M.S. in Accountancy or M.S. in Taxation: Which Path Fits Your Career Goals? | College of Business and Economics at CSUF (m-s-in-accountancy-or-m-s-in-taxation-which-path-fits-your-career-goals)

Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics is a West Coast leader in accounting education, with the only accredited accounting program in Orange County, as recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The School of Accountancy at Cal State Fullerton offers two specialized master’s programs: an M.S. in Accountancy and an M.S. in Taxation.

Which pathway is best for you? It’s all about your goals!

The Strengths of the M.S. in Accountancy

The M.S. in Accountancy prepares students for the AI-focused world of accounting, compliance, auditing and cybersecurity, with an emphasis on the latest industry trends and how to stay ahead in the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. There are two pathways to address the scope of industry needs and student objectives.

The traditional route features two to four evening courses per semester, with a completion of 12 to 24 months depending on course load. The focus is on balancing a full-time career while embracing a part-time school schedule.

A cohort-based route is also available for students who want to accelerate the program finish date and can be completed in only 10 months! It features four to five courses per semester, but has flexibility built in the spring semester to allow students to potentially take on a spring/winter internship and work during the typical busy-season period. At the end of both the traditional and cohort programs, students will be CPA eligible.

The M.S. in Accountancy is great preparation for higher-level roles but with a technical focus. Strengths include a strong overall foundation for accounting roles with the potential for specialization and a powerful theoretical foundation but also an emphasis on soft skills.

The Strengths of the M.S. in Taxation

The M.S. in Taxation program is ideal for those seeking career paths in tax preparation, tax compliance and tax advising, with an emphasis on the technical tools for tax preparation.

Develop specialized tax expertise for careers in corporate tax departments, public accounting firms and government tax agencies. The CSUF program prepares you for roles in tax compliance, consulting or becoming a recognized tax expert. The Volunteer Income Tax Association (VITA) program provides real-life experience in tax preparation during each tax season, enduring full readiness for the workforce.

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For more information on graduate programs at the College of Business and Economics, book an appointment today to learn more. Or read more of our articles on these programs, including alumni outcomes and faculty spotlights.