Accounting for Government Contracts – Certificate
Program Summary
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Credits: 12 total
Degree: Graduate Certificate
College/School: Costello College of Business
Start Date: 8/25/2025
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Program Description
Support the specific needs of the $500 billion government contracting industry with a graduate certificate in accounting for government contracts from the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Learn how to implement federal acquisition regulation compliant accounting systems, create job cost reports and budgets, analyze indirect rate calculations and cost allocations, and facilitate internal control and federal audit compliance.
Read MoreGeorge Mason University's graduate certificate in accounting for government contracts, in partnership with Unanet, is an opportunity to acquire education in the field of government accounting with a federal government contracting emphasis. Courses in the certificate program will also help prepare you to sit for the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) exam sponsored by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA).
Employers, whether government contractors or service providers of government contractors, have a significant need for employees with knowledge of acquisition regulations, project (cost) accounting, and the processes and systems required to remain compliant. Courses in this program will prepare you to meet that need and include the fundamentals of government contracting, auditing for government contracts, and how to adhere to the specific regulations required.
Students who complete at least two accounting for government contracts certificate courses with grades of B or better will have their application requirements for our master’s in accounting program reduced, and certificate course credits can be applied towards your master’s in accounting degree requirements upon enrollment.
Concentrations
- Accounting
Career Opportunities
The Accounting degree (ACCT) prepares students for professional careers in the private and public sectors. The accounting major is designed to produce accounting professionals who can both generate and apply financial information to solve business problems.
Our students learn principles of business and accounting as well as the specific skills and specialized technical knowledge necessary for success in the dynamic field of accounting. Our program emphasizes ethics, critical thinking, written and verbal communication, and effective use and understanding of technology.
Our graduates are employed by the assurance, tax advisory, and consulting groups of the top accounting firms as well as Fortune 100 companies. Our proximity to the nation’s capital provides unique opportunities for our graduates to work in government and in the federal practices of public accounting firms.
Courses
Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the George Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.
Details
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must have at a minimum, a U.S. equivalent bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency, or international equivalent. Furthermore, you must either be an accounting major or have completed specific coursework in accounting, including 6 credits in Principles of Accounting, 6 credits in Intermediate Financial Accounting, 3 credits in Managerial/Cost Accounting, 3 credits in Audit, 3 credits in Tax, and 3 credits in Accounting Analytics. Non-accounting majors should refer to the NVCC pathway provided below to complete the required accounting coursework.
Fall Deadlines:
- Priority: February 1
- Standard and F1/J1: May 1
- Final: August 1
Application Link & Fee:
- College of Business Graduate Program Application
- $75.00 application fee
College Transcript Requirement
- We require unofficial copies of your transcripts from earned degrees for application review. You can upload these to your online application. If admitted, you must submit official transcripts prior to the last day to add/drop courses in your first term. Please refer to the “Additional Requirements for International Degree Holders” section for degrees earned outside of the U.S.
Current Resume
Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Pathway
- This pathway is tailored for individuals with non-accounting bachelor’s degrees who need additional coursework to meet the eligibility requirements (mentioned above) for the Government Accounting Certificate at George Mason University. It allows students to complete pre-approved accounting courses offered at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) to fulfill the necessary course requirements for admission. For more information about the NVCC pathway, please contact the College of Business Graduate Admissions team at [email protected].
Learn more about the graduate certificate in government accounting program here.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For more information on current tuition rates and fees, visit the Student Accounts website.
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Contact
Program Contact:
Email: [email protected]
