Which Colleges Have Accounting Degree Programs in the Washington, DC Area?

Learn about accounting degree programs in the Washington, D.C. area. See degree options, program requirements and courses, and get career and salary info for the region. Schools offering Accounting degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Career Info for Washington D.C. Area Accountants

Accounting is a field that centers on the preparation, evaluation and maintenance of financial records. As an accountant, you could work for individuals or organizations, and your job duties might include preparing income taxes, examining financial statements, assessing financial risk and determining the efficiency of accounting systems. If you choose to become a bookkeeper, accounting clerk or auditing clerk, you might report deposits and credits, generate spreadsheets, manage payroll and monitor accounts.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the minimum educational requirement for most accountant positions is a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related discipline; however, some employers require a master's degree (www.bls.gov). Also, if your duties include filing documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the BLS reports that you would be required to obtain a license as Certified Public Accountant (CPA). To become a CPA in Washington D.C., you need to complete a 150-hour degree program, or about 30 credits beyond a bachelor's degree. You also need to have one year of experience in the field of accounting and to pass the CPA examination, administered by the Washington D.C. Board of Accountancy (www.asisvcs.com). Bookkeepers and clerks generally need a high school diploma; however, some positions may require varying levels of postsecondary coursework. This is commonly facilitated through an associate's degree program.

Salary and Job Outlook

The BLS reported that the mean salary of accountants in Washington D.C. was about $86,000 in 2011. In comparison, the mean salary for bookkeepers, accounting clerks and auditing clerks was about $49,000 during the same year.

On the national scale, jobs for accountants were projected to increase 16% between 2010 and 2020, according to the BLS. The BLS also reported that employment for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks was projected to increase 14% during the same period.

Associate's Degree Programs in the Washington D.C. Area

Prince George's Community College

  • Program Name: Accounting Professional Associate of Applied Science
  • Program Length: Two years
  • Tuition: $98 per credit hour for county residents, $172 for Maryland residents, $265 for nonresidents (2012 rates)
  • School Type: 2-year, public; about 15,000 students
  • Address: 301 Largo Rd, Bladen Hall, Room 210, Largo, Maryland 20774-2199
  • Phone: (301) 322-0080

Through your associate's degree curriculum, you will learn foundational principles in cost accounting, federal income tax and business finance. Payroll accounting and spreadsheet accounting will also be discussed. Some accounting courses may have prerequisites, such as algebra, and many accounting courses are available online. Graduates are prepared for careers as accounting technicians, clerks or assistants. If you want to move on to a bachelor's degree program, you should select the accounting transfer degree option.

Bachelor's Degree Programs in the Washington D.C. Area

Howard University

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting
  • Program Length: Four years
  • Tuition: $21,450 per year (2012-2013 rate)
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; around 10,600 students
  • Address: Howard University School of Business, 2600 Sixth St NW, Suite 340, Washington, D.C. 20059
  • Phone: (202) 806-1565

The Department of Accounting supports a business honor society and features the Center for Accounting Education, an Accounting Awareness Week and the Accounting Career Awareness program. Your baccalaureate coursework will include training on auditing, quantitative business analysis and business law. Topics such as accounting information systems and controllership will also be covered. The accounting program is designed to prepare students to take the CPA, Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exams.

Gallaudet University

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Accounting
  • Program Length: Four years
  • Tuition: $11,610 per year (2011-2012 rate)
  • School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 1,800 students
  • Address: 800 Florida Ave, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002-3695
  • Phone: (202) 651-5312

Your curriculum will include classes on managerial accounting, business finance and income tax accounting. You will also learn about business statistics and financial accounting. If you're interested in taking the CPA examination, the school recommends elective courses in nonprofit accounting and advanced accounting. If you're interested in taking the CMA examination, the school recommends an elective course in advanced cost accounting.

Master's Degree Programs in the Washington D.C. Area

University of Maryland University College

  • Program Name: Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management
  • Program Length: 36 credits
  • Tuition: $458 per credit hour for in-state and military students; $659 per credit hour for out-of-state students (fall 2012 rates)
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor's degree; 15 credits of undergraduate accounting courses
  • School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 43,000 students
  • Address: 3501 University Blvd East, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-8010
  • Phone: (301) 985-7000

The University of Maryland University College's campus is located in a large suburban setting. You will receive advanced training on auditing, investment valuation and financial accounting. Subjects such as strategic financial management and fraud examination will also be discussed. The program concludes with a capstone course, and credits earned in the program may make you eligible to take the CPA exam.

To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:

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