What is a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting?
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in accounting may attract financial professionals or students with Bachelor's Degrees in fields unrelated to accounting. These programs provide additional skills and certification preparation that can help you further your career.
<h3 id="section---PostBaccalaureateCertificateInAccountingProgramOverview">Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting Program Overview</h3>
<p>Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs in Accounting typically range from 30-49 credits in length and take at least one year to complete. These programs provide students with a theoretical background in accounting and the practical skills necessary to perform accounting work for public and private entities. If you already hold a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, these programs can prepare you to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examinations.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutAPostBaccalaureateCertificateInAccounting">Important Facts About a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Possible Careers</b> </td><td> - Certified Public Accountant <br /> - Certified Management Accountant <br /> - Auditor <br /> - Budget or Credit Analyst <br /> - Financial Examiner <br /> - Collector <br /> - Tax Examiner or Preparer</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Prerequisites</b> </td><td> - Bachelor's Degree <br /> - Financial and Managerial Accounting Coursework</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Online Programs?</b> </td><td> Yes</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Key Skills</b> </td><td> - Excellent Problem Solving <br /> - Analytical Thinking <br /> - Understanding Customer Concerns <br /> - Successful Management of Diverse Groups <br /> - Math and Organizational Skills</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Median Salary (2021)</b><br /> *All Accountants and Auditors</td><td> $77,250</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</b><br /> *All Accountants and Auditors</td><td> 6% Growth</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---ProgramDetails">Program Details</h3>
<p>Some programs may have prerequisites in accounting, economics or mathematics. The number of credits needed to earn your Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate can vary widely and depends on the qualifications that you hold when you initially enroll. If you have already taken some accounting classes as part of your Bachelor's Degree program, you may be able to skip some introductory courses that a student without any accounting experience would be obligated to take.
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<p>Additionally, you can tailor a program to meet your academic or professional needs because the curricula of most Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs allow students to take electives in addition to core courses.
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<h3 id="section---SampleCourses">Sample Courses</h3>
<p>You can expect to study general accounting principles, business and law in a post-baccalaureate certificate program in accounting. Coursework typically explores topics such as government and non-profit bookkeeping, along with federal income taxes.
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<p><b>Other common courses include:</b>
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<ul><li>Auditing practices and issues
</li><li>Cost accounting
</li><li>Financial accounting and statement analysis
</li><li>Taxation
</li><li>Economics
</li><li>Information systems
</li><li>Not-for-profit accounting</li></ul>