Accounting Major

Choosing to major in accounting can be a smart decision for several reasons:

1. High Demand: Accountants are in high demand across many industries, ensuring strong job security and numerous career opportunities.
2. Versatility: An accounting degree opens doors to diverse roles such as auditing, tax consulting, financial analysis, and management accounting.
3. Competitive Salary: Accounting professionals often enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, with potential for growth as they gain experience and certifications.
4. Skill Development: This major helps develop critical skills like analytical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail, which are valuable in any career.
5. Pathway to Certifications: It provides a solid foundation for pursuing certifications like CPA (Certified Public Accountant), which can further enhance career prospects and earning potential.

Accounting is a practical and rewarding field that offers stability, growth, and a wide range of career paths

The requirements displayed in this document are from the 2024-2025 WSU Catalog.

Accounting Major Requirements

While the WSU Accounting major requires 120 credits, if you decide to pursue your CPA certification, you must complete 150 credits. Reaching 150 credits often takes students a year longer. To help you decide if you want to pursue a CPA license and earn 150 credits, or graduate with 120 credits, here’s some information to help you decide:

Salary Prospects:

• With a CPA License: According to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), CPAs generally earn higher salaries due to their specialized skills and qualifications.
• Without a CPA License: Accounting graduates without a CPA can still earn competitive salaries. However, their earning potential may be lower compared to CPAs, particularly as they advance in their careers.

Career Growth

• With a CPA License: CPAs have access to a broader range of high-level positions, such as senior auditor, financial manager, or partner in an accounting firm. The CPA credential is often a prerequisite for these roles, which come with greater responsibilities and higher salaries. Additionally, CPAs are more likely to be considered for executive positions like CFO (Chief Financial Officer).
• Without a CPA License: While non-CPA accountants can still achieve significant career growth, they may find it more challenging to reach the highest levels of the profession. They can advance to roles such as senior accountant, financial analyst, or internal auditor, but may face limitations in reaching top executive positions without further certifications.

While both paths offer rewarding opportunities, obtaining a CPA license can significantly enhance an accountant’s salary prospects and career growth potential.

You must complete a bachelor’s degree or higher with a major in Accounting that includes:

1. 24 semester credits in Accounting classes of which 15 credits must be at the upper division or graduate level
2. 24 semester credits of business administration subjects at the undergraduate or graduate level.

1. You must complete at least 150 semester credits
2. A bachelor’s degree or higher with a major in Accounting that includes:
   • 24 semester credits in Accounting classes of which 15 credits must be at the upper division or graduate level
   • 24 semester credits of business administration subjects at the undergraduate or graduate level.

1. Washington State Board of Accountancy
2. National Association of State Boards of Accountancy

To apply to take your CPA exam, you must have graduated with your Accounting major. As part of this application, you will need to submit your WSU transcript showing this degree granted.

Accountings firms prefer to have students be CPA eligibility, which means 150 credits and degree awarded. While most class can be taken at WSU for your Accounting major, you can graduate with fewer than 150 credits and take the remaining credits to reach 150 at other university. Discuss this option with your academic advisor during your final year at WSU.

1. Make sure you meet the Education Requirements
2. Review materials: The official handbook published by the CPA Examination partners (AICPA, NASBA, and Prometric). Candidate Guide
3. Apply for the exam
   The Board contracts with CPA Exam Services (CPAES) for application processing for Washington’s CPA exam applicants. You may obtain an application, information, or apply online at:

   CPA Examination Services Washington Coordinator
   150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700
   PO Box 198469
   Nashville, TN 37219-8469

*Taken from the Washington State Board of Accountancy website.