STEM-designated

Accountants are in high demand for the crucial data they provide to help businesses plan operations and monitor performance. The field of accounting requires individuals to have a broad perspective of technical, managerial and social policy issues, strong mathematical competence and analytical mindset, as well as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The MS in Management – Accounting program is designed for students who have obtained baccalaureate degrees in fields other than accounting. Students can complete the program in just one year as a full-time student, or they can add a full-time internship and complete the program in 15 months. Our students are sought after by all size CPA firms, companies, government, and non-profit organizations. Why? Because employers appreciate that our graduates blend diverse undergraduate studies with a high-quality accounting master’s program that is directly focused on the precise demands of the CPA exam.

If you already have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, you may be interested in:
MS in Management – Professional Accounting

Program Type

Master’s

Program Format

On Campus

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Full-time and part-time students can pursue one of several options for completing the MS Management – Accounting degree. They also have the opportunity to work as paid interns during the spring or summer terms.

Foundation Courses (0-24 credits)

BUS ADM 201 Financial Accounting (B or better grade required)
BUS ADM 210 Business Statistics
BUS ADM 301 Intermediate Accounting (B or better grade required)
BUS ADM 350 Principles of Finance
BUS ADM 391 Business Law I
BUS ADM 405 Income Tax Accounting I
ECON 103 Principles of Microeconomics

Required Courses (31 credits)

BUS ADM 401G Introduction to Data Analytics in Accounting
BUS ADM 408G  Accounting Information Systems
BUS ADM 706 Income Tax Accounting II
BUS ADM 722 Advanced Financial Accounting Theory
BUS ADM 724 Business Consolidations and Governmental Accounting
BUS ADM 725 Strategic Cost Management I
BUS ADM 728 Auditing Theory and Applications
BUS ADM 840 Current Issues in Financial Reporting
BUS ADM 844 Advanced Audit and Assurance
BUS ADM 846 Advanced Analytics in Accounting

The MSA program outlined above prepares you for the CPA exam CORE, plus the BAR (Business Analysis & Reporting) discipline on the CPA exam. Students interested in taking the TCP (Tax Compliance and Planning) or ISC (Information Systems and Control) disciplines, may take additional courses from the list below. Please contact Graduate Student Services for more information.

Additional Courses (optional)

BUS ADM 727 Information Systems Assurance & Advisory
BUS ADM 743 Information, Privacy, Security, & Continuity
BUS ADM 753 Advanced Business Law
BUS ADM 821 Advanced Taxation
BUS ADM 823 Corporate Income Taxation
BUS ADM 828 Taxation of Partnerships, S Corporations, and LLCs
BUS ADM 841 Financial Statement Analysis
BUS MGMT 726 Study Abroad: EY Germany

My Lubar has additional important information for potential and current graduate accounting students. It includes information on graduate program routes, internships, MSPA Orientation, teaching assistant and scholarship applications, as well as other useful information!

Additional degree requirements and course descriptions for the Master of Science in Accounting can be found on the Graduate School website. 

If you already have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, you may be interested in:
MS in Management – Professional Accounting

With a strong combination of professional and academic experience, the accounting, taxation, and business law faculty at the Lubar College are well known for their commitment to helping students succeed in their studies and preparing them for the accounting profession. The practice of accounting is ever-changing. To stay on top of new developments, Lubar accounting faculty are CPA-certified in the profession and closely connected with public and corporate accounting professionals. As PhD-qualified faculty, they also collaborate with other research scholars on current topics in financial accounting, managerial accounting, non-profit accounting, auditing, individual and corporate taxation, business law, and corporate governance.

  • Professor, Accounting
  • Dean's Research Fellow
James Blinka
  • Professor of Practice, Accounting
Colleeen Boland
  • Associate Professor, Accounting
  • Chair, Lubar College of Business Executive Committee
Veena Brown
  • Associate Professor, Accounting
  • Director of Accounting Programs
Rachel Gazaryan
  • Lecturer, Accounting
Aaron Mandell
  • Assistant Professor, Accounting
Sean McCarthy
  • Assistant Professor, Accounting
Daniel Neely
  • Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
  • Professor, Accounting
Jonathan Saffold
  • Professor of Practice, Accounting
Laura Swenson
  • Associate Professor, Accounting
Amy Tegeler
  • Assistant Professor, Accounting
  • Roger L. Fitzsimonds Junior Faculty Scholar
  • Assistant Professor, Accounting

Message from the Director

Veena Brown

Thank you for your interest in the accounting area at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Lubar College of Business!

The Lubar College has been the primary source of accounting talent in southeast Wisconsin for over 60 years, providing outstanding degree programs, meaningful experiential opportunities for students, a strong faculty commitment to teaching, and close relationships with accounting firms and businesses in our region.

Recognized for rigor and relevance, our program is respected for our highly-qualified and well-prepared graduates who contribute as CPAs and accounting professionals in businesses throughout Wisconsin and beyond.

On behalf of the accounting faculty, I welcome you to learn more about us.

Veena L. Brown
Director of Accounting Programs
Associate Professor of Accounting

Mission

The Accounting Area of the Lubar College of Business provides high quality, practical education and engages in impactful research that advances knowledge. We prepare all accounting students for successful business careers through experience-based learning, technology, teaching innovations, employer and alumni involvement, ethics, and career guidance.

Vision

Our vision is to be the leader in accounting education. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that cultivates expertise, ethics, innovation, and an analytical mindset within accounting students. Through impactful research, strong business community connections, and a global perspective, we aim to inspire students to excel as professionals in an ever-evolving business world.

Accounting Advisory Council

Highly engaged with accounting firms and professionals throughout the region, we value the input and guidance of our Accounting Advisory Council, comprised of partners from each of the “big four” international CPA firms, partners from regional and local CPA firms, and certified public accountants who are leaders of major international companies in our region.

Admission Requirements

We’re excited to have you join the Lubar College of Business and we hope the following information will be useful as you start the application process for graduate school.

We will carefully consider all elements in your application file as we determine if you will be a good fit for our graduate programs. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

  1. Completion of an Undergraduate Degree
    Applicants must hold a degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution in the United States or from a recognized institution in a foreign country. Many 3-year bachelor’s degrees are accepted as equivalent to the U.S. 4-year bachelor’s degree for purposes of admission.
  2. Cumulative GPA of 2.75
    A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or an equivalent measure on a grading system that does not use a 4.0 scale. Those whose undergraduate GPA is below 2.75 must provide further documentation.
  3. English Proficiency for International Students 
    All UWM Graduate School applicants are required to demonstrate a suitable level of proficiency in the English language.
  4. Official GMAT & GRE scores.
  • A minimum GMAT score of 500 total (Quantitative score of 36, Verbal score of 17 for international students).
  • A minimum GRE score of 305 total (Quantitative score of 149, Verbal score of 142 for international students).
  • GMAT/GRE Waiver Policy

How to Apply

You will need to submit the following to complete the UWM Graduate School application:

  1. Transcripts from every institution of higher learning attended will be needed. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded at the time of application but official transcripts will be required upon acceptance. Transcripts should be emailed directly to the UWM Graduate School.
  2. Submission of official GMAT or GRE scores must be sent directly from GMAC or ETS.
    – GMAT CODE: 1896
    – GRE CODE: Institution Code 1473, Dept. Code 4204
  3.  An updated resume.
  4. Statement of Purpose (1 to 2 pages on why you would like to earn your degree at the Lubar College of Business and your plans after graduation.)
  5. One or two Letter(s) of Recommendation are preferred but not required.
  6. In addition to the items listed above, international students must supply the following:
    –  All foreign institutional transcripts from any institution of higher learning attended.
    –  Applicants whose native language is not English, or who have not earned a degree in the United States, must submit TOEFL scores directly from ETS.
  7. Submit the $75.00 application fee.

Priority application deadlines are as follows but may be subject to change:

  • For any Fall semester: July 15th in the same calendar year
  • For any Spring semester: November 15th in the same calendar year
  • For any Summer semester: April 15th in the same calendar year.

Tuition Information

Please visit the following website for the most up-to-date tuition information based on the semester you will attend, and to review the Business Masters Fee schedule.

Jordan Boehm, CliftonLarsonAllen (BBA ’10)

Jordan Boehm

Jordan Boehm is a Principal at CLA Milwaukee. Jordan is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has over 12 years of experience providing attestation and consulting services to State and Local Government and Higher Education clients.

Jeff Bradford, Grant Thornton

Jeff Bradford

Jeff Bradford is the Wisconsin Market Managing Principal for Grant Thornton Advisors LLC. Jeff is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Texas-Austin. He has over 25 years leading corporations, private equity groups, and high-net worth individuals through strategic transactions.

Rebecca Hartzel, Deloitte

Rebecca Hartzel is a Tax Managing Director at Deloitte Milwaukee. Rebecca is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She has over 20 years of experience serving both individuals and privately held companies and leads the Private Wealth practice for the Milwaukee office.

Kevin Klimara, EY

Kevin Klimara is a Milwaukee Assurance Partner and Central Region IPO Leader at EY. Kevin is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and computer science from St. Joseph’s College, Indianna. He has over 35 years of experience serving public and private multinational companies in the manufacturing, life sciences, and industrial and
consumer products industries.

Chris Lacey, Kohler Company (BBA ’98)

Chris is the Director of Legal Consolidation and Audits at Kohler. Chris is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has over 25 years in operations including legal, reporting, and financial compliance.

Ryan Michalski, KPMG

Ryan Michalski

Ryan Michalski is an Audit Partner at KPMG Milwaukee. Ryan is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in accounting from Wake Forest University. He has over 20 years of experience serving public and private clients in the manufacturing, consumer products, and retail space.

Chris Mueller, BDO (MS ‘07, BBA ‘05)

Chris Mueller is a Tax Partner and the Wisconsin Tax Practice Leader at BDO. Chris is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has over 17 years of experience serving
private companies and individual tax clients in tax planning
and compliance.

Courtney Ockwood, PwC

Courtney is an Assurance Director at PwC Milwaukee. Courtney is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has over 11 years experience serving public and private clients.

Craig Peotter, Baird (MBA ’02)

Craig Poetter

Craig Peotter is the Finance Director at Baird and is a certified public accountant. Craig holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has over 25 years of experience in global finance and accounting
including treasury, FP&A, financial reporting, tax and finance
technology.

Michael Reis, Northwestern Mutual (BBA ’92)

Michael Reis is the Vice President of Accounting Policy at Northwestern Mutual. Michael is a certified public accountant and a chartered financial analyst and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has served over 19 years in the life insurance industry.

Scott Schumacher, Wipfli (MS ’00, BBA ’93)

Scott Schumacher

Scott Schumacher is the Tax Service Line Leader at Wipfli. Scott is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has over 30 years of experience working with manufacturing businesses of all sizes and their owners.

Craig Simpkins, Johnson Controls

Craig Simpkins is the Early Talent Development Program Global Leader for Accounting and Finance at Johnson Controls. Craig is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, an MBA from North Park University, and a master’s degree in accounting from Regis University. He has over 30
years leading accounting, finance, rotational and early talent
programs.

James Stuart, Deloitte (BBA ’93)

James Stuart is an Audit Partner at Deloitte Milwaukee. James is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has over 30 years of experience serving a wide range of multinational corporations across various industries including banking and mergers and acquisitions.

Brian Wilson, Ritz Holman (MS ‘04, BBA ’99)

Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson is a Tax Partner at Ritz Holman Milwaukee. Brian is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has over 20 years of public accounting experience providing accounting and tax services to individuals, trusts and estate clients.

Bill Wong, Baker Tilly (MS ’93, BBA ’89)

Bill Wong

Bill Wong is a Tax Partner at Baker Tilly Milwaukee. Bill is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has over 30 years of experience providing tax and business advisory services for publicly traded and privately held companies.

Contact
Graduate Student Services
Lubar Hall N251
414-251-5252
mba-ms@uwm.edu
Leading Through Analytics and Innovation