Study Accounting in Massachusetts
As a prospective accounting student in Massachusetts, you have the benefit of various options for completing your degree. On the one hand, the University of Massachusetts system has campuses all over the state, many of which offer online accounting degrees. On the other hand, you can get an accounting degree through UMass’ dedicated online learning platform, UMass Global.
There is no doubt that online learning offers a level of flexibility that traditional programs just can’t offer. There is also no doubt that accounting is a popular degree area and a career with solid job prospects year in and year out.
The combination of these factors makes getting your accounting degree online a no-brainer – especially if you enroll in one of the popular programs described below.

Online Accounting Degrees in Massachusetts
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering accredited online accounting degrees in Massachusetts:
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- University Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Massachusetts Global
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Western New English University
- Bay Path University
- Capella University
- Southern New Hampshire University
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting
UMass Dartmouth’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting is a 120-credit program that can be completed entirely online. No campus residencies, practicums, or internships are required.
The program focuses on broad applications of accounting, including public accounting, auditing, government accounting, and management accounting. More specifically, you’ll learn about these accounting niches while you gain specific skills like:
- Preparing financial statements
- Preparing tax reports
- Communicating details about accounting data to inform decision-making
- Mastering the processes of internal control and auditing
- Using accounting technology to control operations
Over the course of your studies in this Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited program, you’ll take many different lower-division and upper-division accounting courses. For example, two of the first accounting classes you’ll take are Principles of Accounting I and II. These classes explore essential concepts and procedures in accounting, ranging from classifying business transactions to ethical issues to using data to make business decisions.
Alongside these introductory accounting classes are studies in business-related fields. You’ll take common courses like Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Business Statistics. You’ll also take a Business Communication course that helps you develop the written and verbal communication skills necessary to present accounting data to various stakeholders.
The upper-division coursework required to earn this degree dives deeper into more specific accounting and business topics. A good example of this is a 300-level Cost Accounting course that examines cost accounting procedures, data analyses, and accounting concepts used as managerial tools. Likewise, you’ll complete coursework in the following areas:
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Accounting Information Systems
- Auditing
- Taxation
You’ll also study Business Finance, Operations Management, Strategic Management, and other business-related topics.
An interesting feature of this curriculum is the inclusion of a Senior Year Program of Choice. This sequence of two courses enables you to gain specific skills in an area of accounting or finance that interests you the most. You can, for example, choose to take advanced courses in Taxation, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, or Financial Statement Analysis, to name a few options.
All told, you’ll need four years to complete this program if you’re studying full-time. However, UMass Dartmouth has a student-friendly transfer policy that allows you to transfer up to 90 credits from another regionally accredited college or university. This is highly advantageous if you’ve already completed a significant number of credits elsewhere.
While this program prepares you for many concepts on the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, you must acquire an additional 30 college credits to sit for the exam. Many students choose to complete this requirement by earning a master’s degree. UMass Dartmouth has various graduate programs you can pursue, ranging from an MBA to a Master of Science in Accounting to a combined MBA and Juris Doctorate combined degree.
The undergraduate application for admission to UMass Dartmouth is available online. You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Complete the application for admission and pay the $30 application fee.
- Provide official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit high school transcripts or a GED certificate and ACT or SAT scores (if you’ve earned fewer than 13 college credits).
- Submit a 500-word personal statement expounding on your interests, goals, and leadership qualities.
University Massachusetts Amherst
Online Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in Accounting from UMass Amherst prepares you for the next step in your journey, be that a career or additional education. With this degree, you can pursue entry-level careers in accounting, business, and related fields. Alternatively, you can use this program as a springboard to graduate school, where you can complete a graduate degree (like UMass Amherst’s Master of Accounting) to qualify for the CPA exam and more advanced accounting jobs.
As is typical of undergraduate programs, you must complete at least 120 credits to graduate. At least 45 of these credits must be earned at UMass Amherst, meaning you can transfer up to 75 credits from other institutions. Many students complete an associate’s degree first, then transfer to Amherst to finish this program.
The curriculum is divided into several categories, including general education courses, business administration core courses, and accounting major courses. General education classes explore core subjects in broad detail. These classes, which are in areas like English language arts, natural sciences, social sciences, and math, are typically introductory-level and are required of all students regardless of major.
