Complete ACCT-510
Explore Accounting with Public Administration
Elevate your career by merging the financial expertise of a Master’s in Accounting with the strategic leadership skills provided by a Public Administration Certificate. This unique combination prepares you to tackle the financial complexities within the public sector and nonprofit organizations, equipping you with the tools to manage public resources, design effective policies, and lead with confidence in various public administration roles. Our program emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, and cloud computing in financial processes, while the public administration component enhances your ability to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of public service.
Direct Your Career Towards the Future
Distinguish yourself with an accredited online master’s degree in accounting that offers:
- Advanced Accounting Skills: Develop expertise in financial statement analysis, auditing, and forensic accounting, ensuring you can effectively manage public finances and maintain transparency in public administration.
- Public Administration Proficiency: Gain practical knowledge in policy analysis, public policy design, strategic planning, and financial management within the public and nonprofit sectors. Learn to apply these skills in real-world scenarios to make a meaningful impact in public service.
- Technological Proficiency: Master the integration of AI, blockchain, cloud computing, and advanced public administration tools into accounting and financial processes to enhance decision-making and governance.
- Certifications Preparation: Prepare for advanced certifications like CPA, CMA, and CIA while also gaining credentials in public administration that will set you apart in the job market.
Take the next step
Academic Excellence and Recognition
Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report
Designated as a Military Friendly School for our commitment to the military community
Named the among the best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees by Intelligent.com
How Can an MS in Accounting with a Public Administration Certificate Help Your Career?
The combination of accounting expertise with public administration knowledge positions you for leadership roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other public sector entities. As the complexity of government operations grows, the demand for professionals who can manage financial processes and lead strategic initiatives is expected to increase. This dual focus can lead to positions such as financial manager, public administrator, auditor, and policy analyst.
Graduates of this program are well-prepared to pursue professional certifications in both accounting and public administration, making them highly competitive in various industries.
Top Jobs for MS in Accounting Graduates with Public Administration Expertise
- Financial Manager in Public Sector
- Public Administrator
- Policy Analyst
- Chief Financial Officer
- Budget Analyst
- Strategic Planner
Program Details
Champlain's online accounting courses encompass the top skills needed by today's business professionals.
Professional Courses (21 Credits)
Graduate Certificate (9 Credits)
Advances your understanding of how to use financial information to value and analyze firms. Uses an understanding of a firm's strategy, what is contained in financial reports, why firms report certain information, and how to be a sophisticated user of this information. Evaluates current performance and its future sustainability, forecasts future profitability and risk, and values businesses using earnings and book value data. Develops a foundation to effectively communicate financial information.
Investigates and evaluates techniques for identifying and measuring business risk and for devising strategies incorporating risk analysis into strategic planning. Ties strategic objectives, risks, internal controls and critical success factors to business performance measurements to evaluate an entity's progress toward achieving strategic goals. Includes both quantitative and qualitative measurements and emphasizes effective communication of financial information.
Examines major international dimensions of financial and managerial accounting. Discusses national and cultural influences on accounting and on the accounting profession. Investigates financial regulation and IFRS accounting and financial reporting standards. Investigates corporate decisions related to methods of currency translation and accounting for gains and losses from exchange rate fluctuations. Explores managerial accounting issues raised by international organizations.
Prerequisites
Students will explore how technologies like cloud computing, blockchain, and non-generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the field of accounting by automating accounting processes, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. The course also addresses critical issues like cybersecurity, data privacy, and ethical considerations specific to the accounting profession. Future trends will also be explored.
Focuses on complex frauds (including financial statement fraud, tax fraud and money laundering), and on non-fraud forensic accounting engagements (including cases of patent infringement, commercial damages and anti-trust.) Covers related investigation methods and legal issues, valuation models, reporting and communicating findings, testifying as an expert witness and other litigation advisory services.
