M.S. in Accounting - Taxation Focus
32
Credit Hours
17
Month Completion
Class Type
Next Start Date
Jan 6, 2025
Placement Tests
GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Accreditation
IACBE

Resolve complex tax issues with an online master’s degree in accounting

With a fierce command of the technical and non-technical aspects of accounting, today’s accounting professionals occupy a well-earned place at the management table. Franklin’s 17-month online M.S. in Accounting with a focus in Taxation provides hands-on experience with tax returns, tax research, tax memos and tax planning. Not only will you understand critical tax issues, you’ll emerge with valuable experience in many of a tax professional’s day-to-day responsibilities.

Program Availability

On Site

IACBE Accredited

Our program follows best-practice standards for business education.

Finish Fast

Finish your master's in as few as 17 months.

Real-World Practitioners

Learn best practices from in-field accounting professionals.

M.S. in Accounting Taxation Focus Program Overview

Gain deep knowledge of the primary sources and application of tax law

Franklin’s theory-to-practice M.S. in Accounting with a focus in Taxation builds your familiarity with tax code, regulations, case law and rulings, as well as how they are applied. You’ll be challenged to apply your prior knowledge to various sets of facts to determine relevant outcomes.

Coursework and assignments will prepare you to assist taxpayers in dealing with the IRS in examinations, collections, rulings, etc. Upon completion of your master’s degree and depending upon your undergraduate program, you'll also have the required hours and foundational knowledge needed to sit for professional accounting certification exams, such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, which would qualify you to represent clients at IRS meetings.

Be prepared to handle advanced tax concepts of clients and/or employers

Whether you choose to work in-house for an organization, with an accounting firm or in the public sector, you’ll learn advanced tax concepts, then apply those concepts to properly prepare tax returns and schedules and to identify tax planning opportunities. 

As part of the Taxation focus area, you’ll explore pertinent topics such as corporate and individual taxation, pass-through entities and gift and estate taxes. You’ll be able to draw on your research to understand how various laws apply to specific situations. 

Moreover, Franklin's transfer-friendly Master's in Accounting program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), the leader in outcomes-based accreditation in business, so you know you're earning a respected degree with value in the workplace.

Develop critical-thinking skills necessary to resolve tax questions and disputes 

Throughout the program, you’ll identify tax issues, as well as the questions that must be asked to resolve those tax issues, then create a properly formatted tax communication. 

You’ll get hands-on experience with tools of the trade like the FASB Accounting Standards Codification® database and RIA Checkpoint®, but more importantly, you’ll also practice communicating your findings with confidence and clarity. 

You’ll also learn in small classes led by professors who are in-field practitioners. These interactive courses with peers, who are also professionals who bring expertise in a range of industries, create a valuable professional network and a 360-degree learning environment. 

Transfer up to 12 credits and finish your online master’s in accounting faster

If you have taken graduate-level accounting courses, you may be able to transfer credit and save time and money toward your Franklin master’s degree. Franklin offers course-for-course credit to satisfy elective requirements for the M.S. in Accounting. To see if your previous coursework can be used to satisfy degree requirements, you’ll need to submit a syllabus for the course(s) you’d like to have evaluated for transfer credit. Your admissions advisor will be happy to assist you in any way.  
 

Read more >

Kelly W.

M.S. in Accounting '21

"Earning my master's degree means that I am able to provide a different future for my daughter and shows her the benefits of hard work and education."

International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

The Ross College of Business at Franklin University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page

Click here to see our IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement. 

For more information about the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, please click here or visit www.iacbe.org.

Future Start Dates

Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please request free information & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

Spring 2025
January
6
Recommended Register By:
Dec 27
Spring 2025
February
17
Recommended Register By:
Feb 7
Summer 2025
May
19
Recommended Register By:
May 9
Fall 2025
August
18
Recommended Register By:
Aug 8
Fall 2025
September
29
Recommended Register By:
Sep 19
Spring 2026
January
5
Recommended Register By:
Dec 26
Spring 2026
February
16
Recommended Register By:
Feb 6
Summer 2026
May
18
Recommended Register By:
May 8
Fall 2026
August
17
Recommended Register By:
Aug 7
Fall 2026
September
28
Recommended Register By:
Sep 18

Your Best Value M.S. in Accounting

Choose Franklin's accredited M.S. Accounting and get a high-quality degree that fits your life and your budget. 

