Gain Unparalleled Access to Major Accounting Firms

Earn a Master of Science in Accountancy in Chicago

Prepare for accounting career opportunities in Chicago with DePaul’s flexible online Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA), designed for career changers and CPA-track professionals.

Why Chicago for Accounting?

Chicago isn’t just one of America’s greatest cities—it’s one of its most powerful accounting markets. As a global financial hub and home to the third-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the United States,¹ Chicago offers accounting professionals access to an employer ecosystem that few cities can match.

All four of the world’s largest accounting firms—Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young and KPMG—maintain major offices throughout Chicago’s Loop and surrounding business districts. Alongside the Big 4, the city is home to a deep bench of prominent mid-tier and regional accounting firms, as well as a vast network of corporations spanning industries from finance and healthcare to manufacturing, technology and professional services. For aspiring accountants, the opportunities here are substantial and wide-ranging.

The good news? You don’t have to live in Chicago to start building your career here. DePaul’s online MSA program is designed to connect you to Chicago’s accounting community—through faculty who are embedded in the local profession, optional in-person networking events and an alumni network woven throughout the city’s top firms—while you complete your degree from wherever you are today. Whether you’re already in the Chicago area or planning your eventual move to the city, DePaul gives you a running start into one of the nation’s premier accounting markets.

Learn More

Why DePaul’s Online MSA in Chicago?

DePaul’s online Master of Science in Accountancy isn’t just a degree—it’s a structured entry point into one of the nation’s most dynamic accounting markets. Here’s what sets it apart:

A Direct Pathway into the Chicago Accounting Market

DePaul is located in the heart of Chicago, and that proximity matters, even in an online program. Students gain access to Chicago’s professional ecosystem through optional in-person events, employer networking opportunities and faculty who are actively connected to the local business community. You can build meaningful Chicago career connections before you ever set foot in an office here.

Two professionals conversing in a room at DePaul University

Student on a blue Macbook laptop in a courtyard

A High-Touch Online Experience That Doesn’t Feel Online

Unlike self-paced, low-interaction programs, DePaul’s MSA is built around faculty engagement, direct mentorship and structured support. You’ll learn from professors who bring real industry experience into the virtual classroom, and who are genuinely invested in your success. This is online education designed around human connection, not passive content consumption.

Built Specifically for Career Changers—No Accounting Background Required

The DePaul MSA was intentionally designed for students who are transitioning into accounting from other fields. No prior accounting coursework? No problem. The program’s structured curriculum builds your knowledge from the ground up, providing a clear, efficient path to CPA eligibility without the burden of prerequisite leveling courses.

Two women in discussion with a tall building in the background

Students talking at a table in a shared working space

Integrated Career Support and Employer Connections

From the moment you enroll, DePaul connects you to a network of professionals, alumni and employers across Chicago’s accounting landscape. Career mentors, résumé and interview coaching, Executive-in-Residence programming, and optional in-person Chicago job fairs are all part of the experience. Your next job isn’t an afterthought—it’s built into the program.

“DePaul stood out to me because of its strong reputation in accounting education, its close ties to the professional services industry and its emphasis on practical, real-world application. I was particularly drawn to DePaul’s location in Chicago, which offers unparalleled access to major accounting firms and corporate employers.”

Ruth A.
MSA, ‘25

MSA Program Snapshot

Format	100% online (optional in-person events in Chicago)
Total Credits	48 credit hours
Total Courses	12 courses (8 core + 4 electives)
Start Terms	3 per year: Fall, Winter, Summer
Time to Completion	As little as 1 year (full-time); typically ~1.5 years (part-time)
Tuition	$1,146 per credit hour; $55,008 total
Scholarship	$8,000 available to students ($47,008 after scholarship)
Application Fee	$60 (waivers available)
GMAT/GRE	Optional
Letters of Recommendation	Optional
Admissions Requirements	Bachelor’s degree, transcripts, essay, résumé
Accreditation	AACSB accredited

Tuition, scholarship details and admissions requirements are subject to change. Please confirm current information on DePaul’s official program pages or by contacting an admissions advisor.

