Accounting certificate programs for undergraduates

100% online accounting certificate provides foundational knowledge of methods and practices. Online accounting courses will equip you with the knowledge of finance, business, and management you need to succeed in many competitive business industries. With a convenient and flexible 100% online format, you can complete your accounting training without the disruption of traveling to a campus.

Accounting Undergraduate Certificate

If you want to learn accounting technical skills so you can change careers or take on new roles in your current position? The 100 percent online undergraduate accounting degree offers a foundational understanding of processes and procedures to train you for a career in accounting. If you’re starting out on your path to a bachelor’s degree in accounting or looking to brush up on your skills, our online accounting courses will provide you the foundational knowledge in economics, industry, and management that you’ll need to excel in a variety of competitive industries.

What Is a Certificate of Accounting?

Accounting certificate programs for new and seasoned accountants will help them improve their qualifications and certification. Many certificates are completed in less than a year and cost less than other degree programs in terms of time and resources.

In order to train for positions such as accounting clerk or bookkeeper, aspiring accounting professionals who do not have a bachelor’s degree frequently participate in introductory certificate programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals receive a median annual wage of $41,230 which can be seen as a stepping stone to higher-paying employment.

Why Get an Accounting Certificate?

Accounting certificates will help both new and seasoned accountants advance their careers. Accounting certificates are sometimes used by students without a college diploma to apply for entry-level clerking or bookkeeping jobs, and by college graduates to meet technical qualification standards.

Accounting certificate programs offer foundational coursework that may transfer to associate degrees. Some bachelor’s degree-holders pursue certificate programs to prepare for professional certification exams. To earn CPA certification, candidates must pass a four-part exam. To qualify to sit for the exam, applicants need 150 academic credits.

Accounting Education in the Future

Accounting certificate programs for new accounting students have foundational coursework that can be transferred to associate or bachelor’s degree programs in accounting. Coursework from more advanced accounting certificate programs can move to accounting master’s or doctoral programs.

Some bachelor’s degree holders enroll in advanced credential programs to train for professional exams such as the CPA, CMA, or CIA. Candidates must pass a four-part exam to obtain CPA certification, the most common certification in the industry. Applicants must have 150 academic credits to sit for the exam. Credit criteria are often met by candidates.

Careers with an Accounting Certificate

Accounting certificate program graduates may work in a variety of industries because almost all businesses need accounting services. Many certificate holders serve as clerks or bookkeepers, earning about $41,000 a year on average. Professionals need at least a bachelor’s degree to serve as accountants, who usually earn more than clerks and bookkeepers.

Clerk in the Finance Department

Financial clerks handle a variety of transactions, provide customer service, and maintain records.

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS

Financial clerk vacancies are expected to rise by 5% between 2018 and 2028, according to the BLS.
The BLS predicts that clerk employment in billing and posting, insurance, and loans will rise between 2018 and 2028, despite the fact that payroll, new accounts, and credit clerk positions may be on the decline due to rising levels of automation.
Financial clerks receive a median annual salary of $40,540, according to BLS salary data from 202.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION

On-the-job preparation for financial clerks is typically company-specific and/or industry-specific.

Accountant / Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers keep track of customer or client accounts, record financial transactions, keep financial reports, make statements, and keep track of customer or client accounts. Professional services, banking, wholesale trade, healthcare, and retail are the most common sectors that employ bookkeepers.

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS

Between 2018 and 2028, the BLS predicts a 4% fall in demand for bookkeepers, accounting, and auditing clerks.
To keep up with technical advancements, students seeking a bookkeeping certificate usually take courses that train them to use automated bookkeeping systems and applications.
The median annual wage for bookkeepers, accounting, and auditing clerks was $41,230 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION

Bookkeepers are not required to complete any additional training. Staff, on the other hand, can opt to receive additional professional development certificates from organizations such as the Institute of Financial Operations in order to boost their job market competitiveness.

Accounts Payable Clerk

The title “accounting clerk” covers a wide range of finance functions in a company, including office work and accounting responsibilities. Accounting clerks may work in a variety of positions, including:

Accounts Payable Clerks are responsible for maintaining and filing financial statements and receipts, as well as issuing fees owed by businesses to outside entities and communicating with vendors.
Accounts Receivable Clerks are responsible for maintaining financial records and databases, collecting and recording payments made to businesses, and contacting customers about invoices.
Auditing Clerks: Check for consistency of documents and reports, make corrections, and document issues.

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS

Between 2018 and 2028, the BLS predicts a 4% fall in demand for bookkeepers, accounting, and auditing clerks.
Observations: Accounting clerks need up-to-date programming skills due to the increased use of spreadsheet programs, databases, and advanced accounting software packages.

In 2019, the median annual wage for bookkeepers, accounting, and auditing clerks was $41,230, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION

These jobs normally don’t necessitate any special qualifications or training. Many practitioners, however, undergo on-the-job training, and some employers may require clerks to obtain additional qualifications from the National Association of Certified Puppeteers.

How to Get an Accounting Certificate

Requirements for accounting certificates vary by program. Programs geared toward high school graduates typically require a high school diploma or GED. Certificate programs aimed at aspiring CPAs may require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Accounting guide

Accounting certificates have different requirements depending on the program. High school diplomas or a GED are usually required for programs geared toward high school graduates, as are prerequisite courses such as economics, English, introductory accounting, and statistics. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school may be required for certificate programs aimed at aspiring CPAs. Candidates may also be required to take prerequisite courses in areas such as financial, administrative, and cost accounting.

Is it necessary for me to get my accounting certificate online?

Many busy students choose online accounting certificates with flexible attendance schedules. Distance learning is a convenient, accessible, and high-quality alternative to on-campus learning because top online programs produce comparable results as their on-campus counterparts.

Students can enroll in the best programs in the country without having to move. It also allows students to align their studies with their personal and professional responsibilities. Distance learning, on the other hand, necessitates a great deal of self-discipline, motivation, and concentration. Some students can find it difficult to stay focused or accountable.

Experience with the Accounting Certificate Program

Accounting certificate programs help students gain knowledge of areas including economics, auditing, and taxes. Many programs prepare students for specialized occupations such as bookkeeping or forensic accounting. The length of time it takes to obtain an accounting certificate varies depending on the program. Some programs can be completed in as little as a few months, while others can take up to a year to complete.

Accounting Certificates vs. Certification: What’s the Difference?

An accounting certificate denotes the successful completion of academic coursework, which is typically used to prepare for a particular occupation or as a requirement for professional certification. Graduates of certificate programs are not normally automatically certified; they must usually complete additional steps, such as passing an industry-recognized professional test, before receiving certification.

Candidates for professional certification must meet certain educational and experience criteria. CPA applicants, for example, must have 150 accounting credit hours from approved institutions and at least one year of applicable experience.

Optional Certificates

Certificates in general accounting include an overview of accounting areas and subjects. Other qualifications concentrate on honing accounting specialty expertise and skills in fields like auditing and assurance and accounts payable. Several popular accounting certificates are outlined in the following list.

Accounting Undergraduate Certificate

This general certificate program is offered by several schools and includes foundational accounting topics including administrative accounting, financial accounting, and taxation.

Specialist Certificate of Auditing and Assurance

Auditing standards, individual accounting, and company tax accounting are all included in this credential program. Payroll accounting, administrative accounting, and company law are examples of other courses.