Overview
The concurrent Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree program responds to the educational requirements for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Although Colorado currently requires only 120 credit hours to take the CPA exam, recent changes in legislation will require 150 credit hours, beginning July 1, 2015. Most other jurisdictions require 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam.
The concurrent B.S./M.S. degree program is a five year, 150 credit program. Students earn a B.S. in Business Administration (120 credits) with an emphasis in Accounting or Finance, and a M.S. in Business Administration in Accounting, in either the Financial (30 credits) or Taxation (31 credits) tracks.
Admissions Criteria
In order to be considered for admission, the minimum academic criteria are a minimum overall, cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum cumulative business GPA of 3.0, a GMAT score of at least 550, and completion of prerequisite courses. Applicants must also have completed all MAPS deficiencies.
Applicants must have completed ACCT 3220, ACCT 3230, and ACCT 3320 prior to admission to the program.
Students may apply at the end of their third year. Admission is competitive. The annual application deadline is May 15.
Application
There is no application fee or deposit. We do not require letters of recommendation.
The annual application deadline is May 15.
Download Application
We do require an up-to-date Academic Progress Report from Undergraduate Advising, and a current unofficial transcript.
Curriculum
Not all courses are offered each semester. Prerequisite course may be designated for particular courses. Please check the University of Colorado catalog for course descriptions.
Course Requirements
Value
Up to 12 credit hours may be used as overlap courses to satisfy both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
Students have the opportunity to gain work experience and earn up to six credits through a paid internship.
Students are qualified to sit for the CPA exam upon graduating.
Finance Track
- ACT 5440: Income Taxation
- BSLW 5120: Advanced Business Law
- ACCT 5620: Auditing and Assurance Services
- ACCT 5700: International Financial Reporting Standards
- ACCT 6620: Business Risk & Decision Analysis in Auditing
- ACCT 6350: Current Issues in Professional Accounting (Capstone Course)
Finance Track Electives
- ACCT 5240: Advanced Financial Accounting
ACCT 5250: Financial Statement Analysis
- ACCT 5330: Advanced Cost Management
- ACCT 5540 Accounting Information Systems
- ACCT 5820: Topics in Business – currently Oil & Gas Accounting
- ACCT 5825-001: Taxation of Business Entities (Tax II)
- ACCT 5825-002: Taking Private Companies Public
- ACCT 6900: Independent Research Project/Internship
Taxation Track
- ACCT 5440: Income Taxation
- BSLW 5120: Advanced Business Law
- ACCT 5620: Auditing and Assurance Services
- ACCT 5700: International Financial Reporting Standards
- ACCT 6620: Business Risk and Decision Analysis in Auditing
- ACCT 6420: Research and Writing in Income Taxation
- ACCT 6430: Taxation of Partnerships (Taken at Law School)
- ACCT 6700: Income Taxation (Taken at Law School)
- ACCT 6450: Taxation of Corporations (Taken at Law School)
- ACCT 6350: Current Issues in Professional Accounting (Capstone Course
Taxation Track Electives
- ACCT 5825-001: Taxation of Business Entities (Tax II)
- ACCT 6900: Independent Research Project/Internship
Recent Graduates
Renée Hall, Director of the MS Accounting programs, congratulated all of this Spring’s MS Accounting graduates. "We are proud of their accomplishments, optimistic about their futures, and are delighted to see how our MS Accounting Programs—both concurrent BS/MS and the stand-alone MS—enable nearly all of our graduates to secure jobs with excellent career opportunities directly after graduation. We have always had excellent relationships with the accounting firms in Colorado; now we are finding that our graduates are in demand across the nation.
Kayla Tway received her concurrent BS/MS in Accounting this May, and is headed to San Franciso where she will start as an Audit Associate with PwC LLP (PricewatershouseCoopers) in the fall. While a student in Boulder, Kayla worked as a Portfolio Analyst Intern at MBA Financial Services LLC, a private wealth management firm. She was also involved in several Boulder area volunteer organizations. In fact, many students at CU Boulder find rewarding ways in which to serve the community.
Misha Levental combined an undergraduate emphasis in Finance with a graduate tax accounting emphasis while earning his BS/MS degrees. Misha will be starting his career doing equity research with the New York office of Dahlman Rose & Company, an investment banking firm specializing in natural resources. Misha’s experience demonstrates how the preparation in finance and accounting opens up exciting placement opportunities beyond the tax and audit work that appeals to so many of our MS Accounting graduates.
At CU, Misha worked as a Student Assistant for the University of Colorado Foundation Development Office. He was also fortunate enough to act as Music Director for the CU Buffoons, the campus’ oldest all-male a cappella group, founded in 1962. Under his leadership, the Buffoons released their studio album Bell Time, and were one of 13 a cappella groups across the United States to be featured on Grammy-Award winner Ben Folds’ a cappella project, University A Cappella!, sold nationally.
Past Events
Graduate
May 5, 2011
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Byron R. Koste Atrium
Leeds School of Business
Reception for graduating students of the masters accounting and concurrent masters and bachelors accounting programs.
Event
March 8, 2011
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Byron R. Koste Atrium
Koelbel Building
Learn what it’s really like working in the Financial Information Profession. Panelists with a wide range of experience will be answering questions about careers in Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems.
