Degree Offerings

Is a Master's in Accounting Worth It?

Is a master’s in accounting worth it? For many, the answer is yes—thanks to career advancement, higher earning potential, and personal growth. Discover key reasons why a master’s in accounting can be a smart, valuable investment in your future.

What Is a Master’s in Accounting?

A Master’s in Accounting, or MSA, is a graduate degree focused on advanced accounting practices and theories. An MSA develops a student’s accounting and problem-solving skills, technical accounting knowledge, and strong analytical abilities with a focus on application.

A master’s degree can also help you prepare for exams and meet at least some of the eligibility requirements for professional certifications, such as the CPA exam for Certified Public Accountants, or CMA, Certified Management Accountant.

Accounting does not limit a student to a certain type of organizations. There are accountants in all types of organizations, for example, hospitals, state and federal government, corporations, small businesses, and CPA firms, to name a few.

– Cynthia Nye, Assoc. Professor in Accounting, Bellevue University

Key Benefits of Getting a Master’s in Accounting Degree

What are the benefits? A master’s degree in accounting can open the door to advanced roles in leadership and management, such as:

  • Controller
  • Tax manager
  • CFO
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Compliance Risk Manager
  • Budget Director
  • Accounting Manager
  • Accounting Instructor

These positions often come with increased responsibility, greater influence—and higher earning potential over the course of your career. While earning a master’s requires an upfront investment, the long-term value often outweighs the cost.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals with a master’s degree in accounting earn more weekly, on average, than those with only a bachelor’s—earnings that add up year after year.

Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (visited March 26, 2025).

However, earning potential with a master’s degree varies depending on factors such as the industry, location, your years of experience, and the specific job role.

Another key advantage?

A master’s degree can help fast-track your path to becoming a CPA. While a master’s degree is not required to earn the CPA credential, the credits earned can help you meet the requirements for taking the exam.

Many states require 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam—30 more than most bachelor’s programs require for graduation. A master’s program can help fulfill those credit hours while preparing you for one of the toughest professional exams. Check into all the requirements to sit for an exam in the state you plan to practice at the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) examining site.

Is a master’s in accounting worth it? If you’re aiming for leadership and management roles, higher earning potential, and CPA licensure, the answer is likely, yes.

The Bellevue University Master of Science in Accounting allows students the opportunity to work toward the 150 hour requirement that is required in some states to sit for the CPA exam. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Accounting can start taking graduate accounting courses in their senior year that will give them a jumpstart on the Master of Science in Accounting degree. The CPA is focused on public accounting and required to practice as a CPA in a CPA firm.

– Cynthia Nye, Assoc. Professor of Accounting at Bellevue University

Skills Gained in a Master’s in Accounting

What skills will you gain from a master’s in accounting? A master’s in accounting is a graduate degree that helps you gain advanced skills in accounting, problem-solving, and decision-making. You will build strong technical knowledge, analytical thinking, and clear communication skills needed for middle or senior management positions. Specifically, you will be prepared with advanced skills in:

  • Cost accounting
  • Auditing
  • Tax
  • International accounting
  • Accounting information systems

Other elective areas of interest can be included in an accounting master’s to hone in on additional skills employers want. These skills include:

Financial Considerations for a Master’s in Accounting Degree

When considering whether an advanced degree like the accounting master’s is worth it, you must factor in several things such as time, cost, education requirements, and personal commitment. Think in terms of balancing these costs with the benefits of earning the credential over the long term.

Cost

Costs can vary greatly between schools and are usually measured by cost per credit. It’s important to do some research to guide your decision. Here are some of the facts:

See the graduate degree admissions requirements for the Master of Science in Accounting* at Bellevue University.

Beyond the financial costs, educational requirements take your time, effort, and personal commitment. Here’s what you can expect:

Most students complete a master’s degree in 2-3 years, depending on several factors, including how many credits you take per term and how many are required (part-time students may take longer). A master’s in accounting degree typically requires 32-36 graduate credit hours. Bellevue University’s MSA requires 36 credit hours.

Beyond the graduate courses, you may benefit from seeking internships in the industry or type of organization that interests you. And If you desire to pursue certifications or licenses in addition to the degree, be aware of the accompanying fees and material costs for preparing for and applying for exams, as well.