Prerequisites
Complete ACCT-520
Students will focus on the application of technologies in auditing and how the technologies change the audit processes and the audit profession. The course covers data-driven audit methods, the use of AI and machine learning in the audit processes.
In this course students will focus on the key theories, practices, and trends in public administration. Topics include the historical development of public administration in the United States, politics of political institutions, management, leading in public administration, key roles and functions of public administration, organizational structure of government organizations, analysis of key public administration theories, understanding bureaucracy and its role, public administration reforms, and future trends.
In this course, students will focus on the methodology for analyzing, developing, and implementing public policy. Topics include types of public policies, understanding the policy-making process, analyzing public policies, impact analysis of public policies, understanding the role of stakeholders in public policy, economic, social, and political factors influencing policy, and case studies in public policy analysis.
Students will examine public budgeting processes, financial management principles, and fiscal decision-making specific to the public sector. Topics include: the public budgeting process: formulation, execution, and auditing; revenue generation and sources of public funds; expenditure management and cost control; financial planning and forecasting; accountability and transparency; and the evaluation of case studies in public budgeting and financial management.
Graduates of the master of accounting online program will demonstrate the following industry-specific skills, knowledge, and competencies:
- Interpret financial information and integrate that information, using relevant technologies where appropriate to support decision making by internal and external stakeholders.
- Assess an organization’s accounting and IT internal controls to ensure the management and protection of sound financial information, reduce financial risks, and meet strategic goals.
- Communicate financial information that promotes sound financial decision making.
- Merge traditional accounting practices with technological tools to enhance financial decision-making, reporting, and auditing.
Graduates of the public administration online graduate certificate program will also demonstrate the following industry-specific skills, knowledge, and competencies:
- Synthesize key concepts, theories, and practices, and apply this knowledge to address complex issues in public administration.
- Examine public policies, integrate different perspectives and contexts in policy evaluations, and propose policy recommendations.
- Interpret the formulation and implementation of public budgets and finances, and critically evaluate the ethical and legal ramifications of fiscal decisions in public administration.
Champlain College Online's business faculty, led by Department Chair Dr. Albert Orbinati, are expert practitioners in the field. Their industry expertise ensures that our business management curriculum is aligned with the needs of employers, and reflects the skills today’s business professionals need for success. Classes led by our seasoned experts will give you real-world insight into the business world, and create a rich community of career-focused learning.
Tuition & Costs
Graduate Tuition Fall '23 - Summer '25
$595
per credit
$1,785*
per course
$450**
PER CREDIT FOR ALUMNI WHO EARNED A DEGREE FROM CHAMPLAIN, ON-CAMPUS or online
$450
per credit military service members (family members see truED tuition)
$150
One-time graduation fee
*Based on a 3-credit course; cost will vary if course is a different number of credits
** Starting Summer 2024, not retroactive
See the graduate cost of attendance and fees here
Upcoming Information Session
Meet the Program Director
Albert Orbinati, PhD
Department Chair and Assistant Professor, CCO Business Programs
Oversees
- Business (A.S., B.S., M.S., Certificates)
- Human Resource Management (B.S., Certificates)
- Leadership (M.S.)
- Management Information Systems (B.S.)
- Organization Development & Human Relations (M.S.)
About
Albert Orbinati, PhD, is Assistant Professor and Department Chair for the undergraduate and graduate business programs at Champlain College Online.
Prior to Champlain, Dr. Orbinati's roles have included Assistant Vice President of Online Learning and Continuing Education at Medaille University in Buffalo, NY; Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Education at Russell Sage College in Albany, NY; and Director of Online and Non-Traditional Programs at Utica University in Utica, NY. In addition to his career in higher education, Albert is a member of the U.S. military, and currently holds the rank of Major in the Vermont Air National Guard.
Dr. Orbinati holds a B.A. in Urban Planning from Binghamton University, an M.A. in Adult Education from Central Michigan University, an M.B.A from Champlain College, and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Capella University.
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