Accounting and Business Advisory Services M.S.
Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/cbe/departments/accounting/programs/accounting-business-advisory/
Program Director: Charles Russo
Phone: 410-704-5336
Email: crusso@towson.edu
The Master of Science in Accounting and Business Advisory Services at Towson University is a joint program with the University of Baltimore. Graduates of the Master of Science in Accounting and Business Advisory Services program will have the necessary background in accounting and analytics to pursue careers in accounting, auditing, taxation, or management consulting.
The M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services received STEM designation from the Department of Homeland Security. STEM refers to programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines. Data analytics, financial analysis, information systems, and quantitative analysis are integral to the higher-level skills impacting the accounting profession. STEM designation allows graduates of the program with F-1 visas to remain in the United States an additional 24 months under the optional practical training STEM extension. TU’s accounting and business advisory services M.S. receives STEM designation – Business Dialog (towson.edu)
This program is designed to meet the following learning objectives:
First, when combined with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, the program allows students to earn the additional units necessary to meet the 150-hour requirement to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in Maryland and many other states. The CPA exam includes four sections consisting of three core sections and one discipline section. The three core sections of the CPA exam are:
- Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
- Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
- Taxation and Regulation (REG)
Discipline Section (4th Section): CPA exam candidates select one discipline section from the following:
- Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR)
- Information Systems and Controls (ISC)
- Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)
Students planning to take the CPA exam will be best served by a program of study, such as our Bachelor of Science in Accounting and this graduate program, that emphasizes the same subject matter as the exam. The combined BS and MS degrees align with the AICPA Model Curriculum.
Second, by incorporating courses in the related disciplines of data analytics, financial management and information technology, the program complements and expands the technical skills acquired in an undergraduate accounting education.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Accounting and Business Advisory Services program will have the flexibility needed to accelerate their public accounting careers or pursue careers in other areas such as management accounting, internal auditing, accounting for governmental or other nonprofit entities, and management consulting.
NOTE: Since this program is jointly operated with the University of Baltimore, the tuition, fees and grading system for students are the same as at the University of Baltimore. Contact the Student and University Billing Office for more information.
Accelerated Bachelor's-Master's Program
Requirements to be a CPA in Maryland (and in all but two of the other states) include 150 hours of post-secondary education. To provide a seamless process for Towson students to achieve the 150 hours, a program that combines the bachelor’s degree in accounting and the master’s degree in accounting and business Advisory Services (Accelerated Bachelor’s-Masters Accounting Program) is offered.
Admitted accounting majors may apply for the accelerated Bachelor’s-Masters Accounting Program in the second term of their junior year and be admitted prior to their senior year. Students can apply to the graduate Master of Science in Accounting and Business Services Program in their senior year but are not officially admitted to the graduate program until the second term of their senior year. Students must complete a graduate application with the Admissions office. In order to be admitted to the Bachelor’s-Master’s Accounting program, the student must be an admitted undergraduate accounting major with at least one term of residency in the university. The student also must take the GMAT and achieve a minimum score of 400 and have a GPA of at least 3.00.
9 units of graduate-level courses can be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate programs. A bachelor’s degree is awarded after all the bachelor’s degree requirements are met, normally in the fourth year. The undergraduate accounting elective is fulfilled by taking any three of the required or elective graduate accounting courses in lieu of the free elective and two accounting electives.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.
