2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

The Sawyer Business School is the only business school in Boston to achieve accreditation of its accounting and taxation programs by AACSB International, the premier business accreditation organization in the world. The Suffolk MST program is the only AACSB International-accredited MST program in Boston.  Only 174 business schools in the world hold this prestigious accreditation.

The MST Program prepares students to become successful tax professionals in public accounting, the corporate sector, or government. It is intended primarily for part time study, complementing the experience students gain from the workplace.

The program is flexible in terms of the kinds of educational background and experience candidates can bring to the program. Our most important concern is that students are focused in their professional career objectives. The MST is the recognized degree for tax advisors in personal practice, accounting firms, trust firms, corporate tax management positions, and in federal or state agencies.  Both accountants and attorneys often take the MST to specialize their professional knowledge and skills.

Graduates of the MST Program will have competence in accounting, a sound understanding of tax issues in a global environment, and an ability to apply this knowledge effectively in tax planning and problem solving situations. They will also have strong communication and research skills, and a keen appreciation of the ethical standards of professional practice.

The Suffolk MST distinguishes itself from other programs by assuring student competence in three key areas of tax practice: tax compliance, tax planning, and tax policy. Proficiency in tax compliance enables the student to assist clients and employers with meeting the myriad filing requirements of tax practice. Proficiency in tax planning provides the student with the ability to apply creative tax avoidance strategies for prospective transactions. An emphasis on tax policy enables the student to understand how tax laws are created and, more importantly, they will have the ability to contribute knowledgeably to the debate, via publication or public discourse, which will enhance their careers as experts in their field. A sound understanding of tax policy will also enable the tax practitioner to predict the outcome of pending legislation, which is so important in effective tax planning.

Admission

Admission requirements for the Sawyer Business School MST Degree Program are listed in the Graduate Programs section of this catalog. However, the GMAT may be waived if the candidate holds a CPA or other recognized professional qualification in accounting, a JD, an enrolled agent, or a master’s degree from an accredited school of management.

Waivers and Transfer Credits

The accounting core can for waived with credit for students who have an undergraduate accounting major, or who have a recognized professional accounting qualification. Alternatively, accounting core courses may be waived by equivalent undergraduate or graduate courses taken with a grade of “B” or better at an accredited college or university.

Transfer credit for the tax courses up to a maximum of nine credit hours can be granted for equivalent graduate courses taken within the past five years at an AACSB International-accredited college or university, with a grade of “B”or better, provided they have not been applied to another degree, certificate, or diploma.

TAX 801 – Issues in Federal Taxation I may be waived with substitution, for students who have passed two appropriate undergraduate tax courses with a grade of “B” or better at an accredited U.S. college or university. Students who have significant tax experience as judged by the Director of Graduate Programs in Taxation may also waive it with substitution. Another graduate course is chosen from the electives to replace it.

Advising

The Director of the MST Program advises all MST students.

Requirements to Graduate

Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the courses they are required to take at Suffolk University to complete the MST degree.

Curriculum

The MST consists of 30– 42 credits.

For students who hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited college or university, or who hold a recognized professional accounting qualification, the MST Program consists of seven (7) required tax courses and three (3) elective courses. The program also accommodates students with no accounting background, through three (3) accounting core courses. The number of courses required for the MST can therefore be between 10 and 13, depending on a student’s accounting preparation.

Accounting Core Courses* (9 Credits)
* May be waived with credit.

MBA 640 Corporate Financial Reporting and Control
ACCT 801 Graduate Financial Accounting I
ACCT 802 Graduate Financial Accounting II

TAX 801 Issues in Federal Taxation I**
TAX 861 Tax Research
TAX 862 Taxation of Corporations
TAX 863 Taxation of Pass-through Entities
TAX 864 Tax Practice and Procedures
TAX 871 Taxation of Estates, Trusts and Gifts
TAX 876 Tax Policy

Electives (9 Credits)
Students select three (3) electives from the following:

TAX 802 Issues in Federal Taxation II
TAX 865 International Taxation I
TAX 866 State and Local Taxation
TAX 867 Advanced Topics in Corporate Taxation
TAX 868 Estate Planning Techniques
TAX 870 Federal Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts
 TAX 872 Tax Exempt Organizations
TAX 874 International Taxation II
TAX 875 Tax Accounting Periods and Methods
TAX 878 Tax Compliance
TAX 879 Personal Financial Planning
TAX 900 Special Topics in Taxation
TAX 910 Directed Individual Study in Taxation
Any other 800-level course offered in the Sawyer Business School, or any other advanced elective with the approval of the Director of Graduate Programs in Taxation.