Do you already have a bachelor’s degree and aspire to elevate your skills and knowledge in accounting? You may want to consider pursuing an accounting certificate. Specifically, a certificate in accounting could help you develop your understanding of areas of the field such as income taxes, accounting information systems, auditing, and beyond.
Before you enroll in a post-baccalaureate certificate program in accounting, however, explore all you should know about what this type of program entails and what you could potentially do with this type of designation.
Deep Dive Into Accounting Certificates
If you are thinking about pursuing an accounting certificate, you probably have a few questions. One might be, “What is a certificate in accounting, anyway?” The other is probably along the lines of, “What can I do with an accounting certificate?”
What Is a Certificate in Accounting?
Accounting certificate programs can vary significantly from one school to the next. Some are post-baccalaureate programs designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree, while others are available to those who may not yet have a degree or are currently pursuing one. These programs are generally designed to provide specialized accounting knowledge and skills, regardless of whether a previous degree is in accounting or a related field.
The purpose of an accounting certificate, then, is to provide specialized accounting knowledge and skills to those who may be working in an adjacent or even unrelated field. Typically, accounting certificate programs are designed to take around one to two years to complete (depending on enrollment status and other factors). These programs may cover accounting basics, including topics in taxation, accounting information systems, auditing, and different types of accounting.
Difference Between Certificates and Degrees in Accounting
Another common question people tend to have about accounting certificates is how they differ from accounting degrees. The most distinct difference between a certificate and a degree is that a degree program is much more comprehensive and thus entails considerably more credit hours than a certificate program.
For reference, the average bachelor’s degree consists of about 122 credit hours, which usually takes about four to five years for a full-time student to complete. A certificate program, on the other hand, is around 36 credit hours and may often be completed in about a year and a half.
Reasons to Pursue an Accounting Certificate
If you are still debating whether an accounting certificate may be right for you, there are a few factors to consider. For starters, you should take time to weigh some of the benefits of earning an accounting certificate—as well as the potential career opportunities that you may be able to take advantage of with this type of designation.
Advantages to Earning an Accounting Certificate
There are plenty of reasons to consider earning an accounting certificate if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. For starters, if you have an interest in learning about accounting as a secondary skill, a certificate program could be a great way to explore the field without committing to a full-fledged degree program.
Meanwhile, the skills and expertise you stand to acquire from a certificate program could help you enhance your professional skill set while setting the stage for future career opportunities. Not to mention, having that additional designation looks favorable on your resume.
What Can I Do With an Accounting Certificate?
What can you do with an accounting certificate? Depending on the field in which you currently work, having specialized accounting knowledge and skills could help you qualify for more advanced roles in your industry.
On the other hand, holding an accounting certificate could help you build the accounting and auditing skills needed to make a desired career pivot. In certain scenarios, the experience and knowledge gained from a certificate program may even solidify your decision to pursue a more advanced accounting degree, such as a master’s in accounting or a specialized certification as a CPA.
Exploring Accounting Certificate Programs
A quick search for accounting certificate programs yields a slew of results online, which may bring about more questions of how to possibly decide which program is right for your needs.
Types of Accounting Certificate Programs Available
Ultimately, one of the most crucial considerations when choosing an accounting certificate program is the curriculum. Many accounting certificates are offered as post-baccalaureate programs, designed for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to gain specialized knowledge in accounting. However, there are also undergraduate certificate programs available for those without a bachelor’s degree. These programs cater to a wide range of students, including those who do not have a specific background in accounting or auditing.
It is important to differentiate between accounting certificates and certifications. An accounting certificate is typically an academic program that provides foundational and advanced knowledge in accounting, often requiring a bachelor’s degree for enrollment. On the other hand, certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) are professional credentials that require passing a rigorous exam and meeting other requirements, such as relevant work experience. These certifications are formal licenses that indicate a higher level of expertise and commitment to the field of accounting.
Online vs. On-Campus Accounting Certificate Programs
When exploring different options for an accounting certificate, you may also notice there are both online and on-campus formats available. Some programs may even offer a hybrid format that combines online and in-person classes.
When choosing an accounting certificate program, you should carefully decide which format would best suit your needs. If you are already working full-time or have other obligations, an online program may be the most practical and flexible option for studying and earning your certificate on your own terms.