Is a Master’s in Accounting Right For You?

After assessing the costs vs. the benefits for your personal career goals, consider its usefulness in your career long-term and where you want to go. Three Bellevue University accounting students share how the program has been a benefit to their careers:

Accounting Program Empowers Student to Gain Confidence with Internships

As an accounting student at Bellevue University, Ellie Bliemeister had an impressive internship experience at Mutual of Omaha, where she worked in the corporate accounting department.

Even after graduating from the university, Bliemeister continued to expand her resume with an internship at KPMG – an experience that enabled her to learn more about business tax practice.

“This internship has included challenging and rewarding work amidst a busy tax season,” she said.

Bliemeister plans to pursue yet another internship where she’ll work as an audit intern at BKD – one of the largest accounting and advisory firms in the United States.

The Bellevue University alumna said the choice to chase multiple internships gives her the opportunity to fine-tune what she wants her career to look like.

“There are so many different paths to take with accounting, and I’m using this transitional period to intern and find out where I want to begin my career,” Bliemeister said. “I’m still learning and trying to figure out what my future career goals are.”

“I was inspired by my professors to pursue my goals, and I hope to be a mentor for someone else someday. I think hearing the different routes each of them took with their degree was integral in my experience.”

She added that because Bellevue University is a relatively small university, she had the opportunity to get to know her professors and learn about their experiences in the field of accounting.

“Bellevue has provided me with a foundation of skills, knowledge and networks that will provide me with confidence in my future career.”

Bellevue University Accounting Students Awarded Prestigious CMA Scholarships by IMA

Jessica Munoz, an Accounting student and Victor Arboleda, an MBA student, both from Bellevue University's College of Business, have been honored with the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) scholarship from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

This scholarship provides Arboleda and Munoz with a comprehensive package to support their journey towards earning the CMA certification. They will receive all the necessary resources to study for and take the CMA exam at no cost. The CMA certification, recognized as the benchmark for management accountants, certifies proficiency in 12 core practice areas of the profession.

"Being awarded this scholarship is a significant milestone for our students and demonstrates their dedication to excellence in the field of management accounting," said Cynthia Nye, Professor in the Bellevue University College of Business.

Similar Degree Paths Students Consider

  • MBA students may have the option to concentrate in Accounting for an additional nine credit hours in advanced accounting, also enabling them to earn credits toward the 150 total needed to sit for the CPA exam,† if desired.

  • The Master of Science in Strategic Finance is another alternate path you may consider with its own concentration in accounting, which can lead to accounting management credentials and roles in the financial industry.

  • You also may opt to take courses beyond a bachelor’s degree in accounting in the the form of Certificates or Certificates of Completion to work toward that goal as well. Bellevue University offers graduate-level Certificates of Completion in Quantitative and Financial Analysis, and one specializing in Tax, which consist of four courses each.

  • Students in Bellevue University’s Bachelor’s in Accounting can start taking graduate accounting courses (up to twelve credits) in their senior year, or after a minimum of 90 credits, which will give them a jumpstart on the Master of Science in Accounting degree, according to Cynthia Nye, Associate Professor in the College of Business and accounting instructor.

* The Bellevue University Master of Science in Accounting degree is considered a non-licensure degree/certificate program and is not intended for those seeking licensure or the practice of licensed profession. This program may be relevant to multiple occupations that do not require licensure and was not designed to meet educational requirements for any specific professional license or certification.

† Each state has their own requirements to sit for the CPA exam, but most states require 150 credit hours. Visit the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy for eligibility and steps toward taking the CPA exam. The master’s in accounting curriculum can help prepare students who are interested in sitting for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Start Your Master’s in Accounting at Bellevue University Today

Bellevue University believes the best way to build business and management accounting skills is by combining real-world, hands-on learning with theory. The Accounting program offers an engaging and flexible learning experience that is designed to be applied immediately to the work you do, and fits your personal and work life.

The Master of Science in Accounting prepares graduates for meaningful careers as professional accountants in public practice, industry, financial institutions, government, and nonprofit organizations. Where will it take you?

Ready to explore your options? Contact Us Today!

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