Top Business Schools for Accounting or Taxation 2023

Thinking about doing an MBA in Accounting or Taxation? Analyzing financial information is key to any successful organization; that’s why accounting is a required core course on nearly every MBA program. And indeed, many professionals aim to use an MBA to break into the accounting industry. 

However, an MBA in Accounting or Taxation  is also valuable for experienced accountants or tax professionals pursuing broader or executive roles in areas like asset management, corporate finance, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. The best MBA programs in Accounting or Taxation will cover these topics in-depth, along with basic accounting topics such as data analysis.

Because of the analytical focus, an MBA program that's strong in finance is generally also strong in accounting and taxation. While some schools offer specific MBA specializations in Accounting or Taxation, most general MBA programs will also cover accounting topics.

Some students also choose to pair their MBA with a CPA—to become a Certified Public Accountant—or a Master of Accounting. While these dual-degree options can take longer to complete, many students aiming to become accountants find them well worth the investment. 

An MBA in Accounting or Taxation can lead to a number of career possibilities, in the realms of accounting and finance; many MBAs find work in the “Big Four” accountancies: KPMG, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina 37 Followers 76 Discussions
UNC - Kenan-Flagler

The school’s Tax Center provides a range of relevant networking opportunities, such as an annual tax symposium as well as joint conferences with groups like the American Tax Policy Institute. Kenan-Flagler offers a range of accounting programs, including a PhD in accounting. In 2015, the school launched an online version of its well-regarded Master of Accounting program.

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New York City, New York 49 Followers 73 Discussions
Fordham

Fordham’s unique dual-degree MBA in Public Accounting/MS in Taxation prepares students for a range of roles in financial institutions, multinational companies, and accounting firms. For those not prepared to commit to a dual-degree program, Fordham also offers an MBA specialization in Accounting.

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Waterloo, Canada 21 Followers 11 Discussions
Wilfrid Laurier - Waterloo

Of all Canadian MBA programs the school offers perhaps the most robust selection of accounting courses. In addition to offering a concentration in Accounting as part of its full-time MBA program, Laurier also offers a part-time MBA program with CPA designation.

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Ann Arbor, Michigan 40 Followers 89 Discussions
Michigan - Ross

Ross’ strong research in the area of accounting informs the instruction across its graduate degree programs. Although the MBA does not offer an official specialization in Accounting, the school does host an Accounting PhD program. 

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Austin, Texas 47 Followers 77 Discussions
UT Austin - McCombs

Currently ranked as the top accounting MBA program by U.S. News and World Report, McCombs also consistently places on top of the annual Public Accounting Report ranking of US graduate programs for accounting. Each year, faculty publish a range of accounting-related research; the school also offers a Master in Professional Accounting program.

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Champaign, Illinois 35 Followers 80 Discussions
Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Typically ranking near the top of the Accountancy ranking from US News and World Report, the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois has proven leadership in the field of accounting. Full-time MBA students at the school can pursue an optional concentration in Accountancy. The school also offers a well-regarded Master of Accounting Science (MAS). 

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Chicago, Illinois 42 Followers 149 Discussions
Chicago - Booth

Booth’s Accounting Research Center publishes the Journal of Accounting Research, one of the oldest private research journals in the field. The school offers an MBA concentration and enticing co-curricular activities for finance- and accounting-bound participants. In 2019, the Big Four accountancy firms PwC and Ernst & Young snapped up 13 Booth MBAs in total. 

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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 67 Followers 171 Discussions
UPenn - Wharton

Only few Wharton MBA grads land jobs solely with an accounting/controlling function, but the school is a well-known launching pad for careers in related roles in corporate finance and M&A, investment banking, and portfolio management. The school also boasts a large accounting faculty.

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Shanghai, China 38 Followers 78 Discussions
CEIBS - Shanghai

Shanghai’s CEIBS has attracted students looking to work in finance. It boasts a strong alumni network in China, and it launched a specialized part-time Finance MBA program in 2011.

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Durham, North Carolina 52 Followers 103 Discussions
Duke - Fuqua

Duke Fuqua is another top US school that places a heavy emphasis on diversity and inclusion. The school has its Inclusion Week, as well as workshops and training around implicit bias, allyship, and courageous leadership. The Minority Alumni Advisory Board focuses on mentorship, career advice and speaking opportunities.

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Provo, Utah 22 Followers 40 Discussions
BYU - Marriott

Considered the best undergraduate accountancy program in the United States by the Wall Street Journal, Marriott’s MBA is also ranked in the top-ten for MBA programs in the field by US News and World Report.

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Berlin, Germany 2 Followers 3 Discussions

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