Accounting & Assurance and Tax

Program Overview

The MACCT Accounting and Assurance and Tax tracks are 33-hour programs and designed for individuals who have already earned a BBA with a concentration in accounting.

These two tracks prepare students in the accounting profession to be experts in areas such as taxation, information assurance, auditing, finance, fraud, and managerial accounting. With individualized attention from the MACCT staff and professors, students obtain the skills and analytical thinking to become CPAs and leaders in their field.

This program has an AACSB Accounting specialized accreditation that includes the top 190 accounting programs in the world.

Quick Facts

  • 32 Average Age
  • 73% Underrepresented Minorities
  • 42% Women
  • 15% International Students
    (Fall 2022 entering data)

Student Experience

The Master of Accounting courses are offered in 16-week semester courses with experiential learning opportunities and integration with accounting firms.

Local and National Accounting Firm Recruitment

We provide student organization and department hosted events to connect you with accounting professionals. Networking opportunities and career fairs designed for accounting professions help make the connections with your future employer.

CPA Exam Requirements and Review Courses

The University of New Mexico Master of Accounting program has determined its curriculum meets the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam in the State of New Mexico. Below is some information about the CPA exam and the resources the University of New Mexico provides to students to pursue their CPA license.

Certified Public Accountancy Examination FAQ

What do I need to do to take the CPA examination?

  • Complete a Bachelor's degree
  • Complete thirty hours of accounting education (may include 3 hours of law). At the University of New Mexico, the BBA with an accounting concentration provides 27 hours (ACCT 2110, ACCT 2120, MGMT 340, MGMT 341, MGMT 343, MGMT 346, MGMT 443, MGMT 449, and MGMT 309/310). To obtain the final 3 hours required, students may complete MGMT 342, which is optional and offered once a year in the fall semester.
  • Undergraduate students who are within 10 hours of graduation may also choose to take a graduate accounting course to complete the required 30 hours. An Anderson Advisor can check to see if you meet the requirements.

What do I need to receive a New Mexico CPA License?

  • Complete 150 hours of college education: At UNM an undergraduate degree requires 120 credit hours.
  • Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  • Complete 2000 hours of accounting experience supervised by a CPA and complete the Work Experience Verification Form.
  • Successfully complete the Ethics Exam required by the New Mexico Public Accountancy Board

Will courses I transferred into UNM count toward the 30-hour accounting requirement?

Since NM Higher Ed made all secondary courses with the same numbering, it should be simple to see what first or second year courses will transfer. Even with a transcript from another school, we cannot give you a definitive answer about upper division courses taken there. You may go to the following site for an Advisory Evaluation when you get ready to apply: https://nasba.org/exams/cpaexam/newmexico/. For a $100 fee, you can have your all of your courses evaluated and aligned with the requirements of your chosen jurisdiction (usually NM).

Are there courses that will not be accepted as part of the 150-hour requirement?

Any course taken through a regionally accredited institution will be accepted, provided the institution awarded credit for the course. Credit will only be accepted one time if a course was taken more than once. Both undergraduate and graduate courses may be taken to meet the 150-hour requirement.

May I sit for only one section of the examination?

You may take the required test sections individually and, in any order, but are required to pass all four sections of the examination within a rolling 18-month period, which begins on the date the first examination section passed was taken.

Where can I get more information?

In New Mexico, the Public Accountancy Board Licenses CPAs.

Public Accountancy Board
5500 San Antonio Dr. NE, Suite A
Albuquerque, NM  87109
(505) 222-9850/(505) 222-9855 Fax
accountancy.board@state.nm.us

Exam Content can be found through the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)

Contact the New Mexico Society of CPAs for additional information.

Does UNM offer study resources?

Some Master of Accounting students can request funding through the Anderson Graduate Business Students (AGBS) organization to help pay for accepted CPA review courses. To learn more about this option, talk to the Master of Accounting advisor.

Accepted CPA review courses include:

Becker

Surgent

Wiley

Curriculum

The MACCT Accounting and Assurance Program requires 21 credits of core, 6 courses in the Accounting section with 6 credits of electives for you to choose. The Tax track requires the 21 credits of core, 9 credits from the Taxation coursework section, and 3 credits of electives for you to choose.

Core Coursework (21 credit hours)

  • Financial Accounting III
  • One tax course
  • Internal or Advanced Auditing
  • Professional Writing for Accountants (capstone course)
  • Accounting Data Analytics
  • Forensic Accounting
  • Fraud Examination

Accounting & Assurance Coursework (at least 6 credit hours)

  • CPA Review Course(s)
  • Internal Auditing & Investigations
  • Advanced Auditing
  • Law for Accountants
  • Government/Not-for-Profit Accounting

Taxation Coursework (at least 9 credit hours)

  • Seminar in Personal Tax Planning
  • Tax Research Procedures and Compliance
  • Corporate Taxation
  • Estate & Gift Taxation
  • Partnership & LLC Taxation
  • Real Estate Taxation

Admission

For a complete application, please submit all required materials.

Application Requirements

Online Application

Click here to start your application. The application requires uploads of resume, statement of intent, and transcripts. If you have a foreign transcript, upload the evaluation.

Personal Statement

The Personal Statement should reflect your goals and motivations to pursue the degree and what has prepared you to succeed in the program.

Resume

Please submit a current résumé detailing your work experience, management experience, and areas of responsibility. Your resume can be uploaded with your online application.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to submit official transcripts through Business CAS from all non-UNM institutions attended. International applicants will be required to submit official transcripts in native language and in English. Review the requirements for Domestic and Foreign transcripts.

Entrance Exam

The entrance exam is currently waived.

DEADLINES

Upcoming Terms:Spring 2024: October 1, 2023

Program Details

Start Date:Spring 2024: January 15, 2024
Length:Flexible - 18 months if attending full-time
Modality:Weekday evening in-person classes
One online introductory course
Course Times:Monday-Thursday after 5 p.m.
Tuition (2023-2024):$805 per credit hour + student fees
*Rate changes decided by the UNM Board of Regents may be assessed for 2023-2024 academic year. Tuition and fee rates are subject to change.