Master of Science Accounting with a Concentration in Controllership (MS)
Frank Holman, Graduate Program Director
Objective: To provide a curriculum that facilitates the promotion of professional judgment/skepticism and critical thinking skills that add value in decision making.
Focus: Students have the option to choose from various electives in the general MS in Accountancy or to align coursework based on two areas of interest (concentrations): Controllership addresses the needs of students who have an interest in operational and financial decision making, and Taxation provides the requisite skills set for those interested in tax compliance and planning. All associate with careers in Public Accounting, Industry, or Government/Not-For-Profit organizations and prepare students for the CPA and other professional designations/licenses (i.e., CMA, CIA, CFE, CISA, CGFM, etc.).
Admission Requirements
Prospective students may apply for admission to the program for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Admission is granted to those who demonstrate the likelihood of successful completion of this graduate accounting program.
Criteria for admission include cumulative undergraduate and upper-level accounting grade-point averages (GPA), and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. In general: applicants should possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher; and applicants should possess an upper-level accounting course GPA of 3.0 or higher. The sum of the GMAT score plus 200 times the upper-level accounting curriculum GPA should equal 1,000.
For students without a degree in accounting, the cumulative upper level accounting GPA of 3.0 will be based on performance in the following prerequisite courses (with no grade below a C.): ACCT 305, Essentials of Financial Accounting I; ACCT 306, Essentials of Financial Accounting II; ACCT 311, Managerial Accounting; ACCT 425, Taxation of Individuals; and ACCT 411, Financial Auditing.
To be considered for admission, the following must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
- application forms (may be done on-line) for graduate study in business,
- official transcripts of all previous college work,
- one letter of recommendation,
- a brief resume,
- an one-page essay setting forth the applicant’s work experience, and goals and objectives for the program, and
- scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) if applicable.
Applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam.
The following courses are prerequisites to the MS, Accounting program:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | ||
| ACCT 201 | Principles of Financial Accounting * | 3 |
| ACCT 305 | Essentials of Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCT 306 | Essentials of Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| ACCT 411 | Financial Auditing | 3 |
| Management Accounting | ||
| ACCT 202 | Principles of Managerial Accounting * | 3 |
| ACCT 311 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| Taxation | ||
| ACCT 425 | Taxation of Individuals | 3 |
| Economics, Statistics/Business Analytics, Marketing, Information Technology, Finance, and Commercial Law | ||
| Select 18 credits | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 39 | |
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Or equivalent from an accredited institution
Application deadlines are July 1 for fall admission, November 1 for spring admission, and April 1 for summer admission. International student deadlines are April 15 (fall semester), October 1 (spring semester), and February 15 (summer semester).
Applicants who have not obtained an acceptable GMAT score, or an acceptable TOEFL score for those applicants whose native language is not English, will not be permitted to enroll in graduate accounting courses.
GMAT Waiver
Applicants can waive taking the GMAT and disregard the GMAT-related admission requirements if any of the following are met:
- Applicant has passed all parts of the United States Uniform CPA exam;
- Applicant holds a Masters Degree with a posted GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- Applicant is a member of the Old Dominion University chapter of Beta Alpha Psi with a posted GPA of 3.0 in upper level accounting courses; or
- Applicant has a Bachelors Degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 overall and in the prerequisite accounting courses with a grade of C or better in the prerequisite accounting courses.
Curriculum Requirements
A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate courses are required to complete the MS Accounting program. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of a least 3.00 in all graduate work taken.
Accounting Core
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Strengthing Courses | ||
| ACCT 623 | Accounting Analytics and Operational Reviews | 3 |
| ACCT 626 | Financial and Global Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 627 | Operational Cost Control | 3 |
| ACCT 630 | Business Valuations using Financial Statement Analysis | 3 |
| ACCT 640 | Professional Ethics and Legal Issues In Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 650 | Tax Strategies for Business Decisions | 3 |
| ACCT 662 | Tax Procedure and Practice | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
Controllership Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | ||
| ACCT 624 | Information Technology Assurance Services + | 3 |
| ACCT 625 | Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 668 | Accounting Internship * | 1-3 |
| ACCT 695 | Selected Topics in Accounting * | 3 |
| ACCT 697 | Independent Study in Taxation * | 3 |
| ACCT 727 | Strategic Cost Management | 3 |
| ACCT 730 | Financial Management Decision Making | 3 |
| ACCT 998 | Master's Graduate Credit | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours for Concentration | 9 | |
| Total Program Hours | 30 | |
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Students may only take 6 hours in these courses.
- +
Recommended for students wishing to pursue a career in Public Sector Finance.