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MACC academics
Prepare to lead in a world transformed by technology. The W. P. Carey Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics (MACC) is a future-focused program that delivers advanced accounting knowledge and hands-on experience with tools like Alteryx, Excel Power Query, Power BI, Python, and Jupyter Notebook. With small class sizes and support from expert faculty, our students prepare to sit for the CPA exam and pursue a variety of dynamic careers. Review the prerequisites before you apply — the W. P. Carey MACC welcomes students from both accounting and non-accounting backgrounds.
“I was impressed by how seamlessly W. P. Carey integrates modern issues into its curriculum. This real-world approach ensures we’re not just prepared for today’s business landscape, but for the challenges of an interconnected world."
Kailey Shupe (MACC graduate)
Curriculum
Building upon traditional accounting principles, the W. P. Carey MACC delivers a solid foundation in the technologies and methodologies used to navigate today’s highly complex and data-centric audit and financial consulting environment. The program requires 30 total credit hours to complete. Our cutting-edge curriculum is reviewed every year with input from accounting professionals and alumni.
Hands-on experience is a critical component of your education. From applied elective courses and beyond, all MACC students are encouraged to pursue learning opportunities and experiences with relevance to their future goals.
MACC courses
Apply FASB and IASB regulatory guidance to solve complex financial reporting issues. Improve your analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills through cases, class participation, and presentations, and learn how to use FASB Codification and eIFRS and how to write detailed and concise research memos.
Examine analytics in the accounting function. Calculate, interpret, and apply descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics in a variety of case settings focusing on auditing, risk management, forensics, and strategic planning decisions and events.
Addresses the emerging roles of accounting analytics in accounting, auditing and tax contexts. Technological advances have allowed the capture and economic storage of massive accounting and business data and the focus of this class is how to productively gather and apply big data to a variety of accounting, auditing and tax-related contexts. Focuses on understanding the data within major accounting information systems and generating meaningful audit and/or tax analytics from the data. Critical to this is a deep understanding of accounting flows, processes and controls in order to understand and build meaningful audit-centric and/or tax-centric analytics.
A class focused on successfully preparing for the CPA Exam with an emphasis on review, ethics requirements, and testing strategies.
A class focused on successfully preparing for the CPA Exam with an emphasis on review, ethics requirements, and testing strategies
A class focused on successfully preparing for the CPA Exam with an emphasis on review, ethics requirements, and testing strategies.
Build on undergraduate auditing concepts and master in-depth aspects of auditing, as well as emerging issues influencing the process and profession. Case studies will develop your critical thinking and analytical skills as they relate to auditing.
Focuses on understanding the role of technology-related innovations on audits and auditing performance. Looks at both capturing data from recent innovations in technologies for audit applications (e.g., IoT) as well as examining the roles of these recent technology innovations for audit performance (e.g., cognitive computing).
Learn internal control frameworks and U.S. GAAS for financial statement audits and audits of internal controls. Define fraud: What it is and how it is committed, detected, and resolved.
Analyze financial statements and performance using financial ratio analysis and basic valuation techniques. Learn how changing valuation assumptions influences value estimates and practice methods of communicating your findings.
STEM designation
Our record of excellence and impact attracts motivated, diverse scholars from all over the world: over 120 countries are represented in the W. P. Carey student body alone. As a STEM-designated program, eligible W. P. Carey MACC graduates on student visas have access to an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension for up to 36 months. This longer work authorization term may help international students gain additional skills and experience in the U.S.
Prerequisites
A foundational knowledge of accounting is critical to your success in the MACC program therefore students must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in accounting from an accredited institution or completed either the Pathway Program or Bootcamp.
Pathway for non-accounting students
The School of Accountancy offers a Pathway Program for students with a non-accounting background. Including four foundational courses that you can complete in person or online, the program delivers essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the master’s degree. To get started, simply submit your Pathway Program application.
The School of Accountancy also offers a dynamic MACC/MTax Bootcamp — including three, custom-designed non-credit courses that allow you to complete the foundational program prerequisites 100% online and in a single summer. No matter which option works best for you, our graduate recruiters are available to answer questions and support your next steps.
CPA test prep
Thanks to a W. P. Carey partnership with industry leader Becker CPA Review, you can access a suite of CPA exam prep materials, even before your first class, and at no additional cost! That means you can prepare for and pass the CPA exam while still enrolled in the master’s program, making you a more competitive applicant for opportunities in the short term and providing you a great foundation for the rest of your career.
Faculty
The MACC program is delivered by the School of Accountancy within W. P. Carey, consistently ranked Top 20 in the nation by the Public Accounting Report and accredited by the AACSB since 1987. From former Big Four partners to leading researchers in emerging areas like data analytics and audit innovation, our faculty are deeply invested in student success.
Faculty go beyond teaching fundamentals — offering mentorship, industry insights, and connections that enrich the MACC experience and prepare students to lead in an evolving accounting landscape.