M.S. in Accounting Financial Reporting & Assurance Tax Consulting PREPARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
THE ACADEMICS The M.S. in Accounting is a one-year, 30-credit-hour program that allows you to specialize in either Financial Reporting & Assurance or Tax Consulting. Classes are engaging and require active participation on the part of every student through in-class discussions, presentations and team-building activities. Completion of the program fulfills the 150-hour educational requirement for CPA licensure in most states,* but the knowledge and skills that you gain will take you even further. McIntire s M.S. in Accounting is designed to help you develop your professional competencies across three dimensions: 1) Acquiring deep technical knowledge 2) Understanding accounting within context 3) Developing professional and interpersonal competencies While an individual course might focus primarily on one of these dimensions, our approach to teaching ensures that they are continually integrated throughout the curriculum. Representative Courses and Their Area of Emphasis ACCOUNTING WITHIN CONTEXT Accounting Policy Taxes and Business Strategy Financial Statement Analysis Legal Liability and Regulation International Accounting PROFESSIONAL AND INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCIES Leadership in Accounting Decision Making and Negotiation Strategic Advising Business Communication TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE Accounting for Derivatives Financial Reporting Assurance and Forensics Taxation of Partnerships Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders Transactions FOR A SAMPLE CURRICULUM, VISIT ONLINE: commerce.virginia.edu/msaccounting * Specific requirements vary from state to state and students are strongly encouraged to check with the Board of Accountancy for specific requirements of the state in which they plan to practice.
PREPARE FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE There are no multiple-choice tests in professional practice. At McIntire, we focus on the full range of competencies you will need for professional success. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE WITHIN A SPECIALIZATION Gain deep technical knowledge by specializing in either Financial Reporting & Assurance or Tax Consulting, while still having the flexibility to pursue additional coursework in management, consulting, finance, project management or related disciplines. ACCOUNTING WITHIN CONTEXT Challenge yourself to understand the broader context within which business decisions are made. Classroom discussions and case studies hone your analytical and problem-solving skills by immersing you in the same type of complex, multidimensional business situations that you will face in professional practice. PROFESSIONAL AND INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCIES Sharpen your ability to communicate and present complex and sensitive information at an executive level with focused support from our management communication faculty. Practice and improve your skills in relationship and team building, strategic advising and negotiation.
Gain New Perspectives ROGER MARTIN M.S. in Accounting Program Director Roger Martin, Program Director Graduate students at McIntire are an impressive group of people. The variety of backgrounds different undergrad programs, different countries, different interests combine to form a unique and stimulating learning environment. I enjoy challenging students to expand their own understanding of the world. Because of the quality and diversity of students in the Program, they are continually helping me to examine issues from new perspectives. Ask the Right Questions NOW Financial Planning & Analysis, International Markets, SC Johnson, Senior Analyst (Milwaukee, WI) UNDERGRAD University of Virginia The Program challenged me to always understand the whole picture instead of simply focusing on the accounting aspect of a project. Through electives, I was able to broaden my knowledge of non-accounting functions and gain a solid understanding of both the financial and non-financial implications of a project. This Kerry Lukaszewicz has been especially helpful in my current position, where I support globally distributed marketing and finance teams. Learning to ask the right questions to fully understand a project and assess the local challenges has been immensely helpful to my career. Communicate Complex Ideas NOW KPMG, Forensic Associate (Atlanta, GA) UNDERGRAD University of Virginia Mike Brouillette At McIntire, I gained the technical knowledge needed for a career in forensic accounting, as well as the communication skills vital for success in my field. In my job, I am often called in during times of stress and need to provide a clear work plan for often complex topics. The M.S. in Accounting taught me to think strategically, to create clear and concise documents and to have the confidence that I can make a positive impact.
