Graduate Certificate in Accounting Certification Preparation

Program Overview

DeVry University's Graduate Certificate in Accounting Certification Preparation prepares students for the CPA or CMA exam. The program offers two emphases: CPA Exam Preparation and CMA Exam Preparation. Both emphases are 100% online and provide flexibility.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Graduate Certificate in Accounting Certification Preparation program at DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management is designed for students with an undergraduate specialization in accounting or finance who want to advance their careers. The program aims to boost professional competency in accounting and prepare students to pursue either the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. It offers two emphases: CPA Exam Preparation and CMA Exam Preparation. Both emphases are 100% online, providing flexibility. The program integrates Becker Professional Education's CPA Exam Review into its CPA exam preparation courses. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Classes start May 5, 2025. Students can choose between an accelerated 8-month schedule (9 credit hours per semester) or a normal 12-month schedule (6 credit hours per semester).

Outline:

The program offers two emphases: CPA Exam Preparation and CMA Exam Preparation.

CPA Emphasis:

Students choose three courses from a list of options (ACCT525, ACCT530, ACCT540, ACCT5553, ACCT559, ACCT560, ACCT564, ACCT567, ACCT568, ACCT571, ACCT573, FIN516, FIN565, FIN575, MGMT520, MGMT550) and must take all three of the following: ACCT591C (CPA Exam Core Preparation: Auditing and Attestation), ACCT593C (CPA Exam Core Preparation: Financial Accounting and Reporting), and ACCT594C (CPA Exam Core Preparation: Taxation and Regulation). They then choose one additional course from a final list of options (ACCT597D, ACCT598D, ACCT599D). Students selecting this emphasis must take ACCT555 (External Auditing) to satisfy prerequisite requirements.

CMA Emphasis:

Students choose three courses from the same list of options as the CPA emphasis (ACCT525, ACCT530, ACCT540, ACCT555, ACCT559, ACCT560, ACCT564, ACCT567, ACCT568, ACCT571, ACCT573, FIN516, FIN565, FIN575, MGMT520, MGMT550) and must take all three of the following: ACCT563 (Advanced Managerial Accounting Issues), ACCT595 (CMA Exam Preparation I), and ACCT596 (CMA Exam Preparation II). The text mentions that the program allows for customization of the learning experience with a choice of select graduate accounting classes.

Teaching:

The program is 100% online. Each 8-week course is taught by a professor with experience in their field. Students participate in weekly discussions with classmates and gain hands-on experience solving real business problems.

Careers:

Graduates with a CPA Exam Preparation emphasis may pursue careers such as Accountant, Accounting Manager, Controller, Manager of Financial Reporting, and Public Accountant. Graduates with a CMA Exam Preparation emphasis may pursue careers such as Accounting Manager, Budget Analyst, Controller, Financial Manager, and Management Accountant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4% employment growth for accountants and auditors, with an estimated 67,400 new jobs by 2032. A comparison between a master's degree and a graduate certificate in accounting is offered, suggesting that a graduate certificate is a good way to build a resume and prepare for the CPA or CMA exam. The program's accreditation by ACBSP is mentioned, along with DeVry University's accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Students must contact the appropriate state regulatory agency for licensing requirements.