Online Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting
Prepare to sit for the CPA exam in Washington state with this highly focused and flexible certificate program.
Program Overview
Find out more about the 100 percent online EWU Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting
In addition to satisfying accounting education requirements for the CPA exam, the Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting online program from Eastern Washington University gives you the knowledge to prepare for career advancement in public accounting, government, not-for-profit organizations, and more.
Specifically, you will build on your foundational accounting background with in-depth studies of accounting law, auditing, tax and more. In addition, the curriculum includes one elective course so you can tailor your program to fit your professional goals.
With just 16 credit hours required, you can complete this affordable online certificate program in as few as 3-6 months. If your undergraduate background is not in accounting, you will be required to complete up to 20 credit hours of prerequisite courses, as part of the certificate program.
The foundation courses parallel the four parts of the CPA exam: Auditing and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Regulation. The foundation courses in conjunction with the certificate courses will help you prepare to sit for each section of the CPA exam.
Note: The online Graduate Certificate in Accounting Program is designed for students who have completed a bachelor or master’s degree and are interested in coursework that will satisfy the accounting education requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification exam in Washington state. Students may need to complete additional coursework to sit for the CPA certification exam in other states.
The Eastern Washington University School of Business is accredited by AACSB International (AACSB).
In this program, you will learn to:
- assess the role of risk while applying the principles of an audit in gathering evidence, developing conclusions and proposing solutions;
- understand the elements of business law and its impact on corporate governance, ethics and business structure;
- utilize the rules of financial reporting for business entities;
- apply the rules of taxation on C Corporations and pass-through entities.
- assess the role of risk while applying the principles of an audit in gathering evidence, developing conclusions and proposing solutions;
- understand the elements of business law and its impact on corporate governance, ethics and business structure;
- utilize the rules of financial reporting for business entities;
- apply the rules of taxation on C Corporations and pass-through entities.
Career opportunities:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Financial Manager
- Forensic Accountant
- Controller
- Accounting Consultant
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Financial Manager
- Forensic Accountant
- Controller
- Accounting Consultant
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Also available:
If you are interested in pursuing your master’s degree, completed courses in this certificate program can help you earn your Online Master of Professional Accounting from EWU.
The EWU School of Accounting is accredited by AACSB International (AACSB).
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Tuition
Get the details on our affordable tuition
This affordable Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting online program features pay-by-the-course tuition, with the same rate for all in-state and out-of-state students.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 4-Credit Hour Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting | $400 | $1,600 | $6,400* |
Application Fee: $75
*Tuition and fees subject to change. Total program cost does not include foundation courses. If foundation courses are required, the cost will be added to the total program cost.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Don’t miss these important deadlines
The Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting online program is designed to be efficient for working professionals, with six-week courses and seven start dates a year. View the full calendar for upcoming start dates and deadlines for registration, required documents, and tuition payment.
Now enrolling:
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall II | 11/4/24 | 10/21/24 | 10/30/24 | 11/2/24 |
| Winter I | 12/30/24 | 12/16/24 | 12/24/24 | 12/28/24 |
| Winter II | 2/10/25 | 1/27/25 | 2/5/25 | 2/8/25 |
| Spring I | 3/31/25 | 3/17/25 | 3/26/25 | 3/29/25 |
| Spring II | 5/12/25 | 4/28/25 | 5/7/25 | 5/10/25 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Explore the admission requirements for this online accounting certificate
We’ve streamlined the EWU online Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting admissions process to help you get started right away. Plus, the GMAT is waived for qualified applicants.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Professional resume
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- A bachelor's degree in accounting or successful completion of the following prerequisite courses from an accredited instituion:
- Intermediate Accounting I, II, and III (Intermediate Accounting I and II for semester-system institutions)
- Cost Accounting I
- Auditing I
- Federal Income Tax I
Foundation courses are available for applicants who have not yet completed equivalent prerequisite courses. The foundation courses will be in addition to the certificate program courses.
- Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester-graded postsecondary credit hours** OR:
- Applicants with a GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 90-quarter or 60-semester-graded credits of postsecondary academic coursework AND at least three years of professional work experience as verified by a professional resume will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- Applicants with a GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 90-quarter or 60-semester-graded credits of postsecondary academic coursework AND an index score (GPA x 200 + GMAT) ≥ 1050 will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- Applicants with a GPA lower than 2.5 may be considered on a case-by-case basis and must have an index score of (GPA x 200 + GMAT) ≥ 1050
- Official transcript from the college/university where degree was earned
- Professional resume
**We encourage you to apply if your GPA is lower than a 3.0 and you have at least 3 years of professional work experience. Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 are considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Please contact an Enrollment Services representative at 800-826-3411 for more information.
Document Submission Information
Order your official, electronic transcripts from the degree-granting institution where you earned your highest degree (bachelor’s or master’s) and have them sent to Eastern Washington University.
- Most EWU graduate programs only require one transcript. Please submit a transcript from your degree-granting institution. This transcript should include the final two years of your degree completion. If it does not, please submit transcripts to cover your final two years of earned credits.
- Please note that transcripts ordered by main may take 4-6 weeks to arrive.
If you are ordering a mailed paper transcript, please have it sent to:
Eastern Washington University
Showalter Hall 206
Cheney, WA 99004
Courses
View the courses for your online Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting
The Graduate Certificate – Professional Accounting online curriculum is comprised of four courses (16 credit hours), including 12 credit hours of core courses and three credit hours of electives. Applicants who do not hold an undergraduate accounting degree and have not completed equivalent coursework may be required to take up to five additional prerequisite courses (20 credit hours).
Choose one of the following courses:
