The Master of Accountancy (MAc) is a nonthesis program. Coursework focuses on the conceptual and economic foundations of accounting with applications to current and emerging problems of professional practice. MAc students also have the opportunity to acquire expertise in one of four subprogram areas: financial accounting and auditing, business analytics, taxation, and managerial accounting.
Graduate students in accounting are subject to the probation and dismissal rules of the Graduate College and are governed by the Iowa MBA program and master’s honor code.
Learning Outcomes
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure demonstrates the technical skills necessary for entry into the accounting profession. Mastery of these technical skills is the principal focus of the undergraduate accounting program. The MAc program enhances these skills with particular focus on research, analysis, interpretation, and the use of technology while emphasizing the problem-solving and communications skills necessary for advancement in the profession.
Students should be able to:
- identify a problem in an unstructured setting;
- consider the goals of the decision-maker(s), identify an appropriate solution methodology, and develop possible decision options;
- know how to obtain, assess, and organize information to evaluate the decision options;
- utilize the appropriate data analytics, management tools, and information technologies to evaluate options;
- include qualitative issues—strategic, social, and ethical—when picking the option to execute; and
- communicate the solution in an effective manner.
The Master of Accountancy requires 30 s.h. beyond the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). The program permits students to specialize in accounting subprograms according to their interests and objectives. It builds on the technical skills acquired in the undergraduate program, broadens students' perspectives on the role of accounting in organizations and decision-making, and further develops written and oral communication skills. The 30 s.h. required for the MAc must include at least 12 s.h. in graduate-level accounting courses and at least 21 s.h. in courses numbered 5000 or above. Some work for the subprogram areas is cross-disciplinary, with courses from other departments as well as accounting.
Students from a variety of academic backgrounds enter the MAc program. Those who enter with an undergraduate degree in accounting can expect to complete the degree in 12 months. Those who enter with a non-accounting undergraduate degree typically require four semesters to complete the MAc. Study plans are adjusted to reflect each student's particular academic background; see the section titled "Students Without Undergraduate Accounting Degrees."
The Master of Accountancy requires the following coursework. Students complete the requirements for their chosen subprogram or for the general program.
Subprogram in Business Analytics
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Courses | ||
| This course: | ||
| ACCT:9140 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| Three of these: | ||
| ACCT:9040 | Financial Statement Analysis and Forecasting | 3 |
| ACCT:9050 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT:9120 | Design and Use of Cost Management Systems | 3 |
| ACCT:9130 | Financial Reporting: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ACCT:9150 | Research Seminar for Tax Professionals | 3 |
| Business Analytics Courses | ||
| 12 s.h. from these: | ||
| ACCT:4280 | Cybersecurity | 3 |
| BAIS:6040 | Data Programming in Python | 3 |
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management | 3 |
| BAIS:6060 | Data Analysis with R | 3 |
| BAIS:6070 | Data Science | 3 |
| BAIS:6100 | Text Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6105 | Social Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6110 | Big Data Management and Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6140 | Visual Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6210 | Data Leadership and Management | 3 |
| BAIS:9100 | Data and Decisions | 3 |
| BAIS:9110 | Advanced Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:9210 | Data Modeling and Automation | 3 |
| General Electives | ||
| Total of 6 s.h. from UI courses numbered 3000 and above | ||
Subprogram in Financial Accounting and Auditing
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Courses | ||
| All of these: | ||
| ACCT:9040 | Financial Statement Analysis and Forecasting | 3 |
| ACCT:9130 | Financial Reporting: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ACCT:9140 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| ACCT:9050 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT:9120 | Design and Use of Cost Management Systems | 3 |
| ACCT:9150 | Research Seminar for Tax Professionals | 3 |
| Business Analytics Courses | ||
| 6 s.h. from these: | ||
| ACCT:4280 | Cybersecurity | 3 |
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management | 3 |
| BAIS:9210 | Data Modeling and Automation | 3 |
| Finance Courses | ||
| This course: | ||
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| FIN:9160 | Quantitative Finance and Deep Learning | 3 |
| FIN:9200 | Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN:9210 | Derivatives | 3 |
| FIN:9220 | Fixed Income Securities | 3 |
| FIN:9230 | Real Estate Finance and Investments | 3 |
| FIN:9240 | International Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9300 | Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions | 3 |
| FIN:9330 | Investment Banking | 3 |
| FIN:9350 | Wealth Management | 3 |
| General Electives | ||
| Total of 6 s.h. from UI courses numbered 3000 and above | 6 | |
Subprogram in Managerial Accounting
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Courses | ||
| This course: | ||
| ACCT:9120 | Design and Use of Cost Management Systems | 3 |
