Our 32-credit Master of Science (MS) in Accounting program is intended to provide students with in-depth accounting and auditing knowledge. Faculty emphasize conceptual understanding, analytical methods and logical reasoning. Throughout the program students apply their knowledge to real-world situations facing the accounting profession. Graduates go on to secure positions in public accountancy or in managerial positions at a variety of industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations. The M.S. Accounting program is offered in-person at the Binghamton University main campus and the degree can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis.
Program Highlights
- 100% of recent graduates received full-time job offers prior to graduateion.
- Binghamton University ranks among the nation's top public colleges for graduates who secure high-paying jobs in accounting.
- The School of Management holds a separate AACSB accounting accreditation. Fewer than 25% of AACSB-accredited institutions have this distinction.
As the accounting industry continued to evolve, students will need to develop new technical skills to successfully navigate their careers. Utilizing case studeis and software such as Visio, SAP, Alteryx, Tableau and Mathematica, our courses give students the opportunity to get hands-on experience. Throughout the program students will use real-world datasets to learn about data analysis and visualization, programming, blockchain, and cybersecurity.
Join us for an information session where you can ask qustions and learn more about program elibility, the curriculum, and how to apply.
Register for In-person Information Sessions
Curriculum
One-Year Curriculum (32-credits)
Our 32-credit MS Accounting program provides students with accounting coursework required to sit for the Uniform CPA examination. In order to fulfill the education requirements to be licensed as a certified public accountant (CPA) in the State of New York, students enrolled in the program are expected to have an undergraduate degree in accounting from an AACSB accredited institution (thus they will have already completed 36 credits of business courses and be set up to meet the minimum 33 credits of accounting courses required to sit for the CPA exam).
- Binghamton University's BS Accounting/MS Accounting Combined program is a NYS Licensure Qualifying Registered Program.
- Students enrolled in our MS Accounting program who have completed their undergraduate degree at another AACSB institution should work with the Director of the Master's Program to enure they are taking the coursework needed to meet the CPA licensure education requirements. Upon completion of the program students will independently verify they meet the education requirements by submitting their transcripts to the NYS Education Department Office of the Professions.
Two-Year Curriculum (32+ credits)
While the MS Accounting program is intended primarily for accounting undergraduates from AACSB-accredited programs, we welcome students with little or no accounting/business coursework to apply. These students may pursue the program in an extended time frame (typically two years) and will need to take additional business and accounting coursework. Additional coursework may be in the form of prerequisites for required MS Accounting courses, as well as courses needed to meeet the education requirements to sit for the CPA licensure examination.
Core background coursework requirements are Microeconomics/Macroeconomics, Financial Accounting, Statistics, Cost Accounting, Intermediate Accounting Theory I and II, Auditing, Entity Taxation (corporate tax), Business Law I and II, Organizational Behavior, Finance, Management Information Systems, Marketing and Operations Management.
MS Accounting Coursework
A broad range of courses are available in auditing and assessment, as well as financial and managerial accounting. In addition to the required coursework, students may choose electives from the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program to enrich their course of study.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| ACCT 540: Financial Accounting Theory or ACCT 541: Auditing and Managerial Accounting Theory (4 credits) | ACCT 540: Financial Accounting Theory or ACCT 541: Auditing and Managerial Accounting Theory (4 credits) |
| ACCT 573: Individual Tax (4 credits) | MGMT 530: Ethical Issues in Business (2 credits) |
| ACCT 555: Advanced Accounting Theory (4 credits) | MGMT 516: Business Communications (2 credits) |
| ACCT 550: Accounting Information Systems (4 credits) | Elective (4 credits) |
| Elective (4 credits) | |
| Total credits: 16 | Total credits: 16 |
MS Accounting: Tax Concentration Coursework
The taxation concentration is currently on pause.
Prerequisite: Entities Taxation (Corporate Tax)
Binghamton University's MS Accounting Tax Concentration is designed to prepare students for future careers as advisors, consultants, and strategists in tax-related issues for both individuals and organizations. With a mixiture of specialized and integrative tax courses, this program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of modern tax and policy issues. Students enrolled in the tax concentratio are required to complete 18 credits of tax-related courses only available through the MS Accounting program.
Admission to the concentration only occurs during the fall semester, and required students to have an undergraduate degree in accounting from a U.S. accredited program.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
| ACCT 540: Financial Accounting Theory or ACCT 541: Auditing and Managerial Accounting Theory (4 credits) | ACCT 540: Financial Accounting Theory or ACCT 541: Auditing and Managerial Accounting Theory (4 credits) |
| ACCT 573: Individual Taxation (4 credits) | ACCT 555: Advanced Accounting Theory (4 credits) |
| MGMT 530: Global & Ethical Environments (2 credits) | ACCT 583E: Taxation of Business Transactions (4 credits) |
| ACCT 583A: Asset Management Tax (2 credits) | ACCT 583D: International Tax (2 credits) |
| ACCT 583H: Finance Acct – Aspects of Income Tax (2 credits) | ACCT 583G: Capstone Project in Taxation (2 credits) |
| ACCT 583I: State and Local Tax (2 credits) | |
| Total credits: 16 | Total credits: 16 |
Career Outlook
School of Management graduates enering the workforce are recruited by top-tier public and private companies. Binghamton University is a leading new hire pipeline for the Big Four accounting firms: EY, PwC, Deloitte and KPMG. With the school’s strong national reputation, alumni are also actively sought out by regional firms and government agencies such as the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
With a degree in accounting you could be:
- Certified Public Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Budget Analyst
- Forensic Accountant
- Finance Manager
- Peronal Financial Advisor
Our MS Accounting program also provides a solid theoretical foundation for students who intend to pursue a doctoral degree following graduation.
Application Requirements
Complete instructions for applying to Binghamton University are available on the Graduate School's how to apply webpage.
- While we accept GMAT and GRE scores for consideration, they are not required for our MS Accounting program.
- Students admitted into this program option typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Applicants with significant work experience and/or strong GMAT/GRE scores (while not required) are also considered for admission.
Information regarding admissions, financial aid, housing, program costs and visiting the Binghamton University's campus can be found at the Graduate School website.
If you have questions regarding application submission, contact the Graduate School at 607–777–2151, or gradadmission@binghamton.edu.
Individuals interested in the MS Accounting: Taxation Concentration should be aware the program is currently on pause and we are not accepting new applications.
Current Binghamton BS Accounting Majors
Binghamton University School of Management accounting undergraduates interested in the MS ACcouting program should apply for Binghamton University's Accounting 4+1 program. You must begin your application by accessing BU Brain via the myBinghamton Portal.
Learn more about Binghamton University's 4+1 application process at this link.
Contact somgrad@binghamton.edu or call (607) 777-4696 with questions. You can also contact:
Molly Pianella
Director, SOM Master's Program Admissions and Student Services
School of Management
Caroline Fuller
Advisor, SOM Master's Program
School of Management
Teaching and Graduate Assistant Positions
All individuals who are eligible for admission are considered for assistantship positions within the academic area that they are applying to during the admissions process. The Schoof of Management evaluates the entire pool of current and incoming graduate students when determining who to award an assistantship to.
Deadlines
| Degree | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| MS in Accounting | March 15 (recommended) | December 1 (recommended) |
Molly Pianella
Director, SOM Master's Program Admissions and Student Services
School of Management
Caroline Fuller
Advisor, SOM Master's Program
School of Management
