CPA Preparation

Students who wish to sit for the Illinois CPA exam can meet their accounting course requirements through continuing education at Northwestern University. The CPA Preparation program at the School of Continuing Studies awards 9 units (equivalent to 24 semester hours). All courses are taught by CPAs who have extensive teaching and professional experience. For comprehensive information on applying for and taking the CPA Examination in Illinois, visit www.illinois-cpa-exam.com.

Effective June 1, 2007, the accounting curriculum at the School of Continuing Studies has changed. The changes reflect national trends in accounting education. They are based upon a study of top-tier accounting schools, as well as the recommendations of an advisory committee that included industry academic professionals.

Required Courses

• ACCOUNT 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting *
• ACCOUNT 202 Introduction to Managerial Accounting +
• ACCOUNT 208 Income Tax I
• ACCOUNT 210 Intermediate Accounting I
• ACCOUNT 211 Intermediate Accounting II
• ACCOUNT 310 Managerial Cost Accounting #
• ACCOUNT 350 Auditing Principles and Procedures I

* New course that replaces ACCOUNT 204 and ACCOUNT 205. Students who have previously completed ACCOUNT 204 and ACCOUNT 205 may apply them to the program.
+ New course that replaces ACCOUNT 206. Students who have previously completed ACCOUNT 206 may apply it to the program.
# New course that replaces ACCOUNT 207 and 307. Students who have previously completed ACCOUNT 207 may apply it to the program.

Elective Courses

• Two of the following:
  ACCOUNT 308 Income Tax II
  ACCOUNT 340 Government and Nonprofit Accounting (new, added 06.01.07)
  ACCOUNT 360 Auditing Principles and Procedures II
  ACCOUNT 370 Advanced Accounting

Note: Students who have previously completed ACCOUNT 307 Advanced Cost Accounting may apply it as an elective.

Business Courses for CPA

Along with 24 semester hours of accounting courses, students also need at least 24 semester hours of business credit. The School of Continuing Studies offers other courses that are acceptable areas of business credit, such as Economics, Business Law, Marketing, and Finance as noted on the Illinois-cpa-exam.com webpage.

To register for this program, please complete an Academic Plan form (PDF Format) and a Registration form (PDF Format).

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