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Through Bentley's top-ranked Master of Science in Taxation (MST) program, students gain a wide range of skills to prepare them for a career in taxation. Through the program, students learn to research and analyze complex tax scenarios, as well as develop and execute effective tax strategies. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of communication skills in conveying findings to business professionals.

Ethical considerations are also emphasized throughout the program, and students are encouraged to question and assess their responsibility in this area. Finally, the program satisfies the 150-academic-credit-hour requirement for licensing as a certified public accountant (CPA) in many states, such as Massachusetts, providing graduates with enhanced career opportunities.

Highlights

Bentley's MST program is frequently ranked as a top choice for graduates:

The Bentley MST prepares you for a wide range of careers, no matter the industry you are interested in. See below for a partial list of employers and job titles our alumni have achieved over the past year.

Company NameAlumni Title
Baker Newman NoyesTax Manager
Boston Scientific CorporationSr. Tax Analyst
Caliper CorporationController
DeloitteTax Accountant
EYTax Senior; Associate
Grant ThorntonTax Manager
JPMorganExecutive Director
KPMGTax Manager
Office of the State ComptrollerAccountant IV
PwCSenior Associate

All courses in the MST program use the latest technologies for online learning, so students have the option of attending class either on campus or from their home or office. Online and on-campus classes take place simultaneously, fostering discussion among all students and the instructor. This high-tech approach brings together voice, video, data and graphics in a structured learning environment that combines online convenience with all the benefits of the classroom experience.

Student Feature

Shortly after completing my undergraduate accounting major, I wanted to pursue my CPA license and the first step was to achieve my 150-credit requirement and obtain a master's degree. I decided to pursue my Master’s in Taxation to set the foundation before I begin my career in tax. I anticipate that this degree will set me apart from my peers and better prepare me for my full-time role at PwC. Through the program, I have been exposed to different aspects of the tax industry which has improved my knowledge of the industry. I have found the classes to be both practical and rewarding. The professors are effective at making the material applicable, highlighting how the information will translate to the real world.

Shane Carr
Incoming Tax Consultant, PwC

shane carr masters in taxation student

What Can You Do With A Master’s In Taxation?

Whether you’re preparing for the CPA exam, starting a new career, or hoping to get ahead in your current career, Bentley’s master of science in taxation program will give you the skills you need to succeed.

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Brian Camerano, Senior Manager, Tax Reporting & Strategy at PwC

“Technology is constantly evolving and only time will tell how much of the tax process becomes automated,” he says. “I think we will see tax professionals become more of business advisers rather than just providing tax advice.”

Read the Story

Invested in Your Career Development

When you join the Bentley community, you have access to a rich and lifelong set of career-oriented services. The Bentley MST prepares you for a wide range of careers, no matter the industry you are interested in. 

The Bentley Graduate Online Learning Experience

Online education has revolutionized learning in higher education. At Bentley we offer online education in two ways. Watch our video to learn more about those formats and how you will engage with professors and other students no matter where you are located.

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Top Employers Hiring Our Graduates

Gloria Jiang
Bentley changed my career direction and mentality as a business leader.
Gloria Jiang
Senior Tax Associate, KPMG

Curriculum

Core Courses

Professional Tax Practice is recommended to be taken as one of the first courses in the MST program.

TX600 | Professional Tax Practice

This course covers the development and implementation of tax strategies. It encompasses the application of alternative tax laws to a variety of fact situations. The course applies an integrated approach to develop solutions that consider the numerous aspects of wealth maximization. Emphasizing the use of case studies, the course introduces theories and methods of tax research and analysis that include research tools, techniques and quantitative methods. Students use the university's specialized information technology resources, such as the Accounting Center for Electronic Learning and Business Measurement and the Trading Room, as well as public domain and proprietary tax databases. This course examines the role and regulation of the tax practitioner and representation of taxpayers before the IRS. Other topics include ethical responsibilities, IRS examination of returns, statutes of limitations, and tax practice strategies and techniques. Promotes teamwork, and emphasizes written and oral presentations.

