MA Accounting

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest

Program Overview

The MA in Accounting at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is an intensive one-year postgraduate programme designed to give you real professional accounting skills and valuable exemptions from major accountancy bodies. It’s ideal for graduates with a business, finance or accounting background who want to accelerate their career in areas like financial reporting, auditing, tax and strategic accounting.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 (September – August)

Throughout your one-year MA, you’ll build a strong foundation in key areas that matter most to accounting professionals. In Semester 1, you’ll tackle Financial Reporting and Corporate Governance, learn how firms make effective long-term decisions in Financial Strategy, and explore professional standards in Auditing to understand trust and accountability in financial information.

Moving into Semester 2, you’ll broaden your analytical skillset with Strategic Management Accounting, deepen your understanding of taxation principles in Taxation, and apply your knowledge to complex situations with Integrated Case Studies that mirror real workplace challenges.

Across the full year, you’ll also complete a substantial Accounting Research Project, giving you the chance to bring together all your learning, engage with contemporary research, and show employers you can tackle meaningful problems in accounting practice.

Focus areas (in a string):

Financial Reporting, Corporate Governance, Financial Strategy, Auditing, Strategic Management Accounting, Taxation, Integrated Case Studies, Accounting Research Project.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Develop advanced technical accounting knowledge, critically analyse financial information, apply strategic accounting tools in real contexts, synthesise research insights into practice, and communicate complex financial concepts clearly and professionally.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

This programme includes full CAP 2 exemptions from Chartered Accountants Ireland, 11 exemptions from CPA Ireland, and 8 exemptions from ACCA, giving you a head start on professional qualifications and making your journey toward chartered or certified status significantly quicker.

Reputation (employability rankings):

TUS is a recognised technological university in Ireland with a growing reputation for graduate employability and strong industry connections; many students receive job offers within the first three months of starting the programme, reflecting its relevance and value to employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At TUS, the MA in Accounting isn’t just about lectures — it’s a programme built so you practice the skills employers are looking for from day one. The course includes a substantial 30-credit Accounting Research Project that lets you actively engage with real accounting literature, develop analytical skills, and apply theory to current industry challenges, making your learning deeply practical and professionally relevant. You’ll work closely with experienced lecturers in the Department of Accounting and Business Computing, collaborate with peers on integrated case studies, and bring together everything you’ve learned in a way that mirrors real workplace expectations:

Accounting Research Project: A year-long, 30-credit project that gives you hands-on experience researching and solving real accounting issues, making your skills immediately applicable in professional settings.
Integrated Case Studies: Throughout the programme you’ll tackle case studies that simulate accounting decisions and strategy development just like in practice.
Collaborative Learning: Modules such as Strategic Management Accounting and Auditing encourage group work, discussions, and presentations that build teamwork and communication skills you’ll use in your career.
Applied Curriculum: Core subjects like Financial Reporting and Corporate Governance, Taxation, and Financial Strategy are designed to develop practical accounting competence that you can confidently demonstrate to employers.
Student Support Services: You’ll benefit from TUS’s broader career supports — including career planning, employability workshops, and networking opportunities through the Careers & Employability service — to help turn your academic experience into professional success.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with the MA in Accounting from Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) positions you for strong professional success — many alumni move straight into roles such as Accounting Associate, Financial Analyst, Tax Specialist, and Audit Consultant as they begin their careers. With generous professional exemptions and practical skills gained through the programme, you’ll be ready to step into the workforce with confidence and purpose:

Career progression opportunities include:

University support services: You’ll work with the TUS Careers & Employability Service for one-to-one career guidance, CV and interview coaching, employer engagement events and job fairs tailored to business and accounting graduates, helping you transition confidently into professional roles.
Professional exemptions and accreditation value: The MA Accounting offers full CAP 2 exemptions from Chartered Accountants Ireland, as well as extensive exemptions from CPA Ireland and ACCA, significantly reducing the number of professional exams you’ll need to sit after graduation and speeding your journey toward full chartered or certified status.
Graduate employability: TUS graduates benefit from a high overall placement rate (around 81%) as reported for university graduates, with many entering roles across accounting firms, financial services, and corporate finance functions soon after completing their studies.
Industry connections and partnerships: While specific programme partnerships are not listed, the broader support at TUS includes employer engagement opportunities and networking through career events that connect you with accounting and finance employers across Ireland.
Positive salary prospects: Although exact TUS salary data isn’t published officially, Ireland’s broader accounting job market shows competitive starting salaries for accounting graduates (e.g., typical starting figures for accounting roles are often in the range of ~€32,000–€55,000+ depending on role and experience).

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your MA in Accounting, you could progress to research-oriented study such as a Level 10 PhD in Accounting or Business, or explore specialised postgraduate pathways in areas like Finance or Management at TUS or other universities. These advanced qualifications deepen your expertise and open doors to careers in academia, consulting specialisms or strategic financial leadership roles.