Overview

The MS in Finance & Accounting is a forward-looking graduate program that combines finance, accounting, and research to prepare future business leaders. Designed for ambitious professionals and recent graduates, the program develops expertise in corporate finance, financial reporting, valuation, investment analysis, management and cost accounting, risk management, and data-driven decision-making.

Students benefit from a flexible curriculum, hands-on learning experiences, and close mentorship from accomplished faculty members. Whether pursuing careers in finance, accounting, consulting, banking, or advanced academic studies, graduates leave the program equipped with the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies required to excel in today’s global business environment.

Mission

The MS in Finance & Accounting at the Lebanese American University provides advanced graduate education that integrates finance, accounting and research methods, and equips students with the analytical and professional knowledge needed to understand financial information, assess risk, and support sound financial decision-making.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the MS in Finance & Accounting program are:

• The program will enable students to acquire quantitative and theoretical tools for a successful career in Finance or Accounting.
• The program will enable students to acquire the knowledge in both corporate finance and investment. 
• The program will enable students to acquire the know-how of data management, research methods, and reporting tools.
• The program will enable students to apply risk measurement tools and identify appropriate risk management actions.
• The program will prepare students to pursue doctoral degrees.
• The program will equip students with the necessary knowledge to pursue relevant professional certifications.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the MS in Finance & Accounting program:

• Graduate students will be able to make optimal investment and financing choices under uncertain trading and economic environments.
• Graduate students will be able to consistently cope with accounting complexities and possess a skeptical understanding of financial statements and annual reports.
• Graduate students will be able to use appropriate econometric methods to verify testable hypotheses in finance and accounting.
• Graduate students will possess critical thinking skills required for executives.
• Graduate students will appreciate the role of ethics and governance in regards to the sustainability of their business enterprise, and the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders.

Admission Requirements

1. A Bachelor Degree in Business, Economics, or a quantitative field such as Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or Computer Sciences from a university recognized by LAU.
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 or an equivalent score.
3. English proficiency demonstrated by one of the following:

1. A minimum score of 90 on the internet-based TOEFL (IBT).
2. A minimum score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
3. ​A minimum score of 123 on the English Entrance Exam (EEE) administered at LAU.

4. Two letters of reference, at least one academic.
5. Previous work experience (or internship) in the Finance or Accounting field is desirable, but not required.

In addition to the above minimum criteria to apply, a high GMAT score is desirable but not required.

Admission to the graduate programs offered at the Adnan Kassar School of Business follow the LAU general graduate requirements.

Graduate Assistantship

MS in Finance & Accounting students who wish to benefit from Graduate Assistantship (GA) during the academic year 2026-2027 should refer to the following: 

New Students

• Before applying to GA, make sure you have completed the below:
  • Fill out and submit your MS in Finance & Accounting Admission application
    • Prepare your documents and apply online (in case you have not applied to the MS in Finance & Accounting program yet).
  • Pay the application fee
  • Application fee of $50 can be paid online using debit or credit cards (Visa or Mastercard only), or in cash through OMT or at BLOM Bank.
  • After you apply and you pay your application fees, you will receive an email within 3 working days to the email address you filled out in your admission application. This email will contain your unique username and tentative password and the steps you need to follow to activate your Portal account. 
  • Activate your Portal

• To apply for graduate assistantship, follow the below steps:
  • Fill out the Graduate Assistantship (GA) application and submit it, along with the below required documents: (New students can also apply through their Portal accounts)
    1.  An Official Transcript for non-LAU students and an Unofficial Transcript for LAU Students.
       • If you are a current student and have completed less than 12 credits in the MS in Finance & Accounting program, you need to submit two transcripts - Undergraduate and Graduate. 
       • If you are a current student and have completed 12 credits or more in the MS in Finance & Accounting program, an unofficial transcript of your Graduate courses will suffice.
    2. A work certificate from NSSF or افادة خدمة للمضمونين أوافادة غير مضمون لغير المشمولين بالضمان من الصندوق الوطني للضمان الاجتماعي  .  This certificate has to be RECENT (less than a month old) and can easily be obtained from NSSF divisions all over Lebanon.
    3. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)

For further assistance, please contact:

• Ms. Lilian Al Awar
• Adnan Kassar School of Business Building, Beirut campus, 15th floor- Room 1521
• Email

Curriculum

The MS in Finance & Accounting consists of 30 credits designed to combine core coursework, elective options, and a research component, ensuring both academic rigor and practical relevance.

