Prerequisites

The MAcc program requires the student to complete: (1) a core of undergraduate foundation courses consisting of business and accounting courses and (2) the Master of Accounting curriculum, which consists of 10 graduate courses. Students with a bachelor's degree in accounting will have satisfied all or most of the foundation course requirements through their prior studies. Applicants with substantial deficiencies in foundation courses should contact the MAcc advisor to determine the best plan to satisfy the deficiencies. There is also a program for students without a bachelor's degree in accounting. (Download the brochure.)

Curriculum

Each of the MAcc’s three majors consists of 10 courses (30 credit hours) typically taken as four courses in the spring and fall semesters and two courses in the summer. 

Please note: Program requirements are subject to change.

Assurance and Advisory Services Major

• Provides students with skills related to the practice and theory of auditing and related services.
• Emphasizes building teamwork and analytical skills.
• Leads to auditing or advisory work at large, international public accounting firms.

* Non‐accounting electives may be any graduate business course, including GEB 5944 Graduate Internship (3 hrs).

** Indicates courses that combined pathway students take as an undergraduate.

Generalist Major

• Allows students to expand their overall accounting knowledge.
• Emphasizes skills necessary for success in the various facets of accounting.
• Leads to a career in multiple areas of accounting.

* Accounting electives may be any 5000‐level ACG or TAX course except ACG 5026. Non‐accounting electives may be any graduate business course, including GEB 5944 Graduate Internship (3 hrs).

** Indicates courses that combined pathway students take as an undergraduate

Taxation Major

• Provides students with meaningful opportunities to develop the technical, analytical and research skills necessary for a successful career in tax practice.
• Emphasizes lessons in primary and secondary tax law sources to identify and to investigate alternative tax treatments and solve complex tax issues.
• Leads to a career with large international public accounting firms as tax specialists.

* Non‐accounting electives may be any graduate business course, including GEB 5944 Graduate Internship (3 hrs).

** Indicates courses that combined pathway students take as an undergraduate.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

This program is designed to lead to professional licensure or certification, such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Because each state has its own requirements, it is important to know before you apply whether this program meets the licensing requirements in your home state or the state where you plan to work. If you intend to pursue professional licensure after graduation, visit FSU’s Professional Licensure & Certification website now to determine whether this program meets your state's requirements, and always contact the appropriate state licensing board for guidance.

Application Checklist

The following items should be submitted through the Florida State Graduate Application portal, available exclusively online at admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp:

• Applicant Statement
• Current resume/C.V., clearly indicating work experience including dates and positions held
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from former college professors, employers, or anyone who understands your skills and abilities
• Florida Residency Declaration
• Nonrefundable application fee of $30.00 (see University Application or go to fees.fsu.edu) 

The following items should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office, 222 S. Copeland St./314 Westcott Building, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1410 or to graduateadmissions@fsu.edu:

• One (1) official transcript from all colleges and universities attended (FSU transcripts are not necessary for FSU alumni, students)
• Official GMAT/GRE score(s) and, if applicable, English Language Proficiency score(s) (The English Language Proficiency test score is a University requirement for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. institution or other institution where English is the required language of instruction; therefore, it cannot be waived). The code to send GMAT scores to Florida State is PN8K567, and the code to send GRE or TOEFL scores is 5219.

International Applicants

International applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. institution or other institution where English is the required language of instruction are required to take an English Language Proficiency exam and submit official test results in order to be admitted to Florida State University. The College of Business accepts all of the following examinations taken within the past two (2) years:

•    Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test and 100 on the internet-based test
•    International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS): minimum score of 7
•    Pearson Test of English (PTE): minimum score of 66
•    Duolingo: minimum score of 120
•    Cambridge C1 Advanced Level: minimum score of 180
•    Michigan Language Assessment: minimum score of 55

In addition, international graduate applicants seeking teaching assistantships are required to pass a test of spoken English.

For more international applicant information, including financial responsibilities, degree equivalency, etc., visit gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/international-admissions.

Waiving the GMAT/GRE

The entrance exam requirement may be waived for outstanding applicants who meet certain criteria. Read the official policy.

In addition, undergraduate accounting students from Florida State University or another AACSB-accredited school who are applying for the Master of Accounting (MAcc) program with an overall GPA of at least 3.4, an upper-division GPA of at least 3.2 and an upper-division accounting GPA of at least 3.2 can now qualify to have the GMAT test requirement waived. The upper-division accounting GPA is based on the following eight required upper-division ACG/TAX courses completed at the time of application: ACG 3101, ACG 3111, ACG 3341, ACG 4201/5216, ACG 4401, ACG 4632, TAX 4001 and TAX 4011/5015.

A completed GMAT test is also not required (for those meeting the waiver criteria) to be considered for MAcc graduate assistantships/fellowships.

The MAcc program requires 30 credit hours. Below are estimated costs for the 2022-2023 academic year:

• Florida residents: $479.32 (tuition plus fees) per credit hour. Total estimate program cost is $14,379.60.
• Non-Florida Residents: $1,110.72 (tuition plus fees) per credit hour. Total estimate program cost is $33,321.60.

