The courses are sequenced so that students have the requisite knowledge and preparation to take two parts of the CPA Exam – Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) and Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) – after the first two quarters and the other two parts – Auditing and Attestation (AUD) and Regulation (REG) – either during the last quarter of the M.S. program or immediately after finishing the program in September. Thus, students in the Saint Mary’s M.S. in Accounting program will have obtained a master’s degree in accounting, fulfilled the 150-hour educational requirement and have the option to take all four parts of the CPA exam – while working full time.

Summer Quarter: July 11 – Sept. 24

ACCTG 201 - Corporate Financial Reporting

ACCTG 202 - Strategic Management & Information Systems

Autumn Quarter: Oct. 3 - Dec. 17

ACCTG 203 - Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting

ACCTG 204 - International Accounting

Students can sit for the FAR section of the CPA Exam in early January.

Winter Quarter: Jan. 10 - March 26

ACCTG 205 - Advanced Auditing and Forensic Accounting

ACCTG 206 - Federal Income Taxation of Business Entities

Spring Quarter: April 11 - June 25

ACCTG 207 - Legal Issues and the Regulatory Framework for Accountants

ACCTG 208 - Taxes and Business Strategy

Summer Quarter: July 11– Sept. 24

ACCTG 209 - Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation – Capstone Experience*

ACCTG 210 - Professional Ethics and Responsibilities – Capstone Experience*

Students can sit for the AUD and REG parts of the CPA Exam in early July or October

*MASTERS COLLOQUIUM

The Masters Colloquium held at the end of the fifth quarter provides an opportunity for M.S. in Accounting students to present their research/project before a distinguished panel of professional accountants, tax experts, audit partners, regulators and academics. The research presented at the Colloquium will be part of the requirements of ACCTG 209 and ACCTG 210. The research can be on topics related to financial reporting, valuation, taxation, assurance or ethics.

Professional Development Program (PDP)

Students in the M.S. in Accounting program participate in quarterly professional development workshops that will provide them with key management skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to be well-rounded and managerially skilled accounting professionals. These PDP workshops include: negotiation, leadership and followership, influencing without authority, navigating organizational politics, making outstanding presentations and other key skills that will enable an accounting professional to be an effective and managerially fluent professional.