Certificates

Optional Certificates Overview

Earning a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSACCY) Certificate offers students an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of a particular subject area and provides credentials that professionals can use to accelerate their careers. Upon completion of the MSACCY Program, students may request a certificate for their required track and/or the optional certificate in Applied Data Analytics in Accounting.

The certificates are only available to MSACCY students. For assistance with course selection, students should contact their MSACCY advisor.

Certificate Requirements

To earn a certificate(s), students must be currently enrolled in the MSACCY Program and meet the requirements for the certificate(s) as well as the MSACCY degree requirements.

• Students must submit a certificate petition to their MSACCY advisor prior to the start of their last semester.
• Additionally, students must apply to graduate with their degree and certificate(s) via myUH*. Certificates are awarded after grades are posted for the final semester of the MSACCY Program and requirements are verified.

*Note: There are mandatory graduation application fees associated with applying to graduate with the MSACCY degree and certificate(s).

Required Track Certificate

The degree plan requires students to select one of the three tracks which include: Assurance & Financial Reporting, Tax Compliance & Consulting Track, and Business Advisory & Internal Audit. If a student wishes to receive a certificate for their required track, they must meet the outlined certificate requirements based on the iteration of the degree plan they're on.

• Fall 2025 and Beyond

  If a student wishes to receive a certificate for their required track, they must successfully complete the courses listed below for the certificate with a grade of “B” or higher in each course.

  Assurance & Financial Reporting Certificate

  The Assurance & Financial Reporting Certificate prepares students for careers in public accounting as auditors or in industry in accounting related careers. This concentration provides students with the knowledge needed to understand internal controls and financial reporting systems, prepare and interpret financial reports, participate in the conduct of audits, and develop research skills needed to address complex financial reporting problems.

  Required Courses	Credit Hours
  Advanced Accounting (ACCT 7330)	3
  Financial Statement Analysis (ACCT 7340)	3
  Advanced Financial Statement Auditing (ACCT 7370)	3
  Control & Security of Financial Information (ACCT 7390)	3
  One course from a list of options (see list below)	3

  Assurance and Financial Reporting Options

  • Government & Non-Profit Accounting (ACCT 7378)
  • Enterprise Risk Management (ACCT 7384)
  • Forensic Accounting (ACCT 7385)

  Tax Compliance & Consulting Certificate

  The Tax Compliance & Consulting Certificate prepares students for careers in public accounting as tax consultants, in industry as tax strategists, or in government. Required courses in this specialization provide students with the knowledge needed to identify and address tax issues at the local, state, national or international level.

  Required Courses	Credit Hours
  Advanced Accounting (ACCT 7330)	3
  Four courses from a list of options (see list below)	12

  Tax Compliance & Consulting Options

  • Oil & Gas Taxation (ACCT 7337)
  • Partnership Taxation (ACCT 7360)
  • Tax Research (ACCT 7362)*
  • Multijurisdictional Tax (ACCT 7372)
  • Current Issues in Taxation (ACCT 7379)*
  • Advanced Corporate Tax (ACCT 7380)

  *One course must come from ACCT 7362 or ACCT 7379.

  Business Advisory and Internal Audit Certificate

  The Business Advisory and Internal Audit Certificate program prepares students for careers as internal auditors. Courses in this specialization prepare students to examine and analyze accounting records to determine the financial status of a corporation and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures and improve operational performance.

  Required Courses	Credit Hours
  Advanced Accounting (ACCT 7330)	3
  Advanced Internal Auditing (ACCT 7367)	3
  Enterprise Risk Management (ACCT 7384)	3
  Forensic Accounting (ACCT 7385)	3
  Control & Security of Financial Information (ACCT 7390)	3

• Fall 2022 - Summer 2025

  A grade of “B” or higher in each course used to fulfill the student’s required track is required. Please refer to the MSACCY degree plan for information about the required track courses on the Fall 2022 - Summer 2025 iteration of the degree plan.

Optional Applied Data Analytics in Accounting Certificate

The MSACCY Program offers an optional track in Applied Data Analytics. Please note that completing the optional track may require additional courses beyond the 30 hours of the degree plan.

The Applied Data Analytics in Accounting Certificate helps students develop their understanding and ability to pragmatically apply Data Analytics to the fields of accounting and auditing. The related courses cover the rapidly evolving concepts and new methodologies for consuming large amounts of diverse data; applying sophisticated algorithms to the data; and developing and integrating decision modeling into business processes and the related accounting/auditing decisions.