Accounting professionals looking to pursue an advanced degree typically weigh two paths, both of which can satisfy the 150-semester-hour coursework requirement for CPA licensure: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a track in Accounting or a Master of Accountancy (MAcc). While both degrees open the door to certification, they each prepare graduates for very different careers.

The biggest difference is in the scope of leadership preparation each degree program provides.  Longwood University’s online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a track in Accounting program pairs accounting coursework with broad business training, while Master of Accountancy programs primarily focus on technical skills. This article explores how each degree program prepares professionals for specific roles, CPA preparation and long-term career growth.

What Is the Difference Between an MBA in Accounting and a MAcc?

Understanding where the two degree programs align — and where they diverge — can help professionals choose the path that best fits their goals. They overlap in several areas but differ in scope:

  • MAcc: Concentrates on technical accounting knowledge across auditing, taxation, financial reporting and assurance. Coursework is designed to deepen specialist expertise.
  • MBA with an accounting track: Layers specialized accounting training on top of core business coursework in economics, finance, leadership, marketing and information technology.

Both degree programs help candidates meet the 150-semester-hour coursework requirement that most states require for CPA licensure, making either program a viable path for professionals preparing for the CPA exam. The more consequential question for most candidates is not which degree satisfies the requirement, but which one best positions them for the career they want.

MBA vs. MAcc: How Career Paths Differ

A MAcc program tends to be the stronger credential for technical accounting careers, including public accounting, audit practice and tax advisory roles, where deep subject matter expertise matters most to employers. For professionals whose goals center on mastering the discipline itself rather than managing accounting activities from an executive level, a MAcc is typically a more direct route.

An MBA with an accounting track provides a foundation for those aiming whose long-term goals involve corporate finance leadership trajectories like controller, financial director, vice president of finance and chief financial officer (CFO). These roles require managerial accounting skills along with cross-functional fluency in organizational strategy, operations and people management.

Why Aspiring Finance Leaders Choose an MBA in Accounting

Research from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) emphasizes that CFOs and finance leaders are expected to serve as strategic business partners, balancing ownership of financial data with active contribution to organizational growth and leadership. Longwood’s MBA with a track in Accounting program prepares students to excel in these types of positions.

Graduates of the program are equipped with the skill set corporate finance leadership roles increasingly demand. The curriculum combines accounting-focused courses in financial analysis, auditing, taxation and strategic decision-making with courses that hone business management skills in key areas including economics, finance, marketing and leadership.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for accountants in 2024 was $81,680, with 5% employment growth projected through 2034. However, the compensation and career growth picture for financial managers is substantially stronger than for accountants alone. Financial managers — which includes controllers, treasurers and CFOs — earned a median annual wage of $161,700 in 2024, with employment projected to grow 15% through 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, per BLS.

Which Degree Program Best Aligns With Your Career Goals?

Choosing the right degree program is less about where you are in your career today and more about what position you want to hold five or ten years from now. When deciding between a MAcc and an MBA in accounting, consider your long-term career aspirations:

  • Choose a MAcc if your goal is to deepen your technical skills and specialize in public accounting, tax advisory, auditing, financial planning or consulting.
  • Choose an MBA in accounting if your long-term goal is corporate financial leadership, CFO-track advancement or any position that combines accounting fluency with the ability to manage teams and advise at the executive level.

For professionals whose ambitions extend beyond the technical aspects of the discipline, the business acumen developed in an MBA program offers graduates a significant competitive advantage. While technical expertise remains important, strategic thinking and business management skills prepare professionals to help shape the direction of an organization.

Prepare for Finance Leadership Roles With an Online MBA From Longwood University

The distinction between a MAcc and an MBA in accounting is straightforward: a MAcc helps accounting specialists sharpen their technical skills while an MBA in accounting cultivates broader business skills, positioning graduates for advancement to management and C-suite roles. By combining core accounting coursework with training in leadership, strategy and business operations, Longwood University’s online MBA with a track in Accounting program prepares graduates for a range of roles where accounting expertise and business acumen converge. Offered through Longwood’s AACSB-accredited College of Business and Economics, it is the only AACSB-accredited MBA program in the entire southeast region of the U.S. with tuition less than $14,000 — lower than the new federal loan threshold. This significantly enhances a student’s return on investment.

Featuring pay-by-the-course tuition, multiple start dates per year and a 100% online format, the program is designed for working professionals looking to gain specialized skills and credentials on a flexible schedule. Students can study at their own pace while balancing professional and personal responsibilities and complete the program in as few as 10 months.

Learn more about Longwood University’s online MBA with a track in Accounting program.