This page is a comprehensive guide to accounting schools in Washington DC. With the information below, you can compare options to ensure you find the program that best fits your career and educational goals, whether you’re a new student or an experienced professional. Several programs also offer online classes, allowing for more flexibility than traditional on-campus programs. Washington DC offers a wealth of opportunities from prestigious universities, internships with major accounting firms, and options to start a career with federal agencies and non-profit organizations.

Table of Contents

Comparison of Washington DC Accounting Schools and Programs

The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in Washington DC to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

SchoolAccreditationAccounting Degree(s)Acceptance Rate10Grad Rate1Avg Net Price1Median Debt*10Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry10
American University—BS-Accounting;
BS-Accounting: Analytics;
BS-Accounting: Entrepreneurship;
BS-Accounting: Finance;
BS-Accounting: Information Systems & Technology;
BS-Accounting: International Business;
BS-Accounting: Management;
BS-Accounting: Marketing;
Minor-Accounting;
Specialization-Accounting;
Accelerated BS to MS-Accounting;
Accelerated BS-Accounting to MS-Taxation;
MS-Accounting;
MS-Accounting: Accounting Analytics;
MS-Accounting: Financial Reporting and Assurance;
MS-Accounting: Forensic Accounting;
MS-Accounting: Taxation;
MS-Taxation;
Grad Cert-Forensic Accounting;
Grad Cert-Tax		64.1%79%$41,369$22,750$75,354
Catholic University of America—BS-Accounting;
BSBA-Managerial Accounting;
Minor-Accounting;
Specialization-Accounting		86.0%76%$36,031$26,000$76,452
Gallaudet UniversityACBSPBS-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		61.7%44%$13,787$18,000$37,101
George Washington UniversityAACSBBS-Accy;
Minor-Accountancy;
5-Year BS to MAccy;
MAccy-General Accounting;
MAccy-Accounting Analytics;
Grad Cert-Accountancy		49.7%85%$42,723$20,449$87,548
Georgetown University—BSBA-Accounting;
Minor-Accounting		12.0%96%$35,566$15,500$101,797
Howard University—BBA-Accounting;
BBA-Accounting: Information Systems;
MAcc		35.3%70%$28,279$24,500$59,441
Trinity Washington University—BA-Business Administration: Finance & Accounting97.3%38%$13,586$28,250$46,296
University of the District of ColumbiaACBSPBBA-AccountingN.Av.35%$15,021$24,872$43,310

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 DC

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

  • Georgetown University (#8)
  • George Washington University (#18)
  • American University (#52)
  • Catholic University of America (#165)2

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023

  • Georgetown University (#8)3

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

  • Georgetown University (#39)4

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

  • Georgetown University (#38 tie)
  • George Washington University (#60 tie)6

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

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases reports 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 DC 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 DC being 60.8%:

  1. Georgetown University 90.0%
  2. George Washington University 67.2%
  3. American University 64.2%
  4. The Catholic University of America 63.4%
  5. Howard University 40.0%

*As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.

Schools in Washington DC with Accounting Degrees

To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in Washington DC, 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.

Graduate Accounting Programs

Catholic University of America

The Catholic University of America (CUA) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting that prepares students for accounting and auditing careers in a global business context. The 30-credit hour program is designed for students with a background in accounting and requires either an undergraduate degree in accounting or a minor in accounting. Through small class sizes, faculty serve as dedicated mentors and provide student placement. The curriculum focuses on accounting, auditing, taxation, and business forensics with an emphasis on ethical business practices. The degree can be pursued full time for one-year completion or part time for completion in five semesters. Fifteen credit hours in advanced accounting courses are required as well as 15 credit hours of electives. Students may benefit from a wide variety of funding opportunities including graduate teaching assistantships, on-campus employment, and research opportunities. The state-of-the-art campus holds seven different libraries, 22 research centers, and up-to-date laboratories with specialized equipment to meet the academic and research needs of its students.

George Washington University

George Washington University (GW) offers a Master of Accountancy (MAccy) designed to prepare students for CPA licensure. This 30-credit program can be completed in as little as nine months on a full-time basis or between 21 to 60 months on a part-time basis. Students interested in traditional accounting may choose the General Accounting Track, while those interested in combining accounting and business analytics can pursue the Accounting Analytics Track. Technical and critical thinking skills are emphasized through case studies to teach students problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. Students take courses designed to prepare them for the Uniform CPA Exam, including Advanced Strategic Cost Management, Accounting for Internal Decision Making, and Contemporary Auditing Theory. They also have the opportunity to intern with a wide variety of business and accounting firms, including the Big Four accounting firms, the IRS, the FBI, and the World Bank. Undergraduate accounting students at GW can pursue the 4+1 Program that allows them to complete a Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BS-Accy) and MAccy in five years.

Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs

American University

The Kogod School of Business at American University (AU) offers a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting in on-campus and online formats that can be completed in 12 to 24 months on a full- or part-time basis. MS in Accounting students can select electives to complete a specialization in Accounting Analytics; Financial Reporting and Assurance; Forensic Accounting; or Taxation. This program is designed to prepare students for CPA licensure and covers topics related to tax planning, business law, auditing, and other core accounting concepts. Students must take required classes such as Cost Accounting for Strategic Management and Contemporary Assurance and Audit Services as well as complete a capstone accounting seminar. Students without an undergraduate degree in accounting must complete prerequisite coursework in addition to the other degree requirements. Graduates from this program are prepared for careers in positions such as corporate controllers, internal auditors, and tax accountants. Undergraduate accounting students at AU have the option to pursue Kogod’s combined bachelor’s/master’s program that allows them to earn both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and MS in Accounting in five years.

Howard University

Howard University’s (HU) School of Business offers an online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) designed to provide students with the skills necessary for a successful career in professional accounting. In this one-year, 30-credit program, students are prepared to pursue accounting in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Courses cover topics on the Uniform CPA Exam, including challenging courses like Corporate Financial Reporting; Entity Taxation; and Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting. Students work with accomplished faculty members, many of whom hold a terminal degree and CPA licensure. GMAT scores are required to apply, as well as an undergraduate degree in accounting.

Washington DC CPA Requirements and Steps

To become a Certified Public Accountant in Washington DC, the DC Board of Accountancy (the Board) requires applicants to complete 150 semester hours and hold a baccalaureate degree with a concentration in accounting to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. Twenty-four credit hours must be accounting coursework and three hours must be in commercial or business law. There are five main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license in Washington DC.

  1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.
  2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
  3. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
  4. Apply for a license.
  5. Receive a CPA license from the Board.

1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.

Candidates for a CPA license in Washington DC must complete 150 semester hours of postsecondary education that includes the award of a bachelor’s degree or higher and an accounting concentration or the equivalent. The 150 semester hours must include a minimum of 27 hours of accounting-related subjects, including:

  • Auditing (three hours)
  • Commercial (business) law (three hours)
  • Cost (managerial) accounting (three hours)
  • Federal income taxes (three hours)
  • Financial accounting (three hours)

2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.

Washington DC CPA candidates must complete at least 2,000 hours of experience, which may be earned full- or part-time. The experience must take place over at least one calendar year but not more than three years and should include performing services and providing advice in accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, and consulting. Experience gained in government, industry, academia, or public practice qualifies to meet the experience requirement and must be verified by a licensed CPA.

3. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Uniform CPA Exam is a requirement for CPA licensure in all 50 states and is administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Applicants may sit for the exam after completing 120 hours of undergraduate semester hours from a college or university that has been accredited by the DC Education Licensure Commission or was a member of a regional accrediting agency recognized by the Board when the applicant’s degree was awarded. Candidates must use the online portal on the Board’s website to apply to take the exam. Once an application has been approved, candidates will receive further instructions on scheduling and taking the exam. All four sections of the exam must be passed with a score of at least 75 within an 18-month rolling period.

4. Apply for a license.

After meeting all licensure requirements, the CPA candidate’s application must be submitted through the online portal on the Board’s website. Note that all fees are required at the time that the application for licensure is completed. Candidates must also be prepared to upload a recent passport-type photo and government-issued identification to support the application. If desired, candidates may complete the licensing application at the same time as applying to the Uniform CPA Exam.

5. Receive a CPA license.

After the application has been approved by the Board and Uniform CPA Exam scores have been received, a license will be issued to applicants and they can begin practicing as CPAs.

CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Once licensed, CPAs in Washington DC must complete at least 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) each two-year renewal period, including at least four hours of professional ethics instruction. Acceptable subjects include accounting and auditing; taxation; management; computer science; communication arts; mathematics; statistics; probability and quantitative applications in business; economics; business law; functional fields of business; specialized areas of industry; administrative practice; and professional ethics. You can find additional information on the Board’s website.

Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in Washington DC

Recent accounting graduates in Washington DC have a wide variety of career options in the governmental, non-profit, or private sectors. Federal bodies such as the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Homeland Security offer numerous opportunities for those interested in federal accountancy and auditing. Graduates interested in careers in non-profit accountancy may find positions with the high concentration of large non-profit groups in Washington DC, including the headquarters of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The “Big Four” international accounting firms also all house large offices within the District and employ a number of CPAs and auditors.

Washington DC Accounting Salary and Jobs

Metro AreaAccountants & Auditors Employed13Average Annual Salary13
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV43,670$101,870

Additional Resources

Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in Washington DC

Washington DC Accounting Associations

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual Best Accounting Schools 2023: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/rankings/top-ranked/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2023 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2022.
4. US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
5. US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/online-bachelors-business-rankings
6. US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
7. Association to Advance College Schools of Business, Accredited Universities and Schools, Business & Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accredited Schools, Separate Accounting: https://acbspsearch.org/
9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education, Members: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/
10. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
11. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2019 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
12. District of Columbia Board of Accountancy: https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-accountancy
13. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Washington DC: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_dc.htm