Master of Science in Accounting

carroll school of management

msa

Master of Science in Accounting

Today’s accounting professionals do more than just prepare financial statements and tax returns.

They develop information systems, help formulate business strategy, calculate the costs and benefits of adopting new technologies, and advise corporate leaders on business issues ranging from operational controls to international tax minimization strategies to mergers and acquisitions.

Master of Science in Accounting The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) Program at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management teaches the technical aspects of accounting, cultivates students’ analytical abilities, and promotes an indepth understanding of the role of accounting in the world at large.

Students at the Carroll School have remarkable access to some of the finest teachers and researchers in the world. Our faculty members contribute to leading management journals and publications and are dedicated to skillfully educating students as well as pursuing their own research initiatives. BC MSA classes are small, fostering a strong sense of community and collegiality.

The BC MSA Program placed 16th among graduate business schools nationwide as part of U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 specialty rankings.

Additionally, Boston College has consistently placed among the top 15 large-program institutions for CPA exam pass rates.

Whatever the future holds for the field of accounting, a BC MSA provides a strong foundation for a thriving career.

Amy P. Hutton Professor, Accounting Department “Today’s evolving economy presents a rare opportunity for students to think about what investors need to know about a particular business. In class, we can explore effective ways to communicate the key drivers of value creation for that business model and industry.

When I’m working with data, I try to understand what’s going on econometrically—but ideas come alive when I’m talking with and learning from students.

My primary goal is to help students develop the strategic perspective and technical accounting skills they’ll need to navigate the complex challenges of financial reporting and disclosure practices in the twenty-first century.”

Amy Hutton has served on the U.S. Congressional Review Board of the Financial Services Industry’s Best Practices for Equity Research and as a corporate director of Bandag, Inc., a Fortune 1500 company. In 2009, she won the American Accounting Association’s Distinguished Contribution to Accounting Literature Award for her “Groundbreaking Research.” Her research focuses on effective corporate disclosure strategies, compliance with the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other areas.

Master of Science in Accounting Program Details The BC MSA is a full-time program that offers a flexible curriculum tailored to the academic background of each student.

Students who majored in accounting at the undergraduate level may begin the program in either June or September and typically complete their studies over two academic semesters. Undergraduate students and working professionals whose degrees are not in accounting begin the BC MSA Program in June. Students matriculate through one summer and two academic semesters, typically completing between 10 and 13 courses.

Required coursework is determined by faculty through the review of a student’s academic transcripts. Students who begin the BC MSA Program in June with 10 required courses must graduate the following May.

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www.bc.edu/msa

MSA CURRICULUM UNDERGRADUATE ACCOUNTING MAJORS CORE COURSES

credits

Taxes and Management Decisions

3

Financial Statement Analysis

3

Assurance and Consulting Services

3

ELECTIVES Accounting electives Non-accounting electives total credit hours/courses*

credits 9 12 30/10

NON-ACCOUNTING UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS BUSINESS COURSES

credits

Economics/Micro-Economics

3

Financial Management

3

Statistics

3

Business Law (U.S. based)

3

accounting COURSES

credits

Accounting Information Systems

3

Financial Accounting Practice I

3

Financial Accounting Practice II

3

Internal Cost Management and Control

3

Federal Taxation (U.S. based)

3

Financial Auditing (U.S. based)

3

core COURSES

credits

Taxes and Management Decisions

3

Financial Statement Analysis

3

Assurance and Consulting Services

3

total credit hours/courses**

39/13

* Students must take at least three accounting-related electives. ** Students may reduce the total number of courses required if any of the above-listed foundation courses are completed before matriculation into the BC MSA Program.

Preparation and Performance For many BC MSA students, the most popular professional starting point is in public accounting. One of the key professional hurdles to early success in the field is passing the Uniform CPA Exam.

BC MSA students have performed extremely well on the CPA exam, with pass rates well above the national average. In 2015, first-time test takers from Boston College passed the exam at an overall rate of 82 percent. Students taking the exam within one year of completing the program passed the exam at a rate of 89 percent.

In addition to the high pass rates achieved by Boston College students, two BC MSA students in 2012, and three students in 2015, earned the Elijah Watt Sells Award for their CPA exam performance. This recognition is given to individuals who score a cumulative average on all sections of the CPA exam that exceeds 95.5 percent. While over 90,000 candidates take the exam annually, less than 0.1 percent earn this distinction.

BC MSA students gain additional experience outside of the classroom that prepares them for success in their careers. Students fulfill the University’s tradition of service by serving as mentors, role models, or tutors in underserved communities, or by providing pro bono professional services to local nonprofit organizations. Numerous student clubs, including the Graduate Management Association, provide additional opportunities for students to gain significant leadership experience as well as develop their personal and professional interests.

