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Accounting Programs

What Makes Foster’s Accounting Programs Unique

Foster offers two accelerated 9-month Accounting master’s programs. The Master of Science in Taxation (MST) prepares students for high-level careers in taxation, where economic decision-making depends on an in-depth knowledge of the tax code and its ramifications. The Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) offers a winter internship and focused coursework that blends audit and assurance, with data analytics and emerging technologies for a leading-edge accounting career.

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Differences between MST and MPAcc

MST MPAcc
Program Focus Taxation Audit/Assurance/Analytics
Number of classes 14 (Autumn, Winter, Spring) 8 (Autumn and Spring)
Target Enrollment 30 45
Extra-curricular Requirements Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Full time winter internship
Class format Group work, projects, exams, Monday through Thursday, daytime & in-person classes Group work, projects (very few exams), Monday through Thursday, daytime & in-person classes
*Average Salary after graduation $72,700 $72,000
*Rate of Employment (within 6 months of graduation) 100% 100%
Extra-curricular Requirements Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Full time winter internship
*Top employers 61% of students chose to work for our top 5 Accounting firms: Deloitte, EY, Moss Adams, KPMG, PWC. 67% of students chose to work for our top 5 Accounting firms: Deloitte, EY, Moss Adams, KPMG, PWC.
*Top job titles Tax Associate/Tax Consultant Audit Staff/Assurance Associate
2023 – 2024 In-state tuition $26,472 $23,700
2023 – 2024 Out-of-state tuition $29,187 $29,187

*Data from the 2022-2023 academic year

Program Highlights

 

hands-on learning
Hands-on Learning

Both the MST and MPAcc curricula help you develop the analytic mindset and technical adaptability that leading firms value. Informed by an advisory board of accounting professionals, our curricula evolve to address the industry’s latest challenges.

networking
Networking

If you plan to work in Seattle after graduation, you will develop a network of colleagues and company connections to foster your success. You’ll get the chance to hear from current employees and tax professionals from the top accounting/tax firms.

career services
Career Coaching

A full-time career coach provides recruiting connections. In 2023, 100% of students received job offers by graduation, with 65% choosing a Big 4 company (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC). 2023 graduates received an average starting salary of $72,350.

 

What Our Students Say

 

Everyone in the program is driven and excited to just work with different people. And those moments of solving problems and different tax issues together was really memorable. The master’s program created strong friendships among everyone in the class.Jennifer Lo, MST 2020 (currently at Deloitte)

I think what’s unique about the MPAcc program is that it’s less about homework and practice problems, and it’s more so about coming to class prepared to have a thoughtful discussion. Learning to talk with others in the profession, both your peers and professors, helps simulate conversations you will have with your future team and clients.Kelly Sinnock, MPAcc, 2017 (currently at PwC)

 

Rankings

MST

#1 Best Accelerated and Most Affordable Master’s in Taxation Accounting.com
#10 of Taxation Programs in the U.S. MIM-Guide

MPAcc

#6 of U.S. Graduate Accounting Programs with mid-size faculty Public Accounting Report
#21 of Master’s of Accounting Programs in the U.S MIM-Guide

 

Ready to learn more?

 

Visit our site to learn more about the Accounting programs at UW’s Foster School of Business.

Master of Science in Taxation         Master of Professional Accounting