Southern New Hampshire University - Online Master of Science in Accounting with Four Concentrations

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online Master of Science in Accounting with 4 available concentrations: auditing, forensic accounting, management accounting and taxation. The program covers advanced accounting principles, quantitative and cost analysis, information technology for financial evaluation, professional auditing, and tax preparation at both the individual and corporate level.

In the auditing concentration, students learn about Sarbanes-Oxley requirements and compliance. The auditing concentration complies with the Content and Skill Specification Outlines (CSOs/SSOs) put forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

In SNHU’s forensic accounting concentration, students learn to apply forensic accounting principles to bankruptcies, mergers, acquisitions and court cases. This concentration is ideal for professionals with a bachelor’s degree in business or accounting.

The management accounting concentration prepares students for managerial accounting roles in which business competencies lead to strategic decision making and operation of businesses. Upon graduation, students will have been given the knowledge needed to prepare for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

The taxation concentration focuses on an in-depth study of topics and problems in federal taxation. Topics include federal taxation case law, regulations and statutes in relation to gift and estate planning.

SNHU’s online MS in Accounting has 5 start dates per year in October, December, March, May and August. The program is 100% online with no campus visits required. It can be completed in as little as 15 months, at 2 courses per 10-week term. Students may be eligible for course waivers or exemptions if they have an undergraduate degree or concentration in accounting or finance.

The MS in Accounting program follows an asynchronous format which allows working professionals to view materials and complete assignments according to their own schedule. Interactions between faculty and classmates take place through various tools including discussion boards, chat, email and phone calls. Materials for each week’s lesson are clearly laid out for better time management. Student services include an advisor, admissions counselor, tutoring and career services, the writing center, IT solutions and library services. SNHU also offers SNHUconnect, an online student portal where students meet with peers, faculty and alumni to collaborate on projects, gain feedback and share ideas.

The online master’s in accounting is made of 36 credits, including 27 credits of major courses and 9 credits of major electives or a concentration. Core courses may include Advanced Auditing, Control/Audit of Accounting Info System, Situational Ethics in Accounting, Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting, Corporate Financial Management, Business Law, Managing Through Communication and Federal Income Tax of Corporations and Partnerships. In addition, students complete an accounting capstone. General electives may include courses like Introduction to Forensic Accounting/Fraud Exam, International Accounting and Tax Research Methodology. Students without an accounting background may need to complete accounting foundation courses including Cost Accounting, Financial Reporting I-III, Auditing and Federal Taxation of Individuals.

The auditing concentration includes courses like Introduction to Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination, Detection and Prevention of Fraudulent Financial Statements, and Seminar in Auditing and Information Assurance.

The forensic accounting concentration includes courses like Introduction to Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination, Detection and Prevention of Fraudulent Financial Statements, Interview Techniques/Legal Aspects of Fraud and Investigating with Computers.

The management accounting concentration includes courses like Controllership, Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting and International Accounting.

The taxation concentration includes courses like Estate and Gift Taxation, Tax Research Methodology and Special Topics in Taxation.

Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). SNHU’s accounting programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).