Master of Professional Accountancy (MAcc)
For more information: (626) 812-3085
The Master of Professional Accountancy (MAcc) program prepares students for careers as certified public accountants (CPAs). The program’s curriculum combines coursework and an internship with a public accounting firm to prepare students to pass the CPA exam and meet the 150-semester-credit-hour rule required for certification by 49 of 50 states. The program focuses on developing students’ character and competence consistent with the LP and Timothy Leung School of Accounting’s vision.
Ideal candidates will have recently completed an undergraduate degree in accounting, or in a related field with a concentration in accounting, with plans to enter the public accounting profession. Depending, however, on previous academic experience, students may be required to enroll in either the traditional option or the executive option. Students in the traditional path, which is designed for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in accounting, or in a related field with a concentration in accounting, must complete additional academic coursework in order to prepare for the rigors of the MAcc program. These additional courses are listed below. Faculty from the MAcc program will communicate with students prior to the beginning of coursework regarding which path is most appropriate for them.
Highlights
- CPA exam pass rates in the top 20% of California universities.
- Students are able to earn the MAcc in as little as one year.
- Scholarships allow students to receive a Christian accounting education at a state-school price.
- Specialized credentials, such as Enrolled Agent and Certified Internal Systems Analyst, are now available.
- Graduates are placed with every major accounting firm in the U.S., from the Big Four to national and regional firms.
- 100% of our MAcc students have paid professional internships.
- 100% job placement rate of our domestic MAcc students in CPA firms by graduation.
Specialized Credentials and Applied Learning
Students have the opportunity to earn specialized credentials, such as the IRS Enrolled Agent and the Certified Information Systems Auditor credentials, increasing their value to potential employers. Additionally, students have the option of joining the Accounting Honors Society and participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which gives students hands-on experience providing income tax assistance to low-income taxpayers in the surrounding communities. A comprehensive curriculum coupled with experiential learning techniques has led to CPA exam pass rates in the top 20% of California universities.
Internships and Job Placement
Accounting students are invited to participate in the annual Meet the Firms night. This event, hosted by the Accounting Honor Society, boasts outstanding successes. Typically, 60 accounting professionals representing 20 public accounting firms meet with APU students, along with students visiting from other universities. All of the Big Four (EY, PwC, KPMG, and Deloitte), several major national firms (CLA, BDO) and specialty firms (CapinCrouse, Ron Blue), and many regional and local firms (KSJG) attend Meet the Firms.
Accounting majors obtain paid internships with public accounting firms or in professional accounting. Job placement for accounting students also remains strong, with most CPA-track students placed prior to graduation.
LP and Timothy Leung Scholarships
With gratitude to the Leung Endowment, students may qualify for scholarships awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements.
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted year-round, but to ensure full consideration for scholarships and internships, completed applications should be received at least six weeks prior to the start of the term.
Requirements for the MAcc: Executive Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ACCT 510 | Accounting and Tax Research Methods | 3 |
| ACCT 515 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
| ACCT 535 | Advanced Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 540 | Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation | 3 |
| ACCT 550 | Accounting for Nonprofit Entities | 3 |
| ACCT 590 | Integrative Accounting Review 1 | 3 |
| ACCT 591 | Accounting Internship 2 | 3 |
| Electives (choose 3 courses): | 9 | |
| Global Financial Accounting Standards | ||
| Accounting Ethics | ||
| Advanced Business Law | ||
| Advanced Auditing | ||
| Government Financial Management | ||
| Corporate Finance | ||
| Total Units | 30 | |
- 1
If a student has passed the CPA exam in full or in part, an elective should be chosen to replace ACCT 590.
- 2
If a student has already successfully completed an approved internship, an elective should be chosen to replace ACCT 591.
Requirements for the MAcc: Traditional Option
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ACCT 500 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCT 501 | Principles of Accounting II | 3 |
| ACCT 503 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCT 504 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| ACCT 506 | Cost Accounting | 3 |
| or ACCT 507 | Auditing Principles | |
| ACCT 508 | Federal Taxes I | 3 |
| or ACCT 509 | Federal Taxes II | |
| ACCT 510 | Accounting and Tax Research Methods | 3 |
| ACCT 511 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 515 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
| ACCT 520 | Global Financial Accounting Standards | 3 |
| ACCT 525 | Accounting Ethics | 3 |
| ACCT 530 | Advanced Business Law | 3 |
| ACCT 535 | Advanced Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 540 | Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation | 3 |
| ACCT 545 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 590 | Integrative Accounting Review 1 | 3 |
| ACCT 591 | Accounting Internship 2 | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Accounting for Nonprofit Entities | ||
| Government Financial Management | ||
| Corporate Finance | ||
| Total Units | 51 | |
- 1
If a student has passed the CPA exam in full or in part, an elective should be chosen to replace ACCT 590.
- 2
If a student has already successfully completed an approved internship, an elective should be chosen to replace ACCT 591.
Admission
University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admission to the University). Program-specific application requirements are available online.
International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.
View the MAcc-specific admission requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:- Demonstrate proficiency in professional accounting subject areas.
- Construct critical thinking processes to solve accounting problems.
- Defend accounting decisions based on a Christian perspective.
- Display strategic thinking through professional communication channels.
- Be impactful team members.
- Analyze cultural aspects of accounting in diverse environments.