Accelerate Your Accounting Career
Earn Your CPA License
The Katz MS in Accounting program is tailored to help you achieve CPA certification the first time. Our students have a first-time pass rate of 73.5%, compared to the Pennsylvania state and national averages of 52.9%.
Each term, MS in Accounting students are asked to assist the AICPA in a field test of the CPA exam. Students can sit for a specific section of the exam in a test environment, to try questions that could be used on a future CPA exam. Few schools give this opportunity.
To become a licensed CPA in most states, students must complete 150 academic credit hours (36 credits accounting), have one year of work experience (1,600) hours, and pass the CPA exam (4 parts). Many states additionally require that the academic credit hours include the achievement of a master’s degree.
The Future Accountant
Technology is becoming more important for the future of business. MS in Accounting students are encouraged to participate in professional development workshops such as the Business Analytics Speaker Series, Introduction to Python programming, among others, to enhance technical skills. Students can also choose to complete the BQOM 2501 Enterprise Systems course, which offers students the opportunity to take the SAP/TS410 Certification exam on the last day of class.
Become a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
Katz is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Affiliate.
Learn more about the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.
Student Clubs
Interested MS in Accounting students are also encouraged to participate in related professional development activities:
- Katz Finance Club
- Wall Street Prep workshop hosted by Katz
- University of Pittsburgh Accounting Association
- Beta Alpha Psi
- Business Technology Club
- Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) – Pittsburgh Chapter
CPA Licensing Requirements
In 2009, Pennsylvania adopted CPA licensure guidelines similar to other states. To become a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania, students must complete 150 academic credit hours, have one year of work experience (1,600 hours), and pass the CPA Exam. According to the NASBA 2012 Uniform CPA Examination School Performance results, first-time test takers from the University of Pittsburgh who completed the CPA exam within one year of graduation, boast a 75% pass rate, compared to an average pass rate of 61% by all Pennsylvania Institutions. The Katz MAcc program strives to improve the pass rate by teaching elements of the CPA exam not customarily covered at the undergraduate level, such as governmental and nonprofit accounting.
What degree do I need?
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy (SBOA)
How many credits do I need to complete?
Students must complete a curriculum with a total of 150 credit hours, with 36 credits in accounting subjects to be certified. Accounting-related credits can be accomplished through undergraduate, graduate, or a combination of both levels of study.
What subjects do I need to study?
These subjects include accounting and auditing, business law, finance, and tax subjects acceptable to the SBOA.
How many years of work experience must I have?
CPA candidates must also meet work-experience requirements. For more information, please visit www.picpa.org.
What are the CPA requirements in other states?
For CPA requirements in other states, please visit www.nasba.org/stateboards/.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Today, I seek out classes and opportunities (like the Super Analytics Challenge) to learn and grow in this new area. I feel empowered and proud in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible a few years ago.
Katz has the perfect combination of small class sizes that foster a great learning environment while simultaneously having the perks of a larger program like access to working with great companies and professors.