WGU Washington (washington.wgu.edu) has launched a new business master’s degree program, the Master of Science, Accounting. This new program, also referred to as the Master of Accounting (MAcc), provides students with the knowledge and skills they need for a successful career in accounting or auditing. Applications are being accepted now, and after completing the admissions and enrollment process, students may begin coursework on the first day of any month, beginning July 1.

Both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predict that nearly 200,000 accounting jobs will be added between the years of 2014 and 2020. The demand for accountants in the job market is high and CPAs with advanced degrees tend to be better positioned to advance in their careers and take advantage of new and emerging opportunities.

“In our state and around the globe, time and again, the most successful companies are those that understand and utilize advanced financial concepts. It’s no wonder there’s such a high demand for Master of Accounting graduates,” said Al Davis, Principal, Revitalization Partners, LLC. “This new offering from WGU Washington, with its innovative and effective approach to learning, will help address that demand.”

“We are very pleased to offer this new degree to students in Washington state,” said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten. “Earning an advanced credential such as a master’s of accounting allows local students to further their careers and WGU Washington’s unique model allows them to do so while continuing to serve in their current positions.”

The M.S. in Accounting degree is designed for accounting professionals who wish to expand their career opportunities and attain a greater depth of knowledge of accounting principles, as well as those who need additional academic preparation and credits to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam* or other professional examinations such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam and the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam. Students enrolled in this new online degree program will enhance their ability to assess complex transactions and determine their proper accounting and tax treatment. In addition, students will learn auditing practices, how to enhance the internal controls in an organization and advanced managerial accounting techniques.

Other key topics and areas of study covered by this new accounting degree are:
? Advanced financial accounting
? Management communication
? Financial management
? Advanced tax concepts
? Fraud and forensic accounting
? Strategic management
? Governmental and nonprofit accounting
? Accounting research

Like all of WGU’s online, accredited, competency-based degree programs, the Master of Accounting program was created for working adults looking to advance their careers in an education setting that fits with their busy lives. WGU uses technology to facilitate education in ways that work for individual learners, allowing them to study, complete tasks and take assessments on their schedule and at their pace. Competency-based learning allows students to advance through their programs as soon as they’re able to demonstrate mastery of the material — competencies that are defined by academic and industry experts to reflect the latest needs of the marketplace. Because WGU measures learning rather than time spent in class, professionals with knowledge and skills from work and previous college experience can often move through their programs more quickly, saving both time and money.