The MAcc program for non-accounting majors can include up to 51 additional undergraduate credit hours at an incremental cost of:

• Florida residents: $ 215.55 (tuition plus fees) per credit hour. Total estimate program cost for year 1 is $10,933.05.
• Non-Florida Residents: $ 721.10 (tuition plus fees) per credit hour. Total estimate program cost for year 1 is $36,776.10.

Please NOTE - Financial Aid:  Students who wish to receive federal Stafford loans at the graduate level must enroll for a minimum of 6 graduate level – degree applicable credits for each term that they wish to receive aid.  Undergraduate courses are not covered when enrolled as a graduate student.

Note: These costs do not include required books and supplies for courses. Costs are subject to change. Fees in table do not include some per-term flat fees for FSUCard and facilities use. For a breakdown of on-campus student fees and their explanations, visit the university’s Tuition Rates page.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Accounting awards a number of fellowships and scholarships to applicants with strong academic credentials. No duties are associated with these fellowships and scholarships other than the requirement to remain in good standing in the MAcc program. The funding for these awards is provided by contributions from professional accounting firms, corporations, alumni and friends of the Department of Accounting.

Additionally, a number of graduate assistantships are available. These assistantships are a combination of cash payments and tuition waivers and require the student to work 10 hours per week as a graduate research or teaching assistant. Assignments are made as research assistants or teaching assistants according to the current needs of the Department of Accounting. Interested applicants must apply for the MAcc program by March 1 to be considered for funding.

Read more about the college’s financial assistance options for graduate students.

You may also visit Florida State's financial aid website for more information on types of financial aid.

ACG 5216 Advanced Accounting
Prerequisite: ACG 3111. This course provides an in-depth study of financial reporting and accounting principles related to investments, business combinations, consolidated enterprises, and foreign operations and the statement of cash flows.

ACG 5135 Financial Accounting Theory and Standard Setting
Prerequisite: ACG 4201 or ACG 5216 Advanced Accounting. An introduction to the development of financial accounting theory; the relationship of accounting theory and research to standard setting; discussion of the current standard setting environment

ACG 5175 Financial Statement Analysis
Prerequisite: ACG 4201 or ACG 5216 Advanced Accounting. Understanding how to interpret information in financial statements and related documents and adjusting financial statement information for use as inputs into business valuation and credit analysis models.

ACG 5356 Advanced Management Accounting
Prerequisite: ACG 3341. Use of accounting and statistical methods in planning and controlling economic activities.

ACG 5405 Advanced Accounting Information Systems
Prerequisite: ACG 4401. Design and operation of accounting systems and relevance of data processing and statistical methods to the system of financial information and control.

ACG 5458 Emerging Technologies in Accounting and Auditing
Prerequisite: ACG 4401.  Knowledge and skills to account for and to audit firms that are using emerging technologies. Tools to identify and assess risks of insecure electronic commerce systems and to formulate security-conscious solutions.

ACG 5635 Auditing Theory and Application II
Prerequisite: ACG 4632. Theory of auditing and development of audit programs, procedures for obtaining audit evidence, and auditor responsibility under Securities and Exchange Commission requirements.

ACG 5685 Forensic Accounting
Prerequisite: ACG 4632. An in-depth exposure to the forensic accounting process and related audit topics, including identification of fraud risk factors and development of skills in detecting fraud.

ACG 5695 Challenges in Professional Accounting
Prerequisite: ACG 4632. Case studies emphasizing elements of public practice, standards of professional conduct, fraud issues, systematic controls, auditing principles and standards, and communication of findings.

BUL 5335 Law for Accountancy
This course exposes students to the basic concepts of law as applied to the accounting profession. The focus is on the application and analysis of legal and ethical principles.

GEB 5086 Professional Development
This course surveys professional development and familiarizes students with various aspects of successful career preparation and position acquisition, as well as crucial team participation skills and an understanding of workplace dynamics.

GEB 5944 Graduate Internship
This internship offers a working and learning experience in the business industry.

MAN 5716 Business Conditions Analysis
Problems of managing the firm in relation to the changing economic environment. Analysis of major business fluctuations and development of forecasting techniques.

TAX 5015 Federal Income Tax Accounting II
Prerequisite: TAX 4001. This course explores concepts and methods of determining income of corporations, partnerships, estates, and trusts for tax purposes as well as interpretation of Internal Revenue Code, related regulations, and tax advisory services.

TAX 5065 Research in Federal Taxation
Prerequisite: TAX 4011 or TAX 5015. A critical examination of the legal aspects of taxation and the development of federal tax law as a basis for planning business decisions.

TAX 5105 Seminar in Corporate Income Taxation
Prerequisite: TAX 4011 or TAX 5015.  Develops comprehensive knowledge of corporate income taxation concepts, problems and authorities.

TAX 5205 Pass-Through Entities and Fiduciaries
Prerequisite: TAX 4011 or TAX 5015. Comprehensive coverage of the income taxation of pass-through entities including partnerships, LLCs, Subchapter S corporations, and business trusts.

TAX 5527 Multijurisdictional Tax Issues
Prerequisite: TAX 4001. This course provides an in-depth examination of multijurisdictional tax issues including U.S. federal income taxation of inbound and outbound transactions, state and local taxation, and multijurisdictional tax policy issues.