Certificate Program in Accounting

The job prospects for individuals with a certificate in accounting are promising as the demand for skilled accountants continues to rise in every industry. With a certificate in accounting, you'll qualify for a wide range of entry-level occupations in accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, budget and credit analysis, financial management, payroll clerking, tax collecting and preparing and more. These positions offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career growth. An accounting certificate will equip you to evaluate and prepare financial records and statements, counsel others on accounting matters and record budget data.

The accounting certificate at UMass Lowell will also position you well for graduate studies. The upper-level courses completed in the accounting certificate curriculum satisfy the prerequisite requirements for the Master of Science in Accounting. If you pursue graduate studies in accounting, you'll be prepared for in-demand upper-level accounting careers in the private and nonprofit sectors.

Before you can enroll in an online accounting certificate program, many schools, including UMass Lowell, require you to have already earned a bachelor's degree in a different field. When you apply, you'll need to submit transcripts from all other higher education institutions or you can request help from admissions to obtain your transcripts. There is no fee to apply to the accounting certificate program.

After your acceptance into the program, you should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for Financial Aid. The six required courses in the curriculum can be completed online each week as your schedule allows. See our video on How Online Courses Work to learn how to navigate UMass Lowell's online learning platform, Blackboard.

You can complete UMass Lowell's online Accounting Certificate program in as little as nine months if you take advantage of the courses available in the Summer semester. However, you have 5 years to complete a certificate at UMass Lowell.

A certificate in accounting is worth it if your goal is to gain specialized knowledge and enhanced job prospects in this lucrative professional field. Accounting professionals are in high demand across various industries, and the need for these professionals continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031.” Accounting continues to be the backbone of every business. Every organization, from small startups to large corporations, requires accurate and reliable accounting practices to ensure financial stability and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Whether you want to work in finance, auditing or taxation, a certificate can give you a competitive edge. It demonstrates your commitment to stay on top of industry trends. It can open doors to new job prospects and career advancement opportunities. If your goal is to change careers or take your current accounting career to the next level, a certificate in accounting is worth the investment.

One of the primary motivations for pursuing a certificate in accounting is the potential for higher earnings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national “median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $77,250 in May 2021.” However, individuals with accounting certificates often earn salaries above the median due to their specialized knowledge and skills. Your salary potential will vary depending on location, industry, work experience and the level of education you choose to obtain.

For example, in 2023, Labor analytics firm Lightcast reported the median average salary for those with a certificate in accounting in New England as $52.6K per year. That said, students who complete UMass Lowell's online certificate in accounting can anticipate higher median earnings because they will already possess bachelor's degrees in a different discipline. Lightcast reports that accountants in New England who obtain a Masters in Accounting double the salary of certificate holders, with median earnings of $101.8K per year.