MSc in Accounting in Waltham, MA United States | Bentley University

Our new MSA curriculum provides you with the option of five different concentrations. This program has a CIP code that corresponds to the DHS STEM designated code list and prepares you for today's CPA exam, as well as CIA, CMA and CISA certifications. The MSA program has a 10-course minimum requirement for degree completion. Full time students can complete the program in eleven months. Part-time students generally take between 2-5 years.

Foundation Courses

All applicants will be evaluated for foundation waivers. 
GR 521 Managerial Statistics 
GR 524 Accounting for Decision Making

Required Courses

Four required courses 
AC 611 Financial Accounting 
AC 730 Business Process and Controls Assessment 
AC 793 Ethics, Judgment and Decision Making 
AC 770 Data Analytics for Accounting

Concentrations

Assurance:
Assurance services aim to improve the quality and transparency of information for a professional organization. By providing independent and professional opinions that reduce information risk, you can improve public trust in the credibility of published financial reports.

This concentration will prepare you to meet the accounting challenges of tomorrow with the following skills:

• Financial Statement Auditing
• Information Technology Auditing
• Internal Auditing
• Accounting for Income Taxes
• Tax Compliance and Reporting

Advisory

Advisory services go beyond the traditional accounting role and look to provide guidance to business owners through the examination of the present and potential future variables that will impact business. With the right insight, they will help make better-informed decisions that increase company performance.

This concentration will prepare you to meet the accounting challenges of tomorrow with the following skills:

• Risk Advisory
• Information Technology Auditing
• Internal Auditing
• Fraud and Forensic Accounting
• Performance Evaluation and Management

Corporate Financial Reporting

Corporate Financial Reporting is the practice of preparing all elements of the financial statements and SEC reporting. Professionals in this field will ensure external reporting compliance and present and analyze important financial data to help businesses understand their true financial position. 

This concentration will prepare you to meet the accounting challenges of tomorrow with the following skills:

• Accounting for Income Taxes
• Performance Evaluation and Management
• Financial Accounting
• Managerial Accounting

Analytics

The high demand for accounting graduates with strong data and analytics skills is the reason why Bentley has this concentration available for students interested in private company audit firm practices such as risk management and process assurance. You’ll gain skills in accounting practices and advanced expertise in accounting and auditing, using industry tools to explore data mining and predictive analytics. 

This concentration will prepare you to meet the accounting challenges of tomorrow with the following skills:

• Financial Statement Auditing
• Information Technology Auditing
• Internal Auditing
• Accounting Analytics
• Data-Driven Development with Python
• Managing with Analytics

Tax

Tax planning and compliance is essential for every business. As the business world becomes more global and tax regimes become more complex, managing tax burdens across states and around the globe is a focal point of any business operation. This concentration provides a foundation necessary to navigate the complexities of the tax aspects of business decisions.

This concentration, available starting in January 2025, will prepare you to meet the accounting challenges of tomorrow with the following skills:

• Federal Taxation of Income
• Multi-Jurisdictional Taxation
• Taxation of Corporations and their Shareholders
• Professional Tax Practice