California State University-Northridge Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (Professional Accountancy Option): 2027 Review

Score

70.9 of 100, rank 9 of 100

Cost (20%)

6.1 of 10

Graduate Earnings (20%)

8.1 of 10

Completion (15%)

9.5 of 10

Flexibility (15%)

0.0 of 10

Credential Alignment (10%)

10.0 of 10

Track Record (10%)

10.0 of 10

Program Reputation (10%)

8.2 of 10

Credits

120 to 122

Format

On Campus

Accreditation

AACSB (confirmed on the official list)

AACSB Accounting

Accounting accreditation listed by AACSB

See exactly how we score on the methodology page. We checked the school's figures on October 8, 2026.

Cal State Northridge pairs its accounting degree with the EY Center for Careers. It also adds a required Excel Specialist Certification course and a tax clinic where students prepare returns for low-income taxpayers. You can also finish the Professional Accountancy Option with a capstone that doubles as certified public accountant (CPA) review.

California State University-Northridge offers this Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Professional Accountancy Option, through the Department of Accounting in the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics. It's taught in person on the Northridge campus.

• Future CPA candidates: the capstone option ACCT 497CPA combines an accounting capstone with CPA review.
• Students who want tax experience: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinic has served the public since 1970 and gives you practice preparing returns.
• Students who want to be recruiting-ready: the EY Center for Careers runs a Meet the Firms event each semester with the accounting clubs.
• Spreadsheet-focused students: a one-unit course prepares you for the Microsoft Excel Specialist certification.
• Community college transfers: the department accepts transfer work with a grade of C or better.

Three Intermediate Financial Accounting courses (ACCT 350, 351 and 352) anchor the major. You'll also take Cost Accounting (ACCT 380) and Accounting Information Systems (ACCT 415). Income Tax I (ACCT 440) opens the tax sequence, and Auditing Principles and Analytics (ACCT 460) covers audit work with data. The Professional Accountancy Option adds Income Tax II, Advanced Financial Accounting, Advanced Auditing, and Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting.

You close the option with one of three courses: the CPA review capstone, Accounting Ethics and Professional Responsibilities, or an introduction to tax procedure. All business majors also take a Strategic Management capstone (BUS 497A). Student chapters of Beta Alpha Psi, the Accounting Association and the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) connect you with professionals and alumni.

You'll earn 120 to 122 units in all. Of those, 85 to 88 are in the major and option. The required accounting courses make up 22 units and the option adds 15. You must earn a C or higher in every required upper-division course. Transfer work needs a C or better, and at least 50 percent of your business and major units must be completed at CSUN.

You'll pay about $623 per credit at CSUN, based on the annual out-of-state tuition the school reports.

You attend classes in person at the Northridge campus. The EY Center for Careers serves undergraduates, graduate students and alumni with career planning and job search help. The EY Seminar in Professional Leadership is a one-unit course for a select group of students who have finished ACCT 350. Accounting clubs and the center organize Meet the Firms each semester.

AACSB granted the accounting program its own accreditation in 2025, and the news release says CSUN is one of six California business schools with both business and accounting accreditation. The program gives you the foundation to become a CPA. The ACCT 497CPA capstone reviews CPA exam material.

Where this degree can lead: Accounting Degree Jobs.

The Los Angeles Business Journal named 26 Nazarian College graduates to its Top 100 Accountants list in 2026. The dean said in 2025 that students who volunteer in the VITA and tax clinics are in high demand after graduation. More than 70 percent of accounting students volunteer in one of those clinics.

• How do students earn the Excel Specialist certification in ACCT 412L?
• Which of the three option-ending courses best fits my CPA plan?
• How do I join the VITA Clinic or the Bookstein Low Income Taxpayer Clinic?
• How does the EY Seminar in Professional Leadership select students?

• Best Bachelor's Programs #9 of 100
• Best AACSB Accredited Programs #9 of 85
• Best for CPA Candidates #4 of 79
• Best Public University Programs #9 of 79
• Accounting Programs in California #1 of 3

• Florida State University #7 of 100
• Northern Illinois University #8 of 100
• University of Florida #10 of 100
• University of Cincinnati-Main Campus #11 of 100

Also at California State University-Northridge: our master's program review