An MBA in Accounting prepares individuals with strong organizational and quantitative skills for roles in personal, corporate, and forensic accounting across a range of industries. The online MBA with an Accounting Concentration program from Eastern Washington University (EWU) focuses on essential skills in financial statement analysis, advanced cost accounting, global accounting and more. Students learn to analyze and manage costs, identify opportunities for business process improvement and measure performance with techniques applicable across a broad spectrum of industries.
The curriculum of traditional MBA and accounting specialization courses enables graduates to provide accounting expertise to their employers while facilitating collaboration between business departments. Graduates are prepared for roles such as corporate accountant, accounting consultant, senior auditor, financial advisor, and chief financial officer.
Job Outlook and Compensation
PayScale reports that professionals with an MBA in Accounting earned an average annual salary of approximately $107,000 as of December 2025. With experience, graduates may advance into leadership roles such as financial controller or chief financial officer. These positions typically involve overseeing financial strategy, reporting and organizational performance.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual wage of $81,689 for accountants and auditors. Employment in the field is projected to grow 5% from through 2034, driven by globalization, economic growth and an increasingly complex tax and regulatory environment.
What Is a CPA and What Is Required to Attain Certification?
Certified Public Accountants provide expertise and guidance in financial and taxation matters to both individual and business clients. In addition, they may perform audits, investigate fraud or conduct business valuations, among other functions.
The rigorous training required for CPA certification and the profession’s higher ethical standards often place CPAs in a higher standing with clients than non-certified accountants. When combined with graduate-level business education, CPAs are especially valued as strategic advisors and decision-makers, bringing strong leadership and business acumen alongside advanced accounting expertise.
CPA certification typically requires 150 semester hours of postsecondary coursework, including graduate-level accounting studies. An MBA with an Accounting concentration helps students with an undergraduate accounting background meet these requirements while developing the technical expertise and professional skills required to succeed as a CPA, including:
- In-depth knowledge of federal, state and local regulations
- Proficiency with accounting software and emerging technologies
- Advanced auditing techniques and best practices
- Strong communication and presentation skills
After completing the required education, an accountant can begin taking the four sections of the CPA exam, which must be passed within 18 months. Following the achievement of the designation, CPAs must maintain certification by meeting continued educational requirements.
Other Roles in Accounting
EWU’s graduate degree program provides the educational foundation necessary to find success in various roles in diverse industries throughout your career. Here is just a short sampling of the opportunities in this field for MBA graduates:
Controller: Median Salary of $121,031
Controllers develop and lead an organization’s accounting operations, including systems, procedures and policies. They are responsible for all financial analysis and reporting. In addition, the controller oversees the company’s overall financial strategy and direction.
Finance Manager: Median Salary of $105,771
Finance Managers direct and oversee corporate financial operations, including teams of accountants and financial analysts. This role provides strategies for increasing profits and revenues and insights into improving financial practices.
Auditing Manager: Median Salary of $103,184
Auditing Managers review and evaluate a company’s financial and accounting data while providing leadership in the development and implementation of audit policies and procedures. They ensure accuracy, compliance and efficiency in financial reporting and internal controls.
Chief Financial Officer: Median Salary of $153,934
CFOs assess the state of finances within a company and ensure the organization’s sound financial decisions. They drive financial strategies and work closely with the C-suite to forecast financial needs.
The Key to a Future in Accounting Leadership
An MBA in Accounting equips graduates with both advanced accounting expertise and a broad understanding of business operations, preparing them to take on leadership roles across industries. By combining technical skills with strategic decision-making and communication abilities, graduates are positioned to influence financial strategy and drive organizational success.
Eastern Washington University’s online MBA with an Accounting Concentration provides the coursework and experiential learning necessary to meet CPA requirements, strengthen leadership capabilities, and advance in high-level accounting and finance roles. The program is designed to help students translate their education into tangible career opportunities, from corporate accounting to executive-level financial management.
Learn more about Eastern Washington University’s online MBA with an Accounting Concentration program.
