Accounting Certificate Online Programs & Colleges

Online Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates in Accounting

You can earn an accounting certificate online or graduate certificate in accounting from an accredited college or school if you want to enter the accounting profession, want to better understand accounting and finance to improve the performance of your small business, or are a current accounting professional who wants to upgrade your skills and earn a credential.

Earning your accounting certificate online prepares you to analyze and communicate the financial impact of economic events on an organization. Courses taken as part of an accounting certificate program may count toward the educational requirement to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

Graduate and Online Accounting Certificate Colleges

Strayer University - offers the following online accounting certificate programs:

• Executive Graduate Certificate in Accounting - Controllership
• Executive Graduate Certificate in Accounting - Taxation
• Executive Graduate Certificate in Accounting - Accounting Information Systems
• Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting - Introductory Accounting
• Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting - Advanced Accounting
• Executive Graduate Certificate in Accounting - Accounting

Post University - offers the following accounting certificate online programs:

• Certificate in Finance
• Graduate Certificate in Finance
• Certificate in Accounting - CPA Examination Preparation Accounting

DeVry University - offers the following online accounting certificate programs:

• Graduate Certificate in Accounting
• Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis

Ashworth College offers the following accounting certificate online programs:

• Career Diploma in Tax Preparation
• Certificate in Accounting

Western International University offers the following accounting certificate online program:

• Certificate in Accountancy

Accounting Certificate Online - Education and Training

Online accounting certificate programs provide a broad understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting practices. The accounting certificate helps students keep abreast of innovations in their field and enhances their proficiency in accounting-related functions such as data interpretation and financial analysis.

Courses cover subjects such as financial analysis, business valuation, accounting, managerial accounting, financial accounting, cost accounting, taxation, corporate finance, and business law.

Graduate certificate in accounting programs may focus on areas such as business administration, controllership, or taxation. Programs expand your accounting knowledge and increase your career opportunities. Your graduate accounting certificate shows competency in your field.

Jobs and Careers in Accounting

Most accounting jobs need a bachelor's degree or higher in accounting or in a similar field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), career opportunities are best for people who have a master's degree, licensure or certification, and expertise in accounting software.

BLS expects faster-than-average growth in accounting and auditing jobs due to the increase in the number of businesses, changes in financial laws and regulations, and increased scrutiny of corporate finances.

Accountants work for private industry, non profits, and the government. Some teach full or part-time. Approximately ten percent of accountants are self-employed.

The four major fields of accounting and auditing are public, management, government accounting, and internal auditing. Jobs vary widely within these fields, and include : controller, business analyst, financial analyst, personal advisor, accounting clerk, budget analyst, revenue agent among many others.

According to BLS, the mean annual wage for accountants and auditors in May 2008 was $65,840. Shoe stores paid the highest annual mean wage ($88,300), followed by the Federal government ($84,520).

Return to the top of Accounting Certificate Online Programs