University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce: MS in Accounting

About the Program

The M.S. in Accounting at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce is a one-year, full-time graduate program focused on the application of accounting and analytics in complex business environments. Through a structured curriculum, students engage in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and data analysis while building the ability to interpret information, communicate insights, and contribute to organizational decision-making.

Students pursue focused study through tracks such as Financial Reporting & Assurance or Tax Consulting, developing specialized knowledge alongside core accounting competencies. Coursework emphasizes applied learning, including case-based assignments and collaborative projects that reflect real-world business scenarios. The program supports preparation for professional roles in public accounting, corporate finance, and advisory services while also aligning with academic requirements associated with CPA licensure.

Application Deadlines

October 5, 2026 | November 5, 2026 | January 5, 2027 | March 5, 2027 | May 5, 2027* | *After May 5, 2027, applications will be considered on a space-available rolling basis through the final submission deadline of June 30, 2027.

Program Format and Schedule

The M.S. in Accounting is a 30-credit, full-time program completed over one academic year in residence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Students progress through a structured curriculum that builds from core accounting concepts to more advanced, applied coursework.

Students choose between two tracks – Financial Reporting & Assurance or Tax Consulting – each combining required courses and electives across the fall and spring semesters. The Financial Reporting & Assurance track offers a balanced mix of required and elective coursework, while the Tax Consulting track includes a higher concentration of required courses in the fall. Across both tracks, coursework aligns with academic requirements associated with CPA preparation.

Students may also enroll in Global Commerce Immersion (GCI) electives, which combine on-Grounds coursework with a short-term international experience during January term or spring break. These courses may focus on specific business topics or applied consulting projects with organizations in a global context.

Applicants are expected to have completed prior coursework in accounting and quantitative disciplines before enrollment, and early program coursework reinforces key concepts that support advanced study.

International Accounting Experience

The unique Global Commerce Immersion (GCI) elective courses include on-campus seminars and a study-abroad component during either the January term or spring break. GCI courses can be topic-specific (e.g., finance or consumer behavior and marketing) or practical (e.g., a consulting project analyzing a specific company’s business problems and opportunities).

From the School

From The McIntire School of Commerce:

Our Graduate Programs:

The University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce offers a portfolio of graduate business programs designed for early-career students and working professionals. Across its offerings, the School integrates business fundamentals with analytics, technology, and global context through applied, interdisciplinary learning.

Full-time, residential programs for pre-experience candidates (Charlottesville, VA):
• M.S. in Commerce (MSC): A master’s in management program for liberal arts and STEM graduates, featuring a foundational core and track-based specialization
• M.S. in Accounting (MSA): A one-year program focused on financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, with coursework aligned with CPA preparation
• M.S. in Global Commerce (MSGC): A multi-location program delivered in collaboration with ESMT Berlin, focused on the application of business in international contexts

Hybrid programs for working professionals (Rosslyn, VA):
• M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA): A project-driven program delivered in partnership with the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, focused on data-driven decision-making and applied analytics
• M.S. in the Management of Information Technology (MSMIT): A module-based program focused on the intersection of technology, strategy, and leadership

About the School

The University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce is ranked the #1 academic experience and #2 undergraduate business program in the U.S. (Poets and Quants, 2026). Its innovative, specialized business graduate degrees and hallmark undergraduate program are designed to create a wealth of opportunities for students. Immersive, hands-on courses, taught by world-class faculty with real-world industry input, offer transformative educational experiences and provide immediate value to students.