The business administration core requirements examine business-specific topics, like Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Corporate Finance, and Principles of Management. You’ll take additional courses in these and related fields, including:
- Introduction to Business Information Systems
- Diversity and Inclusion in Business
- Business Policy and Strategy
- Fundamentals of Marketing
- Management Communications
UMass Amherst additionally requires you to take 18 credits in non-business courses. The purpose of these classes is to provide you with a breadth of instruction in fields that are adjacent or wholly unrelated to your major.
The final component of the curriculum is the accounting major, which includes nine courses. These courses form the foundation of accounting studies. For example, you’ll learn Cost Accounting, Advanced Financial Accounting, and Auditing. You’ll complete coursework in Intermediate Financial Accounting I and II, Accounting Information Systems, and Individual Taxation, among others, as well.
At each step along the way, you can rely on individual academic advising to keep you on track to graduate. Additionally, you’ll learn from the same knowledgeable professors as on-campus students. With a robust online education portal, study support tools, and 24/7 tech support, UMass Amherst seeks to make your online learning experience one that’s intuitive and functional.
UMass Amherst also offers many career-related services for accounting majors. You can participate in job fairs, get help with job recruitment through the Isenberg School of Management, and participate in voluntary internships and leadership programs. What’s more, a Semester in the Profession (SIP) program is available, during which you can acquire real-world paid professional experience in a local accounting setting.
You can apply online to UMass Amherst at any time. Applying as a first-year student necessitates that you meet the following qualifications:
- Submit an application and pay the $85 application fee.
- Submit official high school transcripts or a GED certificate. You must have completed the following unit requirements in high school:
- 4 units of English
- 4 units of math
- 3 units of natural science
- 2 units of social science
- 2 units of the same world language
- 2 units of academic electives
- Provide official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
- Provide at least one letter of recommendation.
ACT and SAT scores can be submitted voluntarily, but are not required to apply.
University of Massachusetts Global
Online Bachelor of Business Administration
Another Bachelor of Business Administration worth your consideration is the one offered by the University of Massachusetts Global. This degree includes a major in accounting that prepares you for careers in many accounting fields, from tax preparation to payroll services to bookkeeping. This degree can also be used to prepare for careers in the insurance or real estate industries, retail, manufacturing, and many more.
This program’s curriculum explores a wide range of topics in accounting, business, and other fields. Like the other undergraduate options described above, you must complete general education courses as part of your studies for this degree. UMass Global requires you to take 42 credits of general courses, including those in writing, quantitative reasoning, communications, and humanities, among others.
These general courses provide you with knowledge and skills applicable to your future accounting career and everyday life as well. For example, required studies in Public Speaking and Oral Communications enable you to speak clearly and with purpose, be an active listener, and be confident in interpersonal interactions. Likewise, the three-course social sciences requirement allows you to learn more about the world in which you live and work and how you can improve upon it with the skills you gain in this program.
Another 42 core credits are required as part of this degree. Foundational courses in Principles of Accounting I and II, Macroeconomics, and Microeconomics provide you with a sense of business knowledge necessary to be successful in this field. Other introductory courses, like Computers and Data Processing and Introduction to Statistics, further prepare you to be a successful business student.
Upper-division core coursework gets into the nitty-gritty of marketing, management, finance, and other fields. You’ll take courses like the following to satisfy these core requirements:
- Business Finance
- Legal Environment of Business
- Operations Management
- Principles of Marketing
- Strategic Management
You’ll expand on your education with 12 credits of coursework in accounting, which is four classes. Two of these classes are required: Intermediate Accounting I and II. These classes cover topics ranging from financial statement analysis to accounts receivable to income tax issues. Then, you’ll choose two accounting electives among the following courses:
- Cost Analysis and Budgeting
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Advanced Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
- Income Taxation
- Auditing
You have the option of completing this degree in one of two ways. First, you can take 8-week accelerated courses which allows you to take fewer classes at any given time, yet still complete the program in four years of full-time studies. Second, you can choose self-paced learning, which allows you to fit your coursework around your work and life schedule on a part-time basis.
You can start your application to UMass Global at any time year-round. Application requirements for first-year students with 11 or fewer college credits are as follows:
- Provide your high school diploma or GED certificate.
