Accounting Certificate

Our program prepares you to assume greater responsibility in your accounting career. You’ll gain a foundation of learning and experience that spans accounting, auditing, taxation, commercial law and managerial finance, which you can apply to a wide range of industries. Through the program, you’ll achieve the required coursework and hours to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. Whether you are new to the accounting profession or already have experience, this program can help you advance your career and increase your earning potential.

Spanning critical fundamentals like the accounting cycle to complex topics like tax, data analytics and ethics, the content of our classes will ensure you are well-positioned for applying your learning to a professional setting. 

Our program is structured so you can learn at a moderated pace according to a timeline that works for you and balance your other personal and professional demands. 

Key Takeaways

• 30 graduate credits / 10 courses 
• Start dates: January, May, August
• Learn accounting skills that can be applied to a wide range of industries and open doors to a career in your area of interest. 
• Newcomers to accounting can achieve career advancement 
• Mid-level professionals can prepare to sit for the CPA exam 

Key Industry Information

Accounting and auditing skills are needed in nearly every industry, and demand for these positions is forecasted to increase. 

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor: Accountant and Auditor)

SCPS’ Program Offers Advantages:

• Flexible programming: with core courses offered regularly, you can stay on your desired learning journey.
• One tuition rate: you’ll pay the same tution whether you reside in Virginia or out-of-state.
• Expert Faculty who understand adult learners: learn from Faculty who are experts in their industries and are experts at teaching. They understand the demands adult learners need to juggle and structure courses so you can balance your personal and professional life while learning.
• Synchronous learning opportunities: you’ll join online classes and can ask questions, dig deeper, and learn from instructors and classmates.

Tuition & Fees

• Estimated cost: $524 per credit or $15,720 for entire program (same in-state and out-of-state)
• This program is not eligible for financial aid
• You may take advantage of an optional, interest-free semester-based payment plan offered by the University to help spread the cost of eligible charges over monthly payment.
• Additional fees may apply, including course materials. Tuition rates adjusted annually.

See Tuition Details

Scholarships

New and returning students in certificate or degree programs in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies are eligible to apply for the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship Program. 

Admission Requirements & Deadlines

DEADLINE INFORMATION

• To begin in the fall (August): application must be submitted by July 1
• To begin in the spring (January): application must be submitted by November 1
• To begin in the summer (May): application must be submitted by April 1

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree.

To apply:

Complete an online application, including:

1. Submit your unofficial transcripts. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified.
2. Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges to establish residency.

START YOUR APPLICATION 

Required Courses (6)

ACCT 3010 - INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNTING I

Designed to introduce students to the language of business, the course begins with the role of financial data in contemporary society, proceeds to develop the accounting model for capturing financial data, and finishes with the problems of measuring and reporting income, assets, liabilities, and equities.

ACCT 3020 - INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNTING II

Continuation of ACCT 3010. Approximately one third of the course deals with additional financial accounting topics, emphasizing managerial considerations and financial analysis. Cost accumulation, allocation, and product cost methods are studied in a manufacturing setting. Matters such as evaluation of performance planning, cost behavior, and special decisions are emphasized. Prerequisite: ACCT 3010

ACCT 5110 - INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I

An intensive study of the generally accepted accounting principles for asset valuation, income measurement, and financial statement presentation for business organizations, and the processes through which these principles evolve. Prerequisite: ACCT 3020

ACCT 5120 - INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING II

Continuation of ACCT 5110, emphasizing accounting for the equities of a firm's investors and creditors. Covers special problem areas in financial accounting including accounting for leases, pensions, and income taxes. Prerequisite: ACCT 5110

ACCT 5200 - INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Explores how accounting information systems are designed and implemented to meet organizational accounting and decision-making needs. Analyze how capabilities and limitations inherent to current technology may shape organizational operations and strategy. Topics include firm value of AIS, block chain, artificial intelligence, mapping business processes, database design and queries, internal controls, mitigating information risks, and more. 