Affordable Tuition

$670
PER CREDIT HOUR

Affordable tuition rates for the M.S. in Accounting provide value and quality.

Finish Fast

17
MONTHS TO COMPLETE

Realize your career goals sooner.

Partner? Pay Less.

Search below to see if you could save tuition through an employer or professional organization partnership.

$21,440
Total Tuition
(After Partner Discount)

Tuition Guarantee

Inflation-proof your degree cost by locking-in your tuition rate from day one through graduation.

Highly Recommended

98%
STUDENT SATISFACTION

98% of graduating students would recommend Franklin to their family, friends and/or colleagues.

Source: Franklin University, Office of Career Development Student Satisfaction Survey (Summer 2023)

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Non-Profit = Student Focused

Unlike for-profit universities, Franklin invests in student success, not shareholder gain.

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M.S. in Accounting Taxation Focus Courses & Curriculum

Major Area Required
ACCT 700 - Introduction to Research in Accounting and Taxation (4)

A study of the fundamentals of research processes in accounting and taxation. The primary focus of the course will be on analyzing specific accounting and tax issues and utilizing appropriate accounting and tax authorities to determine appropriate conclusions for decision making. Communication of the research, analysis, and conclusion will be in the format of written and verbal contexts. Professional standards and laws, as well as legal, ethical, and regulatory issues will be introduced.

AND

ACCT 715 - Financial Accounting Theory (4)

A study of financial accounting theory as it relates to decision making in a contemporary, global financial reporting environment. Key areas of concentration include development of accounting theory, international financial accounting standards, revenue recognition, review of financial statements and their components, working capital, income taxes, leases, post-retirement benefits, and business combinations.

ACCT 725 - Management Control Processes & Systems (4)

A management system is a set of policies, processes, and procedures used by an organization to ensure it can fulfill the tasks required to achieve its objectives. During this course, we will analyze various management and leadership systems used by managers to ensure goals and strategies are being implemented throughout the organization. Case analysis and research are emphasized.

ACCT 795 - Accounting Research Seminar (4)

This seminar course will provide students with a capstone experience of their academic studies. Students will research and analyze recent literature, both professional and academic, in accounting, focusing on the impact of current developments in various areas of the accounting profession. Students will also apply accounting research strategies, learned over the course of their studies in the program, to a topic agreed upon by the student and professor. Students will present their research findings to colleagues at the end of the course.

Focus Area

Taxation:

ACCT 751 - Advanced Personal Income Taxation (4)

This course provides a detailed review of the most prominent income, deduction, and credit issues affecting individuals, particularly those affecting high-income or net-worth individuals or those involved in certain specialized transactions. Topics discussed will include: detailed review of certain itemized deductions; the various loss limitation rule provisions, including the passive activity and at-risk loss limitation rules; the treatment of certain business income and expense items, including individual net operating losses; significant equity and property transactions; and the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Substantial emphasis will be placed on key compliance issues and tax planning opportunities for individuals, particularly those involved in investment, business, or other entrepreneurial activities. The class will include numerous components requiring students to apply the tax law to completing tax forms and in performing tax research related to issues in the course.

ACCT 752 - C-Corporation Taxation (4)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental tax principles and consequences of corporate formation, operation, and liquidation to both corporations and their shareholders. Principle topics covered include: corporate formation and capital structure, including the treatment and utilization of debt and the application of Section 351; the taxation of corporate operations, including prominent property transactions, tax incentives and credits, and significant deductions; determination of earnings and profits; the tax treatment of distributions or other payments to shareholders and/or corporate officers; stock redemptions; and corporate liquidations and corporate reorganizations, including mergers, acquisitions, and divisive reorganizations.

