In the MSADA and certificate programs, students can gain essential skills that in-demand accounting professionals need
in today's data-rich environment. The MSADA offers concentrations in CPA applied accounting,
advanced analytics for accountants, essentials of leadership, or taxation. The Advanced
Analytics for Accountants Concentration is a STEM-designated degree program.
Plus, graduate certificates are available in Accounting Data & Analytics, Accounting Foundations, Advanced Analytics for Accountants, and CPA Applied Accounting.
The MSADA program provides academic credit that may be used to meet the education
requirement for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure. The Concentration in
CPA Applied Accounting offers live instruction and a structured, supportive environment
to study for the CPA exam. For state-specific CPA requirements, visit the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited US institution
or the equivalent from a recognized foreign (outside the US) institution, and provide
official transcripts.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirements.
- Applicants who earned a CPA license can waive the English Language requirement.
- Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.00 should submit a statement of purpose
and a resume.
The statement of purpose should address the circumstances that may have led the applicants
to poor academic performance, what had changed and why they think they'll be successful
now.
PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
Math Proficiency
Intermediate Algebra (Math 20); See Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Requirement for more information.
Economics Proficiency Requirement
ECON 1 or ECON 2.
ACCOUNTING FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS — 15 UNITS
Accounting foundation requirements will be waived for those students who have passed
the U.S. CPA examination. Additionally, individual courses will be waived for students
who completed them at GGU, or who completed comparable courses at other regionally
accredited degree granting institutions, with grades of “B” or better.
- ACCTG 1A
- Introductory Financial Accounting (3 units)
- ACCTG 1B
- Introductory Managerial Accounting (3 units)
- ACCTG 200A
- Intermediate Accounting I (3 units)
- ACCTG 200B
- Intermediate Accounting II (3 units)
- ACCTG 211
- Auditing
The Master of Science in Accounting Data & Analytics (MSADA) program requires completion
of: a minimum of 30 units (18 units in the advanced program and 12 units of elective
coursework or the completion of a concentration); completion of 6 units of proficiency
coursework and 15 units of accounting foundation courses or an undergraduate degree
in Accounting; with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or better in courses
taken at Golden Gate University that are applicable to the program’s requirements.
For further information regarding graduation requirements, see Degree Requirements
for Graduate Programs.
All course prerequisites must be satisfied prior to enrolling in a given course and
are indicated in the the course description for each course. Individual proficiency
and foundation program courses may be waived for students who have an undergraduate
degree in Accounting or who have previously completed comparable courses at a regionally
accredited college or university. Students may not enroll in advanced program courses
until they have completed the entire foundation program. Courses listed carry three
semester units of credit unless otherwise noted.
Visit the Admissions Requirements tab for information on math and economics course
proficiencies and accounting foundations courses.
ADVANCED PROGRAM — 18 UNITS
CORE REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS
- ACCTG 300
- Accounting Research & Communication (3 units)
- ACCTG 336
- Introduction to Data Analytics for Accountants
- ACCTG 339
- Automation and Innovative Technologies
- ACCTG 351C
- Analysis of Financial Information for Accountants
CORE ELECTIVE COURSES — 6 UNITS
Select two ACCTG 300-level courses.
ELECTIVE COURSES — 12 UNITS
Students may select any four ACCTG 300-level courses, excluding those required for
the Advanced Program requirement listed above. Students can take ACCTG 398 Internship:
Accounting for up to 6 units toward this requirement.
CONCENTRATIONS
- Advanced Analytics for Accountants
- CPA Applied Accounting
- Essentials of Leadership
- Taxation
Students may declare up to two concentrations in a given degree program. Students
seeking to declare more than two concentrations will be required to appeal to the
dean for approval. Students’ diplomas will list the concentrations that they had successfully
completed at the time their degrees were conferred. Students may not declare additional
concentrations after their degrees have been conferred.
