Master's in Taxation (Comp)
Where Law Meets Taxation: Your Competitive Advantage
The Master's in Taxation at Leeds is not just another tax degree. It's a strategic education that sets you apart in the complex world of taxation, where legal knowledge is not just an advantage—it's essential. Our unique curriculum bridges business acumen and legal expertise, preparing you to navigate an intricate landscape of constantly evolving regulations, court precedents and legislative changes.
Three of your courses are taught at the University of Colorado Law School at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ, giving you unprecedented access to an education in legal matters as they pertain to taxes. Think like a lawyer, excel in taxation.
"I chose Leeds MS in Taxation because it allowed me to be confident in what I know."
- Ben Van Diest
(MSTAX ‘23)
Program Details
- Three start dates: fall, spring and summer
- In-person, on-campus program completed in nine months (or 12-18 months with an optional internship)
- 10-course program: 9 required courses + one international tax elective
- 3 courses taught at the Law School on the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ campus
- GMAT/GRE test scores are optional
- Option to switch into the MS Accounting program after coursework begins
- Learn to interpret and analyze tax law cases
- Build a sophisticated understanding of tax law and its applications
- Master the art of succinct, powerful legal writing
Careers in Taxation
Whether you’re seeking a career locally, nationally or globally, you’ll be a valuable asset to companies, public accounting firms, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies of every size and in nearly any place. And Leeds' students find jobs with companies like Plante Moran, EY (Ernst & Young), KPMG, Deloitte, PwC (Pricewaterhouse Coopers) and Armanino.
Our graduates land competitive jobs in audit and assurance, risk management, consulting, and financial planning and analysis.
An Audit and Assurance Associate supports senior auditors by conducting research, analyzing financial data, preparing audit documentation, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. This role involves assisting in the planning and execution of audits, identifying areas of financial risk, and communicating with the audit team and clients. Additionally, the Audit and Assurance Assistant may be responsible for preparing audit reports and ensuring that financial reports are accurate and comply with applicable regulations.
The role involves reviewing financial information, identifying potential risks, and collaborating with teams to provide quality assurance and project management services. Additionally, the successful candidate will need to effectively communicate with clients and maintain accurate databases.
Analyzing financial records to prepare statements, planning and directing audits to ensure compliance, and building internal controls to maintain accuracy. Additionally, the position requires preparing audit reports, supporting the accounting team, assisting customers, and collaborating with other auditors to uphold accounting standards.
CPA Exam Eligibility
Our Master’s in Accounting program prepares you to be eligible for the CPA exam through courses that strategically target topics on the exam. Leeds students aren't just prepared—they consistently achieve the top scores in the nation.
Students planning to obtain their CPA are responsible for ensuring they meet their .
To receive your CPA license, you will need the following four components:
At least 120 credit hours (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree) are required to sit for the CPA exam, and you’ll need to complete an additional 30 credit hours to qualify for licensure. You will also need to ensure that your credits meet your state’s required hours within the areas of accounting, auditing, and business. Every jurisdiction has its own educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam and to become licensed as a CPA. These requirements are subject to change and may affect the educational requirements for examination and licensure. Due to the changing nature of the education requirements, it is recommended that students review the website where they are seeking employment for updated licensure requirements. A list of state board websites can also be found on the page.
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is responsible for the creation of the uniform CPA exam. The exam is given in four sections: Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Attestation, Regulations, and Business Environment and Concepts. You are allowed to take the exam one section at a time and in any order. All sections of the exam must be completed within an 18-month testing period with a score of 75 percent or higher.
While experience requirements vary by state, CPA applicants in Colorado are required to complete 1,800 qualifying work hours within a period of 1-3 years in order to obtain licensure. Your experience must also be verified by a licensed CPA who oversees the work.
In some states, CPA applicants are required to complete an ethics course or exam in order to obtain their CPA license. For example, Colorado requires that you pass the AICPA Professional Ethics course with a score of 90 percent or higher within two years of application for licensure.
MS Taxation Faculty
Meet our award-winning faculty, recognized for their innovative teaching approach and their cutting-edge research in top academic journals.
Assistant Teaching Professor • Kala and Shiv Khatri Endowed Faculty Scholar
ACCOUNTING
Jeremiah joined the business school accounting faculty in 2017. He holds an MBA, a BS in Accounting, and is an active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Colorado. Jeremiah's professional background includes auditing with KPMG, serving as a corporate controller for a global professional services firm, and working as a consultant in business management and systems.
Jeremiah’s passion lies in empowering students with accounting and critical thinking skills, instilling a commitment to strong ethics in their personal and professional lives, and preparing them for future leadership roles.
Jeremiah has been at the forefront of incorporating new AI technologies into business school education across various disciplines. He has developed innovative curricula that prepare students for the evolving landscape of AI in business, ensuring they are equipped with both traditional business knowledge and cutting-edge technological skills.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Jeremiah is a father of two who enjoys the Colorado lifestyle, often exploring the outdoors with his family and their dog Cooper.
Assistant Teaching Professor
ACCOUNTING
Kit is an instructor of accounting at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a certified public accountant. From 2002 to 2004 and 2005 to 2017, Kit worked at Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he was a partner from 2007 until his retirement in 2017. From 2004 to 2005 he was the corporate controller of a publicly traded real estate investment trust. From 1993 to 2002 Kit worked at Arthur Andersen & Co. He is a graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in business administration, with an emphasis in accounting.
Teaching Professor
ACCOUNTING
Susan Morley is a senior instructor and teaching professor at the Leeds School of Business. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and obtained a Master of Science in Taxation and a Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Associate Professor of Law
TAXATION AND TAX POLICY
Sloan Speck will join the University of Colorado Law School faculty in fall 2015 as an Associate Professor. Professor Speck's research interests are in tax law and policy, with an emphasis on corporate and international tax, legal and business history, and the ways in which taxation informs and structures the relationship between state and society.
Application Deadlines
The application for 2025 entry is now open!
Round 1: October 7, 2024
Round 2: December 2, 2024
Round 3: Febuary 3, 2025
Final International Deadline: February 5, 2025
Final Domestic Deadline: May 12, 2025