Accounting Schools in Washington

Students in Washington can choose from many accounting programs offered by the state’s colleges and universities. This overview will provide you with key information on accounting schools in Washington so that you can find the program that works best for you. Accounting schools offer full-time, part-time, and even online options, and students can choose from different concentrations and degree types. Read on to find out more details about accounting degrees, program curriculum, and accounting career outlooks in Washington.

Quick Facts

• 47 not-for-profit colleges and universities offer an accounting degree program in Washington.¹
• 29 schools offer a certificate in accounting.¹
• 29 schools offer an associate’s degree in accounting.¹
• 20 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in accounting.¹
• 8 schools offer a graduate degree in accounting.¹
• 6 schools ranked in College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023.²
• No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges for Accounting Majors 2023.³
• 3 programs ranked in US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023.⁴
• 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023.⁵
• 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023.⁶
• 3 schools are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting.⁷
• 5 schools have accounting programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).⁸
• No schools have accounting programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).⁹

Comparison of Washington Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Washington to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options. For further school statistics, including median SAT, ACT, and GMAT scores, see the tables on our Washington business schools page, which break out information at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Table Notes:
*Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on ​​National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
**Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.

Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in Washington

College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.

College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023

• University of Washington
• Seattle University
• Gonzaga University
• Washington State University
• Central Washington University
• Western Washington University²

US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs 2023

• Gonzaga University (#29 tie)
• Seattle University (#29 tie)
• University of Washington (#29 tie)⁴

US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023

• Washington State University (#12 tie)
• Central Washington University (#79 tie)
• City University of Seattle (#141 tie)⁵

US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023

• University of Washington (#19)
• Gonzaga University (#39 tie)
• Seattle University (#44 tie)⁶

Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases a report including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.¹¹ The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in Washington in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in Washington being 59.3%:

1. Gonzaga University 85.8%
2. Walla Walla University 77.8%
3. University of Washington 69.3%
4. University of Puget Sound 66.7%
5. Western Washington University 63.3%
6. Seattle University 60.3%

Schools in Washington with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Washington, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.

Undergraduate Accounting Programs

Gonzaga University

The School of Business Administration at Gonzaga University (GU) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Accounting. This 27-credit program is designed for students interested in careers in professional accounting and financial services positions in corporate or other organizations. Students learn from a challenging curriculum that includes accounting fundamentals and real-world applications of these principles. Core classes include Cost Accounting, Federal Taxation, Accounting Information Systems, and Auditing. Gonzaga emphasizes community outreach, and students can participate in local volunteer, consulting, or internship opportunities. For those interested in a CPA track, the School of Business Administration also offers a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) graduate program.

Saint Martin’s University

Students at Saint Martin’s University can earn an ACBSP-accredited Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting. The curriculum focuses on accounting fundamentals, current accounting technologies, and industry best practices. The BA curriculum includes a liberal arts base as well as the functional areas of business and accounting. Students learn how to analyze and understand financial information as well as how to communicate it in a business or public context. Coursework includes training in industry-standard software, so students have professionally-relevant skills to add to their resumes. Saint Martin’s emphasizes undergraduate internships, with career and internship fairs held on campus every semester. Students interested in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Saint Martin’s University can complete that degree with an additional year of study through the 4+1 Accelerated BA/MBA program.

Seattle University

At the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University (SU), students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BABA) with a major in Accounting. This program emphasizes a strong accounting foundation with a focus on computer applications in the accounting industry. The curriculum includes business foundation classes as well as major-specific courses such as Cost Accounting, Federal Income Tax, and Auditing. Through these classes, students learn fundamental accounting practices such as how to prepare financial statements, how to keep track of revenue and expenses, and how to manage and mitigate financial risk. Coursework includes an emphasis on teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. Students can take advantage of an accounting internship program, formal career counseling, and job placement services for post-graduation opportunities. SU also offers an Early Start MSAA program, where students can complete nine credits of accounting courses that will count toward both their BABA and Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) or Master of Science (MS) in Accounting and Analytics.

Graduate Accounting Programs

University of Washington

The University of Washington’s (UW’s) Foster School of Business in Seattle offers a Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) degree. Students in this program learn fundamental accounting skills as well as innovative thinking strategies and oral and written communication skills. The curriculum includes courses such as Data Analytics for Professional Accountants; Communications in Professional Accounting; and Accounting, Audit, and Assurance Regulation. These courses focus on how to apply data analysis tools and data-driven decision-making to auditing and assurance work. The program includes university-organized study groups, emphasizing team-based collaboration and support. Graduates meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA examination.

University of Washington Bothell

At the School of Business at the University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell), students can earn a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting. This program is designed for working professionals and it satisfies the fifth-year educational requirement generally necessary to pursue CPA licensure. Students can choose between two concentrations: Financial Reporting and Taxation. Students can attend on a full-time or part-time basis, and the core classes are held in the evenings, with some electives available on Saturday mornings. The curriculum provides graduate-level knowledge in subjects such as accounting theory, managerial accounting, analysis of financial statements, and auditing and forensic techniques. Students in the MS in Accounting program learn how to analyze and communicate accounting data, and the coursework also emphasizes teamwork and leadership skills.

Popular Articles:

• Business Schools in Washington
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Online Accounting Programs

Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University (EWU) offers a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) and an MPAcc in Business Analysis and Report that can be completed completely online. The MPAcc offers multiple electives that allow students to tailor the degree to their interests, including Forensic Accounting, Small Business Accounting, and Sustainability Accounting. Both MPAcc programs consist of 36 credits and can be completed in as little as eight months. Both programs are designed to prepare students for the CPA exam and offer hands-on experience through an optional internship. EWU also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Accounting. The MBA in Accounting consists of 44 credits and takes at least 10 months to complete. The MBA in Accounting is designed to prepare students to analyze and manage costs, identify opportunities for business process improvement, and measure performance in a variety of accounting and finance-centered careers.

Washington State University

Washington State University (WSU) offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BABA) with an Accounting major that can be completed entirely online. The Carson College of Business has formatted the BABA into two to four seven-week courses during a traditional 16-week semester, allowing students to take multiple business courses alongside traditional non-business courses within the same semester. The curriculum starts with broad core requirements before students move on to accounting specialization courses. The accounting major courses include Cost Accounting; Auditing; Accounting Systems; and Taxation of Business Entities and Individuals. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking and innovative problem-solving. Internships are encouraged and can be arranged with advisor assistance. The WSU chapter of Beta Alpha Psi offers opportunities to network with potential employers.

Washington CPA Requirements

The Board of Accountancy for Washington State requires that CPAs have at least 150 semester credit hours of education experience and have earned at least a bachelor’s degree with an accounting major or concentration. These 150 semester hours must include at least 24 hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in business administration subjects. Candidates must then pass the CPA examination. After passing the examination, individuals must complete 12 months, or at least 2,000 hours, of experience in public accounting. This experience must be verified by a practicing CPA. After gaining licensure, all CPAs must keep their license current by completing continuing professional education (CPE) and renewing every three years.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Washington

There are many opportunities for accounting graduates to pursue their career interests in Washington in different areas of the accounting field. Large companies such as Amazon, Boeing, Costco, and Microsoft operate out of Washington state, offering numerous positions in accounting and finance. Large accounting firms in Washington include Moss Adams, Deloitte, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Graduates may also find opportunities to work in statewide or regional business, as well as in public accounting or governmental positions. Those with accounting degrees in Washington may find many different career possibilities within the state’s accounting industry.

Washington Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area