Graduates of Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program are well prepared to become CPAs. The program's unique blend of courses provides a wealth of practical job-related knowledge as well as the in-depth topic coverage needed to successfully sit for the national Uniform CPA Examination. Use of a master’s program to prepare for the CPA exam greatly enhances a student’s mobility, as 48 states require at least 150 semester hours of education to be licensed as a CPA.

The depth of our curriculum reflects the breadth of services performed by CPAs. In addition to a core of required courses in the major sub-fields of accounting, students opt for one of three specialized certificates:

Financial Reporting and Auditing

Courses in financial reporting and corporate finance are sound preparation for public accounting, controllership, and corporate finance careers.

Taxation

This field is a well-established specialty of our department and is excellent preparation for work in financial and tax planning.

Consulting

Students tailor this unique specialization to their own preferences, drawing on courses in information systems, e-commerce, marketing and other business areas.

The MAcc Program consists of 30 semester hours of coursework. It can be completed in one year of full-time study. Many of our students choose to pursue the program on a part-time basis because of employment or family situations. To facilitate part-time study, we offer most of our graduate courses in the evening or late afternoon.

Careers in Accounting
Most of the graduates of Colorado State’s Master of Accountancy Program become Certified Public Accountants (CPA). Many work in the field of public accounting, typically with one of the “Big Four” international CPA firms. Others work for regional and local CPA firms, in Denver, northern Colorado and throughout the United States. CPA firms provide a wide range of business services including auditing, financial and tax planning and consulting on information systems and a variety of other business matters.

Some of our graduates work in industry or government, often in corporate controllership functions. These positions may involve design and operation of accounting information systems, budgeting and forecasting, financial and managerial reporting and cash management.
Because of their breadth of knowledge in financial and operating matters, experienced CPAs are often moving into high-level management positions.