If you are searching for accredited master’s in accounting degree programs in Washington to promote your career opportunities in this dynamic, growing profession, then you are certainly in luck! Despite the fact that our 18th largest state is often associated with being the leading producer of lumber in the United States, Washington is an educational hub of the Pacific Northwest to offer a world-class business education to many aspiring accountants. Not only do Washington’s highly ranked universities offer unparalleled academic learning environments, but they also offer access to thriving business communities.

After all, Seattle is the nation’s fastest-growing major global city with four of the largest Fortune 500 companies. Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Costco, Microsoft, Nintendo, T-Mobile, Expedia, and Weyerhaeuser are all major companies that call the “Evergreen State” home and great a demand for qualified accounting professionals. In order to help advance your career to the next level, below we have included details on the four AACSB-accredited accounting degree programs at the master’s level in Washington.

Central Washington University

College of Business

Located on a 380-acre rural campus in the historic college town of Ellensburg within 110 miles east of Seattle in the Kittitas Valley, Central Washington University is a comprehensive four-year publicly supported institution with more than 11,100 students. As one of Washington’s fastest-growing universities offering the largest array of academic programs, CWU is currently ranked as the 51st best regional college and 13th top public school in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Among the top five percent of graduate schools globally accredited by the AACSB, the College of Business is dedicated to creating value by graduating students who possess foundation knowledge and appropriate skills to succeed in the business marketplace.

Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA)

Within the Department of Accounting, the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) program is designed to help graduate students enhance their knowledge of both accounting and business while developing the critical thinking and communication skills to analyze complex accounting-related issues. As a 46-credit program, students will be able to complete the requirements in one academic year if they enroll as a full-time student and already possess an undergraduate degree in accounting. MPA graduates will satisfy the fifth-year education requirement adopted by 48 states nationwide, including Washington, to receive licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and professional membership with the AICPA.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 963-1955
bouillon@cwu.edu
http://www.cwu.edu/master-accounting/

Gonzaga University

Graduate School of Business

Initially founded in 1887 by an Italian-born missionary as a comprehensive private Roman Catholic and Jesuit institution, Gonzaga University is now home to more than 7,650 students on a 131-acre urban campus along the Spokane River in the grasslands just outside of downtown. Recognized for its outstanding academics in the prestigious “Fiske Guide to Colleges,” Gonzaga is currently ranked as the 3rd regional college and 2nd best value school in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Also noted for having the 85th best part-time graduate business degrees, the Graduate School of Business strives to develop professionally competent business professionals who exemplify the humanistic and moral values of the Jesuit faith.

Master of Accountancy (MAcc)

Featuring a 90% job placement rate within three to six months of graduation, the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program at Gonzaga strives to prepare graduates for meeting the evolving needs of the accounting environment and the dynamic nature of the business world. With separate AACSB accounting accreditation, the program offers excellent on-campus recruiting program and access to hands-on learning through strong partnerships with local employers. In fact, the MAcc has ranked as the 14th best program in the nation for first-time pass rates on the Uniform CPA examination. Within the 31-credit program, students are given the opportunity to select a concentration in Financial Accounting and Reporting or Taxation to fit their career goal.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

502 East Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 313-7044
weber@jepson.gonzaga.edu
http://www.gonzaga.edu/academics/Colleges+and+Schools/School+of+Business+Administration/Graduate+Programs/Prospective+Students/academic-programs/MAcc/default.asp

Seattle University

Albers School of Business and Economics

Standing proudly on a 50-acre urban campus in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood within easy access to downtown’s booming global business hub, Seattle University is the largest private Roman Catholic and Jesuit institution in the Pacific Northwest with a grand total enrollment of over 7,750 diverse students. Well-known for its large Youth Initiative that has received the highest recognition for community service from the White House, SU is currently ranked as the 5th best regional college and 7th best value school in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Also ranked as the country’s top business grad school by recruiters, the Albers School of Business and Economics is accredited by the AACSB and recognized as the only academic division to receive the President’s “E” Award.

Master of Professional Accounting (MPAC)

In a two-pronged approach to accounting education, the Master of Professional Accounting (MPAC) program has blended its rigorous academic program of accounting studies in the classroom with a strong grounding in computer applications and participation in voluntary activities in the surrounding community. Beyond fostering the development of professional competencies in accounting practices, the program endeavors to build students’ teamwork, organization, communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Many students also choose to gain general exposure to the profession through the university’s accounting internship program. Full-time students can complete the MPAC within one to two years, but those pursuing the degree part-time will need two to four years.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

901 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 296-5302
garciah@seattleu.edu
https://www.seattleu.edu/albers/mpac/

Washington State University

Carson College of Business

Headquartered on a vast 1,742-acre rural campus in Pullman with satellite locations in Spokane, Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, and online from anywhere to serve over 27,600 students, Washington State University is the state’s only comprehensive public land-grant research institution with very high research activity. Named among the top 300 universities in world by the Times Higher Education, WSU is currently ranked the 138th best university and 70th top public school in the United States by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Carson College of Business is acclaimed for hosting the 7th best online graduate business programs in the entire country.

Master of Accounting (MAcc)

While completing the 32-credit curriculum, the Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree will prepare students for excelling as professional accountants in financial institutions, government agencies, industry corporations, non-profit organizations, and public accounting firms. With an emphasis in both accounting research and theory, the master’s degree provides greater breadth and depth in accounting than is possible in a general MBA program. WSU students choosing this program will benefit from small class sizes, faculty interaction, future-focused practices, access to emerging technologies, and ongoing opportunities to network with potential employers. Graduates are well-equipped to become purposeful, innovative, and versatile leader for taking on the financial challenges of the global marketplace.

Accreditations

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

P.O. Box 644750
Pullman, WA 99164
(888) 585-5433
business@wsu.edu
http://business.wsu.edu/graduate-programs/masters-accounting/advantages/

Joining the elite group of professionals with a CPA license is the best way to develop respect in the accounting profession, advance job opportunities in the competitive marketplace, achieve greater job stability, rake in a higher salary, and specialize your career in a discipline that provides better job satisfaction. But, in Washington, you will need to complete at least five years of post-secondary education and accumulate 150 credits to become a CPA. Washingtonians seeking this prestige should choose one of the above master’s in accounting degree programs in Washington that have been given the stamp of approval by the AACSB International.

Another helpful resource:

Top 10 MBA in Accounting Degree Programs