Online Professional Accountancy Certificate
Boost your employment prospects with advanced accounting knowledge.
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Request InfoOnline Professional Accountancy Certificate Overview
With the University of West Florida’s fully online graduate Professional Accountancy Certificate program, you will gain both the content knowledge and course credits you need to move forward in accounting and related professions.
The certificate includes four key courses, the content of which is tested on the CPA examination. In addition, the accounting courses each provide 3 credit hours that can be used to satisfy state requirements in Florida for accounting-specific courses in order to sit for the CPA exam and pursue licensure.
This certificate is only available to graduate non-degree seeking students. Degree-seeking students cannot pursue this certificate.
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Accountancy is not available to students pursuing the Master of Accountancy or the MBA with accounting emphasis.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Graduate non-degree seeking students
- Those who need more hours to sit for the CPA exam and/or be licensed
- Students who will later pursue an MBA (the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accountancy is not available to students pursuing the MBA with the accountancy emphasis)
You Will Be Able To:
- Speak to current accounting issues
- Learn concepts that will appear on the CPA exam
- Complete the hours you need to sit for the CPA exam and/or be licensed
Courses and Requirements
An undergraduate degree in accounting or the equivalent is required to pursue the Professional Accountancy certificate. The certificate in Professional Accountancy requires completion of the following courses with a grade of C or higher, and students must secure a combined grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the course required by the certificate.
- ACG 6308 - Advanced Managerial Accounting
3.0 Credit Hours
Advanced Managerial Accounting
Management control and behavior, control structures, responsibility accounting, cost / profit / investment centers, budgets and performance evaluation, control of projects, control in service, and non-profit organizations. Must have completed ACG 3343 or the equivalent with a grade of C (2.0) or better to enroll.
- ACG 6805 - Seminar in Financial Accounting
3.0 Credit Hours
Seminar in Financial Accounting
A blend of traditional and contemporary accounting issues with focus on the development of financial accounting theory, the relationship of theory and research to standard setting, and discussion of current accounting standards. Examines the objectives, measurement models, controversies, and philosophy of financial accounting. Must have completed ACG 4151 or the equivalent with a grade of C (2.0) or better to enroll.
- ACG 6856 - Advanced Auditing
3.0 Credit Hours
Advanced Auditing
Advanced research, interpretation, and application of professional and ethical standards of auditing, assurance, attestation, and accounting and review services, including standards promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, International Federation of Accountants, and the United States Government Accountability Office. Must have completed ACG 4651 or the equivalent with a grade of C (2.0) or better to enroll.
- BUL 5831 - Commercial Law
3.0 Credit Hours
Commercial Law
Study of selected topics in law pertaining to business transactions, business environment and associations, and financial securities. Offered concurrently with BUL 4244; graduate students will be assigned additional work.
- ACG 6308 - Advanced Managerial Accounting
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the University of West Florida’s online Professional Accountancy Certificate program, you must be admitted to the University as a graduate non-degree seeking student.
How to Apply
Once accepted as a graduate non-degree seeking student, students should contact the College of Business Advising Center and speak to an advisor about course availability and scheduling, and to complete the online Graduate Certificate Declaration Form on MyUWF.
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at gradadmissions@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department academic advisor.
Costs & Financial Aid
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $384.60 per credit hour | $4,615.20 |
| Full Out-of-State Tuition | $1,044.24 per credit hour | $12,530.88 |
| 90% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver | $478.83 per credit hour | $5,745.96 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 90 percent of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress course availability. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to 12 months to complete.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
With a professional accountancy certificate, you can go on to other degree programs or pursue advancement in a variety of positions.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
Tax Examiners, Collectors and Revenue Agents
These employees calculate taxes and collect taxes from businesses and individuals. Job duties include auditing, reviewing credits and deductions, contacting individuals and businesses regarding their taxes, keeping records and evaluating complex data. Tax examiners, collectors and revenue agents earned a median salary of $54,440 in 2018.
Accountants and Auditors
Accountants and auditors are proficient in data analysis and efficiency. They examine financial records, calculate taxes, assess financial operations and prepare reports for managers and clients. Employment is predicted to grow 6 percent through 2028 for the profession, and the median annual salary was $70,500 in 2018. The highest 10 percent of accountants and auditors earned salaries of more than $122,840.
Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks
These employees must organize, verify and report on complex financial records. Some go on site visits while some work in offices. In 2018, bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks made a median annual salary of $40,240.