actions on stakeholder groups
• Conduct research, support hypotheses with evidence, and respond to challenges

Career Opportunities

Public Accounting graduates may seek positions such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), government auditor, internal auditor, financial advisor, tax accountant, and management services accountant.

Mercy College is the dynamic, diverse New York City area college whose students are on a personal mission: to get the most out of life by getting the most out of their education.

Founded in 1950, Mercy offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs within five schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Mercy College challenges its faculty and staff to make higher education work for anyone hungry enough to earn a better place in life. With campuses in Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, Manhattan and Yorktown Heights, the vibrancy of the College culture is sustained by a diverse student body from around the region.