Graduate Certificate in Accounting Online
Gain advanced knowledge in financial and managerial accounting while preparing for leadership roles.
Overview
What our Graduate Certificate in Accounting offers you
The Graduate Certificate in Accounting online program at Fitchburg State University helps you develop highly specialized accounting skills with direct applications in a high-growth field. Specifically, you will study business ethics, emerging technology, auditing research techniques, international accounting issues, accounting information systems, and more.
Along with completion in as few as five months, this online accounting graduate certificate program provides an ideal stepping stone toward earning your Master of Business Administration in Accounting, which also is available 100% online. All nine credit hours from the certificate program can be applied toward the MBA program. Whether you're looking to add to your expertise or start an MBA, this certificate complements any career goals.
Online courses are designed and taught by the same degreed Fitchburg State faculty who teach on campus, many of whom are working professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for financial managers nationwide is expected to grow by 16% through 2028.
Upon program completion, you will be prepared with advanced accounting knowledge to pursue higher-level roles, such as:
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Manager
- Auditing Manager
- Forensic Accountant
- Operations Specialty Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Manager
- Auditing Manager
- Forensic Accountant
- Operations Specialty Manager
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will be able to understand how to calculate, record, and provide financial information about the reporting entity that is useful to its lenders, other creditors, and present and potential equity investors, and to assist them in making decisions about providing resources to the entity
- Students will be able to identify types of taxes used by state and federal governments to raise revenue and differentiate between tax evasion and tax avoidance
- Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the tax rate schedules and tax tables to determine refund or taxable income
- Students will be able to understand the functions of cost and managerial accounting in the areas of planning with the use of budgets; controlling, by assessing the entity’s financial performance, and decision-making where the entity uses results of its financial performance in current and future decision making
- Students will be able to articulate the major theories and concepts in the areas of finance, accounting, marketing, and management; integrate theory and practice across business functional areas, and employ appropriate decision-support methods for the purpose of strategic analysis, planning, implementation, and control
- Students will be able to understand how to calculate, record, and provide financial information about the reporting entity that is useful to its lenders, other creditors, and present and potential equity investors, and to assist them in making decisions about providing resources to the entity
- Students will be able to identify types of taxes used by state and federal governments to raise revenue and differentiate between tax evasion and tax avoidance
- Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the tax rate schedules and tax tables to determine refund or taxable income
- Students will be able to understand the functions of cost and managerial accounting in the areas of planning with the use of budgets; controlling, by assessing the entity’s financial performance, and decision-making where the entity uses results of its financial performance in current and future decision making
- Students will be able to articulate the major theories and concepts in the areas of finance, accounting, marketing, and management; integrate theory and practice across business functional areas, and employ appropriate decision-support methods for the purpose of strategic analysis, planning, implementation, and control
Upon program completion, you will be prepared with advanced accounting knowledge to pursue higher-level roles, such as:
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Manager
- Auditing Manager
- Forensic Accountant
- Operations Specialty Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Manager
- Auditing Manager
- Forensic Accountant
- Operations Specialty Manager
Accreditation
Fitchburg State University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Also available
Fitchburg State offers a variety of specialized graduate certificate options. Check out all of our online graduate certificates or discover our highly specialized MBA online degree programs.
Need More Information?
Tuition
Choosing our online program is cost-effective
Our online graduate certificate programs offer affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Accounting | $436 | $1,308 | $3,924 |
- Application fee: $50
- Visit the student accounts website for a breakdown of tuition and fees
- If you are applying for financial aid, please use School Code 002184. For further information, please contact Financial Aid at (978) 665-3302 or [email protected].
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Important dates you need to know
Fitchburg State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
Now enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Intent to Enroll Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring A | 1/15/25 | 12/17/24 | 12/27/24 | 1/3/25 | 1/6/25 | 1/7/25 |
| Spring B | 3/17/25 | 2/17/25 | 2/28/25 | 3/7/25 | 3/10/25 | 3/11/25 |
| Summer A | 5/19/25 | 4/21/25 | 5/2/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 | 5/13/25 |
| Summer B | 7/10/25 | 6/9/25 | 6/20/25 | 6/27/25 | 6/30/25 | 7/1/25 |
| Fall A | 9/4/25 | 8/5/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/25/25 | 8/26/25 | |
| Fall B | 10/29/25 | 9/29/25 | 10/10/25 | 10/20/25 | 10/21/25 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
See the details of our online accounting graduate certificate
At Fitchburg State, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Accounting online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- GPA not less than 2.8 on undergrad coursework
- Transcripts from all institutions previously attended
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for admission.
- Submit graduate application and $50 application fee
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, with official transcripts
- Overall undergraduate GPA of not less than 2.8
- Official transcripts of graduate-level coursework from a regionally accredited institution (if applicable)*
- Professional resume
- Students with undergraduate GPAs of less than 2.8 may also be considered for admission based on their professional work experience and a letter of recommendation
- No GMAT is required
Dual Concentration Options
Students
with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who are currently enrolled in the MBA
program may request to enroll in one additional concentration after
their first semester. Students who have been approved for a dual
concentration must:
- Complete the course requirements for each concentration (completed courses can only be counted once toward one concentration)
- Meet the requirements for the catalog year in which their dual concentration is approved
Dual Concentration Request Form
To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Fitchburg State University
Admissions Office
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
International Students:
- An English Proficiency test is required for natives of non-English speaking countries (see testing options below)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended*
- International Credit Evaluation for degrees and coursework taken outside of the United States
- GPA of not less than 2.5
- Application fee ($50)
- Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose (300 word minimum)
*All foreign transcripts must be formally evaluated before we are able to make an admission decision. We accept evaluations and the respective type of evaluation from one of the following credentialing agencies:
- World Education Services
- course-by-course ICAP
- Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) - course-by-course
- SpanTran - course analysis
- SpanTran has created a custom application for Fitchburg State University that will ensure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application here: SpanTran Pathway - Fitchburg State University
English Language Proficiency - Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the following approved exams:
- TOEFL - minimum score requires TOEFL iBT 79, paper based-TOEFL 550
- IEFLTS - minimum score required 6.5 overall band score
- Duolingo English Test - minimum score required 105
- PTE Academic Test - minimum score required 58
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign education (from a non-English speaking country) will need to follow the international admission requirements (English proficiency testing excluded). Students in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa are not eligible for the program. I-20s are not issued for online programs.
TOEFL Code: 3518
IELTS Code: No code; please select Fitchburg State as a recipient.
Courses
Learn more about our online accounting classes
For the Graduate Certificate in Accounting online, the curriculum is comprised of 3 courses covering nine credit hours.
