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This 10-course certificate program prepares individuals to assume greater responsibility for the accounting function. Students must complete six required courses and four electives to receive the certificate.
In addition to training in the skills of accounting, this certificate program includes courses that are both required and recommended as preparation to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. The Virginia State Board of Accountancy currently requires CPA applicants to obtain at least 120 semester hours of education with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with 48 semester hours for an accounting concentration or equivalent as follows:
- 24 semester hours in accounting courses to include auditing, financial accounting, management accounting, and taxation. *
- 24 semester hours in business courses. As many as 6 hours of accounting courses (not included in the 24 hours of accounting courses) may be considered for the business course requirement.
The coursework must be completed prior to application to sit for the CPA exam. For more information please visit the program online at www.scps.virginia.edu
* Introductory accounting courses cannot be considered in determining whether a person has obtained the 48 minimum number of semester hours required for an accounting concentration or equivalent.