Certifications

Accountants make the world go round. They analyze budgets and keep businesses humming along, head above water. But, there's a definitive cap to your earnings and job prospects without a CPA certification or advanced accounting degree.

But, chances are, you already know this. Perhaps you're working as a bookkeeper and want to move up in the business. Or, you're an accountant seeking a salary bump. That barrier to better jobs might be a sign it's time to make your next move.

Below, we'll walk you through the ins and outs of the post-baccalaureate accounting certificate. And, we'll look at why it could be a potential solution to a current roadblock.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Accounting Explained

The post-baccalaureate certificate is something of an alternative to a master's degree. Most people who pursue this option are career changers or professionals looking to "level up" their expertise.

Post-bac certification is an option for people with an existing degree in another field of study. Additionally, it may be a good choice for accountants who plan on furthering their education but haven't been in school for quite some time.

Certificates are more affordable than a master's degree and less time-consuming. On average, the maximum amount of time you'll spend on this credential is one to two years.

1. The CPA question

Students who have a background in accounting may opt for a certification program that prepares them for the CPA exam. There are several accounting courses offered through these programs that relate to material on the exam. A post-bac program also provides preparation for tax accounting, auditing, and corporate applications.

2. Under-grad certificates

Some certificate programs undergraduate level classes. In this case, these courses make the most sense for people trying to gain knowledge in a new field of study. These types of programs won't help you advance your understanding enough to get that CPA credential without supplementation.

But, if you're looking to become a CPA, but don't have a four-year accounting degree, an undergraduate level post-bac is the best way to help you work towards the required credit hours needed to become a CPA and will fill in those pre-requisites you have yet to take.

Additionally, most salaried accounting jobs require a bachelor's degree, earning a certificate can be a fast and affordable way to get the accounting "major" part of the degree you can use to segue into a new position.

3. Graduate level certificates

At the graduate level, certificates aim to provide advanced training in a specific area of study. So, if you have a degree in accounting, taking a CPA preparation course expands on that existing pool of knowledge.

Unlike undergraduate certificate programs, you typically need a four-year degree in order to enroll in a program. On top of that, you'll need a degree or related work experience that applies to said area of study. With a grad-level certificate, you'll receive the same level of education you'd find in a master's program. Keep in mind that coursework may be challenging for those with less experience in the field.

The other benefit of completing graduate level classes, is those credits may later be applied to a graduate program at that same institution.

4. Loose vs. structured CPA-track certificates

Some certificate programs are fully programmed. You'll take a series of predetermined classes, earning your credential upon completion. Others allow you to choose from a set of electives that suit your area of interest.

Others allow you to choose from a handful of electives related to accounting. Some programs only require two or three classes and allow you to select the majority of your courses based on interests.

These considerations are huge when you're looking at different schools. If your goal is to become familiar with the materials covered in the CPA exam, a structured course will be your best bet.

Less structured programs work best for people using a certificate program as a jumping off point for a master's degree later on, or for people looking to break into a particular career.

Typical Application Criteria

Most post-bac certificate programs require that you have a bachelor's degree from a four-year college. That said, it depends on the program. Some extension's CPA certification programs state that a bachelor's degree is recommended. Certificate programs are not subject to the same scrutiny as applying for a position in a bachelor's or master's degree program, but beyond taking the classes, becoming a CPA means you'll need to meet certain standards, many of which take place outside of the classroom.

Before you start gathering transcripts and applying to programs, do some research on your school's CPA licensure requirements. All states will ask that you have at least some practical experience as an accountant before you are eligible to become a CPA. And about half of all states have adopted the Uniform Accountancy Act (3), which requires at least one year working under a licensed CPA.

In most cases, the prospective CPAs need to complete 150 credits of college coursework. In general, this would be a bachelor's degree from a four-year college, plus 30 credits completed in a graduate or post-bac program.

Most states do not require CPAs to have a master's degree. In fact, going the grad school route is recommended for a different career path. A Master's is the best course of action if you're looking to be a tax accountant, a corporate accountant, or another specialized field.

Courses experience in law or business may make it easier for students to grasp concepts like international accounting, forensic accounting, or advanced level tax code.

If you're seeking a higher-level understanding of accounting concepts, a post-bac is a good choice, especially if you have a bachelor's in accounting.

Career Paths with a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

A post-bac accounting certificate can open the doors to some opportunities--it depends both on your background and your area of study.

A CPA preparation certificate is designed to produce graduates ready to take the CPA exam. Because the success rate is less than 50%, taking the coursework can help you gain an edge over those students who studied for the test on their own.

CPAs can find successful careers as public, managerial or government accountants, financial advisors, internal auditors, supervisors, tax accountants, business managers, controllers, chief financial officers and more.

