The MSA/MST joint degree program prepares students for successful professional careers in accounting, tax and financial management in several contexts.

The program provides concepts, technical knowledge and skills for immediate effectiveness, and also establishes a basis for continual development as careers evolve.

The subject matter of the program is presented in a strategic framework, with a view to preparing graduates to function effectively as advisors to or members of senior management teams. The program allows students to develop a broad knowledge of taxation and enhanced expertise in the practice of taxation and tax advising.

The program is designed for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in accounting, or who feel their accounting training needs updating. The program will qualify the student to sit for the CPA exam in Massachusetts. The ideal candidate will desire in-depth knowledge in both accounting and taxation.

In the joint MSA/MST degree, some electives are used to meet core requirements. In this way, you can earn two degrees in less time and with four fewer classes than if taking the both degrees separately.

The MSA/MST consists of 54-81 credits:

Management Preparation Courses* - 18 Credits

MBA 600 Experiential
MBA 610 Organizational Behavior
MBA 620 Statistical Methods
MBA 625 Operations Management
MBA 630 Economic Analysis for Managers
MBA 640 Corporate Financial Reporting & Control
MBA 650 Value-Based Financial Management
MBA 660 Marketing: The Challenge of Managing Value
MBA 670 Information Management for Competitive Advantage
MBA 680 Managing in the Ethical and Legal Environment

*These courses may be waived with credit on basis of performance in appropriate courses taken previously.

Tax and Accounting Preparation Courses* - 9 Credits

TAX 801 Issues in Federal Taxation I
ACCT 801 Graduate Financial Accounting I
ACCT 804 Cost Information, Decision and Control

*These courses may be waived with credit on basis of performance in appropriate courses taken previously.

Accounting Core Courses** - 15 Credits

ACCT 802 Graduate Financial Accounting II
ACCT 803 Graduate Financial Accounting III
ACCT 824 Corporate Financial Reporting & Analysis
ACCT 825 Corporate Financial Planning & Control
ACCT 865 Technology and Financial Information Systems

**These courses may be waived on basis of performance in appropriate courses taken previously and an elective substituted.

Tax Core Courses** - 15 Credits

TAX 861 Tax Research
TAX 862 Taxation of Corporations
TAX 863 Taxation of Pass-through Entities
TAX 864 Tax Practice and Procedures
TAX 871 Taxation of Estates, Trusts and Gifts

**These courses may be waived on basis of performance in appropriate courses taken previously and an elective substituted.

Electives - 12 Credits

Students  select four (4) electives from tax, accounting, or any other 800-level course offered in the Business School, provided prerequisites are met. At least two must be TAX. Students planning to take the CPA examinations must choose ACCT 805 as an elective; see MSA and MST programs for career elective.

Integrative global and capstone courses** - 12 Credits

MBA 780 Managing in the Global Environment
ACCT 861 Leadership in the Financial Professions
ACIB 872 Multinational Financial Analysis and Control
TAX 876 Tax Policy

**These courses may be waived on basis of performance in appropriate courses taken previously and an elective substituted.