Best Accounting Certificates Online 2024
Are you ready to discover your college program?
An accounting certificate can prepare you for an entry-level accounting job and certified public accountant (CPA) licensure.
Requiring one year or less, a certificate covers foundational concepts in accounting. You can pursue an undergraduate certificate, or if you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for a graduate certificate, which can lead to more advanced professional roles.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the business and financial sector will grow by a faster-than-average rate from 2022-2032. As of May 2022, these jobs paid a median annual salary of $76,850, much higher than the national average.
Accounting roles are growing and changing. Today’s accountants work across industries — compiling and analyzing financial data, helping solve financial crimes, or ensuring solvency among major employers.
Use this guide to discover more about this intriguing and respected career and how a short, affordable online accounting certificate can help you get started in the field.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Certificates in Accounting
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,000
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled145,533
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,990
- Out-of-state$33,739
- In-State$12,106
- Out-of-state$32,290
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled48,274
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Lone Star College System
- The Woodlands, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,800
- Out-of-state$6,120
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled68,653
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,568
- Out-of-state$20,400
- In-State$8,100
- Out-of-state$19,188
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled22,289
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Adelphi, MD
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$7,344
- Out-of-state$11,976
- In-State$9,072
- Out-of-state$11,862
- Retention Rate52%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled55,323
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Germanna Community College
- Locust Grove, VA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,650
- Out-of-state$9,948
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,496
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
Thomas Edison State University
- Trenton, NJ
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$7,182
- Out-of-state$9,342
- In-State$12,024
- Out-of-state$12,024
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled9,721
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
San Jacinto Community College
- Pasadena, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,240
- Out-of-state$5,040
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled31,577
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
North Central Missouri College
- Trenton, MO
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,590
- Out-of-state$5,700
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,641
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Fairbanks, AK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,296
- Out-of-state$23,087
- In-State$11,265
- Out-of-state$23,095
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled6,826
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment79%
- AccreditationYes
Why Get an Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting?
Learn the Basics of Accounting: An undergraduate certificate can be a quick way to learn bookkeeping, finance, and accounting principles. Most certificates take less than one year to complete. On average, an associate requires two years, and a bachelor’s degree takes four years.- Qualify for Entry-Level Positions: A certificate may help you qualify for a job as a bookkeeper, accounting clerk, or auditing clerk. According to the BLS, these jobs paid a median annual salary of $45,860 in 2022. Other popular jobs at this level include tellers, financial clerks, and bill collectors.
- Get a Headstart on Your Bachelor’s Degree: Undergraduate certificates typically require about 18 credits or the equivalent of one semester of study at the college level. Your certificate can provide a foundation for higher education by transferring your credits into a 60-credit associate or 120-credit bachelor’s program.
Why Get a Graduate Accounting Certificate?
Earn CPA Certification: All states require CPA candidates to hold 150 credits of college coursework but do not demand a master’s degree. You may only need a graduate certificate to meet this obligation if you hold a bachelor’s degree and some graduate credits. You must also take an exam and meet your state’s experience requirements.- Advance in the Accounting Profession: A graduate certificate can boost your career from an entry-level accounting or bookkeeping role to a senior accountant, auditor, or accounting manager position. You may also qualify for certification with the Institute of Internal Auditors or the Association of Government Accountants.
- Get a Headstart on Your Master’s Degree: You may be able to transfer credits earned in your certificate into a master’s degree. Some schools even offer stackable programs where you earn a series of certificates that can eventually culminate in a graduate degree. Be aware, however, that many master’s programs have strict transfer requirements.
Difference Between Certificates and Certifications
Despite their similar-sounding names, certificates and certifications are not the same thing. Colleges and universities offer certificates composed of courses drawn from their accounting or business programs. State agencies and professional associations issue certifications, which signify professional qualifications.
If you have earned a certificate, you have completed academic coursework, but if you hold a certification, you have taken additional steps to earn your credentials. For example, in most states, CPA certification requires completing 150 credits of coursework, passing the Uniform CPA Examination and an ethics exam, and holding at least 30 months of relevant experience. You may also need to pass a background check and complete the paperwork for your certification.
Certificates do not usually lead to certification. However, graduate certificates can offer academic credits for accountants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree who are continuing their education to achieve a certification, like a CPA.
Popular Accounting Certificate Courses
Each school establishes a specific curriculum, which often includes a mix of core and elective courses. However, given the few credits required for a certificate, some schools offer no electives. The following list of courses includes some popular options you may discover in online accounting certificate programs.
- Individual Tax Procedures: This undergraduate course covers the basic income tax structure. Students learn to prepare individual tax returns and understand tax law from the individual taxpayer’s perspective. To enroll in this course, students should have completed fundamental reading, writing, and math courses.
- Payroll Accounting: This undergraduate course introduces payroll accounting and the tasks involved. Topics include tax-relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations, internal controls, tax reporting, and tax records and forms. To enroll in this course, students should have a strong knowledge of accounting principles from experience or previous coursework.
- Financial Accounting and Reporting: This graduate-level course covers financial and accounting reporting systems from theoretical and practical perspectives. Topics include valuation allowances, revenue recognition, pensions, and financial derivatives. To enroll, students should already understand the basics of key accounting areas like tax law and cost accounting.
- Advanced Auditing: This graduate-level course equips learners to examine financial statements and systems as independent auditors. Topics include professional standards in auditing, external audit services, professional standards of external auditors, and auditor responsibilities. The course also covers the role of computer technology in enhancing internal control and procedures.
How Much Do Accounting Certificates Cost?
According to the NCES Data Lab, a graduate certificate in a business-related field costs $11,068, and an undergraduate certificate costs $2,381. Your school’s price, however, may not reflect these averages.
Certificates at community colleges can cost less than $50 a credit, while a graduate certificate from a prestigious university can cost more than $2,000 a credit. Many factors affect the price of an education, including a school’s reputation, its public or private status, and your state residency.
Historically, public in-state institutions offer the lowest prices, but today, many schools charge all online students the same fee regardless of residence. Some private schools offer large financial aid packages that alleviate much of their enrollees’ tuition burden. It’s important to look at actual costs rather than just sticker prices.
Not all certificates qualify for financial aid. Some scholarships and grants are only available for academic degrees. However, the relatively low credit requirement for a certificate could offset the benefits of a scholarship or grant.
Common Questions About Accounting Certificates
A graduate certificate in accounting can take one year to complete. However, some certificates may require just a few months, depending on the credits you take, your speed, and the program you follow.
A certificate is not a degree, but you may be able to transfer credits from your certificate into a degree program. Some universities offer stackable graduate certificates, meaning you earn a series of certificates that collectively meet the requirements for a master’s degree.
According to the NCES Data Lab, a graduate certificate in a business-related field costs an average of $11,068, and an undergraduate certificate costs $2,381. However, your educational costs will depend on your school’s reputation, public status, and financial aid capacity.
An online accounting certificate could help bolster your professional skills and increase your earning potential. However, a degree is better recognized than a certificate, and certification as a public accountant may be more valuable than an academic program.