Obtaining your master's degree in accounting will likely help you fulfill the requirements needed to take the CPA (namely, credit hours and advanced accounting concepts). However, a specialized CPA prep certification may be a cheaper, more direct path to becoming a CPA.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The career outlook for an accountant is always good. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over a million accountants and auditors are actively employed in the US. While this is a massive industry, with many existing accountants working in a vast array of areas, taking the steps toward completing your CPA is sure to pay off. The AICPA says accountants with a CPA certification earn 10-15% more than those without it. (4)

What's more is, the industry is poised to grow by 10% between 2016 and 2026, which amounts to roughly 142,000 new jobs over a 10-year period. Additionally, accountants can take solace in a low unemployment rate of just 1.8%.(5)

Because there are so many employment opportunities for Certified Public Accountants, the average salary varies wildly.

Like most careers, accounting salaries are based on the individual’s education, career path, certifications, and experience, as well as other factors like location or the size and budget of the employer.

That said, the BLS states that the median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $68,150, as of May 2016 (6). CPAs make about $70k, on average, as compared to an accountant with just a bachelor's who can expect a salary of about $50k annually.

Certificate Curriculum

The curriculum depends a lot on the school you choose. In many CPA preparation programs, you can expect to cover the full spectrum of accounting topics, minus the basic ed requirements you took during your bachelor's degree.

A lot of programs require that you complete specific coursework in accounting before beginning the certificate program.

Additionally, the number of credits you need to complete your training may vary based on your experience and the number of classroom hours required.

How to Choose a Certificate Program

1. Online

These days online degrees are catching up to their traditional counterparts. In most cases, you can expect the same level of content as you would on campus.

Online certification programs work best for working professionals who don’t live near the schools they’re considering. They're also great for students who don’t have the time or the bandwidth to commit to making it to a physical classroom.

That said, it's hard to stay motivated. Online classes are best for people with a strong sense of willpower who can meet deadlines—essentially this is a person who excels working from home.

2. On-Campus

Digital courses are broadening the educational possibilities for many prospective students. But, if you are able to sign up for classes that take place in person, it may well be worth your while. Post-bac programs are filled with a diverse range of professionals—people with established careers, as well as those just starting out.

It may be an excellent networking opportunity for you or a chance to study with people working out the same problems. Plus, on-campus instruction means greater access to your professor and in-depth Q&A sessions.

3. Hybrid

This option is the best of both worlds. Hybrid courses split the credit hours between online learning and in-person lectures. A hybrid class may meet once every couple of weeks instead of weekly. You may have homework assignments and projects to be turned in digitally.

4. What’s your budget?

Another factor in choosing the right school for your degree program is money.

Both types of programs last for between one and three years. And during that time, you'll take between 20 and 50 credit hours. If your motivation is taking the CPA exam, you do need to make sure your program provides enough credit hours to get you to that 150 threshold. Otherwise, you may need to seek out a few extra electives.

Undergraduate certificates start at around $5,000. However, some cost as much as $20,000 depending on the school, the length of the program and your state residency status. Graduate level certificates are more expensive and range from around $10,000 to $30,000.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates are not provided to every college's first-year students but they are broken down to those trainees that have gained their Bachelor's Level in the field of accounting. Such a certification is useful for those pupils who do not want to leave their profession as well as are desiring to continue with their research studies.

Those that examine accounting at the undergraduate level may be in a placement to earn Post-Baccalaureate Certifications too, though typically not all programs do this. The reason that Post-Baccalaureate Certificates is seldom provided by all accounting schools is because accounting is such a specialized area. Accounting programs that provide it do not normally extend the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program beyond the Bachelor's level.

While numerous pupils research at the undergraduate level for a Bachelor's degree in accounting, there are some who select to proceed their research as well as gain Post-Baccalaureate Certifications. This is due to the fact that they have actually currently completed their programs and have achieved an excellence-platinum award.

There are some colleges who may think that if a trainee does not gain a Post-Baccalaureate Certification then they are doing nothing yet squandering cash on programs. This is the reason why these colleges might ask for a student to take on a specialized accreditation training course as opposed to gaining Post-Baccalaureate Certificates.

One can gain Post-Baccalaureate Certificates with an unique financing certification. This certification is awarded when a pupil has actually worked in money for a certain amount of time and also has proven themselves to be a proficient monetary supervisor.

One might also earn Post-Baccalaureate Certifications by finishing a Masters Degree. The M.B.A. program is one of one of the most advanced Masters Degree programs available today and one might gain Post-Baccalaureate Certifications while taking the program.

If you are a pupil who will finish from college and you have actually chosen to occupy a Masters Level, then you must be looking into the possibility of gaining blog post Baccalaureate Certifications as opposed to getting a Bachelor's Degree. It will take some examination as well as a lot of job to be able to do so, however it deserves the effort if you can obtain the certification rather than the diploma.

A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is an advantage to students who determine to continue to be in accounting and also can not locate a job within the field. It is especially beneficial to students who want to further their education.

