Graduate Certificate in Accounting Online

Gain advanced knowledge in financial and managerial accounting while preparing for leadership roles.

Apply by: 4/22/24
Start Class: 5/20/24

Overview

What our Graduate Certificate in Accounting offers you

$3,924 Total Tuition
5 months Duration
9 Credit Hours

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

IACBE Accredited

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.

$3,924 Total Tuition
As few as 5 months Duration
9 Credit Hours

We're Here to Help

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 844-351-9393

Call 844-351-9393

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:

$3,924 Total Tuition
$436 Per credit hour

Tuition breakdown:

$3,924 Total Tuition
$436 Per credit hour

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:

4/22/24 Apply Date
5/20/24 Class Starts
SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineIntent to Enroll DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Deadline
Spring B3/18/242/19/242/27/243/4/243/11/243/12/24
Summer A5/20/244/22/244/30/245/6/245/13/245/14/24
Summer B7/10/246/10/246/18/246/24/247/1/247/2/24
Fall A9/5/248/6/248/16/248/26/248/27/24
Fall B10/29/249/30/2410/11/2410/21/2410/22/24

Now enrolling:

4/22/24 Apply Date
5/20/24 Class Starts

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:

  1. Complete the course requirements for each concentration (completed courses can only be counted once toward one concentration)
  2. Meet the requirements for the catalog year in which their dual concentration is approved
All concentrations are eligible for the dual concentration option; additional course charges will apply


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:

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 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.

Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students are introduced to issues in the current environment—such as international influences on U.S. management practices, business ethics and technology changes—and their impact on the managerial structure through a series of readings and cases.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course integrates the accounting process into the total information system. Students analyze the problems involved in the design and installation of information systems, including computer feasibility studies and systematizing the clerical functions of an organization. Course material describes the inter-relationship of internal controls, classification of accounts and functions, and reporting to provide relevant information—and yet optimize—the control function.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course affords students the opportunity to examine current issues including ethics, accounting and auditing research techniques, international accounting issues and other relevant current topics.

Course rotation:

View Course Rotation

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