Best Accounting Certificates Online 2024

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.

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.

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.

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.