Accounting Certificate Programs FAQs

Why Earn an Accounting Certificate 

• Why should I earn an accounting certificate? 
• An accounting certificate serves as an efficient pathway for gaining essential or advanced knowledge to enter or excel in the field. An accounting certificate can be earned in less time than it takes to earn a degree. Earning a certificate can also provide you with the foundational knowledge and prerequisites required to get a degree or give you the coursework you need for your CPA license. 
• How do the Accounting Principles and Accounting Specialist Certificates align with the CPA exam requirements? 
• If you are planning to sit for the CPA exam, taking both the Accounting Principles and Accounting Specialist Certificate Programs will satisfy the 24 semester units in accounting subjects required to qualify for the CPA exam. 
  
  Our Accounting Principles Certificate provides 16 quarter units and the Accounting Specialist Certificate provides 20 quarter units for a combined total of 36 quarter units or 24 semester units. 
• How can I qualify for the California CPA exam? 
• To qualify for the CPA exam in California, you must meet the following educational requirements. 
  • A bachelor’s degree or higher 
  • 24 semester units in accounting subjects (Completing both our accounting certificates meets this requirement!) 
  • 24 semester units in business-related subjects 
  Learn more about qualifying or applying for the California Board of Accountancy CPA exam. Note, these requirements can vary by state. Please check with the state board of accountancy where you plan to get licensed. For specific state requirements, resources like the AICPA and NASBA websites provide comprehensive guides and state-specific details. 
• Why do I need a CPA license? 
• The California Board of Accountancy regulates CPAs in California. If you describe yourself (or your business) as a public accountant or as providing public accounting services, you must be licensed by the Board. 
• What are the benefits of becoming a CPA? 
• There are many benefits to becoming a CPA. Because of the extensive and rigorous training required to become a CPA, CPAs have access to a wider range of job opportunities, including jobs with more responsibilities and highly specialized job functions. On average, CPAs earn 10-15% more than unlicensed accountants. Employment for CPAs is also in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for people with a CPA license is projected to grow by 22% between now and 2028. Source: AICPA 
• How else can I benefit from an accounting certificate? 
• Our Accounting Certificate Programs are designed to help you succeed in various industries by quickly providing you with knowledge and training in current best practices that can be applied immediately to your job. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, including accounting and financial services, government and nonprofit organizations, banking, real estate, healthcare and more. 

Accounting Principles Program Prerequisites and Requirements 

• Do I need to take courses in a specific order? 
• Yes, Principles of Financial Accounting is the required prerequisite for all other courses in the Accounting Principles Certificate Program and must be taken first. The remaining courses can be taken in any order; however, we recommend the following: Intermediate Accounting: Part 1, Intermediate Accounting: Part 2 and Principles of Cost Accounting. If you have questions about course availability, consult the program representative. 
• Do I need previous accounting experience to start this certificate program? 
• The Accounting Principles Certificate is designed for those with little to no experience or education in accounting. Only a high school diploma is required. 
• What are the requirements to earn the certificate? 
• You must earn a grade of C or higher in all four courses within five years from the date of enrollment to complete the Accounting Principles Certificate. 
• Do courses provide academic credit and/or continuing education units? 
• Each course in the program is worth 4 quarter units of academic credit for a total of 16 units. 
• How long will it take me to complete the certificate? 
• Students in the Fast Track Certificate Program will finish in 12-15 months. Students not enrolled in Fast Track can complete the program anywhere from 12 months to five years. 
• What is the cost of the program? 
• Students who take courses a la carte will pay $880 per course, for a total cost of $3,520, plus the cost of books and the certificate registration fee of $125. 
  
  Fast Track Certificate students will pay a total cost of $2,992, plus the cost of books. The registration fee is waived for Fast Track students. 

Accounting Specialist Program Prerequisites and Requirements 

• Do I need to take courses in a specific order? 
• No, courses can be taken in any order. However, you must have successfully completed our Principles of Financial Accounting course or an equivalent course from another university before enrolling in the Accounting Specialist Certificate. 
• Do I need previous accounting experience to start this certificate program? 
• While the Accounting Specialist Certificate Program is designed for experienced accounting professionals or those with an educational background in accounting, there is no specific requirement other than completing the Principles of Financial Accounting course or an equivalent. 
• What are the certificate requirements? 
• You must earn a grade of C or higher in all five courses within five years from the date of enrollment to complete the Accounting Specialist Certificate. 
• Do courses provide academic credit and/or continuing education units? 
• Each course in the program is worth 4 quarter units of academic credit for a total of 20 units. 
• How long will it take me to complete the certificate program? 
• Students in the Fast Track Certificate Program will finish in 15 months. Students not enrolled in Fast Track can complete the program anywhere from 15 months to five years. 
• How much does the program cost? 
• Students who take courses a la carte will pay $880 per course, for a total cost of $4,400, plus books and the certificate registration fee of $125. 
  
  Fast Track Certificate Program students will pay a total cost of $3,740, plus the cost of books. The registration fee is waived for Fast Track students. 

General Questions 

• Can I enroll in individual courses without completing the certificate? 
• Yes, you may enroll in individual courses without completing the certificate. Some professionals take specific courses to improve their skills in certain areas or to brush up on topics they haven’t studied in a while, such as taxation and auditing. Keep in mind that many of the accounting courses do have prerequisites. 
• Is there a limit to how many people can enroll in each class? 
• Class size varies from course to course. In an online environment, we generally allow up to 30 students in a class, although this number may vary. Please contact Student Services for questions about enrolling in classes that are full or waitlisted. 
• Do you offer program discounts? 
• Yes, there are numerous discounts available, including group discounts and discounts for Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) members. Please note that discounts cannot be combined. This includes the Fast Track discount. 
• How does the “Fast Track model” work? 
• The Accounting Fast Track Certificates are a convenient way to accelerate your course plan. You’ll receive preferential enrollment status and save on the overall certificate cost with our pre-pay pricing option. For more information on our Fast Track programs, visit our Fast Track FAQs page. 
• Can I receive an extension on the discounted price for Fast Track if I cannot complete the program in the scheduled time frame? 
• No, the 15% discount is only offered to students who complete the Fast Track program in the time allotted. Fast Track students who fail to meet the terms of the program incur additional fees and charges. 
• I’ve taken previous accounting courses from UC Davis CPE. Do they count toward my certificate in the new program? 
• UC Davis CPE provides evolving educational opportunities to help working professionals advance in their careers. Certificate programs must be completed within five years. Courses taken within the last five years can be transferred to the newer certificate. Please speak with a program representative to discuss your personal path to certificate completion. 
• Who are the program instructors and what is their accounting experience? 
• Our instructors have years of experience and advanced degrees in their respective industries. They must also meet the stringent academic standards established by the University of California. Detailed instructor biographies are included on each course page. 
• Are CPE's Accounting Certificates accredited? 
• Yes, both our Accounting Certificate Programs are approved by UC Davis faculty. University of California, Davis, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). 
• How does the online learning environment work? Do I need to log on at a specific time? 
• Our online courses have real instructors, students, course materials, assignments, tests and grades. They also have the same academic rigor and quality that you expect from our traditional, face-to-face courses and require the same commitment and effort that you would bring to a classroom experience. 
  
  Courses are 100% online and you can access the material 24 hours a day. There are no synchronous sessions, so you are not required to log on at a specific time. Assignments are due on a weekly basis. 
  
  Learn more about our online programs and what to expect.