TX601 | Federal Taxation of Income

This course studies federal tax law as it applies to individuals. It emphasizes the determination of gross income, deductions and credits, as well as identity of the taxable person, tax accounting and timing principles. The course introduces the tax treatment of individuals as owners of pass-through entities. It involves an in-depth analysis of the applicable tax statutes, regulations, rulings and leading court cases. Students gain an awareness of the history and tax policy considerations behind various Internal Revenue Code provisions.

TX602 | Transactions

This course deals with property transactions (tangible and intangible) and the ultimate tax consequences. It analyzes transactions to explore the significance of realization and recognition concepts and the characterization of gains and losses. It covers dispositions of property used in a trade or business, and held for personal use or investment, as well as deferred payment transactions. It introduces structuring the reorganization or sale of entire business units in mergers and acquisitions. It examines Internal Revenue Code provisions and selected issues that relate to determining basis, holding period, loss (active and passive) and attribute carryovers. The course also reviews transactions with the goal of conducting a thorough analysis, exploration of alternatives, and ultimate structuring to assure the desired result.

TX603 | Corporations and Shareholders

This course focuses on tax treatment of events in the life of a corporation, with special emphasis on problems at both the corporate and shareholder levels. Topics include the taxability of associations, partnerships and trusts as corporations; tax considerations in the organization and reorganization of the corporation; dividend distributions; stock redemptions; and complete and partial liquidations.

TX604 | Multi-Jurisdictional Taxation

This course addresses the increased importance of international, multistate and e-business taxation in today's global environment. It introduces students to the principles guiding nexus, geographic allocation of income, and avoidance of double taxation. The course develops an understanding of the U.S. tax rules that may apply to income involving the U.S. and another country, and compares these with the multistate tax rules. It deals with the tax implications of business conducted electronically. Students use specialized information technology resources and public domain databases to conduct relevant research. The course applies multi-jurisdictional tax principles and rules to real-world case studies.

Elective Courses

Select five taxation courses from the list below or any other graduate courses at the 600 level or higher.

TX704 | Federal Taxation of Income from Trusts and Estates

This course analyzes taxation of trusts and estates, and their creators and beneficiaries. It examines taxation of simple and complex trusts – for example, grantor trusts, irrevocable trusts and revocable trusts. Topics include trusts distinguished from corporations, distributable net income, fiduciary accounting income, the tier system, capital gains in estates and trusts, termination of estates and trusts, and administrative powers. The course considers charitable remainder trusts, pooled income funds and charitable beneficiaries, as well as planning for estate administration. Students also study income in respect of a decedent (IRD), including structural relationships, basis of IRD, relationship of IRD to distribution rules, character of IRD, and deductions.

TX707 | Pass-Through Entities and Closely Held Businesses

This course provides an in-depth study of pass-through entities and problems peculiar to closely held businesses. It emphasizes students' understanding of the tax statutes, court cases and practice techniques related to the concept of "choice of entity," and creates an awareness of the potential consequences of choosing a particular form of entity. The course focuses on the practical (and tax practice) aspects of working with and advising clients on such decisions.

TX711 | Mergers and Acquisitions

This course focuses on the formation, acquisition, merger, reorganization, recapitalization and divestiture transactions of business entities. It Addresses the topic of planning for transactions, with a view toward identifying the approaches that are most efficient and tax-free. The course examines Internal Revenue Code and judicial requirements that must be satisfied for successful execution of these transactions. It also reviews transaction elements (taxable and non-taxable), acceptable consideration, basis, entity attributes and carryovers.

TX731 | Investment Companies and Other Financial Products

This course explores the tax treatment of investment companies and financial products. It introduces the major types of investment and their classification for tax purposes. It focuses on mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, unit investment trusts, separately managed accounts, and offshore funds. The course analyzes the applicable special tax provisions in light of the economic function and operation of these entities. It also examines the taxation of financial products such as mutual fund shares.