ACCT 5210 - INTRODUCTORY AUDITING

Examines auditing methodology through a study of auditing standards. Includes the nature of evidence, program planning, work papers, internal control evaluation, types of audit tests, and audit reports. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120

Elective Courses (Select 4)

ACCT 5140 - COST ACCOUNTING

Addresses analysis of cost behavior and volume profit relationships; responsibility accounting and reporting flexible budgets; and the use of standard costs to guide and control performance. Prerequisite: ACCT 3020

ACCT 5250 - ADVANCED AUDITING

Builds on the concepts and practice examples from introductory auditing to provide students with an in-depth understanding of professional standards, the audit process, advanced audit techniques, and the auditor's role in ensuring that publicly issued financial statements are fairly presented. Prerequisite: ACCT 5210

ACCT 5310 - SELECTED TOPICS IN ADVANCED ACCOUNTING

Studies accounting and financial reporting for partnerships, business enterprise segments, home office/branch office, foreign transactions and translation, business combinations, and other inter-corporate investments and consolidated statements. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120

ACCT 5330 - ACCOUNTING FOR NON-BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

Financial accounting for governmental and non-profit organizations. Studies the theory and techniques of accounting and reporting for various funds and groups of accounts. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120

ACCT 5410 - FRAUD EXAMINATION

Focuses on the principles and methodology of fraud detection and deterrence. Examines how and why occupational fraud is committed, how fraudulent conduct can be deterred, and how allegations of fraud should be investigated and resolved. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120

ACCT 5450 - FEDERAL TAXATION I

An analysis of the federal income tax law and its application to individuals. A study is made of problems covering personal and business tax situations. Several cases are assigned for which the student prepares illustrative tax returns. Prerequisite: ACCT 3020 or instructor permission

ACCT 5460 - FEDERAL TAXATION II

Analyzes the federal income tax law and its application to corporations, shareholders, partnerships, partners, estates, and gift transactions. Prerequisite: ACCT 5450

ACCT 5470 - FORENSIC ACCOUNTING

Analyzes the various forensic accounting techniques and investigative strategies used in forensic examinations; covers uses of accounting information systems in fraud detection, the nature of financial statement fraud as well as the framework for detecting fraudulent financial reporting, and the importance of internal controls in fraud prevention. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120

ACCT 5480 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS

Provides in-depth understanding of corporate governance and ethics related to the public accounting profession. Explores different ethical decision-making models and apply formal corporate governance frameworks to resolve ethical conflicts as faced by accountants. Examines the challenges to ethical decision-making faced by internal accountants & auditors and learn to evaluate & resolve ethical conflict.

ACCT 5490 - CYBERSECURITY FOR ACCOUNTING

Provides essential knowledge needed to make sound strategic decisions related to investments in cybersecurity. Explores methods used to raise general security awareness, review current industry practices, and develop knowledge needed to adapt policies to protect and safeguard proprietary information.

ACCT 5700 - FEDERAL ACCOUNTING

Provides a comprehensive overview of accounting principles, terminology, concepts, and standards unique to federal accounting to include an analysis and discussion of the laws, regulations and policies leading to current day federal accounting and reporting practices. The course introduces the Federal Accounting Standard Advisory Board (FASAB) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as the rule-setting organizations of federal accounting, and introduces the U.S. Government Standard General Ledger as the basic foundation. Prerequisite:  ACCT 3020 Introductory Accounting II

ACCT 5710 - BUSINESS LAW

Covers key areas of law that affect businesses. Topics include introduction to the American legal system, constitutional law, torts, contracts, sales, commercial paper, agency law, and employment law. ACCT 5710 Business Law (accepted toward the business requirement to sit for the CPA Exam).

The information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

Meet the Faculty

*As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs. 

Upon completion of the Certificate in Accounting, graduates may be eligible for professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in the state in which you currently reside. Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision about which states’ educational requirements for licensure are met by this program. For a complete listing of State Board of Accountancy, visit https://nasba.org/stateboards/

Upon enrolling in this program, should you change your address to another state, please update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact your ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state.