Accounting, MSA (Boston)

The Master of Science in Accounting program at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business is designed to prepare students with advanced technical knowledge and professional competencies aligned with CPA licensure expectations. The program curriculum is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy. Students begin with advanced accounting coursework that deepens their expertise in accounting theory, data analytics, and management best practices.

Select a Track

Students choose a track in audit or tax. The audit specialization provides in-depth exposure to auditing research, ethics, and forensic accounting, while the tax specialization examines the complexities of taxation at the local, national, and international levels.

Experience-Powered Learning

Learning by doing is central to the program. Students apply classroom learning to real business challenges through applied projects and practice-based coursework. Students gain insight into current issues, regulations, and best practices from faculty who bring significant industry experience as PhDs, CPAs, and former leaders at Big Four and other public accounting firms.

Beginning with students admitted in the fall of 2026, all students pursuing on-ground master's degree programs must complete a university-level experiential learning requirement. This requirement may be fulfilled through the curriculum, co-op, or other work- or industry-integrated learning experiences.

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Core Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Accounting
ACCT 5404	Financial Reporting for Integrated Multinational Enterprises	4
ACCT 5973	Special Topics in Accounting	1
ACCT 6203	Business Entity Taxation	3
Ethics
ACCT 5453	Ethics and Public Interest in the Accounting Professions	2
Financial Reporting
ACCT 6207	Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Financial Reporting	3
ACCT 6216	Financial Reporting for Governments and Nonprofit Entities	2

Tracks

Complete one of the following tracks:

Audit Track

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
ACCT 6205	Auditing in a Big Data Environment	3
ACCT 6217	Corporate Governance, Ethics, and Financial Reporting	3
ACCT 6254	Accounting Research and Communication	3

Taxation Track

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
ACCT 6231	Corporations and Shareholders	3
ACCT 6235	Partners and Partnerships	3
ACCT 6254	Accounting Research and Communication	3

Electives 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
In consultation with advisor, complete 6 graduate-level semester hours for which prerequisites have been met:		6
ACCT 5255	Forensic Accounting
ACCT 5256	Internal Auditing
ACCT 6243	Advanced Flow-Through Entities
ACCT 6292	Tax Research, Practice, and Ethics

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

30 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required