TX732 | Intellectual Properties

Devotes attention to the tax treatment of the development, purchase, sale and licensing of intellectual properties. Specific areas of interest include computer software, research and development, the research credit, valuation of intellectual properties, amortization of intangibles, licensing, multi-jurisdictional issues, and related-party transactions. Includes an introduction to computer software, patents, trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, trade names and copyrights.

TX733 | Tax Aspects of Buying and Selling a Business

This course provides a comprehensive review of the tax issues that arise in merger and acquisition transactions. It will explore all the popular mechanisms for transferring a business – from a taxable sale of assets or corporate stock, to tax-free reorganizations, to contingent "earn out" transactions, to transactions involving an employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP"). The course examines and prepares the optimal strategies for selling a C or S corporation, an LLC (partnership), and a sole proprietorship. It examines tax strategies such as purchase price allocations under Code 1060; elections under Code 338(g) and 338(h)(10); the complicated planning strategies for an S corporation subject to the Code §1374 "Sting Tax"; the opportunities and risks of a contingent earn-out structure; the circumstances for a tax-free merger; structuring an investment by and/or sale to private equity investors; and creating a market for a company by selling shares through an ESOP.

TX741 | Tax Accounting Problems

This course considers the intricacies of the tax accounting rules and their contrast to financial accounting. It covers a range of topics that include the cash and accrual methods of accounting and the tax consequences of changing from one method to another, inventory identification and valuation, and tax depreciation with a focus on tax accounting and the major differences from financial accounting. The course deals with forgiveness of debt, passive loss rules, interest expense and the alternative minimum tax.

TX761 | State and Local Tax Practice

This course addresses the sources of state and local revenues derived from taxation, including multi-jurisdictional business excise taxes, personal income tax, consumer and transaction taxes, property taxes, and death taxes. It builds on the knowledge base developed in TX 604. Students examine constitutional restrictions on the jurisdiction to tax; allocation and apportionment of multistate income; state taxation of e-commerce; domicile concepts; and detailed review of administrative provisions related to the audit, assessment, collection and appeal of state and local taxes.

TX771 | International Tax Practice

This course explores international taxation with comprehensive coverage of inbound and outbound U.S. tax issues. It expands the knowledge base developed in TX 604. The course considers the federal government's jurisdiction to tax on the basis of both residence and source of income. Topics covered include taxation of U.S. citizens abroad, individuals and corporations with resident and nonresident alien status, the concept of income effectively connected with U.S. trade or business, taxation of domestic entities doing business abroad, controlled foreign corporations, foreign tax credits, inter-company pricing, and allocation and apportionment of domestic expense. The course includes discussion of export incentives such as the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (successor to Foreign Sales Corporations).

TX781 | Internship in Tax Practice

This course enables students to enhance their development and direction by integrating prior classroom study with the real-world experience of professional employment. Each student is required to prepare a research paper addressing a contemporary tax issue and a paper assessing the work experience, under the supervision of a faculty adviser.

Application Deadlines

Upcoming Deadlines & Program Requirements

To create a thriving population of students with a wide range of life and work experiences, Bentley considers the entirety of candidates’ applications including prior work experience, test scores, learning objectives, and other factors as we determine admissions decisions. Visit our page to view application deadlines and rounds for both Fall and Spring entry terms.

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program director

Scott Thomas Senior Lecturer and Program Director of the MS in Taxation
Scott Thomas
Senior Lecturer and Program Director, MS in Taxation
+1 (781) 891-3463

Meet Your Program Director

Scott is a Senior Lecturer and the Program Director of the MS in Taxation at Bentley University. He has been teaching state & local tax, corporate tax, multi-jurisdictional tax and graduate business law at Bentley for over fifteen years. 

His most recent technical focus included tax due diligence, state tax compliance, refund review, nexus analysis, entity restructuring, and state tax controversy. His entity restructuring experience includes the implementation of over 70 multi-state tax projects for Office of the Chairman clients and other Fortune 500 clients.

Contact Scott to schedule a time to discuss your background and career goals and how these align with Bentley's MST program.

Tuition & Aid

There are many ways you can pay for your education and receive aid.

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