- Submit official high school transcripts.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
If you’re transferring to this program with 12 or more college credits, you must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Online Master of Science in Accounting
The Master of Science in Accounting from UMass Lowell offers many benefits, not the least of which is that it’s accredited by the AACSB and recognized by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) as one of the top programs in the nation. Additionally, this 100-percent online graduate degree focuses specifically on preparing you for high-level accounting jobs in non-profit, government, and public business settings.
Another advantage of this program is that you don’t need a bachelor’s degree in accounting to enroll. You do, however, have to complete prerequisite courses if you don’t have an accounting degree. These courses include the following:
- Financial Accounting
- Cost Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Auditing
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Federal Income Taxes
If you like, you can complete these courses individually or you can do so through UMass Lowell’s online Certificate in Accounting. Either way, these credits must be earned prior to taking any courses in the MS in Accounting program.
Once enrolled in the program, though, you’ll embark on a 30-credit curriculum that prepares you for jobs as a Budget Analyst, Auditor, Financial Manager, or Tax Examiner, to name a few. You must take five required core courses totaling 15 credits. These courses include Government and Non-Profit Accounting, Advanced Cost Management, and Taxation of Business Entities. You’ll take Financial Accounting Theory and Research and Advanced Auditing, too.
The remaining 15 credits are elective courses. Three of the five elective courses must be in non-accounting fields. The other two classes must be chosen from the following options:
- Advanced Management and Sustainability Accounting
- Globalization and Accounting
- Contemporary Accounting Issues
- Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting
- Accounting Data Analytics
Alternatively, you can choose to complete one of three concentrations in lieu of the 15-credit general elective pathway detailed above. Concentrations are available in three areas: Business Analytics, Corporate Accounting Leadership, and International Business. In each case, you must complete a combination of required and elective courses for a total of 15 credits.
For example, the Business Analytics concentration requires you to take Accounting Data Analytics, one advanced accounting course, and three courses in management, management information systems, or statistics. The Corporate Accounting Leadership option requires one course in Advanced Management and Sustainability Accounting, one course in advanced accounting issues, and three management courses.
Meanwhile, the International Business Option requires you to take a Globalization and Accounting class, an advanced accounting class, and three courses in areas like finance, management, marketing, or entrepreneurship. In each case, you’ll acquire finely-tuned skills you can apply to specific accounting professions after you graduate.
You’re required to submit the following documentation when you apply:
- Official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended, including those showing you’ve graduated with a baccalaureate degree (with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher) from an accredited college or university.
- A statement of purpose.
- A resume.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Proof of English language proficiency if English is not your native language.
UMass Lowell does not require GRE or GMAT scores to apply.
How Do I Become an Accountant in Massachusetts?
To become an accountant in Massachusetts, follow these steps:
- Education: Obtain at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and complete 150 credit hours
- CPA Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
- Work Experience: Gain 12 months (2,000 hours) of full-time accounting experience under the supervision of a CPA.
- Licensure: Apply for CPA licensure, including proof of education, experience, and exam scores.
CPA Education Requirements in Massachusetts
You must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 120 credits to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination in Massachusetts. The 120 credits must feature at least 21 credits in accounting and nine credits in business.
For state CPA licensure, you need 150 total credits, including a bachelor’s degree at minimum. These 150 credits should include the appropriate amount of accounting and business credits. You can obtain the additional 30 post-bachelor’s credits through standalone courses, a graduate degree, or a bachelor’s-to-master’s program.
Accounting courses must cover:
- Auditing
- Financial accounting
- Management or cost accounting
- Taxation
Business courses must cover:
- Business law and U.S. Uniform Commercial Code
- Finance
- Information systems
For licensure, the 150 credits must include at least 30 credits in accounting and 24 credits in business.
Accounting courses must cover:
- Auditing
- Management accounting
- Taxation
Business courses must cover:
- Business law and U.S. Uniform Commercial Code
- Finance
- Information systems
- Business organizations, communication, economics, or professional ethics
You can use 18 graduate accounting credits and 18 graduate business credits instead of undergraduate credits to meet the 150 credit requirement. Internship credits may count toward accounting electives but not specific subject requirements. Personal finance courses do not qualify as finance courses.
