UPDATE
Introducing: Penn Foster’s Accounting Undergraduate Certificate Program
While Ashworth College is no longer accepting enrollments in our Accounting Program, we’re excited to introduce you to our partner school, Penn Foster.
Learn the fundamentals of accounting including financial management, cost accounting, and business law in this undergraduate certificate program.
LEARN MORETake the Next Steps Towards a Career You Want
Penn Foster’s online Accounting Undergraduate Certificate Program can help you prepare to take the first steps toward the job you want. With flexible, online courses, you can learn skills and knowledge on your schedule, from home.
Why Penn Foster?
Penn Foster has been on a mission to help people like you launch, accelerate, and thrive in their careers for more than 130 years. We provide students with a quality education that fits their busy lifestyle and budget, offering over 100 self-paced, career-relevant programs across our College, Career School, and High School. The program you choose is structured to fit your learning needs so you can achieve your goals, and is designed to work with your schedule, anytime, anywhere you want to study. With a focus on relevant skills and career preparation for the job you’re after, Penn Foster can help you graduate with confidence and help provide a pathway towards your career goals.
ACADEMIC
SUPPORT
Learning online doesn’t mean learning alone. An instructor is just an email away!
COMPETITIVE
TUITION
Online classes don't have to be expensive. We offer payment plan options that can fit your budget.
You don’t have to take a break from your job to make an investment in a better career.
What You'll Learn in Penn Foster’s Accounting Undergraduate Certificate
- How to complete the accounting cycle and create and analyze financial statements to ensure that they are accurate and comply with generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP).
- How to assess financial operations and make best-practices recommendations to management.
- How to analyze a firm's financial statements, cash flow values, risks, and returns.
- How to create, organize, and maintain financial records.
Penn Foster’s Online Accounting Certificate Curriculum
In our online Accounting Certificate Program, you'll learn essential accounting skills that can help you prepare to further your education or add credentials to your resume. Your online accounting classes include:
- Mathematics for Business and Finance
- Managerial Accounting
- Financial Management
- Computer Applications in Accounting
Online Accounting Certificate FAQs
No, professional accountants or Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) require a four-year bachelor's degree, but there are many financial jobs that you can qualify for without earning a full degree in accounting. These include jobs like a bookkeeper, payroll clerk, or tax preparer. Earning an undergraduate certificate in accounting can help you prepare to further your education to become an accountant or supplement your current education or work experience and add credentials to your resume.
Accounting is a foundational element of business and every business needs someone to ensure their financial records are accurate. Outside of professional reasons, learning accounting can be beneficial to anyone who makes financial decisions as a tax payer, investor, or business owner. By learning accounting basics, you'll be able to understand the meaning of financial information that can help you better choose which banks to do business with, what types of loans can work for you, and more.
An undergraduate accounting certificate provides students with a basic overview of important accounting principles, including math for finance and some intermediate accounting classes. These certificates aren't a full degree program that includes general education classes, but offers a focused curriculum for those who want to concentrate on accounting. It's important to note that a certificate alone doesn't necessarily qualify someone for employment in the field. It can, however, help you prepare to further your education in accounting or business or enhance your knowledge if you currently work in a similar field.
There are several professional certifications that accountants can earn to enhance their skills or add credentials to their resumes. The most common certification is the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. CPAs generally need at least a four-year degree and some work experience before being eligible to sit for the exam. Similarly, other certifications require a degree or related work experience before you're able to sit for the exam. These include:
- Certified financial analyst
- Certified management accountant
- Certified fraud examiner
State requirements
A career in this field may require you to meet certain licensing, training, and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. You should check with your state, local government, and/or licensing board to find out which requirements may be applicable in your state. Click here for contact information on state licensing/regulatory boards and certain professional licensing information.