How to Choose an MBA in Accounting & Finance + Online Options
This article provides an overview of the MBA in Accounting & Finance degree program, some of the subjects and courses that the program covers, and why you may want to consider this degree to help you advance your career. It also presents a high-quality MBA in Accounting & Finance program that is available online.
What Is an MBA in Accounting & Finance?
A master of business administration (MBA) in accounting and finance takes on two concentrations at the same time. Through the accounting elements, students learn about accounting, taxation and theories. This is achieved through mentoring opportunities, internships, case studies, and seminars. It is common for students to have to complete a piece of independent research and a final project. The finance element, meanwhile, looks at issues relating to corporate finance. These include developing business strategies, managing portfolios, conducting analysis, and so on.
Usually, finishing this type of MBA degree takes around two years and the programs are often offered flexibly, such as online or through evening classes, so that students can continue to be employed. Different schools set their own admission requirements, but most will require a bachelor’s degree and a GMAT/GRE score. If you are interested in this type of degree, do look into whether or not it prepares you for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) examination.
The degree will look at issues, such as accounting and financial information systems, auditing, accounting and financial research, bilateral tax treaties, estate planning, ethics, theory, taxation, marketing, information technology, supply chain management, finance, communications, and business. It is common to see a core curriculum that includes:
- Operations Management
- Digital Accounting
- Forensic Accounting
- Fraud Examination
- Tax Practices
- Study of Futures and Options
- Decision Making for Management and Growth
- Management Information Systems
- Corporate Finance and Accounting
- Issues in Management and Organizations
- Supply Chain Management
At the same time, as it is a concentration of an MBA degree, there will also be a focus on business strategies, organizational leadership, management, economics, and financial planning.
Why Earn an MBA in Accounting & Finance?
When you earn an MBA in accounting & finance, you may be able to take the CPA examination. This is required for those who wish to file reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Furthermore, they must become licensed by their personal State Board of Accountancy, which generally requires at least 150 semester hours of college coursework, delivered by completing a graduate degree, as well as work experience. Others who complete the MBA go on to finish a doctorate degree. This enables them to become researchers, or to join the academic workforce and become teachers.
Those who hold a master’s degree earn, on average, 20% more than those who only hold a bachelor’s degree. They also earn 80% more than those who do not hold a degree at all. This is according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Furthermore, unemployment rates among those with a graduate degree, and particularly an MBA, are very low.
The BLS has reported that accountants and auditors had a median salary of <a href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm”>$68,150 per year</a> as of May 2016. However, this is at the bachelor’s degree level. Those with a graduate degree or above are more likely to find themselves in the top 10% of earners, who earn $120,910 per year or more. The BLS has also reported that there will be an 11% increase in demand for these professionals from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the national average and will translate into some 142,400 new jobs.
Online Option for MBA in Accounting & Finance
Southern New Hampshire University
If you are interested in an MBA in accounting & finance, you may want to consider the MBA in accounting program offered by Southern New Hampshire University. This degree program has been created to meet the specific business needs of today. Students deepen their understanding of portfolio management, finance, and capital budgeting.
The degree program is popular because it is one of the most affordable in the country, and because it can take as little as one year to finish it. The coursework has been designed to be applied to real-world situations. Students develop themselves to be strong and capable leaders.
The school itself was started as an accounting school in 1932 and has since produced some of the country’s most successful professionals in this field. They work in some of the biggest national accounting firms, as well as in a variety of other industries. Students connect with alumni and faculty in business management, finance, and accounting. They are respected for their skills in:
- Applying economic and accounting principles to effectively plan business operations.
- Utilizing modern IT tools to gain a competitive advantage.
- Using quantitative analysis to manage organizations.
- Employing best practice in financial management.
- Considering the implications of taxes in their financial decisions.
The university, meanwhile, is known for its affordability, its efficiency, its flexibility and convenience, its expert instruction, its academic heritage, its easy application requirements (no GMAT/GRE), its fantastic student support, and its networking opportunities. Meanwhile, it is accredited by the ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs), the gold standard for business school accreditation.
The core curriculum of the degree offered by Southern New Hampshire University includes:
- Financial reporting
- Tax factors in business decisions
- Mathematics and statistics for business
- Economics for business
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Business Law
- Human Behavior in Organizations
- Business Environment, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
- Accounting and Financial Analysis
- Leading in an Organization
- Marketing and Strategy
- Ethics, Corporate Culture, and Social Responsibility
- Finance, Economics, and Decision Making
- Government Impact on Business
- Operations Management and Technology
- MBA Capstone
Graduates can work in accounting, finance, and taxation industries. Specifically, these include government offices, payroll firms, bookkeeping agencies, and accounting firms. It is also common for graduates to become self-employed and work freelance or as consultants. Some of the common career options available to them are:
- Management accountant
- Public accountant
- Controller
- Internal auditor
- Personal financial advisor
- Financial analyst
- Credit manager
Essentially, graduates can work in tax planning, financial management, budget analysis, banking, financial planning and reporting, and cost accounting and management.
Summary
By completing an MBA in Accounting & Finance, you have the opportunity to drive forward your career, regardless of the industry in which you choose to work. There is a huge demand for those who have not just advanced business skills, but also an advanced understanding in finance and accounting processes and how those apply to the global world of commerce. You will be respected for your leadership skills, something you can take justifiable personal and professional pride in.
References
Accountants and Auditors. (2015, Dec. 17). Retrieved from <a href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm”>https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm</a>
Online MBA in Accounting. (n.d.). Retrieved from <a href=”http://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/masters/mba-online/mba-in-accounting”>http://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/masters/mba-online/mba-in-accounting</a>
