Graduate Certificate in Accounting

The Certificate in Accounting is designed for working accounting professionals who want to enhance their proficiency and breadth of knowledge in the accounting field. You will learn advanced accounting principles to develop, manage and expand business using today’s enterprise resource planning systems. The program covers the processes, methodologies, and metrics needed to measure and manage organizational performance. The certificate consists of six graduate classes.

Program Format: Cohorts are structured into “blocks” or sessions, with each block consisting of two courses and lasting approximately eight weeks.

ACG 6176 Evaluation of Financial Reports, Business Analysis and Valuation
ACG 6437 Advanced Accounting Information Systems
TAX 6026 Value-Added Tax Strategies for Business Decisions
ACG 6625 Information Technology Auditing
ACG 6257 Global Accounting, Auditing and Financial Strategy
ACG 6657 Environment of Accounting and Auditing

Curriculum

Note: All of the courses listed are currently part of the Master of Accounting degree. All courses taken in the certificate program can be applied towards the MACC degree provided the student is admitted to the master’s program prior to the completion of no more than twelve graduate certificate credit hours with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher.  Courses taken for this graduate certificate cannot be used for another graduate certificate in the School of Accounting.

Unique Features

Unique Features and exclusive benefits of the certificate program include:

• Fast-track schedule: your time to completion is just six months
• Convenient schedule locations:
• Saturday classes are held on two of FIU’s campuses:
• Broward Pines Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida (Cohorts beginning in the fall semester)
• Modesto A. Maidique Campus (UP) in west Miami-Dade County, Florida (Cohorts beginning in the spring semester)
• Weekday evening classes are held in UP for cohorts that begin in fall.
• Exposure to diverse professional: Since this is a cohort-based, lock-step program, you will build strong relationships with your classmates that will enrich you personally and professionally life long after you graduate.
• Access to extensive library, software and database resources
• Career planning services and tools to help you gain the knowledge and professional skills to be even more competitive in today’s challenging job market

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the certificate program, prospective students must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent from an accredited college or university
• Achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA in upper-level undergraduate coursework
• Provide evidence of at least four years of professional work experience in accounting or finance
• Be in good standing with all previously-attended colleges and universities

Special Program Requirements

• If you have a bachelor’s degree in Business with a major in an area besides accounting, you may be required to complete certain accounting courses.  FIU’s Foundations of Accounting and Audit (CFAA) Program is offered to meet these specific needs.  Please visit htt://cfaa.fiu.edu. 
• Non Business majors in addition to the above requirements will be required to complete the common body prerequisites for general business.

Application Procedures

For admission to the Certificate in Accounting Program, applicants should visit http://gradschool.fiu.edu/admissions.html to complete the application.

Please select Certificate from the degree level drop-down menu and Accounting from the degree major drop-down menu listing all FIU graduate programs in the online admissions form.

Applicants must submit official documents (transcripts) to:

Florida International University
Chapman Graduate School of Business
11200 SW 8th – CBC 200
Miami, FL 33199
Attn: Accounting Programs

• Graduate applications for admissions, along with nonrefundable application fee of $30.00 in US dollars.
• Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities.  Transcripts must be sent directly to the Chapman Graduate School Admissions by all formerly attended institutions in a sealed envelope.
• Official proof of degree: a copy of the original diploma is required if the degree is not posted on the official transcripts.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the fall 2009 semester is July 1, 2009, and for the spring 2010 semester is October 1, 2009.

Fees

Tuition for the Certificate in Accounting Program for the 2009-2010 year for Florida residents is approximately $12,600 and for non Florida residents is $14,400.  This amount includes meals, software licenses, state-of-the-art facilities and enhanced administration.  All fees are subject to change.

Financial Aid

The Certificate of Accounting Program is eligible for federal financial aid.  Refer to melissa.hew@business.fiu.edu for more information.

Career Services

The Career Management Services staff offers high-quality, accessible and well-coordinated services and provides information designed to help you achieve career success.  Workshops cover topics such as writing resumes, preparing for and handling the job interview, developing job search strategies and effective networking.  In addition, the office provides self-assessment tools individual advising, resume referral and on-campus interviews for internships and permanent positions.  Career Management Services works closely with employers to develop relationships that ensure you have access to any employment opportunities.

More Information

For more information about the Certificate in Accounting Program, please contact:

Chapman Graduate School of Business
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th – CBC 200
Miami, FL 33199
Attn: Accounting Programs

Phone: (305)348-3501
Fax: (305)348-7204
E-mail: gradadv@fiu.edu