The MTSU Master of Accountancy offers a dynamic, engaging curriculum designed to provide professionals with a multifaceted understanding of the accounting profession.
We want to give our students an experience—not just the content. The M.Acc. program isn’t just a means to an end, but something that will mean something to them.
Audrey Scarlata
Associate Professor of Accounting and Director of the Master of Accountancy Program
Students build advanced skills in accounting technologies, financial reporting, auditing, and taxation. They also learn how to manage and analyze information in order to solve problems and make strategic decisions. Throughout the program, students hone their communication skills so that they can produce clear, concise reports and articulate their thoughts effectively, preparing them to share their insights confidently in any professional setting.
Program Structure
With more than half of the degree credits fulfilled by electives, plus options to earn credit for CPA prep or complete a Tax Accounting Specialization or Assurance Specialization, students can tailor the curriculum to their unique goals and interests.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete 30 credit hours to earn their Master of Accountancy degree.
- Required courses take 15 credit hours and the other 15 credits are fulfilled through electives.
- Accepted students who do not have a previous accounting degree may need to take up to 15 hours of prerequisite courses, in addition to the required M.Acc. courses and electives. They should either complete these courses before beginning the program or plan to take these courses at the start of their program.
- The M.Acc. curriculum includes a capstone course that must be passed with a grade of B- or higher.
Time to Complete Degree
The degree can be completed as a full-time or part-time student; some students choose to take as few as 3 credit hours per term while others take as many as 12 credit hours per term. Full-time students may complete their degree in as little as one year. Students who would like more time to earn their degree can take up to six years to finish their requirements.
Take Master of Accountancy Courses Online and On-Ground
Students can choose to complete their required accounting courses online* or attend in-person classes at MTSU’s Murfreesboro campus. If they prefer, students can also take a combination of both modalities.
In order to provide students with flexible options to complete their coursework, the Master of Accountancy’s core courses are offered in both online and on-campus formats. Students looking to complete the program entirely online will work with their advisor to ensure an appropriate path for completion.
*Not all elective courses will be available online and not all online courses are offered every semester. Contact your advisor to confirm which electives are available online.
Please note that course offerings are subject to change and may vary by semester; contact an enrollment representative at 888-891-6780 (toll-free) for more information.
Course List and Descriptions
Prerequisites
Students with an undergraduate degree in accounting from a regionally accredited college usually have taken most, if not all, needed prerequisite coursework. If you are admitted to the MTSU M.Acc. program, you will receive a welcome letter that identifies which prerequisite courses, if any, you need to take.
ACTG 5550 and ACTG 5620 may be taken for credit toward the graduate degree in place of the prerequisites ACTG 4550 and ACTG 4620, and ACTG 5510 may be taken in place of ACTG 4510. These requirements may be satisfied in conjunction with graduate studies.
For information on the electives available to you and the current modalities, please contact an enrollment representative at macc@mtsu.edu or 888-891-6780 (toll-free).
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Introduces corporate financial accounting reporting and how stakeholders use the information in decision-making. Topics include the accounting cycle, the creation of financial statements reported by the company, and the general ledger accounts used to prepare the statements. [Same as ACTG 2110 and ACTG 2125.]
Prerequisite: ACTG 6010 or equivalent with minimum grade of C
An advanced study of the financial reporting concepts for merchandising corporations. Covers an advanced overview of the major categories of assets, liabilities, and stockholder equities and how accounting information is used in credit and investing decisions. [Same as ACTG 3110 and ACTG 3120.]
Prerequisite: ACTG 6010 or equivalent with minimum grade of C
Introduces accounting information systems in a variety of technological environments. Topics include the collection, processing, reporting, and control of accounting information, with emphasis on the production cycle and decisions regarding planning and controlling in a business environment. Includes product cost and pricing decisions, analyzing cost behavior, and exploring factors that affect variances and profitability within an organization. [Same as ACTG 3310 and ACTG 4510.]
Required Courses for All Students (15 credit hours)
For information on the electives available to you and the current modalities, please contact an enrollment representative at macc@mtsu.edu or 888-891-6780 (toll-free).
