Cert in Accounting and Related Services

This short certificate gives newcomers a fast entry point into bookkeeping and accounting, without the commitment of a full bachelor's program. Students take introductory classes from the university's accounting, finance and business offerings to learn fundamental concepts and methods. Completers may qualify for jobs as bookkeepers, accounting clerks, payroll clerks, brokerage clerks or credit authorizers, and the coursework also helps them prepare for the national bookkeeper certification exam. It meets the needs of employers in both companies and nonprofits seeking entry-level staff. Students studying part-time can complete the thirty-hour sequence over four semesters, which is about two years. The certificate also serves as a stepping stone, because the courses are drawn from the regular undergraduate curriculum and may help students who later decide to pursue a full degree in accounting.