In a rapidly changing economy, it’s clear that accounting professionals are vital to support financially future-ready organizations and individuals. “No organization can operate without accounting and accountants,” says Scott Showalter, CPA, director of the Jenkins Master of Accounting program at NC State University’s Poole College of Management. “The more business is changing, the more businesses need accountants to determine progress and recommend any adjustments that may need to be made to keep on track.” The data reflects this response to today’s shifting economy, as new accountant and auditor roles are expected to grow by 5% between 2024 and 2034, higher than the average growth of 3% projected across the United States. 

Accounting is a specialized field that is highly regulated, so if you’re considering this in-demand career path, advanced education and credentialing may be in your future. If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree, this could include Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure and/or a graduate degree in accounting. But in today’s job market, it’s natural to wonder, is a master’s in accounting worth it? 

This guide covers who might benefit most from a graduate degree in accounting, as well as key skills and CPA preparation that a master’s degree supports, with examples from the Jenkins Master of Accounting (MAC) at NC State’s Poole College of Management. Finally, it covers other career preparation pathways and how to calculate return on investment (ROI), so you know how to identify what could best fit your career goals.

Who gets the most from a master’s in accounting?

A Master of Accounting (MAC) degree creates clear pathways to CPA certification and technical specialization, developing knowledge and skills that drive careers, whether or not they lead to CPA licensure. But the degree’s value depends on your specific career goals and current qualifications. The value a MAC provides also depends on the specific program and how well it prepares students for the work employers seek and accountants actually do. 

A master’s degree provides the depth of technical education and soft skills that employers associate with readiness for complex professional roles, particularly in areas like tax, audit and financial reporting. It can also prepare students for leadership roles and more diverse and specialized accounting settings.

Three groups see the clearest value from this degree:

• Career changers from non-accounting backgrounds fill knowledge gaps and enter the profession with credibility, often completing prerequisite coursework before graduate-level classes. 
• CPA candidates need exam preparation, and MAC programs can map curriculum to the competencies and knowledge required to sit for and pass the three core exams and three discipline exams of CPA Evolution. 
• Working professionals and recent grads who want to specialize in areas like forensic accounting or taxation use the degree to develop expertise that commands higher compensation and provides alternative career paths.

The degree differs from an MBA because it focuses on accounting depth rather than broad management skills. For people who want to become a controller, work in public accounting or specialize in complex financial reporting, the technical focus of a MAC matters more than general business knowledge.

Accounting master’s ROI in the 2026 job market

To determine whether a degree is “worth” it, it helps to project potential returns on investment. That means, measuring the cost of earning the degree against the anticipated value it will return in the future over time. 

Calculating ROI

While economic shifts are less than predictable without advanced analytics technology, a simpler method is subtracting the costs of earning the degree from a predicted income and benefits (based on region, industry and skills level). 

Determining overall education costs

Common graduate school costs include:

• Tuition
• Fees, materials and books
• Personal technology upkeep for online programs
• Relocation, housing and increased cost of living for in-person programs
• Commuting costs for in-person programs

Subtract any of the following financial aid or income:

• Continued income for part-time programs
• Scholarships and grants
• Employer education sponsorships
• Graduate assistantships for in-person programs

Determining future income and benefits

Higher education can have benefits that directly or indirectly add to return on investment value. Some of these value adds include:

• Projected compensation (salary, equity participation, bonuses, etc.)
• Advancement eligibility (particularly for positions that require a master’s degree)
• Expand network 
• Experience (i.e., internships, practicums, etc.)

For CPA candidates, a master’s in accounting with CPA exam preparation is a high value add, because dedicated CPA courses and practice tests add their own professional development costs. The Jenkins MAC addresses this directly by partnering with Becker to provide the latest CPA prep materials in addition to relevant coursework built right into the curriculum.

Projecting a breaking even timeline

The point at which a graduate has earned back the cost of their education is called breaking even. From that point, the investment is making a profit. To do this, figure out a realistic future salary and ongoing costs of living during loan repayment or the time it takes to replace savings.

When projecting a future salary, don’t just look at current salaries in the job market and industry — also explore job outlook projections. They tell you whether a career path is expected to grow and have openings, and by how much over a set period of time. For many graduate programs, accounting starting salaries will cover the cost of the graduate education within 6–8 months.

Accounting maintains steady demand even during economic uncertainty, with the BLS projecting 124,200 annual job openings (5% growth) for new accountants through 2034, compared to the national average projected growth of 3%. 

Looking back at national data from 2024, The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) found that of the new accountants hired that year, 75% were accounting graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Of the firms who reported hiring accounting professionals in 2024, 75% also said they expected to hire just as many or more accounting staff in the near future.   

How a master’s in accounting expands opportunities

Without advanced education, many accounting professionals plateau in routine compliance roles — the kind of work that’s increasingly automated. A master’s degree can accelerate the early stages of an accounting career and open opportunities by developing more advanced skills and supporting CPA preparation.

“As automation and AI reshape routine accounting work, employers increasingly value professionals who can apply judgment, communicate insights and solve complex business problems,” says Scott Showalter, CPA, director of the Jenkins Master of Accounting Program at Poole College. “Graduate accounting education helps students develop the technical depth and professional skills needed to move beyond transactional work and into more strategic and advisory-oriented roles.” 

The CPA connection

A CPA license is essential for anyone intending to pursue public accounting, but it’s also a strong indicator of advanced accounting expertise for professionals in other settings, which makes a MAC with strong CPA alignment an excellent value add for many students. 

