Online Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate Program
Generally, the Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate is designed for individuals who haven’t previously studied accounting. It will help business professionals develop a solid foundation in the principles and practices of accounting, including financial reporting, cost accounting, and taxation, through online introductory and intermediate accounting courses. This certificate is especially designed for small business owners, aspiring entry level financial accountants, aspiring entry level cost accountants, managers with budget responsibilities, and other individuals who use and rely on accounting information to make business decisions. Students can tailor the certificate to their specific needs by choosing one of the courses required to complete the certificate.
Students who complete the Fundamentals program will be ready to take advanced-level accounting courses, particularly those included in the Advanced Accounting Certificate program.
Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate Program Goals and Courses
Program Goals
Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate students will demonstrate an understanding of:
The financial accounting process, including the identification, recording, and communication of accounting information to external users using generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
The managerial accounting process, including cost classification, analysis, and reporting using job order, standard, process, and activity-based costing systems, and the principles underlying the budgeting process.
Financial information reported in financial statements and annual reports.
The field of taxation with particular attention to individual income taxation at the Federal level.
Required Courses
Students are required to complete four courses.
The following three courses are required:
ACCOUNT 201 Intro to Financial Accounting
ACCOUNT 202 Intro to Managerial Accounting
ACCOUNT 208 Income Tax I
In addition, one of the following courses is required:
Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate Program Tuition
Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
Admission for the Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate Program
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.
Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate Program Registration Information
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.
Find out more about the Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate Program
Program Courses:
Course Detail
Introduction to Financial Accounting <> ACCOUNT 201-DL
Introduction to Financial Accounting covers the foundational
concepts of accounting and the fundamental basics of financial
statements, allowing students to identify, measure, and record
accounting information, as well as communicate that information to
external users. Specific topics will include the accounting cycle,
accrual accounting, receivables, inventory and cost of goods sold,
depreciation, debt vs. equity financing, and stockholders' equity.
By the end of this course, students will be proficient in preparing
financial statements and applying key ratios to analyze specific
financial information. Students will join group discussions,
complete online homework assignments and individual projects, and
complete online examinations.
This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will
be added to tuition.
Introduction to Managerial Accounting <> ACCOUNT 202-DL
A continuation of the introduction to accounting, with emphasis
on providing relevant and timely accounting information and
analysis to managers for use in planning, decision making, and
controlling strategic operational objectives. Topics include the
classifications of costs and different ways of reporting and
analyzing those costs; the operating budgeting process; capital
budgeting; and job-order, standard, process, and activity-based
costing systems. To enhance the overall understanding of the
textbook material, practical business references will be made
through the use of videos and selected article reading.
Prerequisite: ACCOUNT 201-DL or similar knowledge is
expected.
This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will
be added to tuition.
Introduction to the field of taxation, with attention to
individual income taxation. Gross income, capital gains,
deductions, and alternate tax methods. IRS forms used.
Prerequisite: completion of or concurrent enrolled in ACCOUNT
202-DL
This course is conducted completely online. A technology
fee will be added to tuition.
This course is a continuation in the field of taxation with
particular attention to the field of corporate and business
taxation at the Federal level. Corporate formation and capital
structure, corporate income tax, other corporate levies,
consolidated tax returns, partnerships, and S-corporations are
among the topics covered. Some IRS forms will be used, but the
emphasis will be upon a deeper understanding of federal tax
law.
Prerequisite: completion of ACCOUNT 202-DL and ACCOUNT
208-DL
This course is conducted completely online. A technology
fee will be added to tuition.
Managerial uses of cost data in planning, controlling, and
evaluating organizational activities and in making business
decisions. Topics include discussion of activity-based costing,
standard costs, inventory costing, and review of cost allocation
techniques. In addition, contemporary topics, including pricing
decisions, balanced scorecard, and capital budgeting techniques
will be discussed, along with ethical and behavioral issues
addressing both manufacturing and service sectors. Prerequisite:
ACCOUNT 202.
This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will
be added to tuition.
This course is designed for students who wish to explore the
forensic accounting profession. Students completing this course
will have a basic understanding of forensic accounting, research,
and investigative skills and will become knowledgeable about areas
of the law relating to fraud examination and litigation services.
The skills they develop will enable students to collect evidence,
identify red flags of fraud, analyze financial information, develop
investigative techniques, and interpret and communicate their
findings.
Starting in AY 25-26 this course will be renamed to
ACCOUNT 320-DL: Forensic Accounting
Prerequisite: completion of ACCOUNT 201-DL
This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will
be added to tuition.
