Accounting, MACC

School of Accounting, College of Business Administration

Vision Statement

The Master of Accounting (MACC) program at UNO offers graduates an affordable, high-quality graduate education from an AACSB-accounting-accredited institution. Specialized accounting accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) is earned by demonstrating that we meet international standards of excellence relating to delivering and managing undergraduate and graduate accounting programs, and 190 institutions worldwide hold AACSB accounting accreditation. A very practical benefit of having our MACC program AACSB-accounting-accredited is that the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy recognizes AACSB accounting accreditation as “Level 1 accreditation” and accepts the UNO MACC degree, without additional verification, as evidence that our graduates meet all educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam (see Chapter 9 of Rules and Regulations Title-288).

The MACC program is designed for dedicated students with career aspirations demanding a high level of accounting expertise. As such, the program involves both intensive and extensive professional preparation. Our program provides a broad-based preparation for individuals seeking careers in public, private or not-for-profit organizations and also offers focused concentration choices.  For more information regarding career options in accounting, please visit MAcc.unomaha.edu

Program Contact Information

Jennifer Riley, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
Mammel Hall (MH)
6708 Pine Street
402.554.3984
jenriley@unomaha.edu

Program Website

Other Program Related Information

Financial Assistance

MACC students are eligible to apply for graduate scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships and will find information about these opportunities at MAcc.unomaha.edu. Employed applicants should explore tuition reimbursement plans from their employers.

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Program-Specific Admissions Requirements

Application Deadlines (Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024)

Applications for this program are accepted on a rolling basis. All materials must be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student has elected to begin coursework.

Other Requirements

  • Applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of (3.0/4.0) in their undergraduate program. The baccalaureate degree must have been received from a properly accredited institution. If the applicant's undergraduate degree is in accounting, then we further require a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and upper-division accounting GPA. Applicant's with a GPA less than 3.0 may petition for admission after they have submitted a satisfactory GMAT score. 
  • Entrance Exam: Applicants may be admitted by taking the GMAT and scoring at least 550. The student must score at least 26 or in the 40th percentile on the verbal section and 35 or in the 40th percentile on the quantitative section of the GMAT.   

    • GMAT exemptions: Applicants may qualify for a GMAT exemption under one of the following four conditions: 
      • Earned CPA license; OR
      • Successful completion a master's degree in a business field from an AACSB-accredited university; OR
      • ALL of the following must be met:
        • Completion of an undergraduate business degree with a major in accounting from an AACSB-accredited school, AND
        • Upper-division (3000/4000-level) accounting GPA of 3.0 or higher, AND
        • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; OR
      • ALL of the following must be met:
        • Currently working on an undergraduate business degree with a major in accounting from an AACSB-accredited school, AND
        • Earned a minimum of twelve upper-division (3000/4000-level) accounting credit hours with a GPA 3.0 or higher in these accounting courses, AND
        • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, AND
        • Maintaining the accounting and overall GPAs of 3.0 or higher through degree conferral
      • An applicant with an earned bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting from a non-AACSB college or university with 3.0 or higher overall and upper-division accounting GPAs will be evaluated individually for a GMAT waiver. At a minimum this will require evidence of other accreditation credentials and a substantially earned accounting GPA (a minimum of 3.5 in all upper division accounting courses). Additional  evidence may be required. The perspective student must contact the MACC director to submit a request for evaluation.
      • An applicant with an earned bachelor’s degree in a field other than accounting with a 3.0 or higher overall GPA will be evaluated individually for a GMAT waiver. 
      • Credit received for internships is excluded from these calculations of overall and upper-division accounting GPAs.
  • English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.

    • Internet-based TOEFL: 100, IELTS: 7.5, PTE: 68, Duolingo: 130

  • Note: Applicants who have met the admission requirements above, but who have not completed all of the foundation course requirements, will be admitted provisionally. Provisionally admitted students must earn a minimum GPA of B (3.0/4.0) in all foundation courses taken to satisfy the requirements set out in their provisional admittance.  Provisionally admitted students who do not earn a minimum GPA of B (3.0/4.0) in all foundation courses will be immediately dismissed from the MACC program.

