Pursuing an online certificate in accounting can be a convenient way
to enhance your credentials in the business world or provide yourself
with fall-back career option. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the number of new jobs for accounting professionals is
expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. An online accounting
certificate can provide an alternative to a second degree that may allow
you to break into this field.
Purpose
Several reasons exist for pursuing an online accounting certificate. The University of California at Berkeley indicates that its certificate program is designed to provide students with a foundation for the Certified Public Accountancy designation in the state of California. Accounting certificates can also enhance credentials and provide additional expertise in one field of study. They are shorter than degree programs and in the accounting field, some jobs only require a small amount of experience rather than an additional degree. Because of the brevity of most certificate programs, accountants can pursue several of these and diversify their resume.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
The post-baccalaureate certificate is one type of online accounting certificate that is available to those wanting additional training in accounting. As the name implies, these certificates are pursued by students who already have a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. The number of required credit hours will vary by program, but generally will total less than 30, which is the typical number that many master's degree programs require. These programs generally will expect that the student has some accounting background. Therefore, coursework will include areas such as intermediate accounting, advanced accounting, auditing and federal income tax accounting. Linfield College in Oregon notes that the post-baccalaureate certificate can add a greater level of expertise leading to higher levels of pay and greater opportunity.
Graduate Accounting Certificates
Another option for those wanting to pursue the online accounting certificate is to do so at the graduate degree level. In some cases, these can be taken as post-master's degree certificate programs that provide greater levels of specialization. In other cases, graduate certificates are offered with the opportunity to later pursue a master's degree in the accounting field. For instance, Southern New Hampshire University offers an online graduate accounting certificate that can be used for obtaining credits en route to a Master of Science in Accounting degree. Coursework includes areas such as cost accounting, auditing, federal taxation and financial reporting. Post-master's degree certificates differ from post-baccalaureate certificates in the fact that they are primarily taken by those who already have a master's degree, rather than a bachelor's degree. Oftentimes, these programs are intended for Master of Business Administration graduates who need additional accounting expertise for employment.
Specialized Certificates
Those who already have a substantial background in the accounting field may wish to pursue an online certificate in a more specialized field of accounting, such as forensic accounting. Forensic accountants work with law enforcement officials to uncover financial crimes using accounting principles and procedures. Post University in Connecticut offers a forensic accounting certificate that requires the completion of 18 credit hours in areas such as criminal investigation, white collar crime, electronic investigations, computer forensics and forensic accounting. Other specialized accounting fields in which students can pursue certificates include public accounting, internal auditing, managerial accounting and financial (investment) accounting.
Purpose
Several reasons exist for pursuing an online accounting certificate. The University of California at Berkeley indicates that its certificate program is designed to provide students with a foundation for the Certified Public Accountancy designation in the state of California. Accounting certificates can also enhance credentials and provide additional expertise in one field of study. They are shorter than degree programs and in the accounting field, some jobs only require a small amount of experience rather than an additional degree. Because of the brevity of most certificate programs, accountants can pursue several of these and diversify their resume.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
The post-baccalaureate certificate is one type of online accounting certificate that is available to those wanting additional training in accounting. As the name implies, these certificates are pursued by students who already have a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. The number of required credit hours will vary by program, but generally will total less than 30, which is the typical number that many master's degree programs require. These programs generally will expect that the student has some accounting background. Therefore, coursework will include areas such as intermediate accounting, advanced accounting, auditing and federal income tax accounting. Linfield College in Oregon notes that the post-baccalaureate certificate can add a greater level of expertise leading to higher levels of pay and greater opportunity.
Graduate Accounting Certificates
Another option for those wanting to pursue the online accounting certificate is to do so at the graduate degree level. In some cases, these can be taken as post-master's degree certificate programs that provide greater levels of specialization. In other cases, graduate certificates are offered with the opportunity to later pursue a master's degree in the accounting field. For instance, Southern New Hampshire University offers an online graduate accounting certificate that can be used for obtaining credits en route to a Master of Science in Accounting degree. Coursework includes areas such as cost accounting, auditing, federal taxation and financial reporting. Post-master's degree certificates differ from post-baccalaureate certificates in the fact that they are primarily taken by those who already have a master's degree, rather than a bachelor's degree. Oftentimes, these programs are intended for Master of Business Administration graduates who need additional accounting expertise for employment.
Specialized Certificates
Those who already have a substantial background in the accounting field may wish to pursue an online certificate in a more specialized field of accounting, such as forensic accounting. Forensic accountants work with law enforcement officials to uncover financial crimes using accounting principles and procedures. Post University in Connecticut offers a forensic accounting certificate that requires the completion of 18 credit hours in areas such as criminal investigation, white collar crime, electronic investigations, computer forensics and forensic accounting. Other specialized accounting fields in which students can pursue certificates include public accounting, internal auditing, managerial accounting and financial (investment) accounting.
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