ACCT 753 - Pass-Through Entity Taxation (4)

This course covers pass-through entities (partnerships and S-corporations), exempt entities, and family tax planning issues. Partnership topics include partnership formation, operation and basis, distributions, transfer of interests, and terminations. S-corporation taxation focuses on S-Corporation status, operational rules (including taxable income), allocation of income/loss, distributions to shareholders, and basis. Exempt entities are examined including types and characteristics, excise taxes, unrelated business income tax, and reporting requirements. Lastly, the course addresses issues relevant to family tax planning including federal gift and estate taxes, valuation, and income tax concepts. Attention will also be given to practical tax applications including key compliance, reporting issues, and tax planning opportunities.

ACCT 755 - Federal Tax Practice & Procedure (4)

In this course, students are introduced to the responsibilities of practitioners dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. It includes a comprehensive overview of the many aspects of dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in tax matters. Students will gain a full understanding of the organization of the IRS. The major topics addressed in the course are ethical responsibilities, tax examinations by the IRS, audit procedures, the authority of the IRS, assessment procedures, statute of limitations, interest and penalties, the appeals process, the collection process, claims for refund and private letter rulings.

OR

Financial Operations:

ACCT 731 - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (4)

A study of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems used by organizations to integrate information flow through a wide variety of disparate functions. This course involves analyzing how an ERP system works, examining the advantages and risks of ERP systems, and evaluating ERP system implementation strategies. Case analysis is emphasized.

ACCT 732 - Forensic Accounting (4)

A study of the investigative and analytical skills used in preventing, discovering, and resolving financial irregularities in a manner that meets the standards required by applicable laws and/or regulations. The course begins with an examination of the legal fundamentals of forensic accounting followed by an analysis of the key tools and techniques used by forensic accountants. This foundational background is then used in the analysis of common forensic accounting applications. Case analysis is emphasized.

ACCT 733 - Advanced Auditing and Data Analytics (4)

A study of auditing issues from case studies and application of data mining techniques in solving audit issues. Key area of concentration with case studies include client acceptance, understanding client business, audit risk assessment, materiality, fraud considerations, internal control objectives and deficiencies, auditing business processes and related accounts, and professional and ethical responsibilities. Key areas of focus with data mining techniques include application with ACL software tables, filters, and commands; audit planning; test of transactions and test of balances. Students will also explore the use of ACL software for forensic auditing and management reports.

ACCT 734 - Enterprise Risk Analysis & Management (4)

A study of the identification, analysis, measurement, management of operational and financial risk within an organization. Key areas of focus include a historical perspective of risk, the implementation of a risk management program, allocation of capital, and measurement of performance.

Corequisites

Complete one of the following:

ACCT 215 - Financial Accounting (4)

This course is an introduction to accounting, emphasizing how general-purpose financial statements communicate information about the business corporation's performance and position for users external to management. Approximately one third of the course emphasizes how the accountant processes and presents the information and includes exposure to recording transactions, adjusting balances and preparing financial statements for service and merchandise firms according to established rules and procedures. The balance of the course examines major elements of the statements such as cash, receivables, inventory, long-lived assets, depreciation, time value of money, payroll, bonds, and other liabilities and stocks. Concepts of this course are applied to ACCT 225 (Managerial Accounting). Students are advised to avoid any time lapse between these two courses.

ACCT 225 - Managerial Accounting (4)

The study of management accounting for internal reporting and decision-making. The course introduces a business-management approach to the development and use of accounting information. Major topics include cost behavior, cost analysis, profit planning and control measures. Accounting for decentralized operations, capital budgeting decisions, and ethical challenges in managerial accounting are also covered.

OR

OR

ACCT 729 - Financial & Managerial Accounting (4)

Effective leadership in today's complex and highly regulated business environment demands more than a working knowledge of basic accounting practices. Managers must fully grasp sophisticated financial and managerial accounting concepts and be able to apply them with ease in handling day-to-day responsibilities. Managers must also be well versed in the intricacies of corporate governance and asset protection. In this course, students will develop a clear understanding of these critical functions and issues. Students will study the foundational aspects of financial accounting, including professional structure, the interrelationships of financial statements, and multiple forms of financial analysis. Additionally, the functional aspects of managerial accounting will be covered, including planning, decision making, and performance evaluation.

AND

Complete one of the following:

ACCT 310 - Intermediate Accounting I (4)

Intermediate Accounting I is the first of two in-depth financial accounting courses. Theory, the conceptual framework, development of generally accepted accounting principles, and applications are stressed. Topics include the income statement, statement of cash flows and, the balance sheet, specifically the asset accounts.

ACCT 320 - Intermediate Accounting II (4)

This course is the second of two in-depth financial accounting courses. Theory, concepts, and applications are stressed. Topics include time value of money, current and non-current liabilities, leases, deferred taxes, retirement benefits, stockholders' equity, earnings per share, accounting changes and errors, and the statement of cash flows.

OR

OR

ACCT 500 - Intermediate Accounting (4)

This course covers how general purpose financial statements communicate information about the business corporation's performance and position for users external to management. Approximately one third of the course emphasizes how the accountant processes and presents the information and includes exposure to recording transactions, adjusting balances and preparing financial statements for service and merchandise firms according to established rules and procedures. The balance of the course covers the conceptual framework, development of generally accepted accounting principles, and applications are stressed. Topics include the income statement, the statement of cash flows and the balance sheet.

AND

ACCT 470 - Auditing (4)

A study of the planning, evidence gathering, internal control review, sampling, and application of procedures used to audit assets, liabilities, equity and related income statement accounts of a profit-oriented enterprise. Includes an evaluation of the audit profession including professional standards, ethics and liability of CPAs. Also includes a student-prepared audit case for hands-on application of audit procedures. The reporting requirements for compilation and review services and a thorough study of the types of audit opinions will also be studied. In addition, an audit research paper is required.

AND

Complete the above courses or the equivalent from an accredited school. Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better. ACCT 470 is only needed for students taking ACCT 733.

Microcredentials Align with Job Essentials

In today's dynamic work environments, adaptive professionals thrive. A microcredential - either as a stand-alone course or integrated into your degree program - is a short, skill-specific recognition that enables you to demonstrate your competency in a distinct area. Like Franklin's degree programs, microcredentials are aligned with market and industry demand to ensure what you learn can be put to use right away. Microcredentials are easily shared via digital badges and can be stacked to create a unique portfolio of in-demand skills.

M.S. in Accounting - Taxation Focus Program Details

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Employment Outlook

12%

From 2022-2032, jobs in Accounting are expected to increase by 12%

Occupation Median Salary (2022) Job Postings (2022) Projected Growth (2022-2032)
Occupation
Accountants and Auditors $78,000 608,122 12%
Accountants and Auditors
Median Salary: $78,000
Job Postings: 608,122
Projected Growth: 12%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Accountants and Auditors examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Accountants223,28837%
Staff Accountants135,51922%
Tax Accountants28,4415%
Internal Auditors22,9114%
Auditors24,7824%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Accounting373,80083%
Auditing255,43357%
Finance182,37240%
Financial Statements176,52839%
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles134,68930%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services24%
Management of Companies and Enterprises7%
Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals3%
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services3%
State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals3%
Computer Systems Design and Related Services2%
Other58%
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents $57,949 43,921 -2%
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Median Salary: $57,949
Job Postings: 43,921
Projected Growth: -2%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Tax Preparer Assistants5,69513%
Tax Associates7,48317%
Tax Analysts5,93314%
Tax Specialists3,6108%
Payroll Tax Analysts2,5646%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Accounting20,34260%
Tax Returns13,63140%
Auditing10,63031%
Finance8,45625%
Tax Laws8,31325%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Federal Government, Civilian46%
State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals36%
Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals18%
Gambling Industries0%
Other0%

Source: Employment Outlook data is provided by Lightcast. Franklin University cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Accounting Taxation Knowledge & Skillsets

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M.S. in Accounting Taxation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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