Online Certificate in Accounting

Highlights

• You must complete two principles of accounting courses prior to taking any of the certificate courses.
• Gain the skills to pursue accounting, financial and managerial roles across the business landscape.
• Complete the program in as little as 3-4 semesters if you follow the course structure.
• Build your knowledge of “the language of business."
• Learn on your schedule, study and prepare anywhere, at any time with 100% online coursework.

***CPA Exam Eligibility Notice: The Commonwealth of Kentucky currently requires a minimum of 27 semester hours in accounting and 12 semester hours in business, reflected on an official degree transcript (or combination of official transcripts), to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam. Candidates must also satisfy additional requirements. This certificate program alone is not designed for nor does it not provide sufficient accounting coursework to meet CPA exam eligibility requirements. Visit the National Association of State Boards of Accounting and ThisWayToCPA 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 not a 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, 27 hours in accounting (beyond principals of accounting), 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 6 credit hours of coursework from an AACSB accredited college or university (optional)*

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

To be admitted to the Certificate in Accounting program offered by the College of Business at the University of Louisville, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Have earned a non-accounting undergraduate degree (e.g., bachelor's degree).
2. Complete ACCT 201 and ACCT 202 with a minimum average of B- (equivalent to a 2.70 GPA on a 4.0 scale) for those courses.
3. Students who have not completed these courses by the time of application, but who meet all other criteria, may in some cases be conditionally admitted into the program until the above requirements are met. Once these requirements are met, students will be fully admitted to the program.

* See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

Licensing Disclosure

The Commonwealth of Kentucky currently requires a minimum of 27 semester hours in accounting and 12 semester hours in business, reflected on an official degree transcript (or combination of official transcripts), to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam. Candidates must also satisfy additional requirements. This certificate program alone is not designed for nor does it not provide sufficient accounting coursework to meet CPA exam eligibility requirements. Visit the National Association of State Boards of Accounting and ThisWayToCPA for more information on KY and other state CPA exam requirements or view our licensing information here. 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 often offered each fall and spring semester. Some courses may be also offered in the summer sessions. Students may retake one course without additional charge. The shown requirements are effective as of the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 catalog. See the University’s Academic Catalog.

Course Descriptions

ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting I
Prerequisite: ACCT 201. 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 301. 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. 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. 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 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.