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Explore our core curriculum and unique academic experiences
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Our Approach
Undergraduates from all backgrounds benefit from the nine-month specialized MAcc program at William & Mary. Our world class faculty care deeply about our students' successes and are committed to developing your technical skills and business acumen using a collaborative, team-based methodology that replicates a true business setting.
In the fall, develop professional expertise through a series of required courses designed to give you the skills you need to navigate the ever-changing world of Accounting. Learn how to research professional standards, analyze complex transactions and understand the issues confronting Accountants in the field today.
In the spring, design your program of study to broaden your knowledge or specialize in an area of expertise. Take advantage of one of our market-driven Emphases or the opportunity to intern with a CPA firm during tax season.
Unique Academic Experiences
Enhance your degree and ultimately your career by choosing one of our market-driven areas of emphases, or deepen your academic pursuits through a dual degree or PhD prep program.
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Academic Emphasis
- Accounting Analytics
- Audit & Assurance
- Experiential: Winter Field Experience
- Taxation
- Valuation & Advisory Services
STEM Designated
As decision makers look for new and better ways to make decisions, they will be relying on accounting data and accountants for those databased solutions and techniques. With the Accounting Analytics emphasis, students will learn forecasting, diagnostic and relationship tools to analyze and manage large data sets.
Course # | Course Title |
---|---|
BUAD 6239 | Audit Analytics and Information Systems |
BUAD 6249 | Data Analysis & Simulation for Accountants |
BUAD 6149 | Driving Organizational Performance |
BUAD 6229 | Financial Statement Analysis |
BUAD 6271 | Database Management |
BUAD 6711 | Advanced Modeling Techniques |
The Auditing & Assurance emphasis provides practical experience in forensic accounting and fraud investigation, auditing information systems, risk management, and compliance. Students will develop the professional skills needed to pursue careers in internal or external auditing in both private and public settings.
Course # | Course Title |
---|---|
BUAD 6199 | Advanced Auditing & Audit Research |
BUAD 6209 | Government & Non-Profit Accounting |
BUAD 6239 | Audit Analytics and Information Systems |
BUAD 6279 | Forensic Acct. & Fraud Examination |
BUAD 6229 | Financial Statement Analysis |
Held in the spring, the Experiential emphasis (Winter Field Experience) offers the opportunity for students to turn their accounting education into real-world experience by interning with an accounting firm or other top employer.
Course # | Course Title |
---|---|
BUAD 6129 | Integrated Winter Field Experience |
BUAD 6149 | Driving Organizational Performance |
BUAD 6169 | Business Law |
BUAD 6179 | Tax Research & Current Tax Topics |
BUAD 6209 | Government & Non-Profit Accounting |
BUAD 6229 | Financial Statement Analysis |
BUAD 6239 | Audit Analytics and Information Systems |
Combining courses in fundamental federal, state, and local taxation with specialized courses in corporate tax strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and estate and financial planning, the Taxation emphasis prepares students to meet the growing demand for qualified tax professionals.
Course # | Course Title |
---|---|
BUAD 6269 | Advanced Federal Taxation |
BUAD 6189 | Estate & Financial Planning |
BUAD 6179 | Tax Research & Current Tax Topics |
Some tax courses at the William & Mary Law School may also apply.
Students who choose the Valuation & Advisory Services emphasis will graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a financial services leader. Courses include advanced study of financial reporting, data modeling, and managerial accounting.
Course # | Course Title |
---|---|
BUAD 5049 | Valuation & Fair Value Accounting |
BUAD 6149 | Driving Organizational Performance |
BUAD 6229 | Financial Statement Analysis |
BUAD 6249 | Data Analysis & Simulation for Accountants |
Substitution for applicable MBA electives requires separate approval.
Core Curriculum
Offered as a full-time two-semester program with additional summer boot camp for non-accounting majors, the Mason School's MAcc is your next step to a career in the accounting industry. Designed to meet the diverse needs of our students, you'll have the flexibility to choose an academic plan that best aligns with your unique interests and professional goals with our masters in accounting courses.
Program Snapshot
Fall Semester | |||||||||||||||
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Full Semester | |||||||||||||||
Advanced Auditing & Audit Research (3 Credits) |
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Advanced Federal Taxation (3 Credits) |
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First Half | Optional Elective DC Financial Markets Trek (1 Credit) |
Second Half | |||||||||||||
Accounting for Complex Financial Transactions (3 Credits) |
Valuation & Fair Value Accounting (3 Credits) |
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Financial Instruments & Derivatives (2 Credits) |
Business Skills for Professional Accountants (2 Credits) |
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Winter Break | |||||||||||||||
Spring Semester | |||||||||||||||
Current Issues in IT & Accounting Analytic (Sprint) I Required (1 Credit) | Electives (13 Credits)* *12 Credits for students who participate in the Fall semester DC Financial Markets Trek |
Spring Electives
Other MBA or Law School electives may be taken and counted toward the MAcc degree requirements with the approval of the Chair of the Accounting Department. Electives vary year-to-year based on availability, and may be restricted based on demonstrated prerequisite coursework.
- BUAD 6129 - Integrated Winter Field Experience
- BUAD 6149 - Driving Organizational Performance
- BUAD 6179 - Tax Research and Current Topics
- BUAD 6159 - Taxation and Business Strategy
- BUAD 6169 - Business Law
- BUAD 6189 - Estate and Financial Planning
- BUAD 6209 - Govt & Non-profit Accounting
- BUAD 6229 - Financial Statement Analysis
- BUAD 6239 - Audit Analytics & Information Systems
- BUAD 6249 - Data Analysis, Modeling & Simulation for Accountants
- BUAD 6279 - Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
- BUAD 6289 - Taxation of Mergers & Acquisitions (Marshall-Wythe School of Law)
- BUAD 6299 - Partnership Taxation (Marshall-Wythe School of Law)
- BUAD 6359 - Current Research in Accounting
- BUAD 6951 - State & Local Taxation (Marshall-Wythe School of Law)
Ph.D. Preparation Program
Explore a career as an accounting professor with a series of one credit classes that introduce you to Ph.D. level subjects related to the field of Accounting. Courses include Introduction to Academic Research in Accounting, Data and Analysis in Accounting Research, and Design of Accounting Research Studies.
Dual Degree Option
William & Mary's Raymond A. Mason School of Business offers a dual MBA/ MAcc option in which students may obtain both the MBA degree and the Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree in 2 1/2 years, instead of the three years that would be required if each degree were pursued independently.
The program is designed especially for non-accounting majors who intend to seek the CPA credential as part of their professional preparation. The dual program provides a student both the comprehensive accounting education needed to qualify to sit for the licensing exam and broad-based, well-rounded business education.
For information about the Master of Accounting Program, contact: Midori Juarez
Phone: 757-221-2934
Email: macc@mason.wm.edu