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Certificates

UC Berkeley Extension

Certificate Program in Accounting

UC Berkeley Extension's Certificate Program in Accounting provides up to 24 semester units of CPA-aligned coursework under the UC Berkeley brand. The curriculum covers all CPA Core + Discipline exam sections, and credits are accepted by the California Board of Accountancy.

Updated July 27, 2026

Program Highlights

UC Berkeley brand on official Extension transcript
Accepted by California Board of Accountancy
Covers all CPA Core + Discipline exam sections
~$8,500 for the 17-unit certificate (Berkeley suggests ~7 additional units to reach 24 for CPA exam purposes)

Program Details

Tuition

$8,500

Credits

17 credits

Duration

2-3 years

Format

Online

Accreditation

WASC

CPA Ready

Meets 150-Hour Requirement

Tuition, fees, and program details are subject to change. Verify current pricing directly with UC Berkeley Extension before making enrollment decisions.

Curriculum Highlights

Intermediate Accounting I & IIAdvanced AccountingAuditing & AttestationAccounting EthicsTaxation for CorporationsFinancial Statement Analysis (enrichment)

Admission Requirements

1Bachelor's degree from accredited institution
2No GMAT/GRE required
3Open enrollment — no formal application
4All courses must earn grade of C or better

Things to Consider

Minimum 17 units required for certificate; 24 needed for CA CPA eligibility
WASC institutional accreditation (not AACSB)
3-year maximum completion window
Must earn C or better in all coursework
LIFTS Profile

Program Learning Profile

See how UC Berkeley Extension's program scores across five key dimensions that help match you to the right CPA review course.

L

Learning Format

How the program delivers education

Campus-Based
Hybrid
Synchronous Online
Asynchronous Online
I

Investment

Total program cost

Under $10K
$10K - $25K
$25K - $50K
Over $50K
F

Flexibility

Schedule and pacing options

Full-Time Only
Some Flexibility
Part-Time Available
Fully Self-Paced
T

Time to Complete

Expected program duration

Under 12 Months
12-18 Months
18-24 Months
Over 24 Months
S

Support

Student services and career resources

Minimal
Online Support
Academic Advisors
Full Career Services

This profile helps match you with CPA review courses that complement your education style. Courses with similar profiles tend to provide a consistent learning experience.

Continue Your CPA Journey

Matched CPA Review Courses

Based on UC Berkeley Extension's learning profile, these CPA review courses align well with your education experience.

(Affiliate link)
63% Match
Top Pick

Meridian CPA Review

Disclosure
3.9

Meridian CPA Review offers budget-friendly pricing and efficient study path that align with your program.

Free (Beta)

63% Match

NINJA CPA

4.3

NINJA CPA offers budget-friendly pricing and efficient study path that align with your program.

$67–$87/month

61% Match

Gleim

3.9

Gleim offers budget-friendly pricing and efficient study path that align with your program.

$2,499–$3,499

Want a more personalized recommendation?

State Eligibility

This program meets CPA education requirements in the following states. Always verify current requirements with your state board.

Common Questions

Certificate Program in Accounting FAQ

The California Board of Accountancy requires 24 semester units of accounting. The certificate minimum is 17 units (6 required courses), so you'll need to take additional elective courses to reach the 24-unit threshold.
Yes. UC Berkeley Extension holds WASC regional accreditation, and units are accepted by the California Board of Accountancy for CPA exam eligibility. The credits appear on official UC Berkeley Extension transcripts.
Yes. UC Berkeley Extension courses are open enrollment, so you can take individual courses without formally declaring the certificate program. You can decide to pursue the certificate later.