| Three of these: | ||
| ACCT:9040 | Financial Statement Analysis and Forecasting | 3 |
| ACCT:9050 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT:9130 | Financial Reporting: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ACCT:9140 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT:9150 | Research Seminar for Tax Professionals | 3 |
| Business Analytics Courses | ||
| Two of these (6 s.h.): | ||
| ACCT:4280 | Cybersecurity | 3 |
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management | 3 |
| BAIS:9210 | Data Modeling and Automation | 2-3 |
| Business Electives Outside Accounting | ||
| 6 s.h. numbered 5000 or above from BAIS, ECON, ENTR, FIN, LAW, MBA, MGMT, and MKTG ; ACCT:4280/BAIS:4280 also may be used to meet this requirement | 6 | |
| General Electives | ||
| Total of 6 s.h. from UI courses numbered 3000 and above | ||
Subprogram in Taxation
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Courses | ||
| Three of these: | ||
| ACCT:9040 | Financial Statement Analysis and Forecasting | 3 |
| ACCT:9120 | Design and Use of Cost Management Systems | 3 |
| ACCT:9130 | Financial Reporting: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ACCT:9140 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| Taxation Courses | ||
| Both of these: | ||
| ACCT:9050 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT:9150 | Research Seminar for Tax Professionals | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| ACCT:9110 | Special Topics in Taxation | 3 |
| LAW:8194 | Basic Federal Income Taxation | 3-4 |
| LAW:8320 | Corporate and Partnership Taxation | 4 |
| LAW:8322 | Corporate Taxation | arr. |
| LAW:8629 | Taxation of International Business Transactions | 2-3 |
| LAW:8891 | State and Local Taxation | 2-3 |
| LAW:8929 | Taxation of Partnerships | 2-3 |
| LAW:8981 | Trusts and Estates I | 1-4 |
| Business Analytics Courses | ||
| Two of these (6 s.h.): | ||
| ACCT:4280 | Cybersecurity | 3 |
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management | 3 |
| BAIS:9210 | Data Modeling and Automation | 2-3 |
| General Electives | ||
| Students fulfill the remainder of the 30 s.h. with elective UI courses numbered 3000 and above | ||
If a student takes less than 3 s.h. from the list of Taxation courses, they will be required to take additional general electives to reach the 30 s.h. minimum required for the degree.
General Program
Students who do not wish to pursue a subprogram must complete 30 s.h. beyond the BBA. At least 15 s.h. must be earned in graduate-level accounting courses and at least 21 s.h. must be earned in courses numbered 5000 or above.
The following courses are required.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Courses | ||
| Five of these: | ||
| ACCT:9040 | Financial Statement Analysis and Forecasting | 3 |
| ACCT:9050 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT:9120 | Design and Use of Cost Management Systems | 3 |
| ACCT:9130 | Financial Reporting: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ACCT:9140 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT:9150 | Research Seminar for Tax Professionals | 3 |
| Business Analytics Courses | ||
| 6 s.h. from these: | ||
| ACCT:4280 | Cybersecurity | 3 |
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management | 3 |
| BAIS:9210 | Data Modeling and Automation | 3 |
| General Electives | ||
| Total of 9 s.h. from UI courses numbered 3000 and above | ||
Students Without Undergraduate Accounting Degrees
Coursework for students who enter the program with a non-accounting bachelor's degree is determined by each student's background and interest area. In addition to meeting the core program requirements for the MAc, students typically take a combination of undergraduate and MBA courses to remove academic deficiencies in quantitative methods, business, and accounting. Students with a bachelor's degree in another area of business typically are required to take 45–51 s.h. in order to complete the MAc program. Those with degrees outside of business and with no accounting courses typically are required to take 57–60 s.h.
MAc/JD
MAc students have an opportunity to pursue a combined Juris Doctor degree. Students who are interested in pursuing a combined MAc/JD degree should consult with the academic advisors in each program.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to each program before they may be admitted to the combined program.
For information about the JD degree, see Juris Doctor, JD (College of Law) in the catalog.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Applicants must:
- have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university, or have earned an equivalent degree from another country;
- submit unofficial transcripts with their application and official transcripts for admission;
- have earned a minimum grade-point average of at least 3.00 or the international equivalent;
- submit a current résumé that includes information about employment (if applicable), education, extracurricular activities, and community involvement; and
- submit a statement of purpose with a maximum length of 500 words.
Application deadlines for fall (August) are as follows.
- Priority deadline: Dec. 15.
- International student deadline: March 15.
- Domestic student deadline: June 15.
Application deadlines for spring (January) are as follows.
- Priority deadline: Oct. 15.
- International student deadline: Oct. 15.
- Domestic student deadline: Jan. 1.
Visit the MAc Admissions page on the Tippie College of Business website for full admission details.
Over 96% of graduating students reported that they found permanent employment, were accepted to graduate school, or were not seeking employment.
The Tippie Graduate Career Services team offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs. Visit Graduate Career Services on the Tippie College of Business website for details.
