Accountancy, Master of Accountancy

The 30-credit-hour Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program offered by the Graduate School of Business at Gardner-Webb University is structured to prepare students for the significant changes that are impacting the accounting profession. The MAcc is recognized as the professional graduate degree designed to enhance effectiveness in upper-level accounting and financial positions in public accounting, private industry, or government.

The flexibility of the MAcc degree provides for the creation of career-specific degree tracks. The degree tracks available are general accounting and taxation. Courses are offered only in the evenings and online to accommodate working professionals.

Purpose

Today’s global business environment is dynamic. There are significant challenges facing accountants. Today’s accountant is expected to know more and do more than ever before. It is not enough to know accounting rules and regulations. To be successful in providing value to employers and clients alike, today’s accountant must demonstrate a combination of technical competence, oral and written communication skills, analytical problem-solving skills, technology skills, and people skills. The intensive, applied nature of this MAcc program provides training in accounting through the use of practical techniques that can readily be utilized by the students in their existing positions. The program also provides students with an educational experience to meet the North Carolina State Board of Public Accountancy’s 150-hour requirement to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination.

Student Learning Outcomes

To accomplish the mission of Graduate Programs in individual courses within the Godbold College of Business, students completing a course in Accounting will be able to:

1. Adapt themselves in advanced professional career positions in business, government, and other areas of human endeavor where organizational, managerial, and analytical skills in accounting are vital for success;
2. Learn new advanced managerial skills in accounting that require advanced knowledge of computerized technology applications in business; and
3. Respond to complex changes in accounting in a dynamic, global marketplace and demonstrate high Christian ethical standards in their place of work.

MAcc Degree Requirements

1. Overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 in graduate studies
2. Satisfactory completion of 30 graduate hours: 15 core graduate hours (five courses), nine accounting emphasis elective graduate hours (three courses), and six business elective graduate hours (two courses) within six calendar years
3. Application for graduation by the dates published by the Registrar
4. If desired, participation in the hooding ceremony and Commencement exercises

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the preceding requirements for graduation.

MAcc Program Guidelines

ACCT 600 Managerial Accounting, ACCT 601 Federal Income Tax, ACCT 612 Accounting Theory and Practice, and ACCT 621 Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting should be scheduled early in the program. Preferred electives should be scheduled whenever they will be offered according to the two-year rotation.

ACCT 611 Advanced Auditing should culminate the program. A minimum of 21 hours of MAcc program courses that include ACCT 600 Managerial Accounting, ACCT 601 Federal Income Tax, ACCT 612 Accounting Theory and Practice, ACCT 621 Government and Not-For-Profit Accounting, and nine hours of emphasis and/or business electives or permission of the Director of Graduate Business Programs are required prior to enrollment in ACCT 611 Advanced Auditing. A grade of “B” or better is required to successfully pass ACCT 611 Advanced Auditing. A student receiving a final grade of less than “B” must repeat ACCT 611.

It is the student’s responsibility to plan the degree in accordance with the program requirements using the two-year course rotation and the degree planning form available from the advisor.

Total Credit Hours: 30