Application Process
Master of Science in Accountancy – Application Process
Wake Forest’s Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) degree has unmatched CPA exam pass rates and opportunities for specialization in financial transaction services, assurance, or tax. Combined, these aspects of the MSA program prepare graduates for highly sought after positions as accounting professionals in a wide range of industries.
Rolling Admissions
Applications to the MSA program are reviewed on a rolling basis, approximately three to four weeks after completion through the online application system. Only complete application files will be considered.
To get started, we recommend verifying your program eligibility before beginning the online application. Applicants to the Master’s in Accounting program should follow the instructions and requirements shown below.
MSA Application Deadlines for Summer/Fall 2025 Enrollment
- Domestic applicants include U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
- If applicable, foundational courses begin in May and June on the Wake Forest campus. Courses begin in August for all other students.
- International students currently living outside the U.S. must meet the April 1 application deadline. International students currently in the U.S. on an F-1 visa can meet the application deadline of May 1 if they require only a SEVIS transfer to extend their visa, and do not require foundational coursework.
- If applicable, foundational courses begin in May and June on the Wake Forest campus. Courses begin in August for all other students.
MSA Program Eligibility
The Wake Forest University School of Business seeks Accountancy applicants with demonstrated achievement in their previous coursework, professional experience, and community involvement. As part of the holistic application review, our team seeks leadership ability, motivation, focus, enthusiasm, strong values, and teamwork skills in prospective students.
Before you start the application process, we encourage you to check the program eligibility standards listed below to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications. Wake Forest does not refund the application fee for a submitted application, regardless of whether a candidate meets the program eligibility. If you are unsure of your eligibility, schedule a one-on-one admissions consultation with the Center for Enrollment Management through email at busapply@wfu.edu.
Eligibility criteria for MSA enrollment:
- Earned or pursuing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. All undergraduate majors will be considered.
- All applicants must complete required foundational courses (including WFU seniors who are not pursuing the 5-year MSA program). Individuals who will complete an undergraduate degree by spring 2025 can enroll in the MSA program. Students who enter the program do not need to have an accounting background. However, students without an accounting background are required to successfully complete select foundational courses prior to enrollment. For more information on all required foundational course offerings, as well as details on dates and locations offered, review the complete MSA curriculum.
- WFU School of Business juniors only: Wake Forest students can apply to the integrated MSA program and earn both the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees with five years of coursework at Wake Forest. These students apply to the School of Business in their sophomore year and then apply to the MSA program in their junior year of study. To apply as a junior to the MSA program, Wake Forest students must have been admitted into the Wake Forest undergraduate business program and be in the process of taking junior-level accounting coursework within the School of Business. For additional information regarding eligibility and application requirements for WFU juniors, please contact Susie Hoff at 336-758-7255 or langesm@wfu.edu. You can also refer to the instructions tab of the WFU Junior Fall 2026 application.
Receipt of Transcripts & Scores
To review the received status of official transcript(s), GMAT/GRE score(s), and TOEFL/IELTS score(s), please login to your Applicant Portal, and choose your application to view a summary of your application status and requirements. You can login using the same username and password that you used to create your online application.
Our office processes a large volume of application components daily, so check back often for new updates as this is the best method to check the receipt of your supplemental materials. Once materials are received by our office, it can take up to ten business days to update your Applicant Portal. If it has been more than ten days and your Applicant Portal is not properly updated, please contact the Center for Enrollment Management.
When mailing official transcripts, it is suggested that you use FedEx or another delivery service that provides you with package tracking capability.
International Applicants
If you are applying to the MS in Accountancy program as an international candidate, please review the following tips and guidelines for an efficient application process:
- Use the same email address and first name throughout the entire application process.
- Ensure that your name is spelled out completely in English on your application and transcript.
- Include your full application name (that matches your passport) in any correspondence with the university.
- Do not send any materials which are not requested by the Enrollment Management Center.
- Please note that the required foundational courses (Principles of Finance, Intermediate Accounting I & II, Introductory Tax, and Intermediate Financial Management) must be taken at a four-year United States AACSB-accredited school. Otherwise, students are expected to take them on the Wake Forest campus during the summer.
Reapplication Policy
If you completed the online application for Fall 2024, you may reapply for the subsequent year. Please verify your program eligibility above before beginning the application process. As a reapplicant, you complete an abbreviated application process but are required to submit a new application. Any transcripts or official scores that were previously submitted to the Enrollment Management Center will be automatically transferred to your new application file.
When you complete the online application, please answer yes to the question “Are you reapplying for enrollment?” on the Additional Information tab, indicating your intent to reapply. If you previously applied to the School of Business, we maintain official transcripts and official scores for up to three years. You are welcome to contact our office to inquire about previously submitted materials.
Deposit Deadlines
All candidates receive an admission decision within three to four weeks of submission, provided the application is complete. Enrollment deposit due dates vary by admit date, noted in the chart below.
Admit Date | Deposit Due Date | MSA Deposit* |
Before Jan. 31 | 4 weeks after admission | $1,500 |
Feb. 1 – March 31 | 3 weeks after admission | $1,500 |
April 1 – May 31 | 2 weeks after admission | $1,500 |
June 1 or later | 1 week after admission | $1,500 |
Enrollment Deposit Amount and Payment Due Date
The $1,500 Enrollment Deposit can be paid in total upon acceptance of the admission offer or in two payments according to the chart below.
Payment |
Amount |
Due Date* |
---|---|---|
1st payment |
$1,000 |
upon offer acceptance |
2nd payment |
$500 |
March 15 (international) May 1 (domestic) |
*Note about payment deadlines: The entire deposit of $1,500 is due immediately if an offer is accepted after the 2nd payment deadline. Students can pay the entire fee at any time prior to the deadline. The entire enrollment deposit is applied to first semester tuition upon matriculation. An additional processing fee is assessed if paying via credit card. Enrollment deposit payments are non-refundable.
Deposit Extension
The Admissions Committee is able to grant an extension to the deposit deadline for select cases. All extension requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee.
For International Students
All International students who have paid their enrollment deposit should anticipate an email to be delivered to your new Wake Forest email address (once activated) sent from the Wake Forest International Students and Scholars team (ISS). This email will contain detailed instructions on the requirements and forms (including Certification of Finances) that you must complete to receive your I-20 documentation that you will need to obtain your F-1 student visa. Students already in the US that need to transfer their I-20 from their current university will also receive instructions from ISS to complete that process.
Apply Now to Wake Forest’s Master’s in Accountancy Program
Wake Forest’s top-ranked Master of Science in Accountancy degree provides unparalleled preparation for the CPA exam, setting graduates up for in-demand careers as accountants across all industries.
Take the next step toward a career in accounting by applying to the MSA program today.