Master of Accountancy

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020, and demand for thorough financial documentation is expected to increase in response to recent financial crises and subsequent financial regulations.”

Whether you’re interested in auditing, tax, forensic accounting or management, GW’s Master of Accountancy (MAccy) program prepares you for professional certification as a CPA and a successful career in the world’s leading accounting and consulting firms, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Experienced accountants are more crucial today than ever before. From fighting terrorism with the FBI and corporate corruption with the SEC, to helping organizations large and small navigate an increasingly complex tangle of tax regulations, accountants are driving business and the business of government.

Tailored to your career objectives, the Master of Accountancy program consists of 30 credits available to qualifying students who possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited university.

Our Master of Accountancy degree allows you to choose an accounting path that’s right for you: focus on traditional accounting by pursuing our general accounting major, or combine accounting and business analytics by pursuing our STEM-designated accounting analytics major.

Mission & Learning Objectives

Mission

To prepare students for entry into the Accounting profession, and in the long term, to make significant contributions to both private and public organizations in the global economy.

Learning Objectives

Students will build the following skills:

• Technical Knowledge
  Gain a comprehensive foundation in the technical knowledge of accounting.
• Ethical Awareness
  Behave ethically and demonstrate responsibility in organizations and society.
• Critical Thinking
  Exhibit problem-solving and analytical capability for sound accounting decision making.
• Oral and Written Communication
  Communicate effectively in the workplace.

Admitted Student Profile

While we do not have minimum requirements for test scores, GPA or work experience, our program does attract top academic and professional talent. Statistics from a recent admission period are as follows:

• Average GMAT Score: 692
• Average GPA: 3.53
• Percentage Military or Veteran: 1.8%
• Percentage Female: 74%
• Percentage International: 74%
• Average Age: 24

What's the GW Difference?

Master of Accountancy students at GW benefit from:

• Opportunities for internships with global organizations including the Big-4, SEC, IRS, FBI, GAO, World Bank, IMF, IFC, Peace Corps, Red Cross and more.
• Top-notch faculty working in some of the world’s most influential firms and organizations, such as PWC, KPMG and Deloitte, help students cultivate important industry contacts.
• A richly diverse student body with representation from countries that include Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Moldova, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Taiwan and Turkey as well as the United States.
• A flexible program structure that allows students to pursue their degree on a full-time or part-time basis.
• Access to all the resources of GWSB, including its strong reputation in government and industry, large alumni network, and active career center.
• Proximity to government and industry institutions like the IRS, SEC, FBI, Treasury Department, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and many other influential organizations.

Connect With Us

Join our LinkedIn group to connect, network, and get acquainted with fellow GWSB grad students in your academic program, and learn about upcoming professional development opportunities, student engagement events, online events and more.
Please note: this group is only open to current students and alumni.

Join our LinkedIn Group

Contact Information

The George Washington University School of Business
Master of Accountancy
2201 G Street NW, Funger Hall, suite 601
Washington, D.C. 20052

Phone: 202-994-1212
Fax: 202-994-3571
Email: [email protected]

Degree Requirements

The Master of Accountancy (MAccy) program at GW prepares students for high-level professional careers in the public and private sectors.

Curriculum

A flexible program tailored to individual interests and career objectives in accounting, financial management and tax practice. The Master of Accountancy program offers a path for students at all skill levels. An undergraduate degree in Accountancy or Business is not required. We also offer a five-year combined degree program for undergraduate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Accountancy and Bachelor of Business Administration program at the School of Business (see 4+1 Program information below).

Each path of study requires a minimum 30 credits, with 21 credits of coursework in accounting. Required courses can be waived with substitution depending on previous academic study and performance.

In addition to the required courses, students also select from a wide range of electives in specialized accounting subjects, as well as other business topics that help them prepare for their professional certification and career goals. Students may choose from electives offered by the School of Business as well as the GW Law School.

Students must achieve at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the time of graduation, and must complete all degree requirements within five (5) years.

Roadmaps

Download the MAccy Roadmaps

• MAccy Roadmap | Full-Time | 9 Credits (PDF)
• MAccy Roadmap | Full-Time | 15 Credits (PDF)
• MAccy Roadmap | Part-Time (PDF)

Bachelor of Accountancy or BBA & Master of Accountancy 4+1 Program

The 4+1 Program offered by the GW School of Business allows students to complete a Bachelor of Accountancy or BBA as well as a Master of Accountancy in five years. A minimum of 30 total credits are required for the Master of Accountancy degree. Six credits of graduate coursework can be shared between the two programs. Be aware that students must complete 150 credits to sit for the CPA exam and should speak with the graduate academic advisor for more information on sharing credits. Students who intend to take the C.P.A. examination should also be aware that the coursework required for admission to the examination varies from state to state. Students are advised to consult the Board of Accountancy for the state in which they plan to take the examination and choose electives that meet that state’s requirements.

Learn More About the 4+1 Program

Credits

The Master of Accountancy program is 30 credit hours long. Three-credit courses are a full semester long (14 weeks). Courses that are 1.5 credits are seven weeks in length and are offered either in the first or second half of a semester.

