Graduate Certificate in Accounting

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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

Admissions Requirements

You must meet the below admissions requirements in addition to Purdue Global's general requirements.

You must submit a current, professional resume that details employment history including responsibilities and dates of employment.

Your prior bachelor's degree must be in the field of business from an accredited institution or include a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter credit hours in undergraduate coursework across the Common Professional Components (CPC) to align with Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation standards. You would also meet these requirements with a master's degree in business (MBA).

If your official transcript does not include completion of the prerequisite courses of AC114 šŸŒ Accounting I, AC116 šŸŒ Accounting II, and AC239 Managerial Accounting Ā or their equivalents with a grade of ā€œBā€ or better, you may be required to complete additional foundational coursework prior to admission, pending review of the situation by the Dean. Candidates to the program must pass their prerequisite courses with a ā€œBā€ or better to be admitted to the program.

If you are an international applicant, you must submit, prior to enrollment, an official college transcript evaluated for equivalency to a United States college diploma by an authorized school official, appropriate outside agency, or approved foreign credential evaluator. If you possess a bachelor's degree unrelated to business, management, accounting, or finance, you must submit an additional course-by-course equivalency evaluation to determine whether you have already completed coursework equivalent to the prerequisite courses outlined above. You are responsible for any costs incurred as a result of this service.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment.Ā Prospective and current students must review Purdue Globalā€™s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Globalā€™s Program Availability InformationĀ 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. You may need to take additional courses at the undergraduate or graduate level to meet individual state requirements. You must review your state-specific licensure requirements by visiting Purdue Globalā€™s State Licensure and Certifications site. For additional information about the CPA Exam, you should visit the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website, as well as your state's CPA licensing requirements, which can be found at the Accountancy Licensing Library.Ā