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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

Accounting

Online Graduate Certificate in Accounting

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Master advanced accounting topics with a graduate certificate in accounting from American Public University (APU).

This six-course online program covers topics such as financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, reporting, and taxes. You can opt to take courses in forensic accounting, international accounting, and advanced federal taxation. A graduate certificate can be an excellent way to advance your knowledge without committing to a full master’s degree program. 

Successful completion of this accounting certificate program may or may not satisfy the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Educational requirements for the CPA exam vary by state.

This program is not designed to prepare graduates for any state-issued professional license or certification and therefore has not been approved by any state professional licensing agency. Successful completion of this bachelor of accounting may or may not satisfy the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Educational requirements for the CPA exam vary by state. Please see State Requirements for more information.

This program has specific admission requirements.

What You Will Do

  1. Show you are able to access, evaluate, and use accounting information to make sound business decisions
  2. Apply accounting methods, analysis, and critical thinking to evaluate information and solve problems
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of ways
  4. Show you understand and are able to apply accounting ethics codes and behaviors

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4807

|
A study of the techniques used to interpret and analyze financial statements effectively. Managers, accountants, investors and analysts often perform analytical procedure to learn more about what is being reported by public corporations. The viewpoint is that of the user of financial statements. This course is designed primarily for students who expect to be intensive users of financial statements as part of their professional responsibilities. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3906

|
An advanced analysis of accounting theory and practice designed to prepare the accounting major for complex problems that arise from partnerships, consolidations and mergers, receiverships, and governmental units. Also a study of the theoretical and practical approach of accounting, budgeting, reporting and auditing for governmental units, colleges and universities, hospitals and other not-for-profit organizations. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. Please refer to the Course Materials section for additional details on materials and pricing or contact [email protected]. (Prerequisite: ACCT608) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4166

|
In this course students evaluate how organizations process and report accounting information in adherence to ethical standards and generally accepted accounting principles. Topics include accounting literature related to the accounting cycle, adjusting and closing entries, ethics, financial reporting & analysis, international accounting, auditing, taxation, and governance.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Choose 9 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 4231

|
This course examines methods of international accounting concepts, practices, and issues. The course focuses on the accounting issues encountered by multinational companies engaged in international trade and invested in foreign operations. The course analyzes the global financial environment, foreign exchange market, foreign exchange risks, global financing and investment decisions. (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3907

|
A study of income determination and concepts for individuals with emphasis of the impact of taxation on personal and/or business decisions, advances student knowledge of research techniques, and understanding of the IRS tax code. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. (Prerequisite: ACCT610) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4373

|
This course is a continuation of ACCT615 Individual Tax Research and Planning for students with an interest in continuing their study of Federal Taxation. The course will consider tax reporting issues for regular C Corporations, S Corporations, and Partnerships. A brief introduction to International Tax transactions and Federal Estate and Gift Taxes is included. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. (Prerequisite: ACCT615) Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4808

|
This course covers the analysis of accumulating and reporting costs of operations, budgets, and other tools of management for measuring profitability of a business enterprise. Emphasis is given to the various cost systems like job order, process cost, standard cost, and variable costing. (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3908

|
This course is a study of forensic accounting with an emphasis on using accounting techniques in white collar criminal investigations. The course exposes students to criminology topics such as skimming, cash larceny, check tampering, billing schemes, payroll and expense reimbursement irregularities, non-cash misappropriations, corruption, and interviewing witnesses. The course advances student knowledge of auditing, financial statement analysis, and research techniques in the context of fraud. This course requires the student to purchase additional materials. Please refer to the Course Materials section for additional details on materials and pricing or contact [email protected]. (Prerequisite: ACCT610)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start May 5
Register by May 2
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require you to have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

In addition, you will need to provide an official transcript of your completed bachelor’s or master’s degree showing proof of completion of this required coursework:

  • Auditing: 3 credit hours
  • Cost Accounting or Managerial Accounting: 3 credit hours
  • Individual Federal Taxation: 3 credit hours
  • Intermediate Accounting: 6 credit hours

Preadmission courses must be grade C or better at the undergraduate level; B or better at the graduate level.

Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).

You will be required to submit a signed statement of understanding (SOU).

There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.

An APU admissions representative will contact you with further details about how to submit the required documentation after you complete the enrollment application.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

State Requirements

For more information on CPA educational prerequisites applicable to you, please see the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website or select your state from the drop down list for more information.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.