Accounting and Analytics Master of Science Degree

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Accounting and Analytics
Master of Science Degree

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Admissions Contact
Delaney Ball
Program Contact
Matthew Cornwell, Associate Director of Student Services
Offered within
Saunders College of Business

RIT’s master's in accounting analytics leads to advanced accounting careers through the application of analytical tools and skills.

Co-op/Internship Encouraged

STEM-OPT Visa Eligible

#25

Best Master’s of Accounting, Eduniversal, 2022

#49

Best Master’s in Accounting, TFE Times, 2023

Overview for Accounting and Analytics MS

Why Study Accounting Analytics at RIT

  • Solid foundation in accounting, auditing, and tax.
  • Analytical skills consistent with emerging technology-oriented jobs in accounting
  • Hands-on experience with R and Python and with data visualization software such as Tableau
  • An understanding of Structured Query Language (SQL) and Systems Application and Products in Data Processing (SAP).
  • Combine vital areas of technology, Big Data, AI and advanced analytics

Accounting has become data-driven and technology-infused. A master’s in accounting analytics can help you compile and use data as well as develop a familiarity with analyzing this information to gain significant insights, predict future outcomes, or even ascertain risk. As a result, the market demands accounting analytics graduates with a variety of data-related skills and an understanding of how technology can be used to further an organization’s mission. RIT’s master’s in accounting analytics balances this modern need with traditional accounting preparation.

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Saunders College of Business: Business and Technology Unlocked

RIT’s Accounting Master's

In RIT’s master’s in accounting analytics pulls together key areas of technology, finance, strategy, analytics, data modeling, and more to help you advance your accounting career.

In our innovative curriculum, you will dive into the technology and data analytics for accounting, with a specific focus on:

  • Developing traditional accounting acumen.
  • Understanding various ways in which accounting and business data is accessed and used.
  • Usage of current industry tools in areas such as data access, data insights, and data visualization.

Accounting Analytics Career Advancement with Hands-on Learning

RIT’s accounting MS students gain insights and career advantages through:

  • Guidance through CPA examination and licensure process.
  • Conducting research including traditional accounting topics plus technology such as text mining and analysis of accounting reports, and uses of blockchain in accounting, with professors published in the top academic journals.
  • Networking opportunities through events like the Accounting Banquet and classroom visits.
  • A dedicated career fair for accounting students, in addition to RIT-wide career fairs.
  • Next Generation of Accounting club enhancing your studies with activities outside the classroom. The club provides opportunities to network with accounting professionals and employers and learn about the various career paths that the accounting field has to offer.

Students are also interested in: Business Administration MBA, Accounting and Financial Analytics Adv. Cert., Business Analytics MS

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Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

Accounts payable specialist Accounts receivable specialist
Assistant controller Budget analyst
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Compliance Officer
Controller FBI Investigator
Financial Analyst Forensic Accountant
Internal Auditor (CIA) Junior accountant
Litigation Consultant Management Accountant
Payroll administrator Tax consultant
Treasurer

Salary and Career Information for Accounting and Analytics MS

Cooperative Education and Internships

What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.

Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Business co-ops provide hands-on experience that enables you to apply your knowledge of business, management, finance, accounting, and related fields in professional settings. You'll make valuable connections between course work and real-world applications as you build a network of professional contacts.

Students in the accounting and analytics MS are encouraged to participate in at least one cooperative education or internship experience.

Accounting and Analytics Careers

Graduates of RIT's master’s in accounting and analytics are prepared for outstanding career opportunities in a range of accounting positions. Our alumni are employed at diverse firms such as Bonadio Group, BluEnt, Freed Maxick CPAs, Mengel Metzger Barr & Co., PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and more. Our Accounting Advisory Board helps students prepare for their careers by ensuring the curriculum is continuously updated to meet employers needs while providing networking and mentorship opportunities.

Featured Work

Featured Profiles

Headshot of Linda Ochieng

The Bonadio Group, Pittsford, New York

Linda Ochieng ’22

"The quality of academic programs offered at Saunders is excellent. For example, as an accounting student, I have seen some tremendous changes that have helped me prepare to start my career,...

View More about The Bonadio Group, Pittsford, New York

Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Accounting and Analytics MS

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

View Printable Curriculum

Accounting and Analytics, MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
ACCT-710
Tax Analysis and Strategy
A continuation of Basic Taxation. Emphasis is on taxation of business entities, as well as estate and gift taxation and planning. Students use technology to prepare complex returns and to research tax issues. Tax analysis and planning are integrated throughout. Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ACCT-738
Information Systems Auditing and Assurance Services
An examination of the unique risks, controls, and assurance services resulting from and related to auditing financial information systems with an emphasis on enterprise resource systems. (Prerequisites: ACCT-705 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
 3
ACCT-740
Comparative Financial Statement Analysis
This course is designed to prepare students to interpret and analyze financial statements effectively. Explores in greater depth some of the financial reporting topics introduced in the core accounting course and includes a discussion of International Financial Reporting Standards. (Prerequisites: ACCT-603 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
ACCT-745
Accounting Information and Analytics
The objective for this course is helping students develop a data mindset which prepare them to interact with data scientists from an accountant perspective. This course enables students to develop analytics skills to conduct descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis for accounting information. This course focuses on such topics as data modeling, relational databases, blockchain, visualization, unstructured data, web scraping, and data extraction. (Prerequisites: ACCT-110 or ACCT-603 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Summer).
 3
ACCT-796
Accounting Capstone Experience
The principal focus of this course is students completing several projects provided by members of CPA firms and industry employers. Employers provide assignments, which may include data or require students to gather relevant data, and students use defined technology, which may include a variety of applications common in technological accounting practice, to complete projects in teams. Students also write comprehensive individual reports and analyses related to the projects. Peripheral work in the course includes examination of theoretical concepts, definitions, and models espoused in the accounting literature and relevant to analyzing various contemporary issues in financial accounting and reporting. The historical development of accounting standards and contemporary issues in financial reporting are integrated. The course requires writing and student presentations. Subject to approval by the Program Director, an individual student internship/coop followed by an in-depth report may obtain equivalent credit. Lecture 3 (Spring).
 3
FINC-780
Financial Analytics
This course provides a survey of financial analytics applications in contexts such as investment analysis, portfolio construction, risk management, and security valuation. Students are introduced to financial models used in these applications and their implementation using popular languages such as R, Matlab, and Python, and packages such as Quantlib. A variety of data sources are used: financial websites such as www.finance.yahoo.com, government sites such as www.sec.gov, finance research databases such as WRDS, and especially Bloomberg terminals. Students will complete projects using real-world data and make effective use of visualization methods in reporting results. There are no pre or co-requisites; however, instructor permission is required – student aptitude for quantitative work will be assessed; waived for students enrolled in quantitative programs such as the MS-Computational Finance which have pre-requisites in the areas of calculus, linear algebra, and programming. Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
MGIS-650
Introduction to Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
This course serves as an introduction to data analysis including both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Contemporary data analytics and business intelligence tools will be explored through realistic problem assignments. Lecture 3 (Fall).
 3
 
MGIS Elective
 3
 
Graduate Electives
 6
Total Semester Credit Hours
30

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Offered Admit Term(s) Application Deadline STEM Designated
Full‑time Fall or Spring Rolling Yes
Part‑time Fall or Spring Rolling No

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Accounting and Analytics MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

TOEFL IELTS PTE Academic
88 6.5 60

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

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