Prerequisite: ACTG 4510 or ACTG 5510 or ACTG 6030 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
Study of the use of accounting analytics to identify, analyze, and solve accounting, and business problems and communicate insights to stakeholders. Hands-on experience with analytics tools used by accounting professionals.
Prerequisite: ACTG 4550 or ACTG 5550 with minimum grade of C
The federal income taxation of business entities, including C corporations, S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and estates and trusts.
Prerequisite: ACTG 4620 or ACTG 5620 with a minimum grade of C
Additional topics related to the provision of assurance services by external auditors. Topics include audits of internal controls over financial reporting, audit sampling, auditors’ ethical responsibilities and legal liability, other assurance services, and other relevant topics.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Delves into current legal, ethical, and social responsibility issues in corporate governance and fraud. This course will explore fiduciary duties of corporate officers, directors; potential liability of auditors for failure to detect fraud and the need for professional skepticism; new business entity forms to promote social responsibility; agency and worker classification; bankruptcy and fraud; and the future of corporate governance.
Prerequisite: ACTG 3120 or ACTG 6020 with a minimum grade of C
Application of theoretical concepts and promulgations of authoritative bodies to financial accounting and financial reporting situations encountered in practice.
**Students who wish to complete the capstone online should contact the Department of Accounting to move forward with the online option.
Electives (15 credit hours)
COURSES FOR NON-ACCOUNTING MAJORS
If you enter the M.Acc. program without a prior accounting degree, you will need to take these courses in addition to the prerequisites and the other required courses.
If you have already taken equivalent courses at the undergraduate level, you do not need to complete these courses.
For information on the electives available to you and the current modalities, please contact an enrollment representative at macc@mtsu.edu or 888-891-6780 (toll-free).
Prerequisites: ACTG 2120 or ACTG 2125 or ACTG 6010 or equivalent with minimum grade of C
An introduction to accounting information systems in a variety of technological environments. Emphasis on business process modeling, accounting cycle controls, and database design and implementation.
Prerequisite: ACTG 3110 or ACTG 6020 or equivalent with minimum grade of C
Federal income tax concepts applicable to business entities (C corporations, S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and sole proprietorships) and individuals. Emphasizes the role taxes play in business and investment decisions.
Prerequisites: ACTG 3120 and ACTG 4510 or ACTG 6020 and ACTG 6030 or equivalent with minimum grades of C
Applications of theory and principles of external auditing. Includes audit planning, risk assessment, evaluations of internal controls and evidence, substantive audit procedures applied to business processes, and preparation of audit reports.
ACCOUNTING ELECTIVES
For information on the electives available to you and the current modalities, please contact an enrollment representative at macc@mtsu.edu or 888-891-6780 (toll-free).
Prerequisite: ACTG 3120 or ACTG 6020 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
Extensive coverage of consolidated financial statement preparation. Financial accounting topics including advanced partnerships, interim financial reporting, segment reporting, foreign currency issues, and accounting for fiduciaries also covered. Readings from professional journals and research related to current accounting issues.
Prerequisite: ACTG 3310 or ACTG 6030 or equivalent with minimum grade of C
In-depth analysis of costs; quantitative concepts relating to management objectives, control, and planning. Cost analysis and management accounting practices and problems using a variety of problem sets, statistical techniques, case studies, computer applications, and other materials.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of department chair
Addresses determination of taxable income for individuals; federal income tax returns and research methods.
Prerequisite: ACTG 3110 or ACTG 6020 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
State and local government accounting principles and procedures; classifications of accounts for budgetary and financial reporting; accounting for revenues and expenditures or expenses; reporting for funds and the governmental entity; and auditing the governmental entity.
Prerequisite: ACTG 3110 or ACTG 6020 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
Application of internal auditing concepts. Includes gathering and analyzing company data, assessing risk, applying professional and ethical standards, performing statistical sampling, and preparing internal audit reports. (Recommended for CIA exam candidates.)