In other cases, however, students may prefer the face-to-face interaction of an on-campus program. The challenge, of course, is finding the time to physically commute to classes and work the demands of an on-campus program into an already-busy schedule.
Admission Requirements for Accounting Certificate Programs
Can you get a certificate in accounting? Each program and school set its own requirements for admission, but there are some general admissions criteria that apply to many of these programs. If you are also considering pursuing a professional certification, such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), in the future, it is important to familiarize yourself with the specific prerequisites and requirements for these certifications as well.
General Admissions Criteria
For most accounting certificate programs, the primary admission requirement is that you already have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school or institution. This does not have to be an accounting degree specifically.
Some programs may require that you maintained a certain grade point average (GPA) during your bachelor’s degree program, but this is not usually the case. If you have any doubt as to your eligibility for enrollment, you may always speak to an admissions advisor to learn more.
Prerequisites for Specialized Accounting Certificates
While many accounting certificate programs do not require prior coursework in accounting, professional certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) have more specific educational requirements. To qualify for the CPA exam, candidates typically need to have completed a bachelor’s degree along with a certain number of credit hours in accounting and related subjects. The exact requirements can vary by state, so it is important to research the specific prerequisites for the CPA license in the state where you plan to practice.
Core Curriculum and Specializations
The exact classes and topics covered in an accounting certificate program also vary from one school to the next—but there are some key courses you could typically expect in these programs, along with options for electives and specializations to suit your unique interests.
Essential Courses in Accounting Certificates
Some examples of the kinds of topics that are likely to be covered in an accounting certificate program include:
- Bookkeeping
- Financial statement analysis
- Taxation
- Cost accounting
- Managerial accounting
- Accounting information systems
Elective and Specialization Areas in Accounting
Depending on where your interests lie and what you plan to do with your accounting certificate, you may also want to consider enrolling in some electives or more specialized classes. For instance, you might decide to explore coursework in fraud prevention, corporate taxation, or even forensic accounting as a means of pursuing your interests and further diversifying your skill set.
Preparing for Professional Accounting Credentials
In some cases, students may use a certificate in an accounting program to help fulfill requirements to pursue a CPA or other professional license. If this is something you are considering, there are some additional tips you may want to keep in mind as you prepare for your license examination or other requirements.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Examination Preparation
Specifically, the right accounting certificate program may help you fulfill your state’s requirements to pursue your CPA license while providing you with useful preparation for the formal CPA exam.
Other Accounting Certifications and Requirements
In addition, an accounting certificate program may prepare students for other accounting certification exams, such as:
- Certified Fraud Examiner
- Certified Management Accountant
- Chartered Financial Analyst
- Certified Internal Auditor
Career Pathways With an Accounting Certificate
So, what can you do with an accounting certificate, and what is a certificate in accounting in terms of its professional value? Those looking to make a career pivot into accounting may be eligible for some entry-level accounting roles with a certificate in accounting alone. Likewise, even once you are working in the field, there are all kinds of exciting opportunities for advancement and development.
Entry-Level Accounting Jobs and Salaries
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most entry-level roles in accounting and auditing do require a bachelor’s degree—but this does not necessarily have to be a bachelor’s degree in accounting or even in a related field.
Advancement Opportunities in Accounting
One of the best aspects of working in accounting is that there is always the possibility to explore new professional development and career advancement opportunities. For example, once you have been working in an entry-level accounting role for a few years, you might decide to pursue an advanced accounting degree to progress your career. Many people with accounting certificates go back to school for their master’s degrees in accounting or even an MBA with a concentration in accounting.
Meanwhile, having an accounting certificate could also help you earn a specialized license that opens even more doors of opportunity in the field. Getting your CPA license, for instance, could qualify you for higher-paying work opportunities while allowing you to put additional skills to use.
Where Can You Get a Certificate in Accounting? Explore Your Options at Post University
There are numerous reasons to consider earning your online accounting certificate, ranging from the flexibility offered by an online program to the ability to diversify and expand your skill set. With the specialized knowledge and skills that you take away from an accounting certificate program, you could even make that career pivot you have been considering. Plus, while an accounting certificate alone is not designed to fulfill CPA licensure requirements in any particular state, it may be used to partially fulfill licensure requirements if you decide to go this route.
Learn more about the online certificate in accounting Post University offers by getting in touch and requesting more information, or feel free to get started with your online application today.
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