Options Available in the Master of Science in Accounting Program
Every Master of Science in Accounting student must select one of four options. The required courses in the options differ. Following is a brief description of the options.
Financial Reporting and Assurance Services Option
Students who plan to begin their careers in auditing with a CPA firm or as an internal auditor in industry should select this option. It is also the best option for students interested in corporate accounting who primarily plan or prepare financial statements and deal with other financial accounting issues.
Information Systems Option
Students who plan to focus their careers in computer technology and other information systems issues should choose this option. Graduates with this option often work for CPA firms as consultants or as computer audit specialists. There are also many opportunities in industry and government.
Management Accounting Option
Students who plan to begin their careers with a corporation emphasizing accounting planning, control, and decision-making should select this option. Graduates with this option often plan to become controllers or chief financial officers during their career.
Taxation Option
Students who plan to focus their careers in taxation should choose this option. Graduates with this option often work for CPA firms as taxation specialists. There are also opportunities in corporate tax departments, with the Internal Revenue Service, state and local tax authorities, bank trust departments, and financial planning firms among others.
Note: Students choosing the Information Systems option may select as many other accounting courses as electives as they choose. Similarly, students in the other three options may select as many information systems courses as electives as they choose.