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Customized MBA Concentration in Professional Accounting

From Career-Switcher to CPA-Ready Professional

Interested in switching to an accounting career but don’t have an accounting background? Drexel LeBow’s customized MBA concentration in professional accounting is designed to help you make that transition with confidence.

Market-Driven Curriculum

Learn evolving accounting practices and technology, including AI and automation.

Flexible Formats

Complete your MBA in a full-time or part-time format on our University City Campus in Philadelphia.

Professional Accounting and CPA Readiness

Earn advanced-level accounting credits in areas such as financial reporting, auditing, taxation and data analytics.

High-Level Leadership Potential

Strengthen your business acumen, leadership and strategic decision-making skills in financial management.

Real-World Learning

Gain innovative, hands-on experience through a graduate internship.

Accounting is a growing field that offers ample career opportunities, and our full-time program will prepare you for the profession — even if you have an undergraduate degree in another field. Gain CPA-aligned accounting knowledge, leadership skills and the strategic business perspectives of an MBA, while also learning applied insights in AI, automation and data analytics. You’ll graduate with enough academic credits to sit for the Pennsylvania CPA exam, positioning yourself for long-term career mobility and impact.

5%

Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034

For accountants and auditors, faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

$81,680

Median annual salary

For accountants and auditors in 2024 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Who Is This Program For?

Professionals

seeking to pivot into a new field

Recent graduates

looking to launch their career

How to Apply

This professional accounting program is a preset, customized MBA concentration. When applying, please select the customized MBA concentration and note your interest in the professional accounting option, specifically.

Have questions about CPA eligibility or how this program fits your background? Schedule a one-on-one with our admissions team to evaluate your academic path and how our program may fit your career goals.

a woman smiles to herself, chin on hand as she works on a laptop

Curriculum for Customized MBA in Professional Accounting

Requirements and Coursework

The MBA concentration in professional accounting contains nine required core courses, including:

  • Financial Accounting Theory I
  • Analyzing Legal Options in Decision-Making
  • Business Analytics for Managers
  • Managerial Economics
  • Corporate Financial Management
  • Strategy Analysis
  • Marketing Strategy and Planning
  • Leading in Dynamic Environments: A Personal, Relational and Strategic Approach
  • Strategic Cost Management

You will also complete the following five required accounting courses, in addition to an accounting elective and an experience-based graduate internship:

  • Financial Accounting Theory II
  • Financial Accounting Theory III
  • Auditing Theory and Philosophy
  • Corporate Taxation
  • Data Analytics and Technology in Accounting
Sample Plan of Study (Full-Time)

Fall Term

  • ACCT 625 Financial Accounting Theory (3 credits)
  • ACCT 603 Strategic Cost Management (3 credits)
  • TAX 630 Corporate Taxation (3 credits)
  • BSAN 601 Business Analytics for Managers (3 credits)
  • BLAW 510 Analyzing Legal Options in Decision-Making (3 credits)

Winter Term

  • BUSN 615 Graduate Internship (3 credits)
  • ORGB 511 Leading in Dynamic Environments: A Personal, Relational, and Strategic Approach (3 credits)

Spring Term

  • ACCT 626 Financial Accounting Theory II (3 credits)
  • ACCT 655 Data Analytics and Technology in Accounting (3 credits)
  • ACCT 640 Auditing Theory & Philosophy (3 credits)
  • ECON 601 Managerial Economics (3 credits)
  • MKTG 601 Marketing Strategy & Planning (3 credits)

Summer Term

  • ACCT 627 Financial Accounting Theory III (3 credits)
  • Accounting Elective (3 credits)
  • FIN 601 Corporate Financial Management (3 credits)
  • MGMT 529 Strategy Analysis (3 credits)

Career Paths for the Customized MBA in Professional Accounting

Increase your earning potential and become a leader in accounting and financial management with our customized MBA concentration in professional accounting. A sample of job titles you could attain after graduating include:

  • Partner in Assurance/Tax/Advisory Services
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Controller
  • Tax Director
  • Chief Internal Audit Officer
  • Forensic Consultant
  • FBI / IRS Agent
  • Personal Financial Advisor
  • Risk Assessment Officer
  • Budget/Performance Analyst

Learn more about our Center for Career Readiness

Connect with Us

To learn more about Drexel LeBow’s MBA program, prospective students are encouraged to attend an information session or request additional information.

Graduate Office

215.895.2115