The Master of Accountancy provides a wealth of practical job-related knowledge and the in-depth topical coverage you need to successfully sit for the national Uniform CPA Examination.

Colorado State University's Master of Accountancy is a 30-credit program offered on campus that provides a wealth of practical job-related knowledge and the in-depth topical coverage you need to successfully sit for the national Uniform CPA Examination.AACSB Accredited

Our curriculum reflects the breadth of services performed by CPAs. You will learn the skills you need to land accounting and management positions in a wide range of business services, including public accounting, auditing, financial and tax planning, and consulting on information systems. 

In the program, you will be able to study general accountancy or specialize in one of three areas: taxation; data analytics and systems; and financial analysis, auditing, and reporting. These specializations let you focus your learning and prepare you to conduct targeted technical research and data analysis.

Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with faculty to find solutions to real-world business challenges. Our experiential learning model brings the curriculum to life through engaging classroom lectures that provide practical skills you can use on day one in your career. Guest speakers, coupled with opportunities to interact with our advisory board, enhance the curriculum and provide valuable connections with industry experts. Our emphasis on collaboration, application and connection makes us a a preferred hiring source for local and national accounting firms.

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Courses for the Real World

The field of accounting requires dynamic and flexible thinking. We’ve structured our program so that you can focus on the area most applicable to your career aspirations.

In addition to general accountancy, our Master of Accountancy offers specializations in taxation; data analytics and systems; and financial analysis, auditing, and reporting.

 

ACT540 Professional Ethics and Responsibilities

Ethical practice of professional accounting.

ACT 541 Forensic Accounting and Fraud Auditing

Professional practices for addressing the related areas of forensic accounting and fraud.

ACT 561 Legal and Regulatory Issues in Accounting

Contracts, ownership, bankruptcy (debtor/creditor relationship), formation of business entities, regulation of accounting profession.

ACT 602 Accounting Research and Communication

Management of professional accounting and tax practice; professional ethics and regulation; and auditing and tax research techniques.

ACT 610 Accounting Analytics

An examination of the tools and techniques that are necessary to complete professional accounting data analytics solutions.

ACT 631 Corporate Taxation

Federal income tax principles pertaining to formation and operation of corporate entities.

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The courses below reflect the 2024-2025 Colorado State University catalog, published in August 2024 for students enrolling during the 2024-2025 academic year. Courses listed are updated each summer for incoming students.

Required Core: 18 credits
ACT 540
Professional Ethics and Responsibilities
Credits3
ACT 541
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Auditing
Credits3
ACT 561
Legal and Regulatory Issues in Accounting
Credits3
ACT 602
Accounting Research and Communication
Credits3
ACT 610
Accounting Analytics
Credits3
ACT 631
Corporate Taxation
Credits3
Select 12 credits from the following:
Credits12
ACT 537
Advanced Taxation of Business Entities
ACT 570
Government and Nonprofit
ACT 612
Issues in Financial Reporting and Auditing
ACT 614
Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
ACT 635
State and Local Taxation
ACT 639
Special Topics in Taxation
CIS 563
Information Assurance and Security
CIS 570
Business Intelligence
CIS 575
Applied Data Mining and Analytics in Business
CIS 576
Business Data Visualization
CIS 600A
Project Management: Information Technology
CIS 601/MGT 601
Enterprise Computing and Systems Integration
Program Total Credits:
Credits30

A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.

This course listing is provided through the Colorado State University catalog and is updated each summer. New or modified courses offered for spring or summer may not be included, but you can find complete course information via the class schedule on RAMweb. Offerings are subject to change and the University reserves the right to make changes in catalog information when necessary and to correct errors. Always consult with an academic advisor to stay informed of curriculum details.