Programme facts

UM and VU have been working together for more than 10 years on the International Executive post-Master of Auditing (IEMA) programme. As of 2024, the collaboration is being expanded with a Master of Science in International Accountancy. Due to increasing demand from the labour market, we now offer a Master of Science in International Accountancy, International Executive post-Master of Auditing, Post-Master International Auditing, Certificate on Professional Competence (CPC) courses, referaat sessions and more.

All programmes are designed to respond to audit firms’ needs for internationally oriented staff and cross-border mobility of qualified professionals. The programmes also respond to the challenges faced by auditors in the increasingly complex, globalized, and technology-driven world of financial reporting in an environment of international regulation, standard-setting, and inspection.

Students will meet during a two-week seminar every three months. The entire IEMA programme entails a minimum of six seminars. The core programme consists of five modules including the core educational requirements in financial accounting, internal control & accounting information systems, and auditing & assurance. Students will select one of three modules that are tailored to a specific country.

These modules will provide the bridge necessary for students to complete the educational requirements to take the certification exam in the country of their choice. Each bridge module will cover the tax and legal environment and national accounting principles of the selected country.

The modules will be supplemented with scheduled distance learning activities. Critical analysis and solving real-world practice problems will allow students to develop skills that are immediately useful in auditing.

The programme is specially designed for high-potential, internationally-oriented students. We expect that students entering the programme will have high career potential and will bring a basic education in accounting and auditing.

The IEMA programme is taught by professors from Maastricht University, VU Amsterdam and Florida State University.