Top 10 One-Year Master's in Accounting Programs for 2026

Various schools offer a one-year master's in accounting online, enabling students to earn their degree faster through an accelerated full-time program. While a master's degree program is traditionally two years in length, more schools are offering flexible programs to fit the needs of students. Continue reading to explore the top one-year accounting master's programs.

How Fast Can I Earn a Master's in Accounting?

The time it takes to complete an accounting master's degree depends on several factors, including the number of required classes and the number of classes taken per semester. Many programs require 30 to 36 credit hours, which translates to 10 to 12 classes. Students with relevant prior coursework can reduce this requirement by transferring credits into the master's program.

A full-time graduate student usually takes nine or 12 credit hours each semester, and can complete the 30 to 36 credits in three or four semesters. Unlike traditional academic years that primarily require enrollment in the fall and spring semesters, modern online programs utilize the summer months so that students can complete more courses in a calendar year. This enables students to complete the 30 to 36 credit hours in as little as one year.

Best One-Year Master's in Accounting Programs

More institutions are offering online graduate programs in accounting, but not all of them offer flexibility or accelerated options. Some one-year programs are designed for students with an accounting bachelor's degree, but many are available to students with bachelor's degrees in various non-accounting fields. Below, we discuss the top 10 accounting master's programs that can be completed in one year or less of full-time study.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has a 30-credit Master of Science (MS) in accounting that can be completed online. Courses are 10 weeks in length and include topics like auditing, business analytics, cost accounting, and federal income tax.

Students can choose the enrollment that fits their goals, spreading the 10 required courses across as few as four terms (one year).

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit
• Financial aid: SNHU offers scholarships and military discounts, and accepts outside sources of financial aid.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has an online MS in accounting that offers flexibility and advanced skill-building. Students can complete the 30 credit hours in as little as one year, through eight-week and 16-week class terms. Coursework explores concepts such as corporate taxes, ethics in accounting, accounting theory, and managerial cost accounting.

• Estimated tuition cost: $480 per credit
• Financial aid: There are several types of institutional scholarships available, as well as resources for other financial aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

3. Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College offers a flexible, online MS in accounting that meets the requirements for CPA licensure preparation. Within the 30-credit curriculum, students take classes in operations research, advanced accounting theory, legal considerations, international accounting, and managerial economics. Students can complete in as little as one year and provides access to multiple professional opportunities through events and partnerships.

• Estimated tuition cost: $470 per credit (in-state); $565 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: The school awards hundreds of in-house awards to students each year, including graduate awards.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); AACSB

4. The University of Scranton

The University of Scranton has an online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that accepts students with non-accounting bachelor's degrees and prepares them for roles in accounting. The 30-credit program offers two concentration options: accounting analytics and accounting. Students can study at their own pace and learn about concepts such as financial management, regulatory implications, taxation, and accounting ethics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $895 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for military or employer benefits, as well as use various types of aid from outside sources.
• Accreditation: MSCHE, AACSB

5. University of Michigan - Flint

University of Michigan - Flint offers an online, asynchronous MS in accounting that consists of 30 to 36 credits, depending on prior coursework. Students with an AACSB-accredited bachelor's degree can waive foundational courses and finish in as few as 10 months, but the program is open to students of various academic backgrounds. No graduate entrance exam is required for admission (GMAT or GRE).

• Estimated tuition cost: $875 per credit (in-state); $1,092 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Students can apply for several in-house scholarships, including school-wide options and program-specific awards.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), AACSB

6. Liberty University

Liberty University has a 30-credit MS in accounting that offers seven concentration options, including taxation, financial services, business, and forensic accounting. The asynchronous, eight-week course delivery format enables students to complete their coursework in as few as 10 months. Core courses include advanced auditing, ethics, cost accounting, and business law for accounting.

• Estimated tuition cost: $580 per credit; $290 per credit (military)
• Financial aid: Liberty offers discounts for military, first responders, and small business personnel, as well as scholarship options.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Regis University

Regis University offers an MS in accounting that prepares non-accountants for CPA licensure as well as deepens the prior knowledge of those already working in accounting roles. The 30-credit program can be completed in one year through eight-week course terms, and offers six start dates each year.

Students can choose from four specialization options, including managerial accounting, IT accounting, and financial accounting.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,066 per credit
• Financial aid: Accounting students are eligible for a program-specific scholarship and can apply for other institutional awards.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has an accelerated online MAcc program that can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment. Students take seven-week classes such as IT in accounting, data analytics, and professional ethics. More than half of the curriculum is composed of student-selected electives, with options like environmental reporting and estate accounting.

• Estimated tuition cost: $472 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for various types of aid, including in-house graduate scholarships and assistantships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Stetson University

Stetson University offers an online MAcc that consists of 30 credit hours and meets CPA educational requirements. Eight-week term lengths enable students to finish the program in less than one year, by taking two classes during each term (totaling four per overall semester). Coursework can include advanced auditing, non-profit accounting, business law, and contemporary issues in accounting.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,097 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for various institutional scholarships, including awards based on merit, service, and essay submission.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB

10. Shorter University

Shorter University has an MAcc program that students can complete entirely online in as little as one year. Students complete 30 credit hours of coursework, including classes like managerial accounting, assurance service, current issues in accounting, and ethical considerations.

The program is designed for students with a bachelor's in accounting or a related field, but those with other degrees can complete bridge courses to become eligible for the MAcc program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $576 per credit
• Financial aid: Shorter University offers multiple in-house scholarships, including options based on merit, GPA, and need.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, ACBSP

How We Rank Schools

Our team reviews many different schools, including private and public institutions, to find those that offer the best programs for our list. We use criteria such as accreditation, cost, quality, and length to select which programs to feature.

• Accreditation: All of the schools listed are accredited, which indicates that they surpass various academic criteria set by accrediting bodies.
• Program length: Each of the featured programs can be completed in one year or less of full-time study without transferring credits.
• Affordability: Tuition rates for these programs are around the average cost for graduate programs or less, so students have access to more affordable options.

FAQs About 12-Month Master's in Accounting Programs

If you are thinking about pursuing an accelerated master's degree in accounting, consider what features you are hoping for and find the programs that meet your needs. For example, do you prefer fully asynchronous coursework or would you like to have scheduled virtual class sessions? The FAQs below address the most-asked questions about accelerated accounting master's programs.

Can I Get My Master's in Accounting in Six Months?

Completing an accounting master's degree is possible in two scenarios: transferring in enough credits to reduce your requirements, or through a heavier courseload than traditional full-time students have. For example, you would need to take 15 credits within each semester to complete a 30-credit program.

How Much Does a One-Year Accounting Master's Degree Cost?

The cost depends on fees and tuition, as well as how many credits you take. A 30-credit program with a $500 per-credit tuition rate would have a total tuition cost of $15,000 as well as various fees. You can ask for full program estimates from the schools that you are considering.

Is an Accelerated Master's in Accounting Worth It?

Whether an accounting master's is worth it or not depends on your career goals. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), master's degree graduates earn an average of 20% more per year than those with a bachelor's degree.

Do One-Year Master's in Accounting Programs Prepare You for the CPA Exam?

The short answer is yes, but you should check with each school that you are considering. To be eligible to take the CPA exam, you have to meet specific educational requirements. Schools typically specify if a program meets those educational requirements (including most programs featured here).

Are Accelerated Accounting Master's Degrees Harder Than Traditional Programs?

Accelerated accounting master's programs aren't necessarily harder than traditional programs. Your course load per term might be heavier than some traditional programs (depending on term length), but the flexible online format provides easier access and interactions.

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