Duration

The program may be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Day and evening classes are available, as well as summer classes, and prior work experience is not required. Students typically complete degree requirements within the following time frames:

• 30-Credit Track & Prerequisites:
  • Part Time: 21-60 months
  • Full Time: A minimum of nine months

Course Requirements

Course Requirements (STEM-designated accounting analytics major)

Preparing for the CPA Exam

Students who intend to take the CPA examination should be aware that the coursework required for admission to the examination varies from state to state. Students are advised to consult the Board of Accountancy for the state in which they plan to take the examination and choose electives that meet that state’s requirements.

Click on the dropdowns below to expand each section.

Part I: Auditing & Attestation (AUD)

Key Concepts

• Planning the engagement
• Internal controls
• Obtain and document information
• Review engagement and evaluate information
• Prepare communications

Courses

• ACCY 6301 | Contemporary Auditing Theory
• ACCY 276 | Government Accounting and Auditing

Part II: Business Environment & Concepts (BEC)

Key Concepts

• Business Structure
• Economic Concepts
• Financial Management
• Information Technology
• Planning & Measurement

Courses

• Business Structure (20%):
  • ACCY 6602 | Business Law: Enterprise Organization

• Measurement (managerial) (10%):
  • ACCY 6201, 6202 | Cases in Management Accounting I and II

• All Areas Other Than Business Structure & Measurement (70%)
  • ACCY 6501 | Accounting Information Systems & EDP
  • ACCY 6106 | Financial Statement Analysis

Part III: Financial Accounting & Reporting

Key Concepts

• Concepts & Standards for Financial Statements
• Typical Items in Financial Statements
• Specific Types of Transactions & Events
• Accounting & Reporting for Governmental Entities
• Accounting & Reporting for Non-Governmental & Not-for-Profit Organizations

Courses

• Business Enterprises (80%)
  • ACCY 6101 | Financial Accounting
  • ACCY 6402 | Financial IncomeTaxation of Partnerships

• Governmental Entities (10%)
  • ACCY 6701 | Governmental Accounting and Auditing

• Not-for-Profit Organizations (10%)
  • ACCY 6701 | Governmental Accounting and Auditing

Part IV: Regulation (REG)

Key Concepts

• Ethics & Professional Responsibility
• Business Law
• Federal Tax Procedures & Accounting Issues
• Federal Taxation of Property Transactions
• Federal Taxation – Individuals
• Federal Taxation – Entities

Courses

• Taxation (60%):
  • ACCY 6401 | Federal Income Taxation
  • ACCY 6402 | Partnership Taxation
  • ACCY 6403 | Corporate Taxation

• Law & Professional Responsibilities (all areas other than business structure) (40%):
  • ACCY 6601 | Business Law: Contracts, Torts, Property
  • ACCY 6602 | Business Law: Enterprise Organization

Admissions

Admission to the MAccy program is highly competitive and enrollment is limited. Students operate in two cohorts throughout the academic year.

Due to the rolling admissions policy, it is highly recommended that candidates submit applications early. The candidate’s major and trend in grades, personal achievements, and letters of recommendation also affect the admission decision. This program seeks social, ethnic, cultural and geographical diversity in its student body.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Strong academic performance
• Demonstrated professional interest in accountancy

MAccy Prerequisites*

• Financial Accounting | 3 Credits
  GWSB Equivalent ACCY 2001 or ACCY 6101

• Managerial Accounting | 1.5 Credits
  GWSB Equivalent ACCY 2002

• Micro or Macroeconomics | 1.5-3 Credits
  GWSB Equivalent MBAD 6242 or ACCY 6900

• Statistics | 1.5 Credits
  GWSB Equivalent STAT 1051

*MAccy prerequisite courses may be waived for students who have completed courses earning a grade of B- or better. Courses must have been taken within five years prior to the first semester of enrollment in the program. Students must consult their academic advisor for GWSB equivalents.

Admissions Process

Applying to a program at the GW School of Business may seem like a complicated process, but the GWSB admissions team is here to help. The application process for this program can be found on our How to Apply page. All application materials should be sent to the GWSB Graduate Admissions Office. The GRE or GMAT test is not required — however, if you feel that submitting your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them. We also offer a wealth of resources to help you finance your degree, from scholarships and fellowships to loans and work-study arrangements.

Application Requirements

To be considered complete, the following must be included in the application:

• Completed online application form
• Application fee (non-refundable)
• Current résumé uploaded through the online application system
• One letter of recommendation from a professional and/or academic reference
• Statement of Purpose: In no more than 500 words, describe how this program fits into your professional life and your career objectives.

Additional Application Requirements

• Upload copies of your transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, whether or not the program was completed or the credit appears as a transfer credit on another transcript. Note that admitted students will be required to submit official, sealed transcripts with proof of bachelor’s degree. There is no need to submit them at the time when you first apply.
• The GRE or GMAT test is not required for this program — however, if you feel that submitting your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them. Learn more about our test-optional policy on the How to Apply page. GW School of Business applicants interested in taking the exam can benefit from 10% off any Kaplan GMAT or GRE preparation course. Use discount code GWUSB10.

International Applicants

Applicants who require a visa to study in the United States must also fulfill additional requirements in order to be considered for admission to a graduate program at the School of Business. Please visit our How to Apply page for further details.

Admissions Process

Applying to a program at the GW School of Business may seem like a complicated process, but the GWSB admissions team is here to help. The application process for this program can be found on our How to Apply page. All application materials should be sent to the GWSB Graduate Admissions Office. The GRE or GMAT test is not required — however, if you feel that submitting your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them.