Two women laughing in an office space with notebooks in their hands

CPA Requirements in Illinois: What Chicago Students Should Know

Like most states, Illinois requires CPA candidates to meet specific educational credit thresholds for licensure—typically 150 total semester hours of higher education, along with defined requirements in accounting and business coursework. These requirements are established and administered by the Illinois Board of Examiners (ILBOE) and can vary based on when and where you completed your undergraduate degree.

DePaul’s MSA curriculum is designed with CPA preparation in mind. The coursework covers core accounting disciplines—including financial reporting, taxation, auditing and business law—that align with the content areas tested on the Uniform CPA Examination. Completing the MSA may help you work toward the 150-credit-hour threshold required for CPA licensure in Illinois, though your individual credit situation will depend on your undergraduate background.

Important: CPA eligibility requirements are state-specific and subject to change. Students are strongly encouraged to verify current Illinois CPA requirements directly with the Illinois Board of Examiners (ILBOE) and to consult with a DePaul admissions advisor about how the MSA may support their individual CPA credit planning.

Man in a navy blue sweater smiling at the camera with a cityscape in the background

For Career Changers: No Accounting Background? You’re in the Right Place.

If you’ve been thinking about making a move into accounting but worry that your non-accounting background is a barrier, here’s what you need to know: DePaul’s MSA was built for exactly that situation.

Many of the program’s most successful students came from completely different fields—communications, business administration, liberal arts, finance, even healthcare. What they shared wasn’t an accounting degree; it was the drive to build something more for their careers.

The DePaul MSA eliminates the prerequisite coursework that other programs often require, meaning you can move directly into graduate-level study without spending extra time and money on leveling courses first. The curriculum is structured to take you from foundational concepts through advanced accounting theory and practice in a logical, supported progression.

And you won’t be doing it alone. Faculty engagement, career mentors and a cohort of fellow students navigating similar transitions means you’ll have the support structure you need to succeed—even as you’re starting fresh. Starting over isn’t a setback. With the right program, it’s a strategic move.

Career Support and Chicago Networking

Earning your degree is only part of the equation. DePaul’s MSA is designed to connect you to the Chicago accounting profession—not just teach you about it.

What’s included in your career support experience:

Career Mentorship: Connect one-on-one with experienced accounting professionals who can offer guidance, industry insight and a real-world perspective tailored to your goals.
Résumé and Interview Coaching: Get hands-on support preparing the materials and skills you need to stand out in a competitive Chicago job market.
Executive-in-Residence Program: Engage directly with senior professionals from leading accounting firms and corporations—a rare access point for students who are still completing their degree.
Optional In-Person Chicago Events: Attend job fairs, employer information sessions and networking events in Chicago when your schedule allows, putting you in the same room as the hiring managers and partners who shape the local profession.
Alumni Network: Tap into the Ledger & Quill alumni network, one of the largest accounting alumni communities in the United States, with members at top firms and in leadership roles across Chicago and beyond.

Explore MSA Careers

Sample Career Paths for MSA Graduates:

Public Accountant
Auditor (External or Internal)
Tax Accountant
Corporate Accountant
Financial Reporting Analyst
Internal Auditor
Accounting Manager
CPA (with licensure)

CPA and Career Ready in a Year

Exploring an online Master of Science in Accountancy to propel your career forward? Begin your journey here. Fill out the form to receive information for DePaul University’s MSA program.

Take Your Next Step

This will only take a moment

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Birthdate*

I Plan to Enroll in*

By clicking “Get More Information,” I agree to provide the contact information listed above for the purpose of receiving communications regarding educational programs and opportunities.

Online Flexibility, Chicago Connections

DePaul’s MSA is structured to fit your life without sacrificing the engagement and accountability that make a graduate program truly valuable.

Core coursework is delivered asynchronously, so you can complete readings, assignments and coursework on a schedule that works around your professional and personal commitments. At the same time, the program incorporates regular faculty interaction, structured check-ins and collaborative elements that keep you engaged and on track, ensuring that flexibility never becomes isolation.

Elective options allow you to tailor your degree toward the areas of accounting that most align with your career interests, whether that’s taxation, audit, financial reporting or another specialization that fits the Chicago market you’re stepping into.

The result: a program that respects your time, supports your transition and keeps you meaningfully connected—to your professors, your peers and the Chicago accounting community you’re working toward joining.

Find DePaul in the Heart of Chicago

DePaul University’s downtown Chicago campus is situated at the center of one of the nation’s most dynamic business environments. While your MSA coursework is completed entirely online, you’re joining an institution that is deeply embedded in the city’s professional fabric—and that connection is available to you from day one.

DePaul University
1 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604

FAQs About Earning an MSA in Chicago

Can I take DePaul’s MSA completely online from outside Chicago?

Yes. DePaul’s Master of Science in Accountancy is offered 100% online, so you can complete the full program from anywhere, no relocation required. The program is specifically designed to give students outside of Chicago access to the university’s faculty, career resources and professional network remotely. Optional in-person events in Chicago are available but never required, giving you the flexibility to engage on your own terms.

Is DePaul’s online MSA connected to Chicago accounting career opportunities?

Absolutely. DePaul’s Chicago location is a meaningful differentiator for the online MSA. Students gain access to career mentors embedded in the local profession, optional in-person job fairs and networking events in Chicago, the Ledger & Quill alumni network with members across top Chicago firms, and an Executive-in-Residence program that connects students with senior professionals from leading employers. The program is intentionally built to serve as a bridge into Chicago’s accounting market, not just a degree.

Is Chicago a good city for accounting careers?

Chicago is one of the strongest accounting markets in the United States. The city is home to all four of the Big 4 accounting firms, a robust ecosystem of national mid-tier and regional firms, and a large concentration of Fortune 500 and Global 500 company headquarters. Industries including finance, manufacturing, healthcare, real estate and professional services all generate significant demand for accounting professionals across all experience levels and specializations.

Can DePaul’s MSA help prepare me for CPA-related career goals in Chicago?

DePaul’s MSA curriculum is designed with CPA preparation as a central objective. Coursework covers the core disciplines tested on the Uniform CPA Examination, including financial accounting, auditing, taxation and business law. Completing the program may also help you work toward Illinois’s 150-credit-hour requirement for CPA licensure. That said, eligibility requirements are determined by the Illinois Board of Examiners (ILBOE) on an individual basis. Students should verify their specific requirements with the ILBOE and consult a DePaul advisor to understand how the MSA fits into their CPA plan.

Do I need an accounting background to apply to DePaul’s online MSA?

No prior accounting background is required. DePaul’s MSA was specifically designed for students without undergraduate accounting degrees, including career changers coming from business, communications, liberal arts and other fields. The program does not require prerequisite accounting coursework before enrollment, making it one of the most accessible and efficient pathways into the profession for students starting from a non-accounting background.

How fast can I complete DePaul’s online MSA?

Full-time students can complete the 48-credit, 12-course program in as little as one year. Students who prefer a more flexible pace, balancing the program with work or other commitments, typically complete it in approximately one-and-a-half years on a part-time schedule. With three start terms per year (Fall, Winter and Summer), you can begin when the timing is right for you and move through the program at a pace that fits your life.

What makes DePaul’s MSA program a strong option for students who want to work in Chicago after graduation?

DePaul’s MSA offers something most fully online programs simply can’t: a genuine connection to a specific, high-opportunity job market. As a Chicago institution, DePaul has deep ties to the city’s accounting and business community through faculty relationships, alumni at major firms, employer-facing programs like Executive-in-Residence, and optional in-person events that put students in front of local hiring professionals. Paired with a structured CPA-track curriculum and an $8,000 scholarship available to all students, DePaul offers a combination of prestige, access and value that is difficult to match for students with Chicago career goals.

Ready to take the next step?

Apply Now

Get Information

Source

1. Retrieved on August 12, 2026, from chicagobusiness.com/economy/fortune-500-companies-chicago-home-third-most/