Degree Requirements

Foundation Requirements

Accounting is a technical subject and graduate work in the discipline requires a solid understanding of the material covered in the undergraduate curriculum. To make sure our students are adequately prepared we have a list of foundation requirements below. Students may be provisionally accepted to the program before they have completed or attempted any of the foundation requirements. However, admission will be provisional and no graduate-only accounting classes may be taken before the foundation requirements have been successfully completed–except students enrolled in their final Foundation course may elect to enroll in graduate classes that do not require that course as a prerequisite.

Students who have completed the foundation requirements or their equivalents at a properly accredited institution before their application must have an overall GPA of (3.0/4.0) in these courses and earned no grade on any of the foundation courses lower than a C (2.0/4.0).

ACCT 2010PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING I3
ACCT 2020PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING II3
ECON 2200PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS (MICRO)3
ECON 2220PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS (MACRO)3
BSAD 2130PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS STATISTICS3
ACCT 3020BASIC FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION3
ACCT 3030INTERMEDIATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING I3
ACCT 3040INTERMEDIATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING II3
ACCT 3050INTERMEDIATE MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 3080ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS3
ACCT 4080PRINCIPLES OF AUDITING3
Total Credits33

Note: ECON 1200 may substitute for ECON 2200 and ECON 2220. Contact the Director of the MAcc Program. 

Degree Requirements

The basic structure of the MACC program is as follows:

  • 15 credit hours of Accounting Core Courses
  • 6 credit hours of Contemporary Business Environment Courses
  • 9 credit hours of Elective Courses

Students select one of the four concentration areas. The choice will determine the courses to be completed within the three sections above.

Exit Requirement

  • Comprehensive Examination

Other Program-Related Information

Transfer credits: All transfer credits must be approved by the Director of the MACC Program. A maximum of 6 credit hours may be considered, and must be earned at an AACSB-accredited institution.

Concentrations 

Financial Reporting and Auditing Concentration

Required Core Courses: choose from three of the four courses below 19
ACCT 8090INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITING3
ACCT 8210FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING THEORY3
ACCT 8050FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS3
ACCT 8290ADVANCED FINANCIAL AUDITING3
Choose from two of the six courses listed below or from the above courses not taken6
ACCT 8230MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ISSUES3
ACCT 8220GRADUATE TOPICS IN INCOME TAXATION3
ACCT 8250SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 8260FEDERAL TAX RESEARCH AND PLANNING3
ACCT 8080CURRENT TECHNOLOGY USE IN ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 8280SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS3
Contemporary Business Environment Courses (6 hours) 4
BSAD 8000BUSINESS ETHICS: ACHIEVING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY2
BSAD 8700BUSINESS ANALYTICS: MAKING SENSE OF DATA2
BSAD 8720STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT2
Designated Electives 59
ACCT 8046ADVANCED FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION3
ACCT 8016ADVANCED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 8076GOVERNMENTAL/NONPROFIT ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING3
Total Credits30

Generalist Concentration

Required Core Courses
Select five of the following: 115
ACCT 8050FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS3
ACCT 8080CURRENT TECHNOLOGY USE IN ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 8090INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITING3
ACCT 8210FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING THEORY3
ACCT 8220GRADUATE TOPICS IN INCOME TAXATION3
ACCT 8230MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ISSUES3
ACCT 8250SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING 23
ACCT 8260FEDERAL TAX RESEARCH AND PLANNING3
ACCT 8280SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS3
ACCT 8290ADVANCED FINANCIAL AUDITING3
Required Contemporary Business Environment Courses (6 hours) 4
BSAD 8000BUSINESS ETHICS: ACHIEVING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY2
BSAD 8700BUSINESS ANALYTICS: MAKING SENSE OF DATA2
BSAD 8720STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT2
Designated Electives 5
ACCT 8046ADVANCED FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION3
Electives
In consultation with the MACC advisor, select 6 credit hours of additional graduate work.6
Total Credits30

