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Curriculum

Designed with the increasing importance of data-driven analysis in mind, the Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) curriculum focuses on creating audit, assurance and advisory insight using modern data analytics tools. Course content typically introduces important real-world audit, assurance and advisory problems and focuses on communicating their data-driven solutions. With no programming experience necessary, MPAcc students gain exposure to the use of cutting-edge analytics and automation software to solve real-world cases.


Highlights

Collaborate with Peers

Study groups offer support, expanding perspectives, lasting friendships, and professional contacts, and are critical to successfully completing the intense projects.

Interact with local companies

Interact with iconic Seattle companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, Costco and Tableau.

Learn Data Analytics Skills

Learn cutting-edge analytics and automation skills by applying data analytic and robotic process automation software to practical real-world business cases.

Gain Practical Experience

Gain practical experience through hands-on projects with Seattle companies, and guest lectures from practicing experts in the field.


Schedule

In just three quarters of full-time study you can earn an MPAcc degree from the University of Washington, including learning on the job with an internship. The MPAcc program kicks off with orientation in the autumn quarter, a set of analytically intensive courses in the autumn, an internship in the winter, and courses in the spring quarter that further develop analytic skills and communicating their findings. Due to the collaborative nature of the program, attendance is required at all program events. Please contact us for more information.


Courses

The MPAcc curriculum consists of 48 credits taken over three quarters.

Software used in the MPAcc program varies depending on the cases taught each year.
Example software used in prior years includes:

Task Software
Data queries, extraction and cleaning Excel, SQL, PowerBI, Alteryx, XBRL
Data analysis Alteryx
Data visualization Tableau, PowerBI, Lucidchart
Automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence UIPath, Mindbridge AI

MPAcc courses at-a-glance: 48 credits

ACCTG 520: Accounting, Audit and Assurance Regulation (4 credits)
ACCTG 521: Advanced Cases in Assurance Services (4 credits)
ACCTG 522: Data Analytics for Professional Accountants (4 credits)
ACCTG 523: Advanced Financial Statement Analysis (4 credits)
ACCTG 526: Advanced Accounting Codification Research (4 credits)
ACCTG 527: Communications in Professional Accounting (4 credits)
ACCTG 528: Advanced Cases in Accounting Advisory (4 credits)
ACCTG 529: Business Ethics and Law for Accountants (4 credits)
ACCTG 575: Internship (14 credits)
ACCTG 576: Experiential Learning Project (2 credits)

Advanced Accounting Codification Research

Advanced research and application of the codification for complex accounting issues for public companies including tax, consolidation, and recent / or announced accounting standard changes.

Advanced Cases in Assurance Services

Advanced case studies for professional accountants focusing on current issues and the use of analytical tools with real-world applications in audit and assurance settings.

Advanced Financial Statement Analysis

Advanced traditional and data-driven analysis of financial statements from a user perspective with real-world applications for professional accountants.

Data Analytics for Professional Accountants

Application of data analytics concepts and techniques for professional accountants, with real-world applications in audit, assurance, and advisory settings.

Internship

With the help of the EY Center for Career Development, MPAcc students will find an accounting-related internship to apply what they have learned in a professional work environment. Students will often earn enough money to create a significant discount on their annual tuition. Other winter quarter options could include independent research projects or taking other accounting-related courses.

Experiential Learning Project

Written communication describing experiences learned in the MPAcc internship or MPAcc Independent research project.

Accounting, Audit and Assurance Regulation

Examines important regulatory issues in accounting, auditing, and assurance.

Advanced Cases in Accounting Advisory

Project-based learning involving real-world applications of contemporary problems in accounting advisory settings using innovative analytical tools and data-driven research techniques.

Communications in Professional Accounting

Development of communications skills for professional accountants, including effective written and oral skills with a focus on real-world settings in audit, assurance, and advisory services.

Business Ethics and Law for Accountants

Explores basic legal and ethical principles underlying the practice of accounting. Special attention devoted to identifying legal and ethical issues as they arise in commercial and professional accounting contexts.