Fast-track your accounting skills.
The Accounting Certificate is designed to transition individuals into the accounting industry by providing those with an undergraduate degree in something other than accounting with a solid foundation in accounting principles and how to apply them in practice.
The Accounting Certificate can prepare students for the CPA exam and further their career in accounting. The certificate provides students without a bachelor’s degree in accounting with the foundational accounting knowledge needed for the advanced Master of Accounting (MAc) degree courses. Students with an undergraduate degree in something other than accounting can pursue a MAc degree without completing the accounting certificate, but their MAc courses will focus more heavily on fundamental accounting knowledge. Non-accounting-degree students wanting to take more advanced accounting courses in the MAc should complete the undergraduate Accounting Certificate before starting the MAc program.
Pursuing CPA Licensure
Thinking about becoming a CPA? UAB can help you get there.
CPA licensure requirements:
- Requirements vary by state for sitting for the CPA exam and licensure.
- Check with the Board of Public Accountancy in the state where you plan to practice for specifics. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy provides a complete list of state licensing boards.opens a new website
- Questions about CPA licensure? Contact the MAc program advisor.
Who can benefit?
This undergraduate certificate program benefits students with a non-accounting undergraduate degree who:
- Are looking to transition into the accounting industry.
- Are seeking the foundational accounting knowledge needed to prepare for the CPA exam.
- Are looking to gain accounting knowledge to enhance their already established career.
- Are seeking the foundational accounting knowledge needed to take more advanced accounting courses in the UAB MAc program.
- Would like to take courses through the MAc program that would allow them to also earn a graduate certificate in an area such as information systems, finance or other business courses in addition to the MAc.
Courses and Program Requirements
The Accounting Certificate consists of eight courses covering principles of accounting, financial accounting, cost accounting, and income taxation.
- The Accounting Certificate requires that students earn a B or better in AC 300 and a C or better in the other seven courses.
- Admission to the UAB MAc program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the Accounting Certificate program courses.
Required courses
- BUS 202: Know Your Accounting Numbers
- AC 300: Financial Reporting and Decision Making
- AC 304: Accounting Information Systems
- AC 309: Intermediate Accounting I
- AC 310: Intermediate Accounting II
- AC 401: Cost Strategies and Decision-Making
- AC 402: Income Taxation I
- AC 430: Intermediate Accounting III
