Are you interested in pursuing a certificate in accounting? Follow this guide to determine which program is best for you.
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Accounting plays a vital role in all types of organizations. Accountants record and analyze financial data. They also help people and businesses make informed decisions and improve financial efficiency.
Aspiring accounting professionals can enroll in introductory certificate programs, like the ones listed below.
Graduates can pursue jobs as accounting clerks or bookkeepers. These professionals earned a median annual salary of $47,440 as of 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level accounting roles can serve as stepping stones to higher-paying positions.
An accounting certificate offers a practical pathway to a career in accounting. This page covers what to expect from accounting certificate programs, including common courses, career paths, and top schools for accounting certificates.
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Accounting certificate programs provide students with a broad overview of accounting. Some also target specific accounting areas, such as income tax preparation or small-business accounting.
Accounting certificates generally require no more than 30 credits and take less than two years to complete. Depending on the school, learners may earn accounting certificates online, on campus, or in a hybrid format.
Certificate programs typically start with introductory courses in business and accounting. Students learn to use accounting tools and software, like Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks. Later coursework covers more complex and specific accounting subjects. These may include payroll accounting, tax preparation, financial statement analysis, and business ethics.
The cost of accounting certificates varies by school. On average, students can expect to pay about $300-$500 per credit. Some colleges and universities allow certificate-holders to transfer earned credits toward an associate or bachelor's degree.
Read more about why to get an undergraduate certificate in accountingApplicants usually need at least a high school diploma or GED certificate to qualify for an accounting certificate program. Some schools only accept students over age 18.
Prospective accounting certificate students must fill out an online application, including information about where they live. The application may also ask students about their interests and instruct them to list any previous college experience. Some schools charge an application fee of about $30-$50, though amounts vary. Others do not charge for the application.
Applying for a certificate in accounting usually demands fewer materials than an associate or bachelor's degree. These higher-level programs may ask for a minimum GPA plus SAT or ACT scores, essays, and recommendation letters.
Students who enroll in an online accounting certificate program need certain technology to complete their studies. Requirements may include internet access and a computer that can run the software their program teaches.
Accounting certificate programs provide a basic understanding of key accounting topics. Coursework introduces the major principles of accounting, business operations, and taxation. Learners build skills in accounting software such as QuickBooks and Excel. The curriculum also develops skills in general areas like research and communication.
Many accounting certificate programs include some variation of the following classes.
This course builds a knowledge base for further study. It introduces key business topics such as management, marketing, finance, accounting, and investments. This course may also cover common business technology tools.
This course teaches the central principles and practices of accounting. These include double-entry bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, journalizing, and payroll.
This course explores how accounting shapes management and decision-making strategies. Common course topics include cost concepts, capital budgeting, responsibility accounting, and variance analysis.
Software tools play a major role in accounting practice. These applications help accountants maintain, organize, and access financial data. This course typically introduces accounting software like QuickBooks.
This course explores the basic principles of income tax returns, often for individuals and sole proprietorships. It may also cover more complex tax returns for partnerships and corporations.
Students interested in accounting certificates often pay about $4,750-$9,500, depending on the number of required credits. However, accounting certificate programs vary in cost.
Community colleges tend to charge the lowest rates for in-state students. Out-of-state learners may pay higher rates at community colleges. Four-year public colleges often charge higher tuition rates than two-year schools.
Accounting certificate programs usually include fewer credits than associate and bachelor's programs in accounting. Therefore, certificates are often less expensive and faster to earn than traditional degrees. Certificate-holders can enter their field quickly and pursue an associate or a bachelor's at a later date.
Some certificate-seekers may qualify for financial aid. Aid options include scholarships, grants, and federal loans.
Take a look at our financial aid guideWhen researching potential accounting certificate programs, students should consider the following factors.
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Start your research with the following ranked list of our top five accounting certificate programs.
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Read our ranking methodologyWe use trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. Accounting.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
#1 Best Accounting Certificates
Located in Dubin, Virginia, New River Community College (NRCC) holds a strong reputation for educational value. The school offers flexible attendance options, including day and evening classes on both full- and part-time schedules.
New River Community College's accounting certificate program caters to students seeking a quick path to entry-level employment. This three-semester program begins with introductions to accounting principles, taxation, and payroll administration. Students then build job-ready skills in areas like business mathematics and computerized accounting.
Graduates can apply for supporting roles in accounting departments. Career options include bookkeeping, clerking, payroll, and banking customer service. Learners can also apply their credits toward NRCC's two-year associate of applied science in accounting program.
NRCC's general admissions process includes an online application and a mathematics and English placement test. The accounting certificate program also requires prerequisite English courses and basic math skills.
