If you're considering a master's degree in accounting, its value depends on your career goals and where you want to take your profession. For many aspiring CPAs and accounting professionals, it's a pathway to meeting licensure requirements, increasing earning potential and preparing for leadership roles. For others, it provides specialized knowledge that can open doors to new opportunities and long-term career growth.
This guide explores the benefits of earning a master's degree in accounting, who the degree is best suited for and how to decide whether it's the right investment for your career.
What Is a Master's Degree in Accounting?
A master's degree in accounting is a graduate-level program that builds advanced expertise in accounting concepts and practices. Where an undergraduate degree establishes the foundation, a master's degree goes deeper, sharpening technical skills in areas such as audit, tax, financial reporting and analytics, while preparing students for credential growth and career advancement.
At the George Washington University School of Business, the Master of Accountancy (MAcc/MAccy) is a 30-credit program designed to prepare students for the next stage of their accounting careers, including CPA certification. It's built for people who want to move beyond entry-level work and into roles that demand sophisticated technical knowledge and professional judgment.
What Can You Do With a Master's Degree in Accounting?
A master's degree in accounting can open doors across audit, tax, advisory and analytics roles, both in public accounting and in corporations, government agencies and regulatory bodies. The technical depth of the degree prepares graduates for roles that offer greater responsibility, complexity and upward mobility than entry-level positions.
The strength of a program shows up in where its graduates land. GW Master of Accountancy graduates have gone on to work at leading firms and institutions, including Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC, as well as the FBI, the IRS, and the Department of the Treasury.
Who Should Consider a Master's in Accounting?
This degree tends to be the right fit for a specific set of people:
- Aspiring CPAs: If your goal is licensure, a master's is often the most direct way to meet educational requirements while building exam-ready knowledge.
- Early- to mid-career accountants: Professionals who already have some experience often use the degree to specialize, deepen their expertise and position themselves for advancement.
- Professionals seeking leadership roles: A graduate degree signals readiness for senior positions that require both technical depth and strategic thinking.
- Career changers entering accounting: For those moving into the field from another discipline, a master's provides the rigorous foundation employers expect.
Salary Potential and Career Growth for Accounting Professionals
Demand for skilled accountants and CPAs remains strong, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting about 124,200 job openings for accountants and auditors each year until 2034. That demand tends to reward advanced education and credentials. A master's degree can increase earning potential, particularly when paired with CPA licensure, and it positions professionals for the kind of long-term career stability the accounting field is known for.
Beyond the first job, the degree compounds in value. Accounting offers clear pathways into leadership, from senior roles in public accounting firms to controller and chief financial officer positions within other organizations. Advanced training helps professionals move into these roles faster and compete for opportunities that require both technical mastery and strategic judgment.
Can a Master's Degree in Accounting Help You Meet CPA Requirements?
For many students, CPA licensure is the primary reason to pursue a master's in accounting, and the degree directly supports meeting licensure requirements.
Most states require 150 credit hours of education to become a licensed CPA, which is more than a standard four-year bachelor's degree provides. A master's in accounting is one of the most common and effective ways to close that gap. The additional graduate coursework helps students reach the 150-hour threshold while building the advanced knowledge tested on the CPA exam.
The Master of Accountancy at GW School of Business is designed with CPA preparation in mind. The curriculum supports students working toward certification by combining the credit hours needed for licensure with rigorous coursework in advanced accounting topics.
One important caveat: CPA requirements vary by state. Specific rules around credit hours, coursework composition and exam eligibility differ depending on where you plan to be licensed, so it's essential to check the requirements for your particular state as you plan your path forward.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master's Degree in Accounting?
The GW Master of Accountancy is a 30-credit program, and the time to complete it depends on whether you study full-time or part-time. Full-time students typically finish in about 1.5 years, while part-time students generally complete the program in about 2 years. The part-time pathway offers flexibility for working professionals who want to advance their education without stepping away from their careers.
GW School of Business also offers an accelerated option for prospective or existing GW undergraduate students. Through the 4+1 program, students can earn a BS in Accountancy and a Master of Accountancy in five years, moving efficiently from undergraduate study into graduate work and toward the 150-hour CPA threshold.
If you're exploring graduate business education more broadly, GW School of Business offers a range of flexible, accelerated and online graduate business programs to fit different career goals and schedules.
Why Choose the George Washington University Master of Accountancy Program?
Several features distinguish the GW Master of Accountancy:
- CPA preparation and advanced accounting curriculum: The 30-credit program is designed to prepare students for CPA certification while deepening expertise in advanced accounting.
- Flexible, full-time, and part-time formats: Students can complete the degree in about 1.5 years full-time or roughly 2 years part-time, accommodating both recent graduates and working professionals.
- Accelerated 4+1 degree pathway: Current students can earn a BS in Accountancy and a Master of Accountancy in five years. Those in the 4+1 program may also be eligible for Grad2Grad tuition discounts and merit scholarships of up to 40 percent, once admitted.
- Connections to leading employers: Graduates have moved into roles at Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, the FBI, the IRS and the Department of the Treasury.
- Access to Washington, DC, professional and regulatory networks: The program's location places students near the federal agencies, regulatory bodies and professional organizations that shape the accounting field.
Deciding If a Master's in Accounting Is Right for You
The right way to decide is to be clear about your goals. If CPA licensure, advanced technical skill, and long-term advancement in accounting are part of your plan, a master's degree is one of the most direct ways to get there.
From here, explore the Master of Accountancy program details, review the CPA licensure requirements for the state where you intend to practice and connect with the GW Business admissions team or attend an info session to determine whether the program fits your goals. You can also learn more about the BS in Accountancy if you're considering the 4+1 pathway.
FAQs About a Master's Degree in Accounting
- What's the difference between the Master of Accountancy and the Master of Accountancy in Accounting Analytics?
The Master of Accountancy (MAcc/MAccy) is designed for students seeking a broad foundation in advanced accounting and CPA preparation, with coursework covering areas such as auditing, taxation, financial reporting and accounting regulation.
The Master of Accountancy in Accounting Analytics combines advanced accounting education with data analytics, preparing graduates to use data-driven insights, technology and analytical tools to solve complex accounting and business challenges. If you're interested in applying analytics to accounting and working with emerging technologies, the Accounting Analytics program may be a better fit.
Learn more about the Master of Accountancy in Accounting Analytics.
- Can you become a CPA with a master's degree in accounting?
A master's in accounting helps you meet the educational requirements for CPA licensure, including the 150 credit hours most states require, and it builds the advanced knowledge tested on the CPA exam. Licensure requirements vary by state, so confirm the specific rules for where you plan to practice.
- Should I get a master's in accounting if I already have a bachelor's degree?
Whether you should get a master's in accounting after earning a bachelor's degree depends on your career goals. For many aspiring CPAs, a master's degree helps satisfy the 150-credit-hour requirement while providing advanced accounting knowledge that supports career advancement. It can also prepare you for more specialized and leadership-focused accounting roles.
- Is a master's in accounting better than an MBA?
A master's degree in accounting is better than an MBA if your goal is to build specialized accounting expertise or become a CPA. An MBA offers broader business and leadership education across multiple disciplines. The best choice depends on whether you want to specialize in accounting or pursue a broader management career.
- Why pursue a master's degree in accounting?
Many professionals pursue a master's degree in accounting to prepare for CPA licensure, strengthen their accounting expertise, and qualify for more advanced career opportunities. In addition to increasing technical knowledge, the degree can support higher earning potential, long-term career stability and leadership growth within the accounting profession.