The MSA curriculum prepares career changers and early-career accountants alike to thrive in the field of accounting.
The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program at the University of San Francisco offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum designed to equip students with the skills necessary for leadership roles in the accounting profession. Students develop the proficiency needed for financial reporting, auditing, data analytics, and ethical leadership.
The courses consist of fully asynchronous assignments like on-demand lectures and videos, readings, and assignments, so you can study on your schedule.
Online Master of Science in Accounting Degree Overview
The total MSA curriculum is 30 units, structured as 13 core courses. The shortest completion time for the part-time MSA is two years.
Traditionally, part-time MSA students take three courses per term. However, the part-time program allows students to choose an accelerated schedule or a reduced schedule. Students will work with the program director to decide on the course load that best fits their needs.
Course Descriptions
This course focuses on the preparation of financial statements, use of financial information for external stakeholders. This course is designed as an overview of financial accounting in order to introduce and expand your understanding of accounting information, its framework (and data limitations), and how this information relates to the business decision-making process.
This course delves deeper into the intricate world of accounting, where theory seamlessly intertwines with practical application. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of income measurement and the nuanced process of determining the financial position of various business entities, as they explore advanced principles of accounting, with a focus on working capital management, evaluation of plant assets, and navigating current liabilities. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on exercises, students develop the skills necessary to analyze financial data effectively and make informed decisions crucial for organizational success in today's dynamic business landscape.
This course builds upon the foundational knowledge gained in Intermediate Accounting I by delving deeper into the complexities of financial reporting and analysis. Students are exposed to intricate accounting principles, extending beyond the basics to cover sophisticated topics such as complex financial instruments, stockholders' equity, and long-term liabilities. Through a blend of theoretical exploration and hands-on application, students sharpen their analytical skills, honing their ability to interpret financial statements and make strategic decisions crucial for navigating the intricacies of modern business environments.
This course introduces foundational auditing principles, covering objectives, responsibilities, and the audit process. Topics include legal and ethical considerations, planning, internal controls, and audit program design.
This course provides advanced study of auditing methodologies, including risk assessment, forensic auditing, and audit reporting standards. Students enhance their analytical skills through real-world scenarios, preparing for complex audit challenges and ethical decision-making.
This course focuses on consolidated financial statements and their preparation. It explores accounting principles for different entity types like corporations, partnerships, government units, estates and trusts, and nonprofits. Additionally, students learn foreign-currency transactions and translating financial statements in foreign currencies, with insights into tax considerations. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of diverse accounting practices across various organizational structures.
This course delves into Accounting Information Systems (AIS), defined by the AICPA as systems — both manual and automated — that collect, store, manipulate, disseminate, and present financial information crucial for decision-making. Students learn how to leverage quantitative data effectively to inform strategic decisions within organizations.
This course focuses on the preparation and utilization of accounting information for managerial decision-making. Students explore internal accounting systems and procedures, along with managerial accounting reports such as budgets, profit performance reports, costing systems, control reports, and analytical reports. Students acquire practical insights into leveraging accounting data to support strategic management decisions within organizations.
This course explores the procedural aspects of accounting and auditing research within a professional framework, emphasizing effective communication of research findings. Students gain insight into recognizing accounting and auditing challenges, exploring authoritative resources, evaluating approaches, formulating conclusions, and conveying outcomes through written and oral means. Additionally, students receive an introduction to academic accounting research, offering a comprehensive overview of key domains in financial accounting and auditing research.
This course delves into the complexities of tax liability determination within the context of financial planning. Students explore income taxation fundamentals, empowering students to make informed decisions aligned with personal or client goals. The course covers tax considerations in insurance, investments, benefit planning, intrafamily transactions, and business operations, the course emphasizes planning techniques like income exclusion, deferral, shifting, and strategic income management.
This course focuses on analyzing financial statements and their role in supporting various financial activities such as loan applications, public offering prospectuses, industry, and market analysis. Special emphasis is placed on valuation, forecasting, financial leverage, profitability analysis, and working capital topics. Case studies are utilized to illustrate key concepts and applications, providing practical insights into real-world financial analysis scenarios.
This course introduces students to the field of forensic accounting and its critical role in preventing and detecting fraud. Students consider career opportunities across private, public, and government sectors, exploring topics such as financial investigations, audits, money laundering, white-collar crime psychology, and financial statement fraud. Students benefit from lectures where real-world cases and insights into accounting and forensic accounting careers are discussed, providing invaluable perspectives on the practical application of fraud detection techniques.
This course focuses on the major frameworks for analyzing ethical dilemmas and the professional values and standards that underpin the accounting profession. Students explore theoretical knowledge and practical applications to identify ethical issues and incorporate ethical reasoning into accounting decision-making while examining the role of accounting ethics in the development of financial statements. Students cultivate ethical skills essential for practicing accounting with thoughtfulness and integrity to better navigate complex ethical challenges with integrity and moral judgment.