Accounting Certificate

My professors did an excellent job of communicating their enthusiasm for material that might otherwise be dry ... I would recommend UVA’s certificate program to anyone.

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Prepare for the CPA Exam

The program provides the required coursework and hours to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. The online post-baccalaureate Accounting Certificate is for individuals new to the accounting profession and for mid-level professionals looking to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.

Please check with the individual State Board of Accountancy for specific licensure requirements as the University has not been able to determine the program meets licensure requirements for each individual state. For a complete listing of State Board of Accountancy, visit https://nasba.org/stateboards/

Advance your accounting credentials and career, and join the UVA family for life. Apply now!

For information about our undergraduate accounting certificate, please visit here.

Key Takeaways
  • Career advancement for newcomers to accounting

  • CPA preparation for mid-level professionals 

Required Courses (6)
ACCT 3010 Introductory Accounting I

Designed to introduce students to the language of business, the course begins with the role of financial data in contemporary society, proceeds to develop the accounting model for capturing financial data, and finishes with the problems of measuring and reporting income, assets, liabilities, and equities.
 

ACCT 3020 Introductory Accounting II

Continuation of ACCT 3010. Approximately one third of the course deals with additional financial accounting topics, emphasizing managerial considerations and financial analysis. Cost accumulation, allocation, and product cost methods are studied in a manufacturing setting. Matters such as evaluation of performance planning, cost behavior, and special decisions are emphasized. Prerequisite: ACCT 3010
 

ACCT 5110 Intermediate Accounting I

An intensive study of the generally accepted accounting principles for asset valuation, income measurement, and financial statement presentation for business organizations, and the processes through which these principles evolve. Prerequisite: ACCT 3020
 

ACCT 5120 Intermediate Accounting II

Continuation of ACCT 5110, emphasizing accounting for the equities of a firm's investors and creditors. Covers special problem areas in financial accounting including accounting for leases, pensions, and income taxes. Prerequisite: ACCT 5110
 

ACCT 5140 Cost Accounting

Addresses analysis of cost behavior and volume profit relationships; responsibility accounting and reporting flexible budgets; and the use of standard costs to guide and control performance. Prerequisite: ACCT 3020
 

ACCT 5210 Introductory Auditing

Examines auditing methodology through a study of auditing standards. Includes the nature of evidence, program planning, work papers, internal control evaluation, types of audit tests, and audit reports. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120

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Elective Courses (Select 4)
ACCT 5250 Advanced Auditing

Builds on the concepts and practice examples from introductory auditing to provide students with an in-depth understanding of professional standards, the audit process, advanced audit techniques, and the auditor's role in ensuring that publicly issued financial statements are fairly presented. Prerequisite: ACCT 5210
 

ACCT 5310 Selected Topics in Advanced Accounting

Studies accounting and financial reporting for partnerships, business enterprise segments, home office/branch office, foreign transactions and translation, business combinations, and other inter-corporate investments and consolidated statements. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120
 

ACCT 5330 Accounting for Non-Business Organizations

Financial accounting for governmental and non-profit organizations. Studies the theory and techniques of accounting and reporting for various funds and groups of accounts. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120
 

ACCT 5410 Fraud Examination

Focuses on the principles and methodology of fraud detection and deterrence. Examines how and why occupational fraud is committed, how fraudulent conduct can be deterred, and how allegations of fraud should be investigated and resolved. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120
 

ACCT 5450 Federal Taxation I

An analysis of the federal income tax law and its application to individuals. A study is made of problems covering personal and business tax situations. Several cases are assigned for which the student prepares illustrative tax returns. Prerequisite: ACCT 3020 or instructor permission
 

ACCT 5460 Federal Taxation II

Analyzes the federal income tax law and its application to corporations, shareholders, partnerships, partners, estates, and gift transactions. Prerequisite: ACCT 5450
 

ACCT 5470 Forensic Accounting

Analyzes the various forensic accounting techniques and investigative strategies used in forensic examinations; covers uses of accounting information systems in fraud detection, the nature of financial statement fraud as well as the framework for detecting fraudulent financial reporting, and the importance of internal controls in fraud prevention. Prerequisite: ACCT 5120

ACCT 5480 – Corporate Governance and Ethics

Provides in-depth understanding of corporate governance and ethics related to the public accounting profession. Explores different ethical decision-making models and apply formal corporate governance frameworks to resolve ethical conflicts as faced by accountants. Examines the challenges to ethical decision-making faced by internal accountants & auditors and learn to evaluate & resolve ethical conflict.

ACCT 5490 – Cybersecurity for Accounting

Provides essential knowledge needed to make sound strategic decisions related to investments in cybersecurity. Explores methods used to raise general security awareness, review current industry practices, and develop knowledge needed to adapt policies to protect and safeguard proprietary information.
 

ACCT 5700 Federal Accounting

Provides a comprehensive overview of accounting principles, terminology, concepts, and standards unique to federal accounting to include an analysis and discussion of the laws, regulations and policies leading to current day federal accounting and reporting practices. The course introduces the Federal Accounting Standard Advisory Board (FASAB) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as the rule-setting organizations of federal accounting, and introduces the U.S. Government Standard General Ledger as the basic foundation. Prerequisite:  ACCT 3020 Introductory Accounting II
 

ACCT 5710 – Business Law

Covers key areas of law that affect businesses. Topics include introduction to the American legal system, constitutional law, torts, contracts, sales, commercial paper, agency law, and employment law. ACCT 5710 Business Law (accepted toward the business requirement to sit for the CPA Exam).

The information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs. 

Upon completion of the Certificate in Accounting, graduates may be eligible for professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in the state in which you currently reside. Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision about which states’ educational requirements for licensure are met by this program.

Upon enrolling in this program, should you change your address to another state, please update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact your ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state.

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Meet the Instructors
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Gary Brooks DBA, CPA

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Megan Burke, PhD, CPA (VA & TX)

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Richard Evans, MBA, CPA

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Michael "Bret" Hood

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Nicholas Granado, JD, CPA

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Harvey Hutchinson, M.B.A., M.Acc, J.D and LL.M, CFP

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Leon Hutton, DBA, MBA, BBA, CPA

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Noel Montesa, M.Acc., CPA

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Lester Reid, D.B.A.,MTAX, MACC., MFIN., M.B.A., M.S.M., M.Ed., CMA, EA.

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Charlie Yuan PhD, CPA, EA

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Schedule

Start Dates: August, January, May

Duration: 30 post-baccalaureate credits / 10 courses 

Format: Part-time: online

 

Admission Requirements

DEADLINES

Spring: November 1
Summer: April 1
Fall: July 1

  • Undergraduate degree

Admission Details

Tuition

ESTIMATED COST*

$15,720 (same in-state and out-of-state)

  • This program is not eligible for financial aid

Tuition Details

* Additional fees may apply, including course materials. Tuition rates adjusted annually.