MBA – Advanced Accounting Emphasis
Colorado Christian University seeks to give graduate students an advantage in the working world by providing excellent education, small class sizes and specialized training. In alignment with these goals, CCU Online offers an emphasis in Accounting for students working toward their MBA. CCU's online accounting MBA program combines a Christian worldview with essential business and accounting principles.
Program Focus
Accounting ethics, accounting research, advanced auditing, and advanced tax accounting
The online MBA in advanced accounting is designed to help students who desire to pursue careers in business and accounting. Therefore, this program is limited to students who have an undergraduate degree (preferably an accounting degree) or a solid foundation from a prior accounting program.
- 39 total credit hours
- Program Format: 100% online
- Prerequisite(s) or applicable transfer credit required
- MBA courses are taken one at a time and are typically completed in five-week and seven-week blocks
- Designed for busy adult learners; complete in as little as 18 months of consecutive coursework, even with a full-time or part-time job
- Students can transfer up to nine graduate-level credit hours
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Program Brochure
MBA Courses
CCU's MBA curriculum includes 13 online courses designed to develop effective, ethical leaders. Each course is typically taken over a five-week time period. Weekly assignments are required, but the course design generally allows participants to complete coursework at the times and places that work best for them (prior to scheduled deadlines).
CCU students utilize Brightspace, a leading solution in electronic education, to participate in MBA classes that blend the latest in eLearning technology with the latest business theory and practice. Students in this MBA accounting program attend classes electronically, do research using the Internet, exchange email, and participate in online discussions. Assignments and tests are submitted online for in-seat students as well as those taking their program online.
MBA Accounting Emphasis Courses
CCU's accounting courses will prepare you to blend a focused business experience with technical aspects of accounting. You'll integrate academics with moral principles from Scripture so you can grow as a servant leader, strengthen your ethical framework, and responsibly influence your profession.
The accounting emphasis courses at CCU include:
- Accounting Ethics. This course provides MBA students with a lens through which to examine biblical and ethical standards that will be necessary for accounting practice, such as integrity, due care, confidentiality and much more.
- Advanced Managerial/Cost Accounting. This course introduces students to cost accounting, including but not limited to: budgeting and control, job and activity-based costing, variance performance reporting, and the balanced scorecard.
- Research and the Accounting Regulatory Environment. This class presents a survey of the accounting regulatory environment along with research strategies for locating applicable accounting principles and auditing standards in complex accounting situations.
- Advanced Tax Accounting. This course develops a conceptual framework for analyzing taxation of property transactions, corporations, partnerships, and exempt organizations.
- Auditing Forensics for Accounting Information Systems. This class combines a review of the scope of audit work and the major steps in the audit process with an overview of the steps in forensic analytics and investigation practices.
- International Accounting Standards. This course presents the challenges and opportunities of incorporating the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) into practice given the convergence of the global marketplace.
Admission to the MBA Program
Admission to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Colorado Christian University is selective. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of previous academic performance, personal and professional accomplishments and goals, and strength of character. A strong desire to complete graduate-level work in a Christ-centered, biblically based community is important.
Application Deadlines
You can enter the MBA program at multiple points in the academic year. You should complete the admission process as early as possible so you will have adequate time to work with an advisor and qualify for financial aid.
Prerequisite Coursework
All applicants to CCU's MBA program are required to have fulfilled prerequisite courses for Accounting, Finance, and Statistics. Specific emphases may have additional prerequisites.
Review the MBA Prerequisites prior to application submission.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the graduate admission application online (including essay and transcripts).
- Provide a professional resume and employment record. It is expected that MBA candidates will have at least 5 years of professional work experience or the equivalent.
- Submit an official transcript that reflects a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited higher education institution. For those seeking an emphasis in advanced accounting, a bachelor's degree in accounting is required.
- Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.0 and 2.49 will be admitted on a conditional admit (CAD) basis for the first semester. CAD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first nine (9) credits to remain in the program.
- Complete any needed prerequisite courses. Review the MBA prerequisites prior to application submission.
- The Office of Admission reserves the right to request additional information as deemed necessary to make a selection decision.
- As part of the admissions process, applicants may be selected to participate in a video interview conducted via Zoom. This interview is designed to confirm applicant identity and support the integrity of the university’s enrollment process. Participation in the video interview, if requested, is a required step for admission and must be completed prior to enrollment.
Transfer of Courses
Students may transfer up to nine semester hours of graduate credit from an accredited college or university. The coursework must be comparable to that offered at CCU and fulfill the CCU MBA degree requirements.
International Applicants
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are considered an international student. Learn more about whether or not you'll be required to submit TOEFL scores, and find additional information on our International Students page.
To submit application-related materials that were not already submitted through the online application, email them to AdmissionsSupport@securemail.ccu.edu or mail to:
Colorado Christian University
Attn: Registration Services/Transcripts
8787 W. Alameda Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80226
Why get an MBA in Accounting
With the leadership and marketing focus in the MBA, students aspiring to become an accountant or pursue other roles in accounting or business will have additional doors open in higher levels of business. Many find that they:
- Have greater job responsibility and opportunities
- Know how to pursue career advancement
- Obtain professional certification, and/or
- Discover new opportunities to give back (such as through project-based ministries designed to serve charitable causes)
Who should consider an MBA with an Accounting emphasis?
Although MBA accounting emphasis students may have many unique backgrounds, students who select a master's degree in accounting tend to have strong background knowledge in accounting, finance, economics and statistics. CCU's program equips future business and nonprofit leaders and managers with a Christian worldview, along with a broad business administration background and technology base.
Students who participate in this program will have a biblical background that highlights both the benefits of serving with excellence and making ethical decisions to further the Kingdom of God. Graduates from this program will have a unique understanding of how accounting can also be ministry, whether through living above reproach, or knowing how to take their faith into the workplace, as well as the scriptural basis for making good stewardship decisions.
If you're interested in career development for accounting professionals, fill out the form on the page today! Our enrollment counselors can answer your questions about CCU's Accounting graduate degrees.
Advanced Accounting Program FAQs
If you have additional questions, please complete the form on this page to connect with a CCU Enrollment Counselor.
Who should consider an MBA with an Accounting emphasis?
Although MBA accounting emphasis students may have diverse backgrounds, students who select a master's degree in accounting tend to have a strong foundation in accounting, finance, economics, and statistics. CCU's program equips future business and nonprofit leaders and managers with a Christian worldview, complemented by a broad background in business administration and a strong foundation in technology.
Students who participate in this program will gain a biblical foundation that emphasizes both the importance of serving with excellence and making ethical decisions to advance the Kingdom of God. Graduates from this program will possess a unique understanding of how accounting can also be a ministry, whether through living above reproach or knowing how to apply their faith in the workplace, as well as the scriptural basis for making informed stewardship decisions.
How does this MBA align with Christian leadership?
CCU's MBA in accounting uniquely integrates biblical principles with advanced business education, preparing you to become an ethical servant leader in the accounting profession. The accounting concentration emphasizes values-based decision-making through courses like Accounting Ethics, where you'll examine biblical standards of integrity essential for accounting practice while building leadership skills.
You'll strengthen your ability to live above reproach as you take your faith into the workplace, learning how accounting can serve as a ministry through excellent stewardship. The curriculum includes scriptural perspectives on financial management, enabling you to grow as a leader who combines technical expertise with Christian values through this comprehensive MBA accounting concentration.
What career advancement opportunities will this create?
The MBA in accounting opens doors to upper management positions that combine advanced business acumen with specialized accounting expertise. You'll be prepared for roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Controller, and senior positions within accounting firms where leadership skills are essential. The business administration focus distinguishes you from traditional accounting degree holders by providing strategic thinking capabilities.
Your enhanced qualifications position you for competitive opportunities in diverse industries, including healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and Big Four accounting firms. The advanced training in forensic accounting, financial reporting, and tax planning creates pathways to specialized consulting roles that require both technical accounting knowledge and executive leadership skills, making this a rewarding career.
How long does completing this MBA take?
CCU's online MBA accounting concentration totals 39 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 18 months, allowing you to balance your career and family commitments. The MBA program uses an accelerated format where you take one course at a time in five-week blocks, allowing you to focus intensively on each subject. This approach ensures thorough mastery of financial accounting and managerial accounting concepts.
This flexible structure accommodates busy adult learners by eliminating the need for multiple simultaneous courses that could overwhelm your schedule. The sequential approach ensures you can master areas like advanced auditing and international accounting standards without sacrificing family time or performance in your current position while pursuing this graduate degree.
What hands-on learning experiences are included?
The MBA program emphasizes practical application through accounting courses designed to bridge theory with real-world challenges you'll face in leadership roles. Advanced managerial accounting offers hands-on experience with cost accounting, budgeting, and variance reporting that you can apply immediately to your current responsibilities. Forensic accounting combines audit procedures with investigative practices, providing valuable skills for today's business environment.
Research coursework teaches you to navigate complex situations using actual case studies and regulatory challenges. International accounting standards prepare you for global business complexities through practical exercises in corporate financial reporting implementation. These components ensure that you develop actionable skills while building expertise applicable across industries through this comprehensive accounting specialization.
Is this program properly accredited and credible?
CCU's MBA accounting program maintains accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring the degree meets rigorous academic standards recognized by employers nationwide. The university's commitment to academic excellence creates a credential respected in both secular and faith-based business environments, providing a competitive advantage in your career advancement.
The concentration in accounting aligns with CPA exam preparation requirements and prepares you for professional certifications that enhance career mobility. CCU's established reputation in business education, coupled with a comprehensive curriculum that covers advanced accounting topics and financial statement analysis, provides the credibility needed for executive-level advancement while meeting the standards of advanced collegiate schools.
Is an MBA worth it for accountants?
An MBA is highly valuable for accountants seeking career advancement beyond traditional accounting practice into executive leadership positions. The accounting MBA concentration provides business administration knowledge and management skills that distinguish you from peers with only accounting degrees. This Master of Business Administration degree opens doors to CFO, Controller, and senior management positions requiring both accounting expertise and strategic business thinking.
The online MBA format allows working accounting professionals to earn this graduate degree while maintaining current positions and family commitments. With comprehensive training in business strategy and operations management, and an emphasis on problem-solving, this investment provides the competitive advantage needed for executive-level advancement in today's accounting program marketplace.
State Exclusions for Online Students
Colorado Christian University is required by the U.S. Department of Education to be in compliance with state laws regarding where we can offer distance and/or online education. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Colorado Christian University offers courses to online students in all states with some exceptions for specific academic programs.