Prerequisite: ACTG 4510 or ACTG 5510 or ACTG 6030 or equivalent with minimum grade of C
Practice of forensic accounting, i.e., nontraditional investigative aspects of accountancy (e.g., litigation support, business interruptions, etc.); emphasis on fraud prevention and the detection of fraudulent intent to obtain improper individual or group gains.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and completion of core courses in respective field as determined by graduate business studies
A short-term international business education experience designed to expose the student to the economic, political, cultural, and social environments of a foreign country or countries, with specific emphasis directed toward the international state/status of the subject matter pertinent to the discipline.
Prerequisite: ACTG 3310 or ACTG 6030 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
Recent conceptual and analytic development in cost accounting, budgeting, and controllership. Includes principles and procedures in preparation of business budgets and methods of accounting for managerial control of cost of production, distribution, and administration through the use of standards.
Prerequisite: ACTG 3310 or ACTG 6030 or MBAA 6815 or equivalent with minimum grade of C
Introduction to the tools healthcare managers use to plan, control, and evaluate their organization’s financial performance. Special emphasis on the strategic thrust control systems and their interaction with the societal problem of increasing healthcare demand and costs.
Prerequisite: ACTG 4550 or ACTG 5550 with a minimum grade of C
Skillful application of tax research methodology in the use of primary tax authority, secondary tax reference materials, and research aids. Research through practice in the use of materials available in the tax library.
Prerequisite: ACTG 4550 or ACTG 5550 with a minimum grade of C.
Principles of partnership and S corporation taxation. Addresses the tax consequences of formation, operations, distributions, and liquidations of partnerships. Also covers tax rules unique to S corporations.
Prerequisite: ACTG 4550 or ACTG 5550 with minimum grade of C
Basic concepts of U.S. taxation of international transactions. Topics include sourcing of income from foreign activities, Subpart F income, selecting the proper vehicle for foreign investments, and computing foreign tax credits.
Prerequisite: ACTG 4550 or ACTG 5550 with a minimum grade of C
In-depth investigation of selected advanced topics in taxation.
Prerequisite: ACTG 2120 or ACTG 2125 or ACTG 6010 or MBAA 6815 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
Advanced study of the environment and realities of the global/multinational corporation. This course details the differences between operating in one country (domestic operations) and many countries (multinational operations). Topics include a primer on foreign exchange and exchange risk, objectives and design for a global control system, and legal issues such as corruption and taxation. The course also examines the challenges of a global audit and presents the global audit firm as a unique multinational business entity.
Prerequisites: ACTG 3120 or ACTG 6020 or equivalent and ACTG 4610 or ACTG 5610 with a minimum grade of C
State and local government accounting principles and procedures; accounting and reporting for state and local governments, colleges and universities, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. Auditing practices for all these organizations.
Prerequisite: ACTG 3120 or ACTG 6020 or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
History and development of accountancy, tax structures, and industrial development of past, present, and projected societies including relevant research into current controversial issues. Extensive research required.
Prerequisite: ACTG 4620 or ACTG 5620 with a minimum grade of C
The course focuses on technical accounting research methods and application of data analysis tool(s) utilized in current audit practice. Includes technical accounting and data analysis case studies relating to various audit areas.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Independent study and research on topics in or related to accounting under supervision of graduate faculty.
Prerequisite: Approval of the program director and instructor approval of a plan of activities with the associated employer prior to registration
Professional accounting internship experience under the direction of a faculty member. Students develop knowledge and relevant practical experience in accounting. Prior approval of the faculty member is required. Pass/Fail.
CPA REVIEW ELECTIVES
If taking CPA review for credit, you must take three courses in the series, one each semester. These courses are offered online. Most course content is independent study with periodic, required remote check-ins with an instructor.
Students will need to work with their advisors to ensure that their preferred electives are available in the format they need.
Prerequisites: Admission to M.Acc. program; ACTG 4620 or ACTG 5620 with minimum grade of C
Review of the material covered on the Auditing and Attestation section of the CPA exam, including audit and other reports, engagement acceptance, planning and risk assessment, audit evidence, audit sampling and communications, audit documentation, and professional responsibilities.
Prerequisites: Admission to M.Acc. program and ACTG 3120 or ACTG 6020 with minimum grade of C
Review of the material covered on the “Financial Accounting and Reporting” section of the CPA exam, including information related to the conceptual framework, standards, and presentation of financial statements; recognition, measurement, valuation, and presentation of specific types of transactions and financial statement accounts; governmental accounting and reporting; and not-for-profit accounting and reporting.