Information Analysis Concentration

Required Core Courses- Choose three of the four courses below 19
ACCT 8090INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITING3
ACCT 8080CURRENT TECHNOLOGY USE IN ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 8280SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS3
ACCT 8290ADVANCED FINANCIAL AUDITING3
Choose two of the six courses listed below or from the above courses not taken6
ACCT 8210FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING THEORY3
ACCT 8220GRADUATE TOPICS IN INCOME TAXATION3
ACCT 8230MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ISSUES3
ACCT 8050FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS3
ACCT 8250SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 8260FEDERAL TAX RESEARCH AND PLANNING3
Contemporary Business Environment Courses (6 hours) 4
BSAD 8000BUSINESS ETHICS: ACHIEVING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY2
BSAD 8700BUSINESS ANALYTICS: MAKING SENSE OF DATA2
BSAD 8720STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT2
Designated Electives 5
ACCT 8046ADVANCED FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION3
Electives
In consultation with the MACC advisor, 6 credit hours of additional graduate work may be selected. 6
Total Credits30

Strategic Management Accounting Concentration

Required Core Courses: choose three of the four courses below: 19
ACCT 8230MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ISSUES3
ACCT 8050FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS3
ACCT 8080CURRENT TECHNOLOGY USE IN ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 8280SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS3
Choose from two of the six courses listed below or from the above course not taken6
ACCT 8090INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITING3
ACCT 8210FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING THEORY3
ACCT 8220GRADUATE TOPICS IN INCOME TAXATION3
ACCT 8250SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 8260FEDERAL TAX RESEARCH AND PLANNING3
ACCT 8290ADVANCED FINANCIAL AUDITING3
Contemporary Business Environment courses (6 hours) 4
BSAD 8000BUSINESS ETHICS: ACHIEVING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY2
BSAD 8700BUSINESS ANALYTICS: MAKING SENSE OF DATA2
BSAD 8720STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT2
Designated Electives 56
ACCT 8046ADVANCED FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION3
ACCT 8066ADVANCED MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING3
Electives
In consultation with the MACC advisor, select three credit hours of additional graduate coursework. 3
Total Credits30

Electives

Students may select a minor in an area of interest. A minor usually requires 9 credit hours (no 8—6 courses) and the permission of the minor department/school.

A maximum of 9 credit hours of "8--6" (dual-level) courses may be included in the MACC program of study.  Courses completed as undergraduates cannot be repeated for graduate credit.

All MACC students must have completed or complete a course with approved coverage of governmental and nonprofit topics in either their undergraduate or graduate program. UNO courses that meet this requirement include ACCT 4070 as a part of an undergraduate degree; or ACCT 8076 or ACCT 8090 as a part of this graduate MACC degree. 

1

Transfer credit will not be accepted to meet the required Core Courses.

2

ACCT 8250 topics may vary. A student may take ACCT 8250 twice if the topics covered are different.

3

ACCT 8910 (Independent Study) has special requirements that can be found on your Plan of Study. ACCT 8910 is used very infrequently to meet MACC degree requirements. 

4

Students who have completed graduate courses in one or more of these areas must, in consultation with their MACC advisor, select another non-accounting graduate course(s).

5

If the designated elective has been completed as an undergraduate, another advisor-approved elective will replace it. Consult your advisor for more information.

Academic Performance

In addition to the Quality of Work Standards required by the UNO Graduate College, MACC students may repeat only once any ACCT 8--0 or ACCT 8--6 level course in which they receive any grade, including "W" or "I".

Students earning a third grade of "C+" or below  (or any single grade of "C- "(1.67 on a 4.0 scale) will be automatically dismissed from the MACC program. Dismissed students will be immediately administratively withdrawn from all courses in which they are enrolled for MACC credit in any subsequent semester or summer session until reinstatement has been granted by the MACC graduate program committee (MACC GPC).

Students who have been dismissed from the MACC program may submit a written petition for reinstatement to the MACC GPC. Students who have petitioned the MACC GPC for reinstatement may not enroll in any courses for MACC credit. Upon receiving a petition for reinstatement, the MACC GPC will evaluate the student's petition. As part of the reinstatement petitioning process, the MACC GPC reserves the right to examine the student's academic record and reserves the right to speak to any previous instructor who has taught the student, and this information may be used by the MACC GPC in the reinstatement decision. Information provided by previous instructors will not be shared with the student. Reinstatement is a privilege, and not all students who are dismissed will be reinstated. Students who have been reinstated will be subject to reinstatement conditions as specified by the MACC GPC.  These reinstatement conditions may include retaking one or more courses in which the student must earn a grade of "B" (3.0) or higher (the exact grade requirements for retaken courses may in fact be higher than "B" (3.0)). Students not achieving the reinstatement conditions will be automatically dismissed with no additional opportunity for reinstatement.

