University Certificate, Accounting
The University Certificate, Accounting is designed for students who want to develop skills and knowledge appropriate for an accounting professional. The program has been designed so you may, with careful selection of options, complete the courses that make up many levels of the training required by the professional accounting associations.
The University Certificate, Accounting is offered by Athabasca University’s Faculty of Business. For more information, contact us.
Planning your program
Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.
Counselling Services offers an assessment website, Mapping Your Future.
Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Program requirements
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
Transfer credit will not be accepted if course(s) completed more than:
- 10 years ago in Business and Administrative Studies area of study at the (300/400) level;
- 5 years ago in the CMIS (all levels);
- 10 years ago in Statistics (all levels).
If you are currently working in the field and provide evidence of work being completed, this restriction may be waived. Transfer credit being used to satisfy options other than those in the Business and Administrative Studies area of study will not be restricted.
The following general regulations apply to all certificate programs.
University certificate programs provide interim qualifications in specific subject areas. Athabasca University has developed individual program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
- Fifty per cent of the total credits required must be completed through Athabasca University. Up to 50 per cent of the required credits may be transferred from another post-secondary institution.
- University certificate credentials are awarded throughout the year. Students must submit an Application for Graduation Form to the Office of the Registrar (see Graduation).
- Students with less than 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current Athabasca University degree program may withdraw from their degree and apply into a university certificate program. Credit will be awarded (from the previous incomplete degree program) to the extent permissible under the applicable program regulations in effect at the time of the change of credential.
- Students with 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current Athabasca University degree program are encouraged to consult with a student advisor before changing programs.
- Students who change their program of study from an Athabasca University degree program to a university certificate program forfeit their standing in the degree program. If students wish to return to the degree program (after being enrolled in the university certificate program) they will be required to meet the degree requirements in effect at the time of re-enrolment (see Changing Programs) to the degree.
- Students who have completed a previous credential (degree, certificate, or diploma) from Athabasca University or another institution must complete a minimum of 50 per cent of the credits in course work not previously used towards any credential.
Students who have a previous credential in the same subject area as the certificate cannot enrol in the certificate.
- Students who have completed the former University Certificate, Labour Relations or the University Certificate, Labour Studies may not enrol in the University Certificate, Human Resources and Labour Relations.
Program structure
| Total credits in the program | 30 |
| Required credits | 24 |
| Elective credits | 6 |
| Residency requirement. A minimum of 15 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University. | 15 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 6 |
Required courses
(24 credits)
Electives
(6 credits. See recommendations.)
Business and Administrative Studies courses at the junior (200) or senior (300/400) level. See recommendations below. 1
Recommendations:
If planning to pursue the University Certificate, Advanced Accounting, CMIS 245 and MKTG 396 should be selected in order to meet prerequisite requirements.
If planning to pursue a professional accounting designation, options should be chosen in consultation with the provincial association of which you are applying.
For more details, visit the Professional Accounting Education website.
1 Change to electives to allow for more flexibility done April 2010 and grandfathered.
Updated December 10, 2025 by Office of the Registrar