CONCENTRATIONS
Students may declare up to two concentrations in a given degree program. Students
seeking to declare more than two concentrations will be required to appeal to the
dean for approval. Students’ diplomas will list the concentrations that they had successfully
completed at the time their degrees were conferred. Students may not declare additional
concentrations after their degrees have been conferred.
This concentration is designed for accounting and tax professionals who seek to use
analytics to improve strategic planning and decision-making. Students will expand
their knowledge of data analytics through the practical application of business tools
increasingly used in the accounting profession. Building upon the topics covered in
the introductory course on data analytics for accountants, students will gain key
skills utilized in the analysis and communication of business accounting data. Topics
covered in this concentration include statistical analysis through the utilization
of programming languages Python and R; relational data bases, data-mining, and business
intelligence systems; and effective communication through the use of visualization
tools. This program is a STEM-designated degree program.
CORE REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS
- ACCTG 319
- Accounting Information Systems
- ACCTG 335
- Visualization of Accounting & Tax Data
- ACCTG 340
- Advanced Automation
- ACCTG 341
- Emerging Technology in Tax and Accounting
Students may substitute one of the above courses with the course below with permission
of the Dean.
- ACCTG 398
- Internship: Accounting
This concentration provides students with the necessary courses to prepare them for
the core accounting topics covered on the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exams.
Each course will utilize a combination of live lecture, recorded lectures, task-based
simulations, and simulated exams, and include materials from a major CPA exam review
program. The courses are designed to use analytics to measure student success and
help focus classroom time on more complex or difficult to understand topics. Each
course will incorporate graduate level exploration and analysis of case studies and
practice-based examples to further students’ understanding of the concepts covered.
REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS
- ACCTG 377
- Financial Accounting and Reporting
- ACCTG 378
- Business Environments and Concepts
- ACCTG 379
- Accounting and Tax Regulations
- ACCTG 380
- Auditing and Attestation
This concentration is intended to meet the needs of those who have studied accounting
and wish to further specialize in the field of taxation. By requiring an extensive
focus on taxation, this concentration develops significant tax knowledge as part of
a program that includes creation of a strong accounting foundation. The concentration
courses are in tax research, federal income taxation, and property transactions.
REQUIRED COURSES — 9 UNITS
- TA 318
- Advanced Federal Income Taxation
- TA 329
- Tax Research and Decision Making
- TA 330
- Property Transactions
ELECTIVES — 3 UNITS
Select 3 units of TA course(s), which may include TA 398 Internship: Taxation.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Graduates of the Master of Science in Accounting Data & Analytics (MSADA) program
will be able to:
- Identify accounting issues, research and effectively communicate the results orally
and in writing.
- Demonstrate a defined body of knowledge of essential accounting principles and doctrines.
- Critically apply accounting principles to practical situations and to adapt to changing
work environments.
- Make effective accounting decisions in an increasingly analytics and technology driven
environment.
- Understand the business, legal, professional, and ethical context for a career as
a professional accountant, including the ability to identify and appropriately act
when ethical dilemmas are encountered.
- Demonstrate experience and skill in accomplishing objectives through collaboration
and the use of technology tools increasing used in the accounting profession.
We are delighted that you are interested in the programs offered by the School of
Accounting. Golden Gate University has been preparing accounting professionals for
over 100 years, and our graduates are in positions of leadership in numerous public
accounting firms and major corporations.
Our accounting program is highly relevant and focuses on skills that are in high demand.
Included are concentrations aimed at helping you pass the CPA exam, developing leadership
skills or advanced accounting analytics skills, or to gain a deeper understanding
of taxation. Our programs, which are fully accredited by the Western Association
of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), are available
both at our main San Francisco campus and online.
Should you have any questions about the School of Accounting, please feel free to
contact us.
Amy B. McLellan, J.D., LL.M.
Dean, Graduate Programs (Business, Tax, Accounting)
Director, LL.M. Taxation & Estate Planning
