Career Change Programs
Accounting Certificate Programs
Post-baccalaureate certificates for career changers and those needing additional accounting coursework.
Transition Into Accounting
Certificate programs provide career changers the accounting foundation needed for CPA eligibility. Combine with a self-paced CPA review course to study around your current job.
Common Questions
Certificates FAQ
An accounting certificate alone typically does not satisfy CPA education requirements. However, combined with your existing bachelor's degree, a certificate program can provide the specific accounting and business coursework needed to meet state board eligibility. Some certificates are stackable into a full master's degree for additional credentials.
Most certificate programs take 6 to 18 months depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time. Programs range from 12 to 48 credits, with shorter options focused on core accounting courses and longer options covering broader business prerequisites.
For career changers with a non-accounting bachelor's degree, certificate programs are one of the most efficient paths to CPA eligibility. They cost significantly less than a full master's degree and focus specifically on the coursework your state board requires.
Employers generally care more about CPA licensure than the specific educational path you took to get there. A certificate from an AACSB-accredited institution carries credibility, and once you earn the CPA designation, the certificate becomes secondary to the license itself.