Program overview
Athabasca University’s online University Certificate in Accounting is an ideal starting point to develop the skills and knowledge of an accounting professional. You will gain a basic understanding of technical and theoretical aspects of the accounting field, including
- financial accounting
- cost analysis
- microeconomics
- macroeconomics
- commercial law
- statistics
If you are interested in becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), many of the certificate courses cover the prerequisites required to start pursuing your designation.
Why take the University Certificate in Accounting?
Completing the University Certificate in Accounting prepares you for AU’s Advanced Certificate in Accounting. Completing both certificates puts you well on your way to earning your Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and many of the courses required to meet CPA requirements.
Routes and options
Ladder to a degree
To be sure you get the most benefit from your certificate courses, if you think you may want to transfer your certificate to a degree program, you should discuss your course selection with a program advisor.
Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 1 year of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion.
Admission requirements
There are no formal admission requirements for this program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.
Please note: If you have an undergraduate or graduate degree with a major in accounting, you cannot apply to the University Certificate in Accounting program.
How to apply
You can apply to AU online any time. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee, you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.
You should enrol as an unclassified (non-program) student if you want to take the English Language Proficiency Program.
Transfer and advanced credit
If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU certificate.
If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 15 credits at AU.
You will not receive transfer credit for senior (300/400) level courses more than 10 years old in the following disciplines
- Accounting (ACCT)
- Management Science (MGSC)
- Legal Studies (LGST)
- Marketing (MKTG)
- Finance (FNCE)
- Taxation (TAXX)
If you are working in the field and provide evidence of current experience in these areas, this restriction will be waived.
Program requirements
To complete the program you will need to fulfil all the requirements of the certificate.
Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Required courses
Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following link:
Tuition and fees
Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.
You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.
Program learning outcomes
As a result of completing this program, students should be able to
- demonstrate a basic understanding of technical and theoretical aspects of the accounting field, including financial accounting, cost analysis, microeconomics and macroeconomics, commercial law and statistics, in order to obtain credit transfer that meets the educational requirements of the CPA professional accounting association.
- demonstrate ethical values, global awareness and technological skills in identifying problems and issues as well as making decisions related to business problems.
- recognize that the body of knowledge in the field of accounting and business is continually evolving, as is the legal and regulatory environment within which accounting is performed.
Possible Career Options
- Bookkeeper
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounts Payable Clerk
- Accounts Receivable Clerk
- Audit Clerk
- Billing Clerk
- Budget Clerk
- Costing Clerk
- Deposit Clerk
- Finance Clerk
- Freight-Rate Clerk
- Income Tax Return Preparer
- Invoice Clerk
- Ledger Clerk
- Tax Clerk
- Actuarial Clerk
- Bank Clerk
- Credit Clerk
- Dental Claims Clerk
- Dividend Calculation Clerk
- Insurance Clerk
- Insurance Rater
- Ledger Control Clerk
- Loan Clerk
- Mortgage Clerk
- Premium Rater
- Real Estate Clerk
- Securities Clerk
- Benefits Officer
- Pay Advisor
- Pay and Benefits Administrator
- Pay and Benefits Clerk
- Pay Clerk
- Payroll Clerk
- Payroll Officer
- Salary Administration Officer