Graduate Certificate in Accounting

Description and Outcomes

The objective of the Graduate Certificate in Accounting program is to prepare you with the critical knowledge and skills to pursue mid-level accounting positions. The certificate program is designed to provide knowledge of key accounting areas including accounting and financial reporting systems, business law, auditing techniques, and cost accounting.

This certificate program could also help you prepare for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination. Refer to the Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams section for important program disclosure information.

Qualified credits earned in fulfillment of this certificate program may be transferable to certain Purdue Global degree programs.

Program Length

The Graduate Certificate in Accounting program consists of a minimum of 16 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate.

Program Outcomes

  1. Prepare financial statements for a business entity, demonstrating an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and fundamental accounting theory and practice.
  2. Evaluate common legal issues in a business setting, demonstrating a knowledge and understanding of business law theory and practice.
  3. Assess the audit process from the planning stage through the completion of the audit, demonstrating an understanding of current audit standards and acceptable practices.
  4. Evaluate cost accounting methods commonly used to measure and project business performance.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Progression Requirements

If you are enrolled in a School of Business and Information Technology certificate program, you will have all course-level prerequisites waived.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

Upon completion of the certificate program, you may be eligible to take the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination. To sit for the CPA Exam in most states, there is an educational requirement of 150 semester hours or 225 quarter credit hours. Purdue Global has not made a determination of eligibility with respect to the licensure or certification requirements of any specific state. You may need to take additional courses at the undergraduate or graduate level to meet individual state requirements.