Curriculum
Program at a Glance
AugustProgram Start | 12–14Courses | 9 or 16Months |
STEM Options Available for All Programs
Internship vs. Non-Internship
Students in the Full-Time MSA program can select either an internship or non-internship track based on their career plans. During the admissions process, counselors will help you determine the right path. After enrollment, the Benet Career Management Center will continue to support your decision as your goals evolve. For further details, check out our course catalog.
Internship Track
16 Months
Designed to allow time for a summer internship, this track supports students seeking US business experience and additional time for career exploration.
Non-Internship Track
9 Months
For students ready to enter the workforce directly after graduation, this accelerated option allows for a shorter program timeline.
CPA Licensure
Every MS in Accountancy graduate qualifies to sit for the CPA examination in New York State and obtain subsequent licensure. Simon MSA graduates had a 46% CPA exam pass rate in 2023, compared to a 46% average in New York State and a 47% US average. Qualifying for the CPA examination in New York State also allows you to qualify for many other states. You can work with the faculty director of the MS in Accountancy program to determine if any other coursework is required for the particular state in which you would like to qualify.
Core Courses
- ACC 410: Managerial Accounting & Performance Measurement
This course trains business professionals to comprehend and utilize an organization's internal accounting system to assist in strategic decision making.
- ACC 411: Applied Financial Statement Analysis with Data Analytics
This course develops your analytical ability to use financial information to perform various types of applied economic and financial analysis.
- ACC 417: Auditing
This course includes an analysis of auditing in relation to financial reporting with emphasis on the CPA's attest function and ethics, legal responsibility, security, and regulatory influences.
- ACC 423: Financial Reporting I
This course teaches the conceptual and practical problems in measuring equity, assets, and liabilities. Students will become proficient in assessing the financial position of a company.
- ACC 424: Financial Reporting II
This course addresses accounting for mergers and acquisitions, foreign operations, and derivative financial instruments.
- ACC 438: Accounting Information Systems
This course focuses on Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and designing effective internal controls and auditing in an IT environment.
- ACC 447: Reporting Analytics in Financial Markets
Course Description Coming Soon.
- BPP 433: Business Law and Policy
This course surveys the law of contracts, agency, and business associations.
- MCG 461: Professional Communication
This course establishes the rhetorical principles of logic and persuasion and the interactional approach to communication in groups and professional relationships.
Electives
Choose one of the following.
- ACC 418: Taxes and Business Strategy
This course helps students evaluate tax-planning opportunities and understand how taxes affect profitability and cash flow implications of business decisions.
- ACC 439: Accounting Analytics for Forensics
This course gives students skills surrounding fraud investigations. It delves into analytical methodologies and how Access and Excel can be used to provide evidence.
Optional Classes
Choices for students needing additional US Tax courses.
- ACC 437: Basic Federal Income Tax
This course introduces the federal tax system in the US and focuses on federal tax code. Skills will be developed to research the tax issues and determine proper reporting.
- ACC 440: Income Tax Business Entities and Gift/Estate Taxes
This course introduces the US federal tax system and specifics of federal tax code, providing an overview of tax partnership, corporate, gift, and estate taxes.
MS in Accountancy Prerequisites
Due to the focused nature of the program, a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or accounting is preferred for admission consideration. Having a background in one of these subjects will help to ensure that you have met the prerequisites for our program. Please note that the following courses must have been taken at the undergraduate level prior to enrollment at Simon in order to be eligible for the MS in Accountancy
Note: Only college credit-bearing courses will fulfill the prerequisite requirements. Coursework must be completed/accepted at a college or university and appear on an official transcript. Please email the Simon Admission Team with any questions.
The MSA prerequisites are subject to change to meet state and national level changes in the CPA exam.
- 3 credits of Introduction to Financial Accounting
- 3.5 credits of accounting electives
- 3 credits of Introduction to Economics
- 3 credits of Introduction to Finance
- 21 credits of business electives
- 81 credits of free electives
- 0.5 credits of Managerial Accounting
- 5 credits of U.S. Taxation
Complement your master’s program with an Advanced Certificate of Achievement.
Advanced Certificate of Achievement in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
Earn a valuable credential in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination as part of your MSA—at no extra tuition cost. You’ll build practical skills to detect and investigate fraud, boosting your expertise and credibility in a high-demand field.
Advanced Certificate of Achievement in
Tax
Sharpen your understanding of how taxes shape business decisions. This certificate builds your expertise in federal tax code and strategy—equipping you to evaluate tax implications, improve profitability, and make informed, high-impact recommendations.
“Accounting is more than crunching numbers. As we move toward automation it’s imperative our students become more than just accountants. Our program is designed to achieve this mission with flexible options in accounting, analytics, technology, and consulting as well as preparing our students to pass the CPA exam. Additionally, class lectures are enhanced by the broadly experienced, creative, and diverse backgrounds of our faculty.”
Simon’s MS in Accountancy program is STEM designated.
The program of study for the MS in Accountancy degree is a lock-step program that meets all the requirements for a STEM-designated program. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) designation signals analytical rigor to employers and also offers international students the opportunity to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) by 24 months—for up to three full years of US work eligibility without and H-1B visa.