While it might look like earning a Post-Baccalaureate Certification is meaningless, there are some reasons that some schools would certainly award it. A Post-Baccalaureate Certification is a type of recognition that a trainee has actually done well in their academic work.

The good thing about this qualification certificate is that it is normally offered to students that have earned their levels outside of the United States. Since it is an American training course, this suggests that the students would have an extra strong grasp of the basics as well as would certainly not need to bother with discovering brand-new concepts in their first year of research.

Some schools additionally use the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate as a type of "summertime period" award. They will give a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate to pupils that did incredibly well in the summertime semester.

Generally, Post-Baccalaureate Certifications deserve it for any kind of pupil that intends to continue in their research studies. Even those that are not mosting likely to go after a Masters Degree might desire to utilize this certificate as a way of extending their education and learning and ending up being a better specialist.

Commonly every first year of the second entry level is redacted with Article baccalaureate credentials (PBD). Programs like post-degree diploma, graduate diploma, graduate qualifications or a pre-medical to a master's degree in an area such as biomedical or health and wellness scientific researches might come under the collection of Post-Baccalaureate programs. In enhancement, trainees with a bachelor's degree, who desire to pursue a master's level in a field aside from their BS/BA level, could be admitted to a college or university decorated or pre-programmed Post-Baccalaureate program to make the required entrance credit reports in their new chosen topic.

The qualification is provided when you complete training courses past your undergraduate research studies in a non-degree supplying program. The standard demands for a trainee that wishes to register in a Post-Baccalaureate program differ according to degree-seeking or credential classifications. Generally, to get for a Post-Baccalaureate level you need to have a bachelors level from a regionally identified establishment in addition to you require to send at least one standardized assessment score (SAT ACT or GRE).

Thus, trainees can build on previous know-how in a sensibly short quantity of time prior to progressing to a graduate degree. Certificates vary in topic depending on establishment, however they are readily offered at neighborhood colleges alike. When students pick a certification program, not just are they able to evaluate just how well they would certainly fit a graduate program, they also may create a task chance.

Our accounting Post-Baccalaureate certification is made to provide operating people like you, who presently hold a bachelor's level in a non-accounting or non-business self-discipline, with versatile book-keeping training in federal revenue tax obligation responsibilities, accounting information systems and bookkeeping. You will definitely look into financial, supervisory as well as additionally price audit as you move from intermediate to cutting-edge level coursework.

The certification program calls for an optimum of 48 financial obligation hrs, which are divided consistently into 2 categories: accounting in addition to basic organisation. Select from a series of solution electives to finish your research. Day and likewise evening training courses are readily available, as well as you can take part in on a full- or part-time basis. You may be certified to obtain credit rating for previous business courses.

The Accounting certification requires 48 to 50 debts after ending up requirements. You might be able to please several of these demands or certification demands utilizing transfer credit reports from accredited companies. Get in touch with an admissions consultant or review our sequence sheet to establish your standing. Core subject issue consists of: Book-keeping info systems and accounting analytics Monetary reporting Managerial book-keeping Auditing Governmental audit Taxes Spot the Accountancy Advising Guide as well as the PBAC Advising Overview.

The curriculum depends a whole lot on the establishment you select. In many State-licensed accountant prep work programs, you can anticipate to cover the complete spectrum of audit topics, minus the standard ed needs you took throughout your bachelor's level. A large number of programs need that you complete certain coursework in accounting prior to beginning the certification program.

These days online levels are reaching their typical equivalents. Most of the moments, you can expect the specific very same level of internet material as you would definitely on an institution. On the internet accreditation programs function best for functioning specialists that don't live near the colleges they're taking into account. They're furthermore great for trainees who do not have the time or the bandwidth to dedicate to making it to a physical classroom.

This certification program gives a 100% online option. The Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Accounting is for pupils with a bachelor's degree that want to complete coursework to prepare for accreditation exams in audit. This qualification is distinct because it is scheduled for prospects that presently have a baccalaureate degree, yet it does not need any kind of graduate-level coursework, neither does it lead to a degree being provided.

The certification in accountancy program has been developed for a selection of profession purposes consisting of the CPA, CMA, public book-keeping, and likewise for those wanting to operate for the federal government or in the market. Those who presently have a level in bookkeeping, nevertheless inadequate debt reports to rest for the State-licensed accountant exam, can still register at the undergraduate price, nevertheless this certificate is produced for those without an accounting level.

Is a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Accounting Right for You?

In the end, going back to school isn't a decision you can take lightly. A post-bac certificate is one of the most affordable ways to increase your earning potential. And, many of these programs--online or not--are designed with the working professional in mind.

Our recommendation is to weigh both cost and curriculum. Again, if the goal of the certificate is to help you ace the CPA exam, a structured program is going to be your best option.