Accounting

Is this course being offered this semester?  You can check on the availability of a course through our course offering directory. Select the appropriate semester as well as the Northern Virginia or University Center.

Where can I get a course description?  Click on the course links to view a course description. 

How do I register for a course?  You can register for a course using our online registration form, or you can print the form and fax/mail it to the Northern Virginia Center. 

I’m interested in earning the certificate.  Must I apply to the program? Yes, you must apply to earn the certificate.  You can download an application. You must apply to the program prior to enrollment in your last class.  Students intending to earn the certificate must maintain an average grade of C or better to continue in the program.

Do I need a degree to enroll in this certificate? No, you don’t need a degree to enroll in this certificate. However, if you want to be a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia, you will need to have an undergraduate degree, 30 semester credits in accounting and 24 semester credits in business subjects other than accounting. Courses in our program with an ACCT “pneumonic” will count toward the 30 accounting credits.  Those with “BUS” will count toward business credits.  

I want to become a CPA.  I have a finance degree, and I need to take several accounting courses to qualify to take the CPA exam.  Will your program help me? Yes, the majority of our students have the same goal, to become a CPA.   Many or our certificate graduates have successfully passed the exam and are now CPAs.

Can I enroll in just a few courses?  I’m not interested in earning the certificate.   Yes, you can enroll in courses without applying for the certificate. 

I’m not interesting in being a CPA, but I do want to learn accounting to help me in my job. Is your program for me? Yes, the program will be beneficial to anyone wishing to become an accountant or become more knowledgeable in accounting.  

I have credits from another institution that I would like to transfer to this certificate.  How do I know if they will transfer?  Students interested in transferring credits are generally allowed to transfer a maximum of six credits.  Transfer of credits is based on an analysis of the content, level, and comparability of the courses taken, the applicability of the courses to the student’s intended major and degree program, the quality of the student’s performance in the courses, and the accreditation of the institution at which the work was completed.  Coursework must not be older than eight years, and students must have earned at least a C or better.  Transfer decisions are made by the program’s director. 

What if I have taken more than two courses at another institution and they meet the transfer criteria? Students can request to be waived out of the introductory level courses and request a transfer for the more advanced coursework.  If permission for the waiver and transfer are granted, then students may “fill-in” with electives in place of the introductory courses that were waived.  Students must complete eight courses in the program.  

How do I request transfer credits? Please send a copy of your transcripts along with a brief letter indicating the course(s) you are interested in transferring into our program.  Send to Cindy Lu, University of Virginia, Northern Virginia Center, 7054 Haycock RD, Falls Church, VA 22043 . 

I would like to consult with someone regarding my course history/transcripts to determine what courses I need to qualify for the CPA exam. Would that be possible?  Yes, we can give you a course plan after review of your transcripts, but we do not make the decisions regarding your eligibility for the exam. Each state board of accountancy sets and evaluates eligibility.  Consultations with U.Va. faculty are scheduled on the same day that our Center conducts the Information Night. These events are held three times per year in advance of each semester.

I’m a graduate of the U.Va. McIntire School.  Many of my undergraduate courses were taken under the same title in Charlottesville.  Will I be repeating the same coursework? Please contact us to discuss your U.Va. undergraduate courses.  We will help you develop a course plan so that you do not have to repeat courses that you have previously taken.  

How many courses per semester may I take?  We do not have any limits on the number of courses that a student may take each semester.  However, we recommend to students who are working full time, to take only one course per semester, at least until the intermediate level is completed.  Students are recommended not to take Intermediate Accounting during the same semester as Cost Accounting because these courses are very demanding. These courses are the first professional courses in our program and are at the core of what you will need to know for the CPA exam.   

Will the credits from this certificate program transfer to another college or university? Certificate programs are designed to be stand-alone programs. Selected courses, however, may be eligible for transfer. Colleges and universities may recognize these courses for transfer, but these decisions are made independently by the receiving institution.

My introductory accounting courses were completed a long time ago and I am not sure what level to begin at.  Can I test out of a course? We do not have a test in lieu of coursework.  However, we do have pre-tests for ACCT 311: Intermediate Accounting and for ACCT 314: Cost Accounting which will help you to determine what level you should begin. The pre-test will test your knowledge of the introductory I and introductory II courses, and if you score sufficiently, you may decide to either move into the next course, refresh on your own, or register and take the prerequisite course.  Contact the program coordinator for the pre-test.     

What is the average length of time to finish this program? The average is 2.5 years.  Most students begin with just one course per semester and then begin taking two courses each semester after the intermediate level.  

Is there a time limit on finishing the certificate? The time limit is five years. However, students may request permission to extend the time limit due to personal circumstances.  

Is it possible to offer this program in my region? If you are interested in this program, but it isn't offered in your region, please contact us.

How can I find out more about this program?  Please contact the program director in your region.   You can also join us for one of our information sessions, offered every semester.