CPA Experience Requirements in Massachusetts
You need at least 2,000 hours of accounting experience to qualify for state licensure in Massachusetts. This experience must be supervised by an active CPA in a public accounting firm or non-public accounting settings like academia or the government.
Your experience can be part-time or full-time, as long as it falls within one to three years of public accounting or a three to nine-year timeframe in non-public accounting. This supervised experience must be verified with an experience/employment letter.
CPA Exam Requirements in Massachusetts
CPA candidates in Massachusetts take the Uniform CPA Exam through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The exam consists of four sections:
- Auditing and attestation
- Business environment and concepts
- Financial accounting and reporting
- Regulation
Eligibility to Take the Exam
To sit for the CPA exam in Massachusetts, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree and 120 credits or be on track to complete the requirements within 90 days of taking the exam.
Massachusetts does not have expiration dates on credits, so you can take the exam at any time after graduation. You must be 18 years old and have a Social Security number. Citizenship and residency are not required, and Massachusetts does not require CPA candidates to pass an ethics exam.
Applying for and Scheduling the Exam
You apply for the Uniform CPA Examination through CPA Central. You must send official transcripts directly from each school attended. If currently enrolled, you need to submit a signed Certificate of Enrollment verifying you’ll complete the requirements within 90 days. Incomplete applications will void exam scores and forfeit fees.
You can take more than one section at a time if you finish them within a six-month testing window. After submitting payment and receiving approval, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule. You must pass all four sections within 18 months. Failed tests can be retaken, but not in the same test window.
After Passing the Exam
Since exam results do not expire, you can apply for licensure at any point after completing the requirements. To apply for state licensure, you must submit applications through the Board of Public Accountancy’s ePlace Portal. Complete applications must include:
- An Academic Evaluation for Certification Report with a bachelor’s degree and 150 credits
- At least one year and 2,000 hours of professional experience
- A head and shoulders photograph
- Three reference letters
- Signed notarization
- Social Security number
- Criminal Offender Record Information Form
Maintaining CPA Licensure in Massachusetts
CPA licenses expire every two years in Massachusetts. You’ll receive a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration. Expired licenses incur a late fee, but after 20 months, the license will require a reinstatement application.
To renew, you need to complete 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every two years. First-time renewals may require fewer credits depending on the date of licensure.
Eligible CPE hours come from:
- Professional development programs and technical sessions run by national and state accounting organizations
- For-credit university and college courses in accounting, business, and law (each credit equals 15 hours)
- Non-credit university and college courses
- Other accounting organization programs
- Other formal educational programs
- CPA review courses
Should I Get My Master’s or CPA First?
If you already have the required 150 credit hours for CPA licensure, it may be practical to get your CPA credential first. This can streamline your path to becoming a licensed accountant.
If you do not yet have the 150 credit hours required for CPA licensure, a master’s degree can help you fulfill this requirement while providing advanced knowledge in accounting.
A master’s degree may also provide a stronger academic foundation and better prepare you for the CPA exam, particularly if you feel you need more in-depth study in certain areas of accounting.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Accounting Degree Online?
The time it takes to obtain an accounting degree online varies based on the type of degree and the specific program. Here are the general timelines:
Associate’s Degree in Accounting: An online associate’s degree in accounting typically takes about two years to complete. This program usually consists of 60 credit hours and covers foundational courses in accounting, business, and general education.
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting: An online bachelor’s degree in accounting usually takes about four years to complete. Most programs require approximately 120 credit hours, including courses in accounting principles, financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, and auditing.
Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree: Some universities offer accelerated online programs that can be completed in as little as three years. These programs are designed for students who can handle a more intensive course load and possibly have transfer credits from previous coursework.
Master’s Degree in Accounting: An online master’s degree in accounting generally takes one to two years to complete. The program typically requires around 30 to 36 credit hours and includes advanced courses in accounting, finance, and business management.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Accountant in Massachusetts?
Including education, work, and licensing requirements, becoming a fully licensed CPA in Massachusetts typically takes 6 to 7 years.
How Much Does a CPA Make in Massachusetts?
The average salary for a CPA in Massachusetts varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and specific roles within the field. As of June 2024, the average salary for a CPA in Massachusetts is $132,943 per year. More experienced CPAs in Massachusetts earn well over $250,000 per year.