Master of Tax Accounting

The master of tax accounting (M.T.A.) degree program is a multidimensional approach to education of the modern tax specialist. The program develops an understanding of the taxation system and the interrelationships that exist between that system and accounting theory; a basic knowledge of the legal system as it relates to taxation; and the basic tools necessary for research and communication in taxation. Graduates are prepared to research various tax, legal, and accounting databases related to troublesome tax problems and to exercise judgment in making tax-related decisions by drawing on their integrated, comprehensive knowledge of accounting and taxation.

The master of tax accounting (M.T.A.) degree is designed for students who are interested in careers in taxation. The M.T.A. degree requires 31 semester hours of courses beyond undergraduate degree requirements. Undergraduate accounting prerequisite requirements or their equivalents must be completed before final admission to the master's programs.

Admissions

Enrollment in the M.T.A. program is competitive, with a faculty review process determining admission. The M.Acc. and the M.T.A. are separate master's programs. The Graduate School application must indicate to which program the student is applying. Admission to one of the programs does not guarantee admission to the other program. The minimum admission requirements are:

Admission to the Graduate School of The University of Alabama.
An acceptable score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). The Graduate School requires a score of 500 for unconditional admission.
The completion of an undergraduate degree in accounting, or the equivalent, at a four-year accredited institution.

Transfer of Credit for Graduate Programs

Courses of full graduate-level credit earned in an accredited institution where a student was enrolled in the graduate school may be submitted for review for inclusion in a degree program. Evaluation of credit for transfer will not be made until the student has enrolled in the Graduate School of The University of Alabama. Acceptance of credit requires the approval of the student's advisory committee and the dean of the Graduate School. Credit will not be accepted for transfer from any institution at which the student failed to achieve a "B" average on all graduate work attempted.

Graduate Application

Information about the graduate school and an electronic application are available at: www.graduate.ua.edu. Or you may request an application from:

The University of Alabama

Manderson Graduate School of Business

College of Commerce & Business Administration

Box 870223

Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0223

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Address : 102 Rose Administration Building, Box 870118, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0118, USA

Toll Free : 1-877-UAGRADS (1-877-824-7237)

Phone : (205) 348-5921

Fax :
(205) 348-0400

Email : graduate.school@ua.edu

Website : http://graduate.ua.edu/

Requirements

Undergraduate Accounting Prerequisite Requirements

Before final admission to the program, students should have completed the following courses or equivalents:

AC 310 and AC 311 Financial Reporting and Analysis of Business Activities

AC 361 Cost Analysis for Planning and Control

AC 371 Introduction to Taxation

AC 389 Accounting Information Systems Development, Operation, and Control

AC 432 Introduction to Corporate Governance, Risk Assessment, and Assurance Services

AC 471 Taxation of Business Transactions and Organizations

Degree Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 31 hours of approved coursework beyond the undergraduate degree. At least 18 of these hours must be coursework in the major field. A minimum of 24 hours must be taken in courses open only to graduate students, and 15 of these must be in courses in accounting and taxation at The University of Alabama.

Students are also required to complete the Governmental & Non-profit Accounting either prior to entering the program or as part of the M.T.A. degree.

Required Courses (15 hours)

AC 573 Individual Tax Planning

AC 575 Taxation of Corporations & Shareholders

AC 576 Advanced Corporate Taxation

AC 578 Partnership Taxation

AC 593 Research & Communication in Taxation

Electives* (15 hours)

AC 512 Advanced Analysis OR AC 523 Business Valuation & Performance Measurement

AC 532 Advanced Governance, Risk Assessment, & Assurance OR AC 534 Fraud Risk Management

AC 556 Governmental & Nonprofit Accounting

LGS 504 Legal Issues in Accounting

AC 572/Law 647 Estate & Gift Taxation

AC 577/Law 641 Tax Practice & Procedure

AC 581/Law 761 International Taxation

AC 582/Law 650 State & Local Taxation

AC 583/Law 732 Employee Benefits

AC 584/Law 796 Tax-Exempt Organizations

* Students planning on sitting for the CPA exam in the state of Alabama need 3 financial accounting courses, 2 auditing courses, 1 governmental accounting course and 2 law courses. These students should select as electives the 3 classes from the above list they have not taken in undergraduate program.