A master's degree in accounting typically requires one year to complete. The degree is generally pursued by individuals with an undergraduate degree in accounting. Coursework typically includes advanced auditing, advanced financial accounting, forensic accounting and advanced managerial accounting. A thesis may not be required. Students obtain the skills necessary to work as management, corporate, private or government accountants. The master's in accounting program helps students to fulfill the educational requirement of 150 credit hours to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination.
A master's degree in taxation requires between one to two years to complete. Students obtain knowledge of tax laws and methods to pursue or advance a career as a tax professional. Coursework typically includes advanced corporate tax, individual tax, tax planning, estate tax and real estate tax. Graduates may work as tax managers, tax examiners, tax specialists or other areas of specialization. The master's in taxation may fulfill the educational requirement of 150 hours to sit for the Uniform CPA examination.
A doctoral degree in accounting generally requires between to four to five years to complete. The program includes advanced research and analytical courses in financial accounting, tax research and managerial accounting. Students are also required to complete a selected number of research papers as well as a dissertation. Students earning a doctoral degree in accounting work as professors within a college or university.
Advanced accounting degrees vary based on the program, the educational background of the student and the educational institution. According to "U.S. News & World Report" in 2010, the cost of graduate degree programs in accounting ranked in the top 10 ranged between $10,000 to $51,000 at such institutions as Brigham Young University, University of Southern California, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Stanford University. Fellowships and grants are available to students who qualify.