Sample Plans of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Master of Accountancy, MAc
- Subprogram in Financial Accounting and Auditing
- Subprogram in Business Analytics
- Subprogram in Managerial Accounting
- Subprogram in Taxation
- General Program
Subprogram in Financial Accounting and Auditing
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Students entering with an undergraduate degree in accounting can expect to complete the degree in two semesters; those with non-accounting degrees typically complete degree requirements in four semesters. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:9130 | Financial Reporting: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ACCT:9140 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance c | 3 |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACCT:9040 | Financial Statement Analysis and Forecasting | 3 |
| ACCT:9150 |
Research Seminar for Tax Professionals f or Design and Use of Cost Management Systems or Taxes and Business Strategy |
3 |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Finance course g | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- a
- Complete at least 12 s.h. in graduate level accounting courses and at least 21 s.h. in courses numbered 5000 or above.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Requires consent of the MBA program.
- d
- Complete 6 s.h. from ACCT:4280, BAIS:6050, BAIS:9210.
- e
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence.
- f
- Note: ACCT:9120 is typically offered only in fall semesters; ACCT:9050 and ACCT:9150 are typically offered only in spring semesters.
- g
- See the General Catalog for list of approved courses.
Subprogram in Business Analytics
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Students entering with an undergraduate degree in accounting can expect to complete the degree in two semesters; those with non-accounting degrees typically complete degree requirements in four semesters. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:9140 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- a
- Complete at least 12 s.h. in graduate-level accounting courses and at least 21 s.h. in courses numbered 5000 or above.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Choose from ACCT:9040, ACCT:9050, ACCT:9120, ACCT:9130, ACCT:9150. Note: ACCT:9120 and ACCT:9130 are typically offered only in fall semesters; ACCT:9040, ACCT:9050, and ACCT:9150 are typically offered only in spring semesters.
- d
- Students must complete 12 s.h. of business analytics courses. See the General Catalog for list of approved courses.
- e
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence.
Subprogram in Managerial Accounting
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Students entering with an undergraduate degree in accounting can expect to complete the degree in two semesters; those with non-accounting degrees typically complete degree requirements in four semesters. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:9120 | Design and Use of Cost Management Systems | 3 |
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Business Elective Outside Accounting e, f | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Business Elective Outside Accounting e, f | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- a
- Complete at least 12 s.h. in graduate level accounting courses and at least 21 s.h. in courses numbered 5000 or above.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Choose from ACCT:9040, ACCT:9050, ACCT:9130, ACCT:9140, ACCT:9150. Note: ACCT:9130 and ACCT:9140 are typically offered only in fall semesters; ACCT:9040, ACCT:9050, and ACCT:9150 are typically offered only in spring semesters.
- d
- Complete 6 s.h. from ACCT:4280, BAIS:6050, BAIS:9210.
- e
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence.
- f
- Complete 6 s.h. numbered 5000 or above from BAIS, ECON, ENTR, FIN, LAW, MBA, MGMT, and MKTG; ACCT:4280/BAIS:4280 may also be used to meet this requirement.
Subprogram in Taxation
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b, c | ||
| Students entering with an undergraduate degree in accounting can expect to complete the degree in two semesters; those with non-accounting degrees typically complete degree requirements in four semesters. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Accounting course d | 3 | |
| Accounting course d | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course e | 3 | |
| Taxation course a | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) f | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACCT:9050 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT:9150 | Research Seminar for Tax Professionals | 3 |
| Accounting course d | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course e | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) f | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- a
- See the General Catalog for list of approved courses. Students who take less than 3 s.h. from the list of Taxation courses will be required to complete additional general electives to reach the 30 s.h. minimum required for the degree.
- b
- Complete at least 12 s.h. in graduate level accounting courses and at least 21 s.h. in courses numbered 5000 or above.
- c
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- d
- Choose from ACCT:9040, ACCT:9120, ACCT:9130, ACCT:9140. Note: ACCT:9120, ACCT:9130, and ACCT:9140 are typically offered only in fall semesters; ACCT:9040 is typically offered only in spring semesters.
- e
- Complete 6 s.h. from ACCT:4280, BAIS:6050, BAIS:9210.
- f
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence.
General Program
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Students entering with an undergraduate degree in accounting can expect to complete the degree in two semesters; those with non-accounting degrees typically complete degree requirements in four semesters. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Accounting course c | 3 | |
| Business Analytics course d | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Elective course (taken at UI, numbered 3000 and above) e | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- a
- Complete at least 12 s.h. in graduate level accounting courses and at least 21 s.h. in courses numbered 5000 or above.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Choose from ACCT:9040, ACCT:9050, ACCT:9120, ACCT:9130, ACCT:9140, ACCT:9150. Note: ACCT:9120, ACCT:9130 and ACCT:9140 are typically offered only in fall semesters; ACCT:9040, ACCT:9050, and ACCT:9150 are typically offered only in spring semesters.
- d
- Complete 6 s.h. from ACCT:4280, BAIS:6050, BAIS:9210.
- e
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence.