M.S. in Accounting

Our rigorous, STEM-designated MSA program cultivates in-depth understanding of how accounting affects organizations and society while strengthening necessary analytical skills. Courses focus on practical concepts, and students learn from accomplished faculty who possess valuable industry experience. Students with and without accounting backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the MSA program.

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At a Glance

How long will it take?


The program requires 9- 12 months of study.

When do I start?


You'll begin the program in September and complete it in May or August, depending on your course load. 

Will I pass the CPA exam?


Our graduates’ first-time CPA exam pass rate is more than 30% higher than the national average.

196,000+

Boston College Alumni

43,000+

Carroll School Alumni

#26

Financial Times Faculty Research Ranking, 2022

Curriculum

Admitted students will receive a personalized course worksheet that outlines their individual course plan. Specific course plans take into account each student’s prior academic experience. Below is a list of core and foundational courses. Students that have taken any of these courses as undergraduates may be eligible to replace them with graduate electives from the Carroll School of Management.

Further, admitted students must note that as the entire MSA program is STEM designated, they do not choose or opt into a specific STEM track or concentration.

11

Core & Foundational Courses

Core & Foundational CoursesCredits
Managerial Statistics*0
Advanced Business Law (U.S. based)3
Accounting Information Systems3
Financial Accounting Practice I3
Financial Accounting Practice II3
Financial Auditing3
Federal Taxation3
Internal Cost Management and Control
3
Financial Statement Analysis
3
Assurance and Consulting Services
3
Forensic Accounting
3
Total Credit Hours
30

*Students will complete Managerial Statistics, which is a self-paced online course, during the summer prior to arriving on campus. Students will receive instructions and information about the course from the Graduate Student Services Office in June. All assignments for this course will be due by mid-August.

CPA Exam

If you are interested in taking the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, required courses vary by state. For specific CPA requirements by state, please visit the "Exams" section of the NASBA website.

Community Service

The Carroll School has a proud tradition of service to our community. In keeping with that tradition and with our Jesuit heritage, all Carroll School graduate students must fulfill a requirement to serve others through meaningful work as volunteers.

Class Profile

Class entering Fall 2023

Academic & Professional Profile

Average GMAT Score648
GMAT Score 80th Percentile Range615–670
Average GRE Score322
GRE Score 80th Percentile Range309-332
Average Undergraduate GPA3.38
Average Full-Time Work Experience
<1 year

 

Diversity

Women63%
AHANA*31%
International50%
Average Age
23
Age Range21–26

*African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American.

Note: All class profile information is accurate as of September 12, 2023

International Enrollments

China

South Korea

Undergraduate Majors

Tuition & Aid

An MSA from the Carroll School is an excellent investment in your future. We offer merit-based scholarships and financial assistance to qualified applicants. Loan and work study programs are also available.

Alumni Experiences

Patrick McCann
Patrick McCann ’20, Deal Advisory Associate, KPMG

“Boston College sets itself apart from other institutions because of its faculty. We have smaller, more interactive learning environments with personalized help from professors, who have extensive professional backgrounds.”

 
Yuqiong Zhang
Yuqiong Allison Zhang ’20, Associate, PwC

“During my program, I developed a strong relationship with my career advisor. She always encouraged me to be myself, to pick up my confidence, and step out of my comfort zone to do better.”

Jiahao Geng
Jiahao Geng ’21, Audit Assistant, EY

“My best piece of advice to prospective students is to be proactive. Do not hesitate to network with classmates, alumni, professors, and other members of the BC community. They are happy to help and want you to succeed.”

FAQ

In order to complete my 150 hours for my CPA exam, can I take graduate level courses in the MSA program without applying formally to the program?
<p>Unfortunately, in order to take classes in any graduate management program, you must formally apply and be accepted into the program.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/msa-150-hours
Is work experience required for admission to the MSA program?
<p>Work experience is not required for the MSA program. Students can gain admission directly from their undergraduate studies.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/msa-msf-work-experience

Connect

Virtual Coffee Chats

Chat with a current student and learn more about the BC MSA program.

In-Person Campus Tours

Enjoy a 30-minute walking tour of Fulton Hall and upper campus.


Application & Requirements

Application Link & Deadlines

Apply Now

Application Fee: All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 USD.

Admission Decisions: Applications are generally reviewed on a rolling basis. This means that, provided their applications are complete, applicants may receive admission decisions before the notification deadlines. However, it is important for applicants to understand that decisions are only guaranteed by the official notification date.

Rounds & Final Deadlines: For priority consideration, applicants must submit their applications by the earliest date possible. Applications received after the last deadline are reviewed on a space-available basis.

Fall 2024 Deadlines

Apply byReceive decision by
October 24, 2023December 21, 2023
January 9, 2024*February 29, 2024
March 12, 2024*May 23, 2024
May 7, 2024June 13, 2024

* International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by these deadlines

Boston College Fifth-Year BC Applicants

Boston College undergraduates currently in the second semester of their junior year or at any point in their senior year are eligible to apply to the Master of Science in Finance program as fifth-year applicants. Once enrolled, students can complete their MSA or MSF degree in as little as nine months from the program start date.

Fifth-year applicant requirements

Resume or CV

Use this component of the application to outline your educational background and professional experience, including part-time and internship roles with months and years in each position.

✓ Application Tip: We recommend limiting your resume to one to two pages. Please also make sure that your resume corresponds to the information submitted in the “Employment” section of your online application.

Transcripts

All applicants must possess a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. You must submit transcripts from every institution where you were enrolled in a degree-granting program. At the time of application, only a self-reported transcript is required but if you are admitted, we will require an official transcript sent directly from your degree-granting institution. Transcripts should include:

  • Course names

  • All grades received (including transfer credits and study abroad programs)

  • Cumulative GPA

  • Degree conferral information

Graduates of non-U.S. institutions must possess a college or university degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. If admitted, international students are required to submit an official English translation of all academic credentials, along with a third-party degree verification from an agency such as SpanTran or World Education Services (WES).

✓ Application Tip: Verify that your degree is equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree before starting your application. Agencies such as WES provide a variety of degree equivalency tools and services.

Standardized Tests

Applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores from within the past five years. We accept both the GMAT Exam and GMAT Focus Edition. Our test codes are:

  • GMAT school code: 44x-J5-96

  • GRE school code: 3033

Please note that through a pilot initiative, Fall 2024 MSA applicants with bachelor’s degrees from U.S.-based institutions can request consideration for a GMAT/GRE waiver. Learn more and submit a GMAT/GRE waiver request before completing your application.

✓ Application Tip: While Graduate Admissions does not have a preference between the GMAT or GRE, we encourage you to consult class profile data for average test scores in order to gauge where you stand. 

English Proficiency

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are required to submit an English language proficiency exam score with your application. We accept TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. We do not accept the Duolingo English Test. 

Scores must be from within the past two years, and applicants must meet the following minimum scores:

  • TOEFL, iBT, and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 100

  • IELTS: 7.5

  • PTE: 68

You are eligible to waive the language test requirement if you meet either of the following criteria:

  • You have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree (or higher) at an institution where the medium language of instruction is English. You must have completed your degree in its entirety at the English-medium institution. The medium language of instruction must be indicated on your transcript or verified in an official letter from the institution.

  • Youhave worked in a full-time, post-degree position for at least two years in the United States or a country where English is an official language. NOTE: Working for a company that conducts its business in English in a country where English is not an official language will not qualify you for a language test waiver. 

✓ Application Tip: If you are eligible to waive the language test requirement, you do not need to submit a waiver request beforehand and can simply move forward with your application.

Letter of Recommendation

Only one letter of recommendation is required to complete your application. We are interested in learning about you from an individual who can provide an objective appraisal of your capacity for intensive graduate study and your potential for professional success.

Recommenders are required to submit the recommendation forms online and will receive instructions through email once you complete the “Recommendation” section of your application.

✓ Application Tip: MSA applicants are advised to submit recommendations from either academic references such as professors, or professional references such as supervisors or managers.

Required & Optional Essays

All applicants must submit a required essay of no more than 500 words telling us about your past experiences, short- and long-term goals, and why you want to pursue an MSA at Boston College. You may also submit an optional essay that addresses aspects of your candidacy that have not already been covered in other parts of the application.

✓ Application Tip: We want to hear about you and appreciate when applicants craft a unique response to the questions. Learn more about our essay questions and how to answer them.

Questions

If you have any further application-related questions, we encourage you to register for an App-y Hour application support session. These small-group sessions are held through Zoom and led by a member of the Graduate Admissions team.

Thinking about your fit for Carroll School of Management graduate programs? Review some tips and tactics to assess your candidacy.

You can also email us at bcmba@bc.edu, or schedule a phone call or Zoom appointment with a member of the Graduate Admission team.