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    Introduction to Financial Accounting
    Online Program

    Introduction to Financial Accounting

    by Northwestern College Prep

    Explore how companies record transactions, apply GAAP and interpret financial statements through Northwestern’s undergraduate accounting course.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Introduction to Financial Accounting at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Rising juniors and seniors; GPA 3.0+

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $5,781

    Duration

    10 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    FinanceBusiness & Economics
    Sessions / cadence: Asynchronous; no scheduled meetings
    Assessment style: Letter grades
    College credit: 1 Northwestern credit unit
    Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
    Instructor: Jeannine Russo
    Prerequisite: None

    Introduction to Financial Accounting summary

    Northwestern’s course introduces the accounting information companies use to communicate with external users, with GAAP as its foundation.

    Study extends to internal controls, management decisions and interpreting financial statements. It suits students who want to explore the mechanics behind business finances and can manage independent academic work.

    What is Introduction to Financial Accounting?

    Introduction to Financial Accounting is an undergraduate accounting course offered through Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies and College Preparation Program. It introduces how financial information is identified, recorded and communicated to external users under generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.

    The course also examines internal controls, the financial implications of management decisions and company financial statements. Students study asynchronously online, while taking a credit course alongside Northwestern and visiting university students.

    Why Succeed highlights Introduction to Financial Accounting

    • The GAAP focus connects accounting fundamentals to the standards companies use in financial reporting.

    • Financial statement analysis gives the course a practical business focus beyond recording transactions.

    • Studying with university students provides a direct test of undergraduate academic expectations.

    • Asynchronous delivery makes independent time management central to the experience.

    Who is Introduction to Financial Accounting for?

    Best for

    Students curious about accounting, finance or business who want to test undergraduate study and can organize their own learning.

    Not ideal if

    You need scheduled live classes to stay engaged or mainly want a campus-based social experience.

    Is Introduction to Financial Accounting worth it?

    This course is a strong option for students who want to understand how business performance becomes financial information. Its combination of GAAP, internal controls and financial statement interpretation offers a focused way to test an interest in accounting.

    The tuition makes it a substantial family investment, and asynchronous learning requires sustained self-direction. College credit can be useful, but families should confirm transfer arrangements with the receiving institution and judge the course by its learning value rather than an assumed admissions advantage.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $5,781; includes One online undergraduate credit class., One Northwestern credit unit upon successful completion., Free Writing Place tutoring while enrolled..

    Dates and time commitment

    10 weeks; Asynchronous; no scheduled meetings.

    Provider details

    Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Successful completion normally earns one Northwestern credit unit.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Introduction to Financial Accounting need?

    Effort level

    High, with undergraduate academic expectations.

    Best started

    Six to eight weeks before the next announced application deadline.

    Main challenge

    Maintaining steady progress without scheduled class meetings.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft the approximately 500-word personal statement around your academic experience and reasons for choosing accounting.

    • Request official transcripts early and prepare your extracurricular activity list.

    • Arrange any required English proficiency testing and plan for tuition and separate fees.

    • Before the course starts, check your computer setup and become comfortable using Canvas and Northwestern email.

    Useful if

    You want to test accounting study before choosing a college major.

    What do students do on Introduction to Financial Accounting?

    You study how companies produce and communicate financial accounting information, then examine what that information reveals about controls and management decisions. The learning is asynchronous and carries undergraduate expectations.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Build an understanding of financial accounting fundamentals and GAAP.

    2. 2

      Study how accounting information is identified, recorded and communicated.

    3. 3

      Examine the key elements of effective internal control systems.

    4. 4

      Analyze management decisions and interpret company financial statements.

    Introduction to Financial Accounting dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    1 April 2026

    College Preparation Program credit-course application.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    22 June-30 August 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Rising high school junior or senior.

    • Completed sophomore or junior year of high school.

    • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

    • No accounting course prerequisite.

    • English proficiency score required when language or schooling criteria apply.

