This is a named option within the Business: Accounting, MAcc.

The Master of Accountancy in Business: Accounting degree has an available named option in  Accounting, Assurance, Advisory (AAA) which is designed to prepare students for a variety of accounting focused career opportunities. This option requires students to complete advanced accounting courses from a rich set of accounting electives, as well as a variety of non-accounting business electives to complete the credit requirements of the degree. Students may choose a broad set of electives across different disciplines, or they may choose to pursue a deeper set of knowledge in one area (i.e., finance, risk management, analytics, etc.)

Admissions

Fall Deadline See program webpage:
https://business.wisc.edu/graduate/masters/accountancy/
Spring Deadline This program does not admit in the spring.
Summer Deadline This program does not admit in the summer.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) May be required in certain cases; consult program.
English Proficiency Test Students should direct the Educational Testing Service to forward their test results, taken within two years of the intended start term, to the University of Wisconsin–Madison (institution code: 1846). A minimum TOEFL score of 104 is required for consideration of admission into the program.

The TOEFL is waived for students who have earned a four-year undergraduate degree and/or master degree (minimum of eight semesters total) with instruction in English or who will complete such a degree prior to matriculation in the Master of Accountancy program.
Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) GMAT may be required in certain cases; consult program.
Letters of Recommendation Required 2

The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program is open to any applicants who have earned a four-year undergraduate degree, or the equivalent, in any discipline, from an accredited institution. 

For accounting students in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business (WSB), or accounting students from other UW institutions, who have been identified as candidates for admission to the Master of Accountancy program during their undergraduate studies, the application for graduate school will be open from September 1 – October 15 during the last year of their undergraduate program.

Applicants are not required to have previous full-time work experience.  Additional application requirements include:

  • Undergraduate transcripts
  • Resume
  • Essays
  • English proficiency test scores for non-native English speakers

Transcripts

It is not necessary to send official transcripts at the date of application.  Applicants will be asked to upload an unofficial transcript into the online application system.  Applicants later admitted to the program will be asked to send their official (final) transcripts reflecting an undergraduate degree.

Schools outside the United States may be verified by World Education Services at the individual class level.

GMAT

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) may be an acceptable alternative to the GMAT test on a case by case basis.  Scores should be submitted to the University of Wisconsin – Madison, institution code 1846.

The GMAT score will be waived if you meet one of the four sets of criteria below:

  1. Undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business
  2. Undergraduate degree from a US accredited university or college
    1. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
    2. At least one math course or quantitative course like finance or accounting with a ‘B’ or better
  3. Undergraduate degree completed outside of the US
    1. Submission of original transcripts, along with transcripts evaluated by World Evaluation Services (WES)
    2. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
    3. At least one math course or quantitative course like finance or accounting with a ‘B’ or better
  4. Awarded an advanced degree, such as an MBA, JD, MD, PhD, from an accredited US institution

International Financial Statements

International Financial Statements are only required of students admitted to the program.

How to Apply

Students interested in business degrees do not apply through the Graduate School application system and should instead refer to the School of Business Admissions page.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

All students in the Master of Accountancy in Business: Accounting program are eligible to compete for program-level financial support in the form of teaching assistantships, scholarships and project work.  The Professional Programs Committee evaluates applications from existing students each spring for opportunities the following academic year.  

On This Page

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Named Option Requirements

Mode of Instruction

Face to Face Evening/Weekend Online Hybrid Accelerated
Yes No No No No

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement 54 credits
Minimum Residence Credit Requirement 24 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement 27 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244.
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203.
Other Grade Requirements Students may be required to retake a course in which they receive a grade lower than a C.
Assessments and Examinations No required assessments or examinations beyond course requirements.
Language Requirements No language requirements.

Required Courses

MAcc students seek advanced preparation for careers in various aspects of accounting. The degree stresses in-depth study of accounting theory, auditing, taxation, information systems, applications, policy, and decision making. The program can be undertaken by students possessing an undergraduate accounting degree from UW–Madison or an undergraduate degree in a non-accounting field from any school.

The first year of the MAcc program emphasizes accounting and core business knowledge necessary to work in the accounting profession.

Students are encouraged to complete a paid internship during the summer between the first and second year of the program. The second year of the program is designed to build on the internship experience through in-depth study of accounting issues. The second-year curriculum for students pursuing the standard MAcc plan is as follows (30 total credits).

The MAcc program requires a minimum of 54 credits over two years.

The second year also provides students with some flexibility to promote breadth of knowledge across a number of business disciplines.