THE NITTY-GRITTY ADMISSIONS Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with rounds beginning in September of each year and concluding in March, depending on space availability. Deadlines and decision dates for each round may be found on our website. To be considered for a round, applicants must have completed and submitted an online application, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, GMAT test scores and TOEFL scores, if applicable. TO APPLY The following 18 credits of undergraduate prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to beginning the Program: Introduction to Financial Accounting Introduction to Managerial Accounting Intermediate Accounting I Intermediate Accounting II U.S. Federal Taxation Audit At McIntire, the classroom environment is one of high expectations coupled with collaboration and respect. We invite you to join us for a class visit to see for yourself. Visit us online to see a list of upcoming events or to contact an admissions representative to arrange a personalized visit to McIntire. VISIT ONLINE commerce.virginia.edu/msaccounting HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS Through the Ernst & Young High Performing Teams Initiative, McIntire faculty members have developed innovative, team-based initiatives integrated throughout the curriculum. For example, Special Topics in International Accounting, which includes a one-week residency in Ireland, requires students to practice negotiation and conflict resolution skills while working in crosscultural teams with Irish business students. Guest speakers have included Nobel Peace Prize Laureate John Hume, widely recognized for bringing peace to the North and South of Ireland. TYPICAL CLASS PROFILE (3-year average) 55-60 Enrollment 70-75 % Financial Reporting & Assurance 20-25 % Tax Consulting 57 % Women 24 % U.S. Minorities 30 Undergraduate schools represented 3.3-3.9 Mid-80% GPA range 550-710 Mid-80% GMAT range
COMMERCE CAREER SERVICES Throughout the fall recruiting season, you will find representatives of major corporations, accounting firms, and financial institutions in the hallways of McIntire offering resume critiques, conducting mock interviews, speaking in classes or just welcoming you for a coffee and chat. The Lawn, University of Virginia COMMERCE CAREER SERVICES Our students and corporate recruiters agree that Commerce Career Services (CCS) is a phenomenal resource. Outstanding professional staff and counselors are committed to helping students find the career paths that best match their skills and aspirations. The CCS team provides one-on-one counseling, innovative career programming, employerspecific programs and a variety of career speakers and panels. Whether you are seeking a traditional business career or aspire to a government or not-for-profit path, CCS can help you develop a job search strategy that is right for you. EMPLOYERS Public accounting firms, including all of the Big Four and many national, regional and local accounting firms, remain among the most popular employers of M.S. in Accounting graduates. Over 200 employers visit Grounds to conduct on-campus interviews. In addition to corporate and government opportunities, recent graduates have found opportunities at the following public accounting firms: Corporate Partners Baker Tilly Deloitte LLP Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Ernst & Young KPMG LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Other Firms Bates White Cherry Bekaert Grant Thornton LLP McGladrey Reznick Group 200+ companies recruit on campus each year 98 % placement rate average 3 months after graduation 70 % sign with a Big Four firm
Understand Why Accounting Matters NOW PricewaterhouseCoopers, Senior Associate (New York, NY) UNDERGRAD George Mason University Faculty adjusted the curriculum to address current events in the financial marketplace, allocating time in the classroom to discuss the impact on the economy and relevance to the topics we were covering. Most importantly, we learned why the accounting profession matters and how it is involved. Alice Tomdio Learn from Diverse Classmates NOW BDO, Staff Accountant (Washington, DC) UNDERGRAD Case Western Reserve University Greg Kingscott I deal with different clients every day, so the soft skills I had the chance to practice as part of the Program how to communicate, how to create and execute a project, and how to work effectively on a team are critical to success in my current job. My classmates were all really bright yet diverse. We formed strong bonds very quickly and continue to support each other as professionals today. Go Above and Beyond NOW Ernst & Young, Tax Associate (San Jose, CA) UNDERGRAD Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo McIntire faculty go above and beyond to support the students needs. It is easy to speak with professors outside of class about coursework, career advice or life in general. Their commitment to students is truly amazing. They want us to succeed. Daniel Ochoa
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University of Virginia is one of America s elite public universities and is committed to preparing leaders whose service is defined by excellence and integrity. The University is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, an exciting and cosmopolitan town located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just two hours south of Washington, D.C., it is easily accessible from all major metropolitan areas on the East Coast. University of Virginia Rankings No. 2 Top Public School by U.S. News & World Report, 2014 No. 1 Best Value Public University by Princeton Review, 2012 CONTACT AN ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE Graduate Programs Office McIntire School of Commerce PO Box 400173 Charlottesville, VA 22904 (877) 349-2620 toll-free in the U.S. (434) 243-1179 office msaccounting@virginia.edu VISIT ONLINE commerce.virginia.edu/msaccounting McIntire School of Commerce Undergraduate Rankings No. 2 Best Business School, No. 1 Best Business School for Corporate Strategy, and No. 5 Best Business School for International Business by Businessweek, 2013 The University of Virginia is committed to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. To fulfill this commitment, the University administers its programs, procedures and practices without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information and operates both affirmative action and equal opportunity programs, consistent with resolutions of the Board of Visitors and with federal and state requirements, including the Governor s Executive Order on Equal Opportunity. The University s policies on Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment and Preventing and Addressing Retaliation implement this statement. The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs has complaint procedures available to address alleged violations of these policies. The ADA Coordinator and the Section 504 Coordinator is Melvin Mallory, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Washington Hall, East Range, P.O. Box 400219, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4219, (434) 924-3295. The Title IX Coordinator is Darlene Scott-Scurry, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Washington Hall, East Range, P.O. Box 400219, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4219, (434) 924-3200. Revised and approved February, 2009. Design by Emma Candelier / Printing by Worth Higgins & Associates 2014