An online accounting certificate is an affordable way to showcase your skills and boost your career prospects.
The rise of AI, employer demand for data expertise, and a shortage of qualified accountants mean that the skills taught in online accounting certificate programs are more relevant than ever. The flexible nature of online certificate programs also means you can pursue the online credentials without taking time away from your job or cutting into your personal life.
Read on to learn more about online accounting certificate programs you can get in 2025.
Accounting Certificate Highlights
Online accounting certificate programs can be highly affordable, often costing less than $2,000 with financial aid.
These programs are usually asynchronous, meaning you can work toward them at your own pace.
94% of online business students and graduates we surveyed in the BestColleges Online Education Trends Report think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Accounting Certificate Programs
Why You Should Get an Accounting Certificate
High-Demand Skills: Online accounting certificate programs often cover skills that are in high demand, like data analytics and AI.
Break Into Niche Fields: Certificates often focus on specific areas of accounting, like forensic accounting or auditing, and can help you land jobs in those specialized fields.
Study on Your Own Time: Online accounting certificates often feature a flexible format that lets you study around your work and personal schedule.
Benefits of Getting an Accounting Certificate Online
81% of online business students and graduates we surveyed said an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
Additionally, 97% of online business students and graduates said they would recommend online education to others.
How to Choose the Best Accounting Certificate Program for You
When looking for an online accounting certificate program, you should consider tuition cost, program length, application requirements, and career options after graduation.
Additionally, you should weigh the certification's return on investment. Consider the following questions:
Is this certificate relevant to my career goals?
Will the skills I learn in this program improve my job prospects?
Can I afford this certificate?
If the answer to those questions is "yes," that's a good indication that the program is a good fit for you.
"Also, consider any specialties the program may offer and whether that aligns with your career goals," says Colin Smith, certified public accountant (CPA) and financial reporting consultant. "A program with a heavier emphasis on courses like financial accounting, cost accounting, and auditing may not be appealing if you're primarily interested in working as a tax preparer."
How Much Does an Online Accounting Certificate Cost?
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$2,253
Avg. Net Price
$1,640
In-Person
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$2,473
Avg. Net Price
$1,605
Source: NCES PowerStats
Online business and management certificates, including accounting certificates, cost less than $2,300 on average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Online accounting certificates are much more affordable than bachelor's in accounting programs, which can make them appealing to many. Just note that they're not a substitute for a bachelor's degree, since the coursework is more limited.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), abachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is generally required to be an accountant. Also, if you want tobecome a CPA, you'll need at least 150 hours of college credit, which a certificate program alone won't cover.
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How Long Does It Take to Get an Accounting Certificate?
Typical # of Credits
20-40 Credits
Typical Program Length
6-18 Months
Certificate programs are usually shorter than associate or bachelor's degree programs, since they require fewer credits to complete. Most are geared to give working professionals a short-term overview of accounting or a more specialized field within the profession.
For example, the graduate certificate in accounting from Penn State World Campus is just 12 credits and can be completed in just a semester, depending on your schedule. Harvard Business School Online's financial accounting course can take just eight weeks.
Application Requirements
The application requirements for online accounting certificate programs vary across institutions. For instance, Harvard Business School Online doesn't require an application for its short-term financial accounting course.
Other longer certificate programs, like Campbellsville University's online certificate in accounting, do require you to submit an application and transcripts from each college or university you previously attended.
There are some programs that are geared toward bachelor's graduates pursuing extra credits for a CPA licensure, such as Penn State World Campus' graduate certificate in accounting. These generally require you to hold a bachelor's degree to qualify.
What Can You Do With an Accounting Certificate?
What you can do with an accounting certificate depends on where you are in your career and what you're aiming for.
If you're just getting started and want to build a foundation in accounting, it could help you land a job as a clerk or bookkeeper.
If you're an entry-level accountant, the college credits you can gain with a certificate can help you fulfill your state's CPA education requirements.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Preparer | $50,560 | Helps individuals and businesses prepare their yearly taxes |
| Tax Examiner | $59,740 | Collects taxes on behalf of local, state, and federal governments |
| Auditing Clerk | $49,210 | Helps organizations keep financial records |
| Bookkeeper | $49,210 | Organizes and prepares financial records for a business or organization |
Source: BLS
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Is an Accounting Certificate Worth It?
Whether you're looking to break into the accounting field or sharpen your skills, an accounting certificate can give you a career boost.
According to the BLS, you don't need a college degree to work as an auditing clerk or bookkeeper. So, an accounting certificate can help you qualify for these roles.
If you're already working in the field, an accounting certification can also help you learn new skills or earn extra college credits to complete the educational requirements for your CPA licensure.
Education Beyond an Accounting Certificate
"An accounting certificate is a great option for someone trying to break into the industry or even just pick up some part-time work as a bookkeeper," notes Smith. "Certificate programs are usually much more affordable than bachelor's degrees, so they're an excellent option for those that aren't able to invest the time [or] resources into a full bachelor's degree."
However, if you want to become a full-time accountant, keep in mind that you typically need a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Several online universities offer flexible, online bachelor's degree programs in accounting that you can pursue without pausing your career.
If you already have a bachelor's degree but it's not in accounting, you still have options. There are some master's degrees in accounting that are designed for people without an accounting background, like the one from the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accounting Certificates
Most accounting certificates include only a few courses and can be completed in less than a year. On the other hand, bachelor's degrees typically require at least 120 credits, which takes around four years to finish. While a certificate can be a good starting point, most accounting roles — especially those beyond entry level — require a four-year degree.