Faculty Jeff Allen Part-time Faculty Jeffrey Cohen Professor; PhD, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Mengyao Cheng Assistant Professor; PhD, Emory University Lou Corsini Part-time Faculty Brad Curley Part-time Faculty Dianne Feldman Lecturer, PhD, University of Rochester Patrick Hegarty Part-time Faculty Fred Husk Part-time Faculty Amy Hutton Professor; PhD, University of Rochester Amy LaCombe Professor of the Practice, PhD, University of Rochester Gil Manzon Associate Professor and Co-Director, MSA Program; DBA, Boston University

Ronald Pawliczek Assistant Chairperson and Co-Director, Ph.D., M.B.A., University of Massachusetts; B.B.A., Siena College Roger Pearson Part-time Faculty Tim Pearson Part-time Faculty Elizabeth Quinn Senior Lecturer, PhD, University of Rochester Emil Ragones Part-time Faculty Susan Shu Associate Professor; PhD, University of Rochester Ewa Sletten Assistant Professor; PhD, Northwestern University Edward Taylor Senior Lecturer, PhD, University of Rochester Thomas Whalen Part-time Faculty Pete Wilson Professor and Joseph L. Sweeney Chair; PhD, Carnegie Mellon University

Scott McDermott Part-time Faculty Frank Nemia Part-time Faculty Rita Owens Senior Lecturer, PhD, University of Rochester

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www.bc.edu/msafaculty

Matt Hill, MSA ’16 Financial Services Office Business Advisory, Ernst & Young “I chose to attend Boston College because I was going to be working in Boston, and the BC MSA Program is highly ranked. BC’s curriculum offered the perfect mix of accounting and upper-level business courses. The professors and courses offered in the BC MSA Program are incredible. Going to school in a large city and financial hub allows for highly successful professionals to be incorporated into your education, and I consider myself very lucky to have attended Boston College.

After interning with Ernst & Young prior to starting the BC MSA Program, I initially accepted a full-time offer in their commercial assurance service line. During the fall I was helping Ernst & Young with recruiting on campus and became aware of a different opportunity within the company. I asked the lead recruiter if it was possible to transfer my offer. Within a week I had three interviews and a new position as a member of the Financial Services Office Business Advisory Program.

In the future, I would love to complete my MBA and continue a career in business advisory with Ernst & Young, and one day move into management consulting. Boston College has put me in an incredible position to achieve my career goals.”

Careers and the Alumni Network BC MSA students typically go on to jobs at public accounting firms. Recent BC MSA graduates have accepted positions at all of the Big Four accounting firms—Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers—as well as other prominent firms.

The Office of Career Development works closely with BC MSA candidates to craft résumés and cover letters as well as enhance their interviewing skills.

Graduates of the BC MSA Program join a loyal and influential alumni network. Today, the Boston College alumni community encompasses more than 178,000 individuals all over the world, including more than 35,000 graduates of the Carroll School.

Due to economic conditions and government regulations, the U.S. job market for international graduate students is extremely challenging. International students who do not have long-term work authorization in the U.S. should 66.7 60.4 tailor employment expectations to this reality.

MSA 2016 Entering Class Profile 101

Total Enrollment

Academic profile 3.53 690

Average Undergraduate GPA Average GMAT Percent That Majored in a Subject Other than Accounting

48%

Class Composition 23 20–29 0–5 years

Average Age Age Range Work Experience Range Entering class profile data as of June 20, 2016.

CPA EXAM PASS RATE percentages WITHIN ONE YEAR of graduation 86.8%

83.0% 66.7%

70.0% 60.4%

63.1%

64.7%

62.6%

MSA Job Placement Data: class of 2015 employment Percent of students accepting job offers within three months of graduation: U.S. Students 100% International Students 44%

$57,500 $53,862

Representative List of Hiring Companies Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP Baker Newman Noyes BDO USA, LLP China Construction Bank CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Defense Contract Audit Agency Deloitte Duff & Phelps Ernst & Young

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Friedman LLP Grant Thornton J.P. Morgan KPMG MaloneBailey LLP PKF O’Connor Davies PricewaterhouseCoopers RSM US LLP Wolfe & Company, P.C.

www.bc.edu/msacareer s

2012 Boston College

2013

2014 National

Includes data for both undergraduate and graduate accounting students.

Average total Compensation U.S. Students International Students

2011

Admission The BC MSA Program seeks students with outstanding potential for leadership and academic excellence. While notable for the diversity of their individual achievements, our students all present a consistent record of taking initiative, leading change, and demonstrating a desire to make an impact in the world.

how to apply Each candidate must complete an application for admission, which includes transcripts of all academic work, essays, and a letter of recommendation. Demonstrated leadership experience as well as evidence of management potential are significant criteria in the admissions process.

All applicants are required to take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pearson Test of English (PTE), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). All candidates must be graduates of accredited colleges or universities.

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www.bc.edu/msaadmission

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carroll school of management office of graduate admissions 140 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill, MAssachusetts 02467–3808 T: 617–552–4488 | f: 617–552–8078 | e: bcmsa@bc.edu

Produced by the Office of Marketing Communications #20723656.2016

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