The flexibility of Boise State University’s online Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) will soon be more than a selling point for Alana Moore.
“My husband and I started a family at the end of 2023, and we are expecting our second child in January,” she said. “I’m still tackling my master’s degree, but it’s going to be awhile until I graduate.”
Moore, an accounting manager at software development company Fairly and a Boise resident, hopes to someday teach accounting at the college level.
“I love getting to see that lightbulb moment for people,” she said. “If I can be part of that, where I am able to help explain something in a different way, or provide insights and real-life experience that enables somebody to take a textbook description and turn it into something relevant to business, it makes me really excited.
“While I have been in the industry working for over 10 years, I thought, ‘I haven’t pursued this anymore, but I would like to set myself up for that opportunity to teach, whether as an adjunct or possibly a professor.’ The first step was getting my master’s because most universities require that as a minimum for teaching roles.”
When exploring her graduate options, Moore considered online programs at several universities before deciding to stay close to home and enroll at Boise State.
“I ended up seeing their accreditation and rankings compared to other universities,” she said. “Obviously, with it being in-state, seeing they had a great Master of Science in Accountancy program and the price was good, it was the perfect balance. That’s what sold me.”
Her interest in teaching took a step forward with the help of a Boise State faculty member, giving her a real sense of what collegiate teaching entails.
“Josh Flizen, the lead professor for the online accounting program, allowed me to come sit in on some of his classes one semester when it worked for my schedule,” she said. “It goes to show that Boise State goes above and beyond with flexibility.”
Answering the call
Moore is from the Kansas City area. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Olivet Nazarene University, where she competed in track and field as a freshman.
“Accounting found me,” she said. “I was taking general business classes in my undergrad, and I took my first accounting class my sophomore year.
“I distinctly remember calling my parents and saying, ‘I found what I want to do.’ It felt like this match made in heaven of my analytical skills and wanting to be able to see business in different forms. Every business needs accounting.”
Financial Analysis, taught by Flizen, is one of Moore’s favorite courses in the online MSA curriculum, so far.
“I love the idea that accounting is the language of business and numbers,” she said. “His class was an elective. I also took an ethics course that was phenomenal. Professor Brian Knox was incorporating AI, which is really relevant with the ethics discussion in business, to bring in that format.”
Moore landed her current role in January 2025. Prior to that, she was director of finance and human resources at Epiphany RBC (based in the Netherlands), director of finance and people at Premier Pharmaceuticals and an accounting manager at Vacasa.
“My professional experience helped me land my current position because I already have my Certified Public Accountant license,” she said. “I have been able to regularly apply what I am learning in the program to my career. I have received great value from the online MSA.”
Looking ahead
Since enrolling at Boise State in Fall 2024, Moore has had plenty of encouragement from family and friends, including her husband, Garren, and their daughter, Imogen (2). They are waiting to be surprised by the sex of their second child.
“They’re very supportive,” she said. “My dad, David Steward, was a 30-something with two young kids when he went back and got his master’s. I knew he’d done it. Other than my husband, he’s been my biggest supporter, knowing that having a master’s degree motivates you in a different way.”
Moore hopes to walk the graduation stage once she completes the online MSA program in 2027.
“I would like to do it,” she said. “It’s such an achievement. I have encouraged my friends who got their master’s degree after being in the workforce for a while to celebrate the achievement, so I better take my own advice.”
She will then begin focusing on finding a school to start her teaching career and to pass on her extensive accounting knowledge.
“The Boise metropolitan area has a lot of different universities, private and public,” she said. “I would look first here. Even though I am an online student, in-person — especially as a first-time professor — would be really great. I would like to get the in-class experience.”
In her free time, Moore enjoys being outdoors, skiing, hiking, backpacking and, of course, running.
“I ran a marathon when I was pregnant with my first daughter and a half-marathon with this child,” she said. “I don’t like to be bored.”
Although she is earning a master’s degree online, Moore believes human interaction remains an important element of the experience.
“In general, it’s important in an online program to find the opportunities to connect with other students and the professors outside of the required classwork or sessions,” she said. “The professors do a good job of using the discussion boards.
“Connecting with people through and outside of that and scheduling short meetings with professors during their office hours to say hi and get to know them goes a long way.”
Learn more about the Online MSA
Earning an Online Master of Science in Accountancy from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.