ACCT 8016  ADVANCED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

Specialized issues in financial accounting. Principal topics include business combinations and consolidated financial statements, partnership accounting, translation of foreign currency financial statements, accounting for foreign currency denominated transactions, and SEC reporting requirements. (Cross-listed with ACCT 4010).

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 3030 and ACCT 3040 with a grade of "C+" (2.33) or better in each. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8046  ADVANCED FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION (3 credits)

Analysis of various advanced tax issues, such as accounting methods, property transactions, and formation, operation, and liquidation of C-corporations, S-corporations and partnerships. (Cross-listed with ACCT 4040).

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 3020 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8050  FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS (3 credits)

Using the financial statement and supplemental information as inputs, this course utilizes a systematic fundamental analysis approach across a variety of decision-making contexts to understand how a business generates value for shareholders.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. ACCT 3040 with a "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8066  ADVANCED MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

Intensive study and discussion of the responsibilities of managerial accountants in the decision-making process in organizations and the consequences of the manner in which they use cost accounting information in decision-making. (Cross-listed with ACCT 4060).

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 3050 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8076  GOVERNMENTAL/NONPROFIT ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING (3 credits)

Study of budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and auditing in governmental and nonprofit entities. (Cross-listed with ACCT 4070).

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 3030 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8080  CURRENT TECHNOLOGY USE IN ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

This course will cover tools and methods that facilitate business analytic techniques, with a focus on current and emerging technology. This may include tools for databases, spreadsheets, robotic process automation, data mining, artificial intelligence, and others.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. Successful completion of BSAD 8110, ACCT 2020, or equivalent. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8090  INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITING (3 credits)

This course presents a broad overview of the professional practice of information systems audit, emphasizing control and audit procedures related to security along with Information Technology General Controls. Content studied will include professional standards, guidelines, and procedures promulgated by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 4080 with a grade of C (2.0) or better. Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8210  FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING THEORY (3 credits)

The development of accounting, current accounting theory and present controversies and suggested theory and practice.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3040. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8220  GRADUATE TOPICS IN INCOME TAXATION (3 credits)

This course will discuss commonly encountered tax issues such as gift and estate taxation, income taxation of estates and trusts, and exempt organizations, as well discuss current events while introducing the student to practitioner-oriented research publications.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. ACCT 4040 or ACCT 8046 with a "C" (2.0) or better, or concurrent enrollment in ACCT 4040 or ACCT 8046. Not open to non-degree students.

ACCT 8230  MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ISSUES (3 credits)

An analysis of information to assist managers in determining successful strategies, developing those strategies into plans and controlling operating activities to achieve strategic goals.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. ACCT 3050 or BSAD 8210 with a "C" (2.0) of better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8250  SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

A study of a specific area within the accounting discipline. Possible areas include: auditing, financial, managerial, systems and tax. May be repeated, but no area can be taken more than once.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA programs or permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree students.

ACCT 8260  FEDERAL TAX RESEARCH AND PLANNING (3 credits)

This course is intended to provide students with a working knowledge of the primary and secondary tax resources used in practice to solve tax problems, as well as basic tax planning concepts.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. ACCT 4040 or ACCT 8046 with a "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree students.

ACCT 8280  SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS (3 credits)

This course examines current topics in Accounting Information Systems (AIS), how AIS contributes to business effectiveness and ineffectiveness, and the interaction between AIS and human decision-makers.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. Successful completion of BSAD 8110, ACCT 2020, or equivalent. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8290  ADVANCED FINANCIAL AUDITING (3 credits)

This course will provide students with an intense study of financial auditing in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 4080 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better.

ACCT 8900  INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (1-3 credits)

This is an independent research course in which the student completes a focused project, typically individual research, under faculty supervision to supplement graduate study in a specific area within the Accounting discipline.

Prerequisite(s): Completed contract and permission needed from director of MACC program. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8910  SPECIAL TOPICS IN ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

A variable content course with accounting topics based on student and faculty interest. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) hours.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc program and permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.