Navigating the Path to CPA Certification With a Master’s Degree in Accountancy

Boise State University’s online Master of Science in Accountancy and online Master of Science in Accountancy, Foundations provide the bridge to Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure and a thriving accountancy career by preparing you to sit for the CPA Exam.

Designed for working professionals with an undergraduate degree in accounting, the master of accountancy increases career opportunities by gaining accounting certification.

Taught by experienced and knowledgeable faculty members, the program includes a deep dive into accounting principles and case studies that will boost your financial analysis, business development, critical thinking and analytical skills.

The master of accountancy, foundations program is designed for students without an undergraduate degree looking to achieve new heights in their professional and academic careers. The curriculum includes foundational prerequisites.

An online Graduate Certificate in Accounting Foundations is also available to non-accountancy graduate students looking to add foundational accounting knowledge to their knowledge base without committing to a full master of accountancy program.

Quality-based education

Boise State’s College of Business and Economics and the Department of Accountancy are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

The university is one of 190 schools that hold AACSB Accounting Accreditation, which means the program meets rigorous criteria and standards for excellence in accounting education in engagement, innovation and impact.

The Department of Accountancy’s membership in the Federation of Schools of Accountancy (FSA) encourages continual development of high-quality, professional programs, assuring you of a purposeful and rigorous education.

The curriculum includes specialized courses that focus on real-world applicability taught by faculty members with valuable industry insights from their careers.

The faculty also adapts and adjusts coursework as industry standards, best practices and content knowledge continually advance in the accountancy field. The master of accountancy and master of accountancy, foundations programs are designed to meet the CPA licensing requirements for the state of Idaho.

CPA Exam requirements

The CPA Exam has four sections. Candidates sit for each section separately. The four sections of the CPA Exam are:

• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR or Financial): Covers the skills and knowledge that make up Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for business enterprises, not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities.
• Regulation (REG): Covers federal taxation, ethics, professional responsibilities, legal responsibilities and business law skills and knowledge.
• Auditing and Attestation (AUD or Auditing): Covers the knowledge of auditing procedures, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and other standards related to attest engagements.
• Business Environment and Concepts (BEC or Business): Covers knowledge of the general business environment and concepts you need to know to understand transactions and the accounting implications.

The CPA Exam is only offered in a computer-based format, including multiple-choice questions and simulations. It is offered five to six days each week (depending on the jurisdiction) during the first two months of every quarter.

Testing is available in Jan., Feb., April, May, July, Aug., Oct. and Nov. but not in March, June, Sept. and Dec., so it’s important to plan ahead.

Both Boise State master of accountancy degree options boast pass rates for the CPA Exam that exceed the national average.

Learn more about the Online MSA

Earning an Online Master of Science in Accountancy from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.

Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.

Register for a Live, Online Information Session

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