    How much does Introduction to Financial Accounting cost?

    Course tuition

    $5,781 — One online credit class.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable.
    • Deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied to program cost; due three weeks after acceptance.
    • Technology fee: Charged in addition to tuition.
    • Tuition scholarship: Need-based — Domestic US rising seniors with strong academic and extracurricular achievement.
    • Returning-student fee waiver: $60 waiver — Former CPP students complete the application fee waiver form.

    What's included

    One online undergraduate credit class., One Northwestern credit unit upon successful completion., Free Writing Place tutoring while enrolled.

    How to apply to Introduction to Financial Accounting

    1. 1

      Use Northwestern’s College Preparation Program admissions route for credit courses.

    2. 2

      Prepare the approximately 500-word personal statement and extracurricular activity list.

    3. 3

      Submit official English-language transcripts and any required TOEFL, IELTS or DET score.

    4. 4

      Submit the complete application and pay the $60 fee unless a waiver applies.

    5. 5

      After acceptance, activate your NetID and set up guest access and Northwestern email.

    6. 6

      Pay the $1,000 deposit and complete SchoolDoc registration so CPP staff can register you in the course.

    Next step with Succeed

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    Learning format

    The course runs completely online over ten weeks and is asynchronous, with no scheduled meeting time. Northwestern expects the self-direction, motivation and time management needed for undergraduate credit study.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Jeannine Russo is the listed course instructor.

    • Free Writing Place tutoring is available while enrolled.

    • The SPS Help Desk and Northwestern IT provide technical support.

    • AccessibleNU coordinates accommodations for eligible students.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Asynchronous delivery has no scheduled class meeting time.
    • Plan independent study across the ten-week course.
    • International applicants can pursue credit-course study remotely.

    Tech requirements

    • A computer with reliable internet access.

    • Speakers, a microphone and a webcam or built-in camera.

    • Ability to use Canvas, email and web browsers.

    • Ability to create, upload and share documents and presentations.

    • A quiet workspace with minimal distractions.

    Assessment style

    This credit course uses Northwestern’s undergraduate letter-grading system.

    • Grades use a four-point scale.
    • D is the lowest grade that carries credit.
    • View your final grade through CAESAR after completion.

    Portfolio and outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Successful completion normally earns one Northwestern credit unit.

    • A recorded undergraduate course grade.

    • An unofficial transcript available through CAESAR.

    • An official transcript available by request.

    Introduction to Financial Accounting FAQs

    No. The course lists no prerequisite and introduces the fundamentals of financial accounting.

    The course is asynchronous, with no scheduled meeting time. Students need to organize their own study.

    Topics include GAAP, identifying and recording accounting information, communication with external users, internal controls, management decisions and financial statement interpretation.

    Jeannine Russo is the listed instructor. College Preparation Program credit courses are taught by Northwestern-affiliated instructors.

    Credit courses normally carry one Northwestern credit unit unless otherwise stated. This is typically equivalent to four quarter hours or two and two-thirds semester credit hours; the receiving institution decides whether to accept transferred credit.

    Yes. College Preparation Program credit students take undergraduate courses with Northwestern and visiting university students.

    No. Participation is one part of an application profile and does not guarantee undergraduate admission to Northwestern.

    Yes, the course is completely online. Solely online participation does not entail entry into the United States and does not qualify students for an F-1, J-1 or B-1/B-2 visa.

    Alternatives to Introduction to Financial Accounting

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Introduction to Financial Accounting, Accounting, School of Professional Studies, 2026 Summer: Class Descriptions - Northwestern University
    • International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Pre-College Summer Programs for Credit: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • College Preparation Program — Summer 2026 Student Handbook
    • Introduction to Financial Accounting: Northwestern University School of Professional Studies

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Official course listing checked

    • Asynchronous format confirmed

    • Admission requirements reviewed

    • Tuition and deposit checked

    • College credit guidance reviewed

    • Scholarship criteria checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.