University Certificate in Accounting

Athabasca University’s online University Certificate in Accounting is an ideal starting point to develop the skills and knowledge of an accounting professional. You will gain a basic understanding of technical and theoretical aspects of the accounting field, including

• financial accounting
• cost analysis
• microeconomics
• macroeconomics
• commercial law
• statistics

If you are interested in becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), many of the certificate courses cover the prerequisites required to start pursuing your designation.

Why take the University Certificate in Accounting?

Completing the University Certificate in Accounting prