EXPERIENCE

The VSB Difference

The Villanova School of Business offers a world-class business education that can be attained while pursuing your career goals. Our MAC program combines the crucial elements of superior business education:

• A curriculum informed by global accounting firms and matched to future market demands in the field—combining core business practices, modern analytics technology and data sets, and a grounding in responsible leadership.
• Faculty members who are highly regarded as teachers, researchers, and scholars, with a wide range of professional experience. They teach in an adaptive learning environment where the focus is on helping students learn how to better themselves, their organizations, and their communities.
• Your fellow students, who will engage you with their intellect and passion for learning. 
• A reputation of excellence in Public Accounting: the Villanova School of Business is nationally recognized in delivering highly prepared accounting students.
• Experiential learning opportunities where students get hands-on accounting experience using technology and business applications.

Who should apply to the MAC program?

The program is ideally suited for those who wish to launch or transition into a career in accounting. As rapid technological advancements are changing the industry, the MAC program gives you a competitive advantage to enter the field with the more advanced and well-rounded skills the industry is seeking.

College graduates (BS or BA) with an accounting major, minor or coursework in accounting attained through other courses of study are encouraged to apply. (See below for prerequisites.)

What is an average student's profile?

• Average age of MAC students: 23 years
• Average GPA: 3.5
• Average work experience: 1 year

*The GMAT/GRE is optional for applicants but may be requested by the admissions committee to strengthen an application. Significant emphasis is placed on prospective students' undergraduate Accounting grades.

Are there any prerequisites?

As part of our MAC evaluation process, we review candidate transcripts for the following pre-requisites to be completed prior to the start of classes. Pre-requisite courses must be taken at an AACSB-accredited institution with a grade of “B” or higher:

• Intermediate Accounting I
• Intermediate Accounting II
• Federal Income Tax
• Audit

The MAC curriculum is interdisciplinary, integrating far more than just accounting. Courses include:

• Leadership for the New Accounting Professional and Negotiations
• Advanced Topics in Auditing, Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting & Fraud, Taxes & Business Strategy, Performance Measurement & Business Risk Management, Valuation Issues in Accounting
• Accounting Analytics, Data Models, Special Topics in Accounting Analytics
  

The MAC program at Villanova, while not designed to be a CPA review, when paired with the appropriate undergrade course work, does combine the necessary topics and accounting theories needed to successfully prepare for the exam. Students are encouraged to research their specific state requirements prior to applying for the exam. In addition, MAC students gain access to highly discounted Becker CPA Exam Review materials.