Prerequisites: Admission to the M.Acc. program and ACTG 4550 or ACTG 5550 with a minimum grade of C
Review of the material covered on the “Regulation” section of the CPA Exam, including information related to ethics, the professional and legal responsibilities of CPAs, business law, federal tax processes, taxation of property transactions, and the taxation of individuals and business entities.
NON-ACCOUNTING ELECTIVES
You may choose up to 6 credit hours of non-accounting electives, which are offered by departments outside the Department of Accounting. You must meet any listed minimum prerequisites for the course. Overrides are based on course availability and at the discretion of the department offering the course.
For information on the electives available to you and the current modalities, please contact an enrollment representative at macc@mtsu.edu or 888-891-6780 (toll-free).
An applied approach to the understanding, development, and application of prescriptive and data analytic tools to model and analyze business data. A hands-on focus utilized with both commonly-used spreadsheet software and specialized business intelligence software for the student to develop skills for self-service business analytics.
The U.S. healthcare system; its major stakeholders; and the laws and regulations that apply to health care institutions, professionals, and suppliers including Medicare, electronic health records, healthcare fraud and abuse, compliance planning, certificates of need, healthcare business associations, federal tax exemption, liability and licensing issues, and ethics in decision making.
Prerequisites: FIN 6010 and FIN 6110
Issues covered include the reasons firms merge, buyer and seller motivations, the assessment of merger prospect value, merger waves and their consequences, the concentration of economic power resulting from mergers, policies toward mergers, the effects of takeover defenses, and the effects of mergers on the economy.
Prerequisites: FIN 6010 and FIN 6110
International capital markets, exchange rate exposure, risk management, and other multinational finance issues. Essential not only for United States exporters, but also for those facing competition from abroad.
Management of the information systems security function which includes understanding policy, governance, risk, and the application of appropriate solutions required to protect and enhance an organization’s security posture. Topics include threats to security, risk assessment, application and data hardening, network security, fundamentals of encryption and authentication systems, and the application of appropriate response and recovery techniques necessary for business continuity.
Focuses on application development using electronic spreadsheets to improve decision making efficiency and effectiveness. Uses a hands-on approach to develop skills in electronic spreadsheets and modeling applied to a variety of business situations.
Prerequisites: ACTG 3000 or equivalent, FIN 3010 or FIN 3000 or equivalent, and BIA 6000 or equivalent
Topics include evaluating capital investment proposals, measuring managerial performance, performing cash flow analysis, interpreting and evaluating financial information, and applying the capital asset pricing modeling (CAPM).
Explores current management thought and experience on how to effectively lead/manage the people within an organization in a changing world. Emphasis on self-assessment, skill improvement, and problem solving of the current challenges organizations face.
Issues in leadership and motivation in business organizations. An examination of the theoretical framework for leadership and motivation processes serves as a foundation. Emphasis on practical issues and applications of leadership development and motivation.
Impact of individual values and ethics on the management of organizations. Topics include legal and ethical aspects of dealing with organization stakeholders: stockholders, consumers, employees, and the general community. Emphasis on using ethical theory to make good business decisions.
Tax Accounting Specialization Courses
Students electing to specialize in tax accounting must complete three of the following among their electives:
- ACTG 6510 – Federal Income Tax Research and Planning (3 credit hours)
- ACTG 6530 – Taxation of Pass-Through Entities (3 credit hours)
- ACTG 6550 – U.S. International Taxation (3 credit hours)
- ACTG 6560 – Special Topics in Taxation (3 credit hours)
Assurance Specialization Courses
Students electing to specialize in assurance must complete three of the following among their electives:
- ACTG 5640 – Internal Auditing (3 credit hours)
- ACTG 5680 – Forensic Accountancy and Fraud Auditing
- ACTG 6610 – Advanced Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting and Reporting (3 credit hours)
- ACTG 6720 – Advanced Auditing and Public Accounting Practices (3 credit hours)
- INFS 6300 – Management of Security Operations (3 credit hours)
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