Master of Science in Accountancy Degree

Accounting Excellence Based in Ethical Leadership


With Duquesne's Master of Science in Accountancy (MAcc) degree, expand your career opportunities and maximize your earning potential. Our MAcc degree, distinct among auditing and accounting programs in Pennsylvania, equips successful CPA-licensed professionals, expert analysts and compelling ethical business leaders.

The Duquesne University Master of Science in Accountancy program is accredited by AACSB International and ranked well by the Princeton Review.

In-Demand Graduate Accounting Curriculum


The MS in Accountancy from Duquesne offers a competitive curriculum built upon the educational cornerstones of small class sizes, hands-on learning, ethical problem-solving, and individualized attention from faculty and mentors. Our MAcc degree prepares you for the CPA exam with a breadth of courses in areas like forensic accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and information systems. 

Our graduate accounting degree program starts in the fall semester and can be completed in one year with daytime and evening courses or in two years with evening courses. This structure provides flexibility for you to build your degree around your professional commitments. Duquesne's proximity to downtown Pittsburgh is convenient for working professionals to take evening classes near their workplace.

Learn More About Duquesne's MAcc Degree


Accelerate your professional potential with a Master of Science in Accountancy degree that centers your career development, equips you for accounting and auditing licensures, and grows your capacity to thrive long-term. This competitive accounting program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prepares expert business leaders in internationally recognized organizations like Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and FedEx.

To learn more about Duquesne's MS in Accountancy, request more info, or attend an information session. 

Dr. Amy Yurko, associate professor of Accounting on how a Master of Science in Accountancy from Duquesne University prepares you for a rewarding career.

 

Program Type

Major

Degree

Master's

School

Palumbo-Donahue School of Business

More in this Program

Hear from Our Students

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"Duquesne's MAcc program focuses on preparation for the CPA exam. In addition, the small class sizes and interaction with professors and executives in Pittsburgh made the decision to pursue a MAcc a no-brainer for me."

Sean Bogosta MAcc 2015, Senior Consultant, EY People Advisory Services

Preparation for Professional Accounting Certification

Propel your career to new heights-and more than $220K increased earning potential-with a professional certification. Your MAcc degree can be combined with your undergraduate degree to meet the 150 academic credits required for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure in Pennsylvania and most other states. You can also pursue Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) licensures.

Duquesne's Master of Science in Accountancy graduates excel on certification exams, with pass rates exceeding state and national averages on the CPA exam. In addition to professional licensures, you will join a network of alumni in positions with international Big Four accounting firms, national and regional CPA firms, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

IIA Accredited Program

Duquesne is recognized as a certified school of internal auditing by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Of the 30+ USA-based schools on the global certification list, Duquesne's Palumbo-Donahue School of Business-under which the MAcc offers a degree in auditing-is currently the only IIA-certified graduate accounting program in the state of Pennsylvania.

Course Descriptions

The 30-credit Master of Science in Accountancy consists of 24 credits of required courses and 6 credits of electives.

This course highlights a number of important controls that prevent fraud and abuse, explores the most common asset theft fraud schemes, and teaches the detective skills needed to determine if inappropriate events have taken place. Proper interviewing and interrogation tactics are instructed and students are able to practice their skills while they conduct a simulated fraud interview. Financial statement fraud is reviewed to ensure that students are aware of red flags and can properly identify suspicious activities. Analysis of ethical reporting through whistleblowing hot lines and Dodd Frank Act is included, as is an understanding of public companies, external auditors and the SEC, PCAOB requirements. A focus on ethical decision making and accurate financial statement reporting as well as other reports such as sustainability is part of the course's content.

The course will cover internal audit from a broad perspective that includes business information, business processes, and accounting systems. Topics include internal auditing standards, risk assessment, governance, ethics, audit techniques, and emerging issues. The course covers the design of business processes and the implementation of key control concepts and uses a case study approach that addresses tactical, strategic, systems, and operational areas. Business improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes and controls are covered in the areas of operations, finance and technology. An understanding of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) are integrated.

This course will help students to understand many of the concepts tested on the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) as well as components of the CPA exam including controls and fraud prevention. There are no prerequisites or concurrent courses that are required but a understanding of general auditing is recommended.