First Year
Fall
ACCT I S 340 Accounting Information Systems3
ACCT I S 620 Fundamentals of Taxation3
ACCT I S 701 Financial Reporting I3
ACCT I S 710 Managerial Accounting3
Spring
ACCT I S 630 Foundations of Auditing3
ACCT I S 702 Financial Reporting II3
GEN BUS 301 Business Law3
Business Elective3
Second Year
Select a minimum of 4 courses from the following:12+
ACCT I S 406
 Accounting and Analysis for Reporting Entities
ACCT I S 603
 Financial Statement Analysis
ACCT I S 621
 Corporate and Advanced Taxation
ACCT I S 640
 Foundation in Accounting Analytics
ACCT I S 730
 Advanced Auditing: Analysis, Policy, and Judgment
ACCT I S 740
 Information Risk, Control, & Forensics
ACCT I S 770
 Accounting Theory: Reporting Incentives and Consequences
ACCT I S 771
 Analysis of Performance Measurement & Control
Complete a minimum of four and a maximum of six elective courses 112-18
Total Credits54
1

Any course numbered 300 and above offered by the School of Business (including departments: ACCT I S, ACT SCI, FINANCE, GEN BUS, INFO SYS, INTL BUS, M H R, MARKETNG, OTM , REAL EST, or R M I) can be used to complete the required elective credits.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

With program and department approval, up to 6 credits of graduate coursework completed two years prior to admission at an AACSB accredited institution, in which a grade of B or better was earned, may transfer toward the degree. 

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

Up to 6 credits from courses numbered 300 or above from UW-Madison will be allowed to transfer toward the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. Coursework earned seven or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison

With program and department approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 15 credits of coursework numbered 600 or above taken as a UW–Madison University Special student. Coursework earned seven or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements. 

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

Any student who feels that they have been mistreated by a faculty or staff member has the right to lodge a complaint. Complaints may concern course grades, classroom treatment, program admission, or other issues. To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint and to protect both the student's rights and the person at whom the complaint is addressed, the grievance procedures below are used in the School of Business.

The person against whom the complaint is directed must be an employee of the School of Business. Any student or potential student may use these procedures unless other campus rules or contracts cover the complaint:

  1. If the student feels comfortable/safe doing so, the student should first talk with the person against whom the grievance is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. If the complaint is directed against a teaching assistant (TA) and the student is not satisfied after discussion of the grievance with the TA, the next step would be to talk to the TA's supervisor, who is usually the course professor. If the complaint is still not resolved satisfactorily, the student may continue to step 2.
  2. If the complaint involves an academic department, the student should contact the chair of the department. The chair will attempt to resolve the problem informally. If this cannot be done to the student's satisfaction, the student may submit the grievance to the chair in writing. This must be done within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
    1. If the complaint does not involve an academic department, the procedure outlined in Step 4 below should be followed.
  3. On receipt of a written complaint, the chair will refer the matter to a departmental committee, which will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed. This response shall be shared with the person filing the grievance. The chair will provide a written decision within 30 days to the student on the action taken by the committee.
  4. If either party is not satisfied with the decision, they have five working days from receipt of the decision to contact the dean's office (at the number below), indicating the intention to appeal. If the complaint does not involve an academic department in the school, the student must contact the dean's office within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
  5. In either case, there will be an attempt to resolve the issue informally by the appropriate associate dean. If this cannot be done, the complaint can be filed in writing with the Office of the Dean. This must be done within 10 working days of the time the appealing party was notified that informal resolution was unsuccessful.
  6. On receipt of such a written complaint, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer will convene a subcommittee of relevant stakeholders pending the nature of the issue. This subcommittee may ask for additional information from the parties involved and may hold a hearing at which both parties will be asked to speak separately. The subcommittee will then make a written recommendation to the dean of the School of Business who will render a decision. Unless a longer time is negotiated, this written decision shall be made within 20 working days from when the grievance was filed with the Office of the Dean.

Questions about these procedures can be directed to the School of Business, Office of the Dean, 4339 Grainger, 975 University Avenue, 608-262-7867.

State law contains additional provisions regarding discrimination and harassment. Wisconsin Statutes 36.12 reads, in part: "No student may be denied admission to, participation in or the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any service, program, course or facility of the system or its institutions or center because of the student's race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or parental status." In addition, the UW System prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression. Students have the right to file discrimination and harassment complaints with the Office of Compliance, 361 Bascom Hall, 608-265-6018, uwcomplianceoffice@wisc.edu.

The Graduate School has procedures for students wishing to appeal a grievance decision at the school/college level. These policies are described in the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures: https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/grievances-and-appeals/

Other

Department-sponsored funding is available on a competitive basis to all MAcc students. In addition, students can apply for a teaching assistantship but should have completed one year (either graduate or undergraduate) with the department before applying.

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

People

For more information about the faculty and their research interests, please visit the directory.