Certificate in Accounting

Prepare for the CPA Exam

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Program Details

  • Location: UW Seattle, Online
  • Duration: 11 weeks or 9 months
  • Times: Days
  • Cost: $9,900

Next start date:

June 10, 2024

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Talk to an Enrollment Coach

About this Program


Accounting is the language of business. Understanding this language is an essential skill for any business professional. This certificate program, offered in partnership with the UW Foster School of Business, provides a solid foundation in the areas of financial accounting, audit, cost accounting and federal taxation. It also prepares you to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. The courses, which are taught in distinct modules by subject area experts from the Foster School of Business, are fundamental topics for any business professional.

▸ Related Article: How to Become an Accountant

Designed for

Anyone seeking to become a professional accountant, including those preparing to take the CPA exam.

See Requirements

Video Overview

An instructor and students from the Certificate in Accounting talk about the unique curriculum and how the program can help graduates advance in their careers.

Duration: 03:45

What You'll Learn

  • How to prepare financial statements in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 
  • Federal income tax rules and their impact on business decisions 
  • How to audit financial statements 
  • Techniques for analyzing costs to help make sound business decisions  

Qualify to Sit for the CPA Exam

This program offers 26 quarter credits of upper-level accounting study. When combined with 10 quarter credits of prerequisite courses in financial and managerial accounting, this provides the 36 quarter credits of accounting required to sit for the CPA exam in Washington state. 

Note that there are additional requirements beyond the accounting credits that you must meet to sit for the CPA exam. Additionally, students planning to work in a different state should check that state’s CPA exam requirements.

Prepare for Your Master's Degree

Completing this certificate program provides you with the accounting prerequisites to apply to the Master of Professional Accounting or Master of Science in Taxation programs offered by the UW Foster School of Business.

Connect With Employers

As part of the program, you’ll hear presentations by representatives from local public accounting firms, companies and government agencies.

OUR ENROLLMENT COACHES ARE HERE TO HELP

Connect with an enrollment coach to learn more about this offering. Or if you need help finding the right certificate, specialization or course for you, reach out to explore your options.

Program Overview

We offer this program in two formats: three part-time courses over three quarters, and a full-time intensive course over one quarter (summer). Both formats cover the same curriculum and fulfill the same CPA educational requirements.

Learning Formats

Online With Real-Time Meetings

Online With Real-Time Meetings

Combine the convenience of online learning with the immediacy of real-time interaction. You’ll stream courses online and interact with your instructors and fellow students via video conferencing or chat, both in real time. Learn More »

Classroom, Accelerated

Classroom, Accelerated

Step up the pace and complete your program more quickly with our accelerated format. With this option, you’ll move through the program’s full curriculum in a condensed time frame. Learn More »

Program Sessions

Online With Real-Time Meetings

Classroom, Accelerated

Closed Sessions

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