Prerequisite Courses
Students must have a B.S. in Accounting from an AACSB Accredited Institutions or have taken the following courses:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 341 | MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING I | 3 |
| ACCT 361 | TAX ACCOUNTING I | 3 |
| ACCT 505 | ACCOUNTING ESSENTIALS | 1.5 |
| ACCT 510 | INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I | 3 |
| ACCT 511 | INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING II | 3 |
| ACCT 512 | AUDITING/ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3 |
| ACCT 513 | INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III | 3 |
Degree Requirements
Completion of a minimum of 30 units beyond the undergraduate degree of which a minimum of 18 units should be in 600-level courses or above designed primarily for graduate students. (This is an AACSB requirement.)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses 1 | ||
| ACCT 624 | FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING ANALYTICS | 3 |
| ACCT 680 | TAXATION OF ENTITIES | 3 |
| ACCT 720 | DESIGN OF MANAGERIAL COST AND CONTROL SYSTEMS | 3 |
| ACCT 740 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN ASSURANCE SERVICES 1 | 3 |
| ACCT 752 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS 1, 2 | 3 |
| FIN 605 | FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 1 | 1.5 |
| FIN 625 | CORPORATE FINANCE 1 | 1.5 |
| Other Electives | 12 | |
| Select four of the following: | ||
Accounting 3 | ||
| DATA SCIENCE TOOLKIT I | ||
| DATA SCIENCE TOOLKIT II | ||
| FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS | ||
| LAW AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY | ||
| TAX POLICY | ||
| INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN ACCOUNTING | ||
| GRADUATE ACCOUNTING INTERNSHIP | ||
| ACCOUNTING ETHICS | ||
| FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING | ||
| VISUAL BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE | ||
| FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYTICS AND VALUATION | ||
| FORENSIC ACCOUNTING | ||
| GOVERNMENTAL AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ACCOUNTING | ||
| SEMINAR IN CURRENT TOPICS IN ACCOUNTING | ||
| SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING | ||
| NETWORKING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 6 | ||
| DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 6 | ||
Applied Information Technology (TU Courses) 4 | ||
| INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE | ||
| SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS | ||
| INFORMATION SYSTEMS VULNERABILITY AND RISK ANALYSIS | ||
| NETWORK SECURITY | ||
| DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | ||
Economic Analytics (TU Courses) 4 | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS | ||
| COMPUTATIONAL ECONOMICS | ||
| MACHINE LEARNING FOR ECONOMICS | ||
Electronic Business and Technology Management (TU Courses) 4 | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT | ||
| PROJECT LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION | ||
| SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYTICS | ||
Finance (UB Courses) 6 | ||
| FINANCIAL REPORTING | ||
| INVESTMENT ANALYSIS | ||
| GLOBAL FINANCE | ||
FIN 724 | APPLICATIONS OF BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND MACHINE LEARNING | |
| RISK MANAGEMENT | ||
| BUSINESS VALUATION | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | ||
Professional Writing (TU Course) 4 | ||
| BUSINESS WRITING | ||
| Total Units | 30 | |
Other graduate courses in areas such as applied information technology, economics, management, marketing, etc., may also be chosen after consultation with the graduate director depending on the student’s career goals and professional needs.
- 1
Courses offered at Towson University and University of Baltimore.
- 2
INSS 605-IT for Business Transformation, offered by University of Baltimore, may be substituted.
- 3
Additional courses are available from University of Baltimore. Consult with the Program Director to determine if they are appropriate for you.
- 4
Courses offered at Towson University only.
- 5
Available as an elective only to students who have not taken an equivalent course in their undergraduate program.
- 6
Courses offered at University of Baltimore only.
CPA Examination
A student must have also completed the specific courses required to sit for the Certified Public Accountant examination in Maryland, which would normally be taken during the student’s undergraduate studies (see Prerequisite Course section). A student who has not completed these courses prior to admission to the M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services program will develop a plan to satisfy these requirements in consultation with the graduate director. This can be expected to add to the total number of units needed to earn the degree.
-
Goal 1: Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills
L.O 1.1 Graduates will understand and apply the regulatory environment surrounding the accounting profession, as it pertains to external reporting.
L.O. 1.2 Using accounting and finance data analytics techniques, Graduates will use financial analysis to solve business problems and recommend actions that maximize shareholder value.
L.O. 1.3 Using accounting and finance data analytics techniques, Graduates will evaluate cost and control systems for their effectiveness in measuring performance.
Goal 2: Research Skills
L.O. 2.1 Graduates will use appropriate professional research sources in investigating financial accounting reporting practices.
Goal 3: Application of Information Systems & Technology
L.O. 3.1 Graduates will use advanced technology and data analytics tools to understand companies internal controls and recommend improvements.
Goal 4: Ethical Perspective
L.O. 4.1 Graduates will identify and analyze ethical dilemmas and recommend appropriate resolutions.
Professional Standards of the AICPA including the Audit and Attest Standards, Compilation and Review Standards, Tax Standard, Code of Professional Conduct, Valuation Standards, Forensic Services Standards, and Consulting Standards.
Goal 5: Effective Communications Skills
L.O. 5.1 Graduates will prepare an effective written report, using appropriate data, analysis and conclusions generated from accounting and auditing data analytics techniques.
NOTE: Since this program is jointly operated with the University of Baltimore, the tuition, fees and grading system for students are the same as at the University of Baltimore. Contact the Student and University Billing Office for more information.