This course exposes students to the various periodic financial reporting requirements for publicly held companies as well as financial statement requirements for companies in the process of going public. Through actual SEC filings and case studies, the course illustrates a wide range of SEC reporting requirements. Current SEC developments will also be discussed. 
Business operations generate large amounts of data. Knowing how to extract, analyze, and interpret financial information is critical for effective decision-making. This course introduces strategies and methods for developing meaningful business intelligence to assist managers in making decisions in complex decision environments.
This course sits at the intersection of information systems, business management, and accounting. Effective management and monitoring of the information systems control environment is critical to the achievement of business goals because it allows management to anticipate and control for threats to its information systems infrastructure. As such, this course provides auditors and other accounting professionals with essential knowledge of the role of information systems in modern business organizations, specifically with regard to the governance, risk and compliance (GRC) issues surrounding information systems and technologies. This includes an examination of IS and data governance, IT risk and control concepts, and various technology-related compliance issues and standards. The course also provides hands-on exposure to specific software applications representing emerging and increasingly important technologies.
Advanced Financial Reporting is a continuation of the two-course undergraduate Intermediate Accounting sequence. In this course, students examine major theoretical concepts for some of the more sophisticated topics underlying external financial reporting, including income taxes, leases, and pensions. In addition, students will utilize the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Codification to research guidance on the proper reporting of transactions and events in conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
This is a graduate-level accounting course designed to provide the students with a detailed understanding of the accounting and reporting for state and local governments in accordance with pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Additionally, the course will also cover the unique accounting and financial reporting needs of governmental and non-governmental non-profit organizations.
Significant and rapid changes in the business environment are impacting the financial reporting and analysis that management uses to make business decisions. In this course, selected ongoing and emerging financial accounting issues are studied, emphasizing conceptual and practical aspects of the question. Examples of topics covered include: Corporate Governance, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting, Executive Compensation, Non-GAAP Measures, Cybersecurity Controls, and Audit Committee Policies and Procedures. It is intended that this course be conducted in "real-time." As such, the course topics may be adjusted quickly to address breaking issues facing the business community. Prerequisite: ACCT 811.

Beta Alpha Psi

Beta Alpha Psi is the premier national honorary accounting fraternity. Less than 5% of The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International accredited schools eligible for membership have achieved active status. The fraternity sponsors professional growth and development programs, as well as community and University service activities.

MAcc FAQs

The MAcc is a 30-credit program that starts in the fall semester. It can be completed in one year with daytime and evening courses or in two years with evening courses.
Financial aid can take many forms. At Duquesne University, graduate student financial aid can be scholarships, assistantships, federal work study, and student loans. The MAcc program offers merit-based scholarships to outstanding students. Each student is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee. Furthermore, Duquesne University offers Graduate Assistantships for qualified students.
Candidates for admission to the MAcc program will have successfully completed a minimum of 15 undergraduate credits in accounting.
The following courses (or equivalent coursework) are required to be completed prior to enrollment in the MAcc program:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Intermediate Accounting I
  • Intermediate Accounting II
  • Auditing

*Students interested in becoming a CPA in the state of Pennsylvania are recommended to complete a class in taxation to fulfill the state's licensing requirements. A B average or better in all accounting courses is required for admissions consideration.

Applicants who opt to take a Pass/No Pass grade in a prerequisite course during Spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic will still be considered for admission into the program. The review committee will evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the totality of a student's academic record and other admission packet material.

Prerequisite courses can either be taken prior to enrollment in the MAcc Program at Duquesne University or at another institution. Please note that courses from other institutions will be reviewed by Duquesne faculty to determine their equivalency to Duquesne courses. You will need to provide a syllabus and a course description for any courses for which a waiver is requested. The MAcc Program will accept Financial Accounting and/or Managerial Accounting from a community college; however, all other prerequisite courses must be completed at a four-year accredited institution.
No. The GMAT exam is waived for anyone who has successfully completed all 4 parts of the CPA exam.
No, we do not accept any applicants on a conditional basis. Students with an undergraduate business degree should refer to the GMAT requirements listed below.
Two letters of recommendation are needed for the application process. The Admission Committee prefers to receive one academic and one professional recommendation. However, if you have been out of school for several years, we will accept two professional recommendations.
A GMAT score of 500 or higher is preferred for our MAcc applicants. If your score is lower, we recommend that you consider scheduling an appointment to retake the GMAT in the near future to improve your chances for admission. Students who have completed an undergraduate business degree in the last 10 years from an AACSB-accredited school and earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher may waive the GMAT requirement.
We do not have a minimum GPA requirement; however, most admitted students have GPAs of at least 3.2 or higher.
Applicants whose native language is not English must pass the TOEFL with a score of 90 (iBT) or higher.
Yes, in two ways. First, the program is thirty credits and when combined with your undergraduate degree will enable you to meet the 150 hours required by Pennsylvania and most of the states to become a CPA. Second, the coursework in our MAcc curriculum will provide you with additional knowledge of topics covered on the CPA exam, improving your ability to pass the exam.

Certification/Licensure

Certification is highly recommended in the accounting profession. Many certifications exist that offer credentialing in specific areas of expertise within accounting. Our MAcc will help prepare you for the licensure exams listed below: Research shows that CPAs earning potential is $220K to $1.2M more than non-CPAs depending on when they earn their CPA and the size of firm for which they work - Journal of Accountancy.

Anyone interested in becoming a public accountant must become licensed by passing the CPA. The American Institute of CPAs governs the Uniform CPA exam to ensure appropriate licensing and professionalism in this discipline.
The Institute of Management Accountants is dedicated to re-balancing the accountancy profession by educating society regarding the business-building role of management accountants and finance professionals working inside organizations.
The CIA is administered by the Institute of Internal Auditors and is globally accepted by employers as the premier certification for professionalism and competence in the area of internal auditing practices.
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is an anti-fraud organization committed to reducing fraud around the globe and promoting the integrity of its members. The exam seeks to identify expertise in prevention, detection, and deterrence of fraud, a skill that is increasingly sought after by employers across all industries.
The CISA is a global standard for information systems auditing professionals. The exam identifies technical expertise in the area of IS auditing, control and security.