Master of Accounting

Providing Exceptional Education in Accounting

The Milgard School of Business Master of Accounting (MAcc) program is a one year, 45-quarter credit full-time professional program. The program will consist of 10 four-credit courses and one (1) five-credit internship.  The internship requirement enables students to the opportunity to apply their academic skill and knowledge to a specific area of accounting.

The MAcc courses cover key areas of accounting and business knowledge such as advanced topics in accounting, international accounting, planning, control and performance evaluation, financial statement analysis, financial accounting theory, taxation of businesses, and business law and ethics. These courses emphasize the skills and tools for accountants to provide information and assist decision makers.  The program's innovative features include international accounting, social reporting, and forensic accounting. The program provides the fifth-year of higher education required for the State of Washington CPA exam.

Program Length

The program can be completed in 1 year on a full-time basis only.  Courses start in the fall and end in the following spring.  Students who have had an equivalent course with a grade of "B" (3.0) or better may be eligible to waive one course if completed within the past five years.

Courses

A Rigorous Curriculum to Advance Accounting Careers

Enabling accounting professionals to adapt to the evolving realities of the global marketplace, the Milgard School’s MAcc curriculum provides a solid foundation, rooted in the business fundamentals identified by regional business leaders.

AUTUMN QUARTER
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T ACCT 502 Financial Statement Analysis (4 credits)
Examines the analytical tools and research techniques necessary to understand and interpret financial statements for the purposes of making economic decisions from a user’s perspective.

T ACCT 535 Taxation of Business Entities (4 credits)
Investigates the effects of income taxes on business strategy. Examines the interaction of income tax considerations with non-tax considerations in business decision-making.

T ACCT 540 Advanced Auditing (4 credits)
Examines key issues regarding generally accepted auditing standards, the role of the auditor, professional conduct and ethics, reporting responsibilities, risk assessment, internal control evidential matter, management fraud, forensic accounting, and auditing of social reports.

T ACCT 550 Governmental and Not-For-Profit Accounting (4 credits)
Explores accounting issues for state and local governments, public and private colleges and universities, hospital and health care providers, and other not-for-profit organizations. Examines the characteristics that distinguish governmental and not-for-profit entities from for-profit entities. Investigates fund structure and financial reporting issues for various kinds of not-for-profit institutions.

WINTER QUARTER
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T ACCT 500 Advanced Topics in Financial Accounting (4 credits)
Investigates advanced accounting issues related to business combinations, foreign currency transactions, financial derivatives, segment and interim reporting, intercompany transactions, SEC regulation and reporting requirements, and revenue recognition. Emphasizes the ability to identify and apply related accounting principles, assess their impact on the financial statements, and identify areas of potential misstatements.

T ACCT 511 Planning, Control and Performance Evaluation (4 credits)
Investigates the use of cost accounting information and techniques to support decision-makers as they develop, implement, evaluate and modify organizational strategy. Examines and evaluates quantitative models and behavioral aspects regarding the use of cost information in decision-making.

T ACCT 536 Tax Research & Communication (4 credits)
Examines issues in conducting tax research. Investigates aspects of the research process, including how to find, read, and evaluate primary and secondary sources of tax law. Emphasizes development of advanced communication skills relating to the expression of research findings in taxation.

TACCT 601 Internship (5 credits)
Provides students the opportunity to receive practical knowledge and experience in an accounting environment.  Permits students to perform field work utilizing the skills developed in the classroom.  An internship proposal is required for registration and a written report is required upon completion of the internship.

SPRING QUARTER
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T ACCT 501 Financial Accounting Theory (4 credits)
Examines accounting theory, such as the role of accounting in valuation of securities, performance evaluation, and accounting standards setting. Investigates the scope and limitations of “generally accepted accounting principles,” with special emphasis on the objectives of financial reporting.

T ACCT 510 Business Regulation and Communication (4 credits)
Investigates key issues in the current regulatory business environment. Examines statutory and common law precedent of issues. Explores optimization of results to those key issues evaluated. Emphasizes the development of advanced communication skills pertaining to research regarding regulatory issues.

T ACCT 521 Advanced International Accounting (4 credits)
Examines the causes and effects of global accounting diversity. Investigates issues related to the preparation and use of financial reports across borders. Investigates selected financial reporting and disclosure issues including social responsibility reporting. Emphasizes the nature and importance of emerging capital markets, and managerial accounting issues related to global business.

Internship

You’ll pursue internship placement with the chance to immerse yourself in an accounting environment. You’ll obtain practical knowledge and experience while employing the skills developed in the classroom.  Internships can often lead to full-time employment for students as firms and businesses may consider the internship an extended interview for post-graduate employment.

Students often intern in paid positions during the busy accounting season winter quarter of the program.  However, the MAcc program provides flexibility for students to take advantage of professional internship opportunities that arise during any academic quarter, including summer if desirable. The Milgard School of Business is committed to building and maintaining positive and mutually beneficial relationships with the dynamic South Sound business community. MAcc students benefit from the partnerships that the Milgard School has developed with local CEO’s, senior executives and leaders when seeking internship placement.

Process for Obtaining Internship Placement

You’ll find much needed support and structure in finding internship placement from the Milgard School of Business and UWT Career Development and Services.

You can participate in a series of networking events, workshops and even an etiquette dinner geared to connect you with employers and help you successfully create and then navigate your future career path. We offer individualized assistance in preparing for interviews, resume writing workshops, and on-campus interviews with accounting firms along with several Milgard School-sponsored recruiting events that will help you learn more about the accounting industry and career opportunities.

Admissions

Comprehensive admission information is located within the Admissions section of this website. 

Questions

Contact Sally Schwartz at (253) 692-4733 or uwtmacc@uw.edu.