Online Certificate in Accounting

Highlights

• Gain the skills to pursue accounting, financial and managerial roles across the business landscape.
• Complete the program in 3-4 semesters.
• Build your knowledge of “the language of business."
• Learn on your schedule, study and prepare anywhere, at any time with 100% online coursework.
• Gain the accounting credits you need to sit for the CPA exam in Kentucky* (requirements may vary in other states).   

*The 9 courses (27 credit hours) that make up the curriculum provide sufficient accounting credit hours for eligibility to sit for the Kentucky CPA exam. A bachelor's degree and an additional 12 credit hours of business courses are also required. Visit the National Association of State Boards of Accounting for more information on KY and other state CPA exam requirements or view our licensing information here.

How Much Will I Pay?

$540 per credit hour
$250 per credit hour active-duty rate

This program is a Title IV federal financial aid eligible program. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks. Tuition, fees and charges are subject to change and effective on the date enacted.

For additional information on educational expenses and the Cost of Attendance, please visit the Student Financial Aid Office website.

College of Business courses at the 300/400 level require an additional fee of $45 per course.

What career opportunities does a Certificate in Accounting offer?

The demand for CPAs, accountants, auditors and financial specialists across all industries is rapidly increasing. Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow 11% through 2024, which is 4% faster than the average for all occupations (bls.gov). Globalization of businesses is also leading to more opportunities for accountants in international trade and business.

The certificate can prepare you for a career in public accounting, as well as for entry-level accounting roles in for-profit, not-for-profit and governmental organizations. These roles include, but aren't limited to staff accountant, auditor, tax accountant and budget analyst.

Many individuals begin their careers in accounting, but eventually pursue executive and managerial leadership roles, because accountants often have a strong understanding of the "language of business."

With a bachelor's degree and additional 12 business credit hours, you can also pursue a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Kentucky. To review CPA exam requirements in other states, visit the National Association of State Boards of Accounting.

Additionally, if you're a small business owner or work for a non-profit, and you don't have the funds to hire a CPA or other accounting professional to handle your accounting needs, this certificate is an ideal program for you or someone from your staff to complete, earning the expertise and skills to manage these areas.

  Start Your Application

Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete online undergraduate application.
2. Submit $30 non-refundable application fee.
3. Transfer up to 12 credit hours of coursework from an AACSB accredited college or university (optional)*
4. Check for Scholarships

Start Your Application Request Information

Looking for a bachelor's degree?

Check out our Bachelor's in Accountancy, which is designed to deliver essential accounting knowledge to working business professionals looking to sit for their CPA or start/grow a career in accounting.

Admission Requirements

• Complete ACCT 201 and 202 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) (B-) in those courses
• If you have not completed these courses by the time of application, you will be conditionally admitted into the program until the above requirements are met. Once these requirements are met, you will be fully admitted to the program.

* See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

Licensing Disclosure

The Certificate in Accounting program at the University of Louisville is designed to help provide sufficient accounting credit hours to sit for the CPA exam in Kentucky. Please note that Kentucky requires a bachelor's degree as well as an additional 12 credit hours of business courses to qualify for the CPA exam. Out-of-state candidates who are interested in this program should be advised that we cannot guarantee that this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. We strongly recommend contacting your state licensing board to determine your state’s requirements and ensure this program will meet your professional goals before enrolling in this program.

Required courses are offered each fall and spring semester. Some courses may be also offered in the summer sessions. Students may retake one course without additional charge. Other electives are available on-campus. The shown requirements are effective Fall 2021 and will be reflected in the University’s Academic Catalog 2021-2022.

Course Descriptions

ACCT 201 Principles of Financial Accounting
Prerequisite: ACT math score of 25 or an SAT1 Math Sub-score of 580 or completion of MATH 111. The course focuses on the relevance and interpretation of accounting information for decision making. Preparation of financial statements is also covered.

ACCT 202 Principles of Managerial Accounting
Prerequisite: ACCT 201. The course focuses on the information needed by management, where this information can be obtained, and how it can be used to carry out management's responsibilities within an organization.

ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting I
Prerequisite: ACCT 201 or ACCT 205. The first of two courses dealing with financial reporting as reflected in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The course will discuss the theoretical underpinnings and the practical applications of income determination and balance sheet valuations. Intermediate Accounting I will focus on the accounting cycle and the nature of the financial statements.

ACCT 302 Intermediate Accounting II
Prerequisite: Grade of “B” or better in ACCT 301 or permission of the School of Accountancy Director. A continuation of the study of income determination and balance sheet valuations which was begun in ACCT 301.

ACCT 310 Introduction to Accounting Information Systems
Prerequisite: ACCT 302 (or concurrently). An introduction to Accounting Information Systems covering systems and control concepts, procedures and technologies as well as systems development processes and software applications.

ACCT 315 Introduction to Taxation
Prerequisite: ACCT 202 or ACCT 205. An introduction to the laws and regulations relating to federal taxation. The course covers individual and general business tax problems from the point of view of the accountant. Tax research methodology is also introduced.

ACCT 320 Managerial Cost Accounting
Prerequisite: ACCT 202 or ACCT 205. Accumulating, reporting, and analyzing costs from the point of view of the management accountant. Emphasis is placed on the determination of costs relevant to a specific purpose, whether inventory valuation, control of current operation or special decisions.

ACCT 353 Accounting for Not-For-Profit Organizations
The application of accounting to governmental units, charitable organizations, hospitals, and universities. Subjects include budgeting, account structure, utilization of accounting in decision making, financial statement presentation, and an introduction to cost-benefit analysis.

ACCT 430 Auditing Theory and Practice
Prerequisite: ACCT 302 and ACCT 310. A survey of the role of the certified public accountant as independent auditor of financial statements. Topics include professional ethics, generally accepted auditing standards, legal liability, statistical sampling, audits of EDP systems, internal control, audit work programs and the auditor's opinion.

ACCT 401 Advanced Accounting Problems
Prerequisite: ACCT 302. A study of partnerships, business combinations, consolidated financial statements and accounting for multinational enterprises.

ACCT 411 Advanced Accounting Information Systems
Coverage includes advanced data base concepts, the design and evaluation of a computerized information system, and operational and managerial auditing.

ACCT 415 Advanced Taxation
Prerequisite: ACCT 302 (or concurrently) and ACCT 315. A study in detail of the Federal taxation problems relating to partnerships, corporations, estates and trusts. Text material is supplemented by tax return preparation and research case studies.

ACCT 420 Advanced Managerial Cost Accounting
A continuation of ACCT 320, with emphasis on accounting decision models using uncertainty, the behavioral aspects of performance evaluation, and the management accountant's response to the changing manufacturing environment.