All states require an undergraduate degree (including 20 credit hours in accounting coursework) to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam. Since January 2024, 40 states and counting have adopted an alternative pathway to obtaining a CPA license. 

• Traditional CPA path: 150 total credit hours (bachelor’s degree +30 additional credit hours), one year of experience, and a passing score on the CPA exam.
• Alternative CPA path: 120 credit hours (a bachelor’s degree including 20 credit hours of accounting coursework) two years of experience, and a passing score on the CPA exam.
• Graduate degree CPA path: A master’s degree or higher in accounting, one year of experience, and a passing score on the CPA exam.

Find information about each state accountancy board on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). 

“Students evaluating CPA pathways should think beyond minimum eligibility requirements and consider which option best prepares them for long-term professional success,” says Showalter. “As accounting continues evolving through data analytics, AI and expanded advisory responsibilities, employers increasingly value professionals who combine sound technical accounting knowledge with effective judgment, communication and problem-solving skills.” 

The Jenkins MAC curriculum specifically aligns with CPA Evolution requirements, and MAC faculty and staff guide students through exam preparation to strengthen exam readiness.

Accounting competencies employers want in 2026

Employers in 2026 expect accountants to do more than ensure compliance at every level. They want professionals who can interpret data, advise on strategy and demonstrate technological proficiency to make accounting more accurate and efficient. This means moving away from preserving and reporting value to building it. 

In addition to direct CPA preparation, leading master’s in accounting programs prepare students with timely knowledge, skills and experience to stay competitive in today’s job market and beyond. For positions that involve complex financial reporting or audit oversight, many employers list a master’s degree as preferred if not required, particularly at Big Four firms and large regional practices.

Competencies that stand out include:

• Advanced financial reporting for complex transactions and SEC requirements that leverage data analytics skills to identify patterns and inform strategy, not just ensure compliance. 
• Proficiency in AI and automation platforms as technology reshapes accounting workflows.
• Tested accounting strategies that help an entity grow, mitigate financial risks and use tax compliance to their advantage.

Master’s in accounting vs. CPA certification alone vs. MBA

The distinction between these three paths comes down to what kind of career each professional wants to pursue.

Choose a Master’s in Accounting when CPA certification and deep technical accounting expertise are top priorities. This path works best for professionals transitioning into accounting from another field or planning to work in public accounting or technical specialist roles. For students who want to explore broader business topics and administrative roles in their accounting career, the Jenkins MAC offers business electives from the MBA program.

Choose an MBA when targeting broad business leadership and management positions. This makes sense for professionals who seek strategic breadth or the flexibility to pivot across business functions with limited accounting knowledge. Some programs offer hybrid approaches. For individuals with some undergraduate accounting courses, the Jenkins MBA with select accounting electives from the MAC Program provides both strategic breadth and accounting depth for those wanting elements of both paths. This path is usually not sufficient to meet the CPA exam and licensure requirements.

Choose CPA certification alone when credit hour requirements have already been met through previous coursework. This works for people whose bachelor’s degree in accounting provided sufficient exam preparation and the credential is central to their career goals. All CPA candidates need to fulfill their required supervised hours, so consider that part of the preparation process and timeline for this and any CPA pathway.

Get to know how the Jenkins MAC raises ROI

The Jenkins MAC builds strong ROI for students seeking an online or on-campus experience with strong student support that empowers accounting careers for years to come.

Respected accreditation and STEM designation

The Jenkins MAC Program holds supplemental AACSB accounting accreditation. The program’s AACSB accounting accreditation signals to employers and state licensing boards that a Jenkins MAC education meets the highest standards. This AACSB accreditation is held by only 195 institutions worldwide (out of the over 1,000 business schools with general AACSB accreditation) for their accounting programs, which means the degree carries extra weight in the job market. 

The Jenkins MAC also holds STEM designation. STEM-designated programs often emphasize data analytics, information systems and emerging technologies that support modern financial decision making. As everyday accounting evolves with automation and AI, graduates of STEM-designated programs can be better prepared to interpret data, solve complex business problems and adapt to the changing demands of the profession.

Jenkins MAC career outcomes

Employment outcomes demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in preparing career-ready graduates. The Jenkins MAC maintains strong employment placement, with the vast majority of students receiving job offers by the end of their first semester. Students also have access to dedicated career services that continue long after graduation. Personalized career counseling, recruiting events and the Jenkins MAC career workshop series help accounting students and professionals navigate major opportunities and decisions in early though established careers.

Prepare for real-world accounting with experiential learning

Develop practical skills through consulting projects, applied coursework, interaction with leaders in the accounting profession, and collaborative business challenges. These high-impact experiences will equip you to apply accounting concepts to real business situations while building professional networks. Hands-on learning opportunities will help you gain the confidence and experience needed to transition into professional accounting roles.

Invest in your future with the Jenkins MAC

If you’re considering a master’s in accounting, the next step is learning more about MAC program requirements and career opportunities:

• Schedule an advisor consultation: Connect with Jenkins MAC admissions to discuss your background and goals.
• Attend an information session: Join virtual or in-person events to meet faculty and current students.
• Review prerequisite requirements: Determine which foundational courses you need through the ASAP program if you do not have an undergraduate accounting degree.
• Explore funding options: Scholarships, graduate assistants, and federal aid eligibility.
• Connect with alumni: Request introductions to Jenkins MAC students and graduates working in your target industry or role.

Learn more

To learn more about the Jenkins MAC program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below.