Photo Credit: Nina Weinstein
Plymouth State University will now be offering a five-year Master’s program in Accounting. This gives students interested in working in business, or as an accountant, a serious upper hand when it comes to the job market. Having a Master’s degree opens up more doors for students than of their peers who have only earned a Bachelors’ degree. Students are able to start this program their senior year of school.
The Master of Science in Accounting is designed to give students the skills they need to pursue a career as an accountant. Students interested in pursuing licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or certification as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) will also be interested in what this program has to offer. The program will prepare students with course content specifically designed to help prepare them for the demanding certification exams.
“Accounting is a growing field and there is an incredible demand for accountants, but becoming one is not an easy task,” said Trent Boggess, Dean of the College of Business Administration at Plymouth State, “Our motivation for adding the Master of Science in Accounting degree is to create a five-year program that better meets the needs of our students and the state of New Hampshire.”
Recently, the state of New Hampshire has increased the licensing requirements for new CPAs. They are now required to have 150 credit hours, in addition to passing all four sections of their CPA exams. Making it more difficult for aspiring accountants, they also need a year of professional accounting experience prior to earning their certification.
Having a Master’s degree also is a sound economic decision. On average earners with a Master’s degree make $5,000 more a year than those entering the field with only a Bachelor’s. Raising their average starting salary from $46,000 to $51,000.
“What everybody wants to know is, is getting my degree worth it? The answer is yes, particularly in accounting,” said Boggess. “You have to work hard, but you will have a direct path to a good job. Our graduates, because they emerge so well trained, are avidly sought after by accounting firms. Our best students start getting job offers in the fall of their senior year, and virtually all of our accounting graduates get jobs shortly after they graduate.”
Earning the second degree seems totally worth the extra year of school. Plus, who doesn’t want to spend more time in college? To find out more about the program check out the PSU website, or contact Bruce Lyndes, PSU News Services Mgr., (603) 535-2775 or blyndes@plymouth.edu.