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MSA Concentrations & Tracks

There are two tracks that MSA students can choose from in the program: Audit/Tax or Audit/Information Systems. Courses required for these concentrations are:

Tax Services

  • MSA 504: Federal Tax Research
  • MSA 510: Advanced Topics in Taxation
  • MSA 534: Accounting Practicum Audit/Tax

Assurance/Systems Advisory

  • MSA 522: Business Database Systems
  • MSA 524: Information Systems Analysis and Design
  • MSA 535: Accounting Practicum Audit/Information Systems

Tax Services

  • Students who choose the tax services track will enter a dynamic, demanding field. 
  • Tax professionals must be technically proficient, staying abreast of the multitude of tax changes that could affect their clients or employers. 
  • They must also enjoy problem solving because practitioners play a pivotal advisory role, helping taxpayers make business decisions to minimize their tax risk and liability within the constraints of other financial and non-financial objectives.  

Assurance

  • Both tracks in the MSA Program (assurance and systems advisory track and the tax services track) incorporate strong content covering the assurance service area, primarily focusing on audit services. 
  • The primary goal of an auditor is to express an opinion on the external financial statements of companies and maintain the confidence of investors, regulators, and the client by providing third party corroboration that the financial statements are fairly presented and contain critical, relevant information. 
  • Individuals pursing auditing must enjoy critical thinking along with working on a team to please the client while maintaining independence and ensuring the best interest of the public.

Systems Advisory

  • Students who choose the systems advisory track will be entering a dynamic, demanding field. 
  • Systems professionals must be technically proficient, staying well-informed of the multitude of technological changes that could affect their clients or employers. 
  • They must also enjoy problem solving and risk management because practitioners play a pivotal advisory role, helping clients and employers make business decisions to minimize their IT risks and liabilities while improving their overall performance.