A total of 30 credits are required to complete the degree, distributed as follows:

• Core Requirements (12 credits)
• Elective Courses (12 credits)
• Research Component (6 credits) (Thesis option)
  OR
• Research Component (3 credits) + One Additional Elective (3 credits) (Project option)

Core Requirements (12 credits)

• ACC810 Financial Reporting and Analysis (3 cr.)
• FIN810   Business Finance (3 cr.)
• FIN813   Econometrics (3 cr.)
• FIN815   Valuation Analysis (3 cr.)

Core courses provide advanced knowledge in corporate finance, financial reporting and analysis, econometrics, and valuation.

Elective Courses (12 credits)

Finance Electives

• FIN822  Advanced Corporate Finance (3 cr.)
• FIN824  Derivatives (3 cr.)
• FIN826  Investments (3 cr.)
• FIN828  Risk Management (3 cr.)
• FIN830  Financial Modeling (3 cr.)
• FIN880  Special Topics in Finance (3 cr.)

Accounting Electives

• ACC812  Auditing of Financial Statements (3 cr.)
• ACC814  Taxation and Law (3 cr.)
• ACC816  Management and Cost Accounting (3 cr.)
• ACC818  Advanced Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.)
• ACC820  International Financial Reporting Standards (3 cr.)
• ACC823  Business Environment and Concepts (3 cr.)
• ACC880  Special Topics in Accounting (3 cr.)

Supporting Electives

• ECO832  Applied Economics II: Time Series Data (3 cr.)
• ECO840  Mathematical and Computational Methods in Applied Economics (3 cr.)

Research Component (6 credits)

Thesis Option (6 credits)

• FIN899/ ACC899  Research Thesis in Finance/Accounting (6 cr.)

Project Option (3 credits)

• FIN898/ ACC898  Research Project in Finance/Accounting (3 cr.)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (9 credits)

• 6 credits required courses:
  • ACC810 Financial Reporting and Analysis (3 cr.)
  • FIN810 Business Finance (3 cr.)
• 3 credits from the following elective courses:
  • ACC816 Management and Cost Accounting (3 cr.)
  • ACC823 Business Environment and Concepts (3 cr.)
  • FIN826 Investments (3 cr.)
  • FIN828 Risk Management (3 cr.)

Spring (9 credits)

• 6 credits required courses:
  • FIN813 Econometrics (3 cr.)
  • FIN815 Valuation Analysis (3 cr.)
• 3 credits from the following elective courses:
  • ACC812 Auditing of Financial Statements (3 cr.)
  • ACC820 International Financial Reporting Standards (3 cr.)
  • FIN822 Advanced Corporate Finance (3 cr.)
  • FIN826 Investments (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (9 credits)

• 6 credits (Research Thesis) or 3 credits (Research Project):
  • FIN898/ ACC898 Research Project in Finance/Accounting (3 cr.)
  • FIN899/ ACC899 Research Thesis in Finance/Accounting (6 cr.)
• 3 credits with Thesis or 6 credits with Project from the following elective courses:
  • ACC814 Taxation and Law (3 cr.)
  • ACC818 Advanced Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.)
  • FIN824 Derivatives (3 cr.)
  • FIN830 Financial Modelling (3 cr.)

Spring (3 credits)

• Research continuation:
  • FIN898/ ACC898 Research Project in Finance/Accounting (3 cr.)
  • FIN899/ ACC899 Research Thesis in Finance/Accounting (6 cr.)
• 3 credits from the following elective courses:
  • ACC880 Special Topics in Accounting (3 cr.)
  • ECO832 Applied Econometrics II: Time Series Data (3 cr.)
  • ECO840 Mathematical and Computational Methods in Applied Economics (3 cr.)
  • FIN880 Special Topics in Finance (3 cr.)

Note: In the Fall of the second year, students may choose to register for either the Research Thesis (6 credits) or the Research Project (3 credits). Both are normally completed within the two-year timeframe required for graduation. However, the Research Thesis may be extended for up to four semesters, and the Research Project for up to three semesters (excluding summer sessions), if needed.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MS in Finance & Accounting can pursue advanced career opportunities in financial institutions, corporations, consulting firms and government institutions. Potential career paths include corporate finance, investment analysis, risk management, valuation, financial reporting, auditing and advisory services. The program also provides a strong foundation for students who wish to pursue doctoral study or relevant professional certifications.