The Top Taxation MBA Online Programs

The online Master of Business Administration in Taxation degree provides students with the opportunity to hone general business skills while gaining further specialization in tax preparation and accounting. A business professional with an online MBA in taxation is generally eligible for high-level management positions in both corporations and government institutions.

Students earning their taxation MBA online will learn the intricacies of tax law and tax preparation, as well as the importance of ethical tax reporting and financial governance. Graduates of accredited online MBA taxation programs are typically equipped with enhanced management skills and proficiency in corporate and small business tax compliance issues.

How can I tell if an online MBA taxation degree is right for me?

Students who are interested in accounting, tax law and corporate finance will likely find that an online Master of Business Administration in Taxation is a natural fit for their business goals.

Other common traits amongst many online MBA taxation students are:

• A flair for getting information
• An aptitude for performing for or working directly with the public
• An inclination for processing information
• A desire for analyzing data or information
• A flair for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships

How long does it take to earn an MBA online taxation degree?

The time it takes to earn a taxation MBA degree online is comparable to the time it takes to earn other MBAs online. It generally requires two years of full-time study to complete. But, students are able to complete the program in a more convenient manner at some schools that have part-time or accelerated programs.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA taxation schools online?

An undergraduate degree is normally required before students can enroll in online MBA taxation programs. While having an undergraduate degree in areas like law, finance, business administration, and CPA may be ideal for those considering enrolling in a good MBA taxation online program, it is generally not required.

The following criteria are also used by many online MBA in taxation programs in making admissions decisions including:

• Work experience
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)
• Academic transcripts
• References or Letters of Recommendation

What courses will I take in taxation MBA programs online?

A taxation MBA online degree program will require students to complete common online MBA courses during their first year, including strategic accounting, marketing management, strategies for decision making, financial management and operations management. Several courses specific to taxation will provide an overview of the tax system, as well as an introduction to tax preparation and accounting.

As students progress into the latter half of their MBA taxation online program, they will primarily take courses specific to their chosen area of specialization, including tax law, financial ethics, corporate taxation, international taxation and partnership taxation. Some of the best taxation MBA schools online will require students to complete an MBA online taxation internship in order to receive additional hands-on experience in a business setting.

Many students enrolled in online taxation MBA programs complete an internship during the course of their education. These internships can be very beneficial. Through them, students get a chance to put their learning into practical use. They also often make important business contacts.

What are the best online MBA in taxation books I should consider reading?

Some books students wanting to pursue taxation MBA careers may find helpful include:

1. Tax Savvy for Small Business (Frederick W. Daily) – Rated highly by business publications, this guide alerts readers to tax codes that commonly affect small businesses, including long-term asset write-off and tips for handling an audit.

2. Federal Income Taxation of Partners and Partnerships in a Nutshell (Karen C. Burke) – This book offers a concise summary of taxation as it relates to partnerships, offering taxation students an introduction to a variety of issues in this subfield.

3. Exiting Your Business, Protecting Your Wealth: A Strategic Guide for Owners and Their Advisors (John M. Leonetti) – This book provides a step-by-step process for navigating tax and legal issues related to business owners withdrawing from a company, an essential topic for taxation students planning to work in the small business arena.

4. Loopholes of the Rich: How the Rich Legally Make More Money and Pay Less Tax (Diane Kennedy) – This book offers a variety of legal methods for people to pay less tax, including clear explanations of complex IRS tax codes and checklists featuring over 300 often overlooked tax deductions.

5. International Taxation in a Nutshell (Richard L. Doernberg) – This book provides a basic overview of topics relevant to international taxation, including sections on tax provisions that create incentives and disincentives for conducting business overseas.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue taxation MBA jobs?

Students who graduate from top online taxation MBA schools will be able to pursue multiple opportunities in the field of business taxation. Some of the top careers in the field include credit analyst, accountant, financial analyst and tax preparer. The tax preparation industry employed 82,000 in 2010, with 1,217,000 accountants, 236,000 financial analysts and 63,000 credit analysts employed in the same year. The average taxation MBA salary by area of specialization is as follows:

• Credit Analyst – $60,730
• Accountant – $62,850
• Financial Analyst – $75,650
• Tax Preparer – $32,320

Graduates of programs with high online taxation MBA rankings can expect to see 10% to 19% job growth for tax-related positions, with growth for credit analyst and financial analyst positions forecasted to expand by 28%. This growth is largely due to increasing complexity in the tax code.

Employers often favor students who have earned their degrees from AACSB accredited taxation MBA programs because accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business can serve as an indication that a business school gives students a quality education.