Best Graduate Accounting Certificates Online Of 2024 – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

An online graduate certificate in accounting can help you advance in your current career or move into a specialized role. But how can you find the program that best fits your professional goals and budget?

Consider Your Future Goals

Accounting graduate certificates offer multiple focus areas, including foundational accounting principles for newcomers to the field and advanced public accounting coursework for prospective CPAs. Having clear professional goals before applying to programs can help you find a good fit.

A CPA license requires 150 credits of college-level coursework. In addition to a 120-credit bachelor’s degree, a nine- or 12-credit certificate will not meet the requirement. However, these shorter certificate programs can be a great option to add accounting skills to your resume.

If your educational goals include a master’s degree, be sure to choose an accredited program that lets you apply your credits toward a graduate degree. Many universities offer online graduate certificates and online master’s in accounting programs, so consider researching each school’s master’s programs when weighing certificate options.

Know Your Budget and Financing Options

Graduate certificates can be a budget-friendly option, since they require fewer credits than a degree. However, the cost of a certificate can add up quickly. Our list includes programs that cost around $300 per credit to more than $1,000 per credit. The length of the program also has a significant impact on the total cost; a nine-credit certificate may cost less than an 18-credit certificate, for example.

Graduate students at accredited institutions can qualify for several forms of financial aid, though. You can submit the FAFSA® to learn about your federal student aid options, which include federal loans. Universities may also offer grants or scholarships to certificate students, including tuition discounts for military-affiliated learners. Finally, you should research accounting scholarships offered by professional associations and private foundations to help cover costs.