To expand your professional opportunities and gain the knowledge and skills required for a wide range of financial industry careers, you can enroll in the online Master of Accounting program at St. Thomas University (STU). This accelerated program enhances your understanding of taxation or international accounting in the public, private or governmental sectors.
The job outlook for various roles in the accounting sector is very favorable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountant and auditor jobs are growing at a rate of 6%, which is faster than average and financial manager jobs are growing at a 17% rate, which is much faster than average.
Top Careers With an Advanced Accounting Degree From STU
Top executives with a Master of Accounting degree are qualified for highly sought-after jobs with lucrative salaries. Graduates of programs like STU’s online Master of Accounting are particularly suited for roles such as chief financial officer (CFO), financial controller, accounting supervisor, tax manager and finance manager. The salary information provided for the following jobs is current as of February 2025, but actual salaries will vary depending on factors such as experience level and job location.
Chief Financial Officer
The CFO is a senior executive responsible for the financial actions of a company. This includes everything related to cash flow, financial planning and taxation. The CFO is responsible for analysis, reporting and ensuring that the company’s finance and accounting activities are handled accurately and timely. The CFO is also involved in investments and capital structure.
CFOs must comply with local, state and federal regulations and adhere to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to BLS, the median annual pay for a CFO is $239,20.
Financial Controller
A financial controller is responsible for a company or organization’s high-level accounting and finance activities. This position typically reports to the CFO and collaborates with external auditors while also setting, monitoring and implementing financial reporting control.
The accounting department, including billing, accounts receivable and payable, general ledgers, cost accounting, revenue recognition and inventory accounting, fall under the financial controller’s oversight. Indeed reports that the average salary for this position is $96,400 per year.
Accounting Supervisor
An accounting supervisor directs, organizes and monitors the accounting staff. This includes assigning tasks, setting deadlines, providing guidance and ensuring compliance with established policies.
In addition, the accounting supervisor helps prepare financial statements and reports, budgets and forecasts. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for an accounting supervisor is $95,659.
Tax Manager
A tax manager may work at an accounting firm, in-house for a business or independently. Primary duties include managing and preparing a client or employer’s tax returns and reports and ensuring compliance with all federal and state laws and requirements.
This job may involve managing staff accountants, CPAs or other technical staff as they prepare and file returns and prepare audits. The tax manager also mentors and trains team members. ZipRecruiter reports that the average annual salary for a tax manager in the U.S. is $129,367.
Finance Manager
A finance manager creates financial reports, directs investments and develops plans for the organization’s financial goals. They also supervise employees who do financial reporting and budgeting, analyze market trends and help management make financial decisions.
A lot of their responsibilities require collecting and analyzing data and advising senior managers on all financial matters. BLS reports that their average annual salary is $156,100.
The Benefits of a Master of Accounting Degree
As you can see from the executive positions described above, one of the most obvious benefits of obtaining a Master of Accounting degree is that it opens up career opportunities with greater responsibilities and higher salaries than those that require just a bachelor’s degree. Positions such as certified public accountant (CPA) or chartered financial analyst (CFA) often require an advanced education.
Those passionate about accounting and finance and who want to accelerate to upper management and executive positions will need to obtain a master’s degree. Deepening your skillset and gaining advanced skills will help increase your competitive advantage.
A Flexible Master of Accounting Online Program
Working professionals can take advantage of the flexibility of an online Master of Accounting program to expand professional opportunities. STU offers a fully online Master of Accounting program that equips students to pursue those higher-level career positions in as few as 12 months.
Their courses also help fulfill the education component of your CPA exam requirements. The curriculum includes seven core courses on auditing, cost analysis, information systems, taxation, international accounting, analytics and management ethics. There are three additional accounting courses, and for students with non-business degrees, there are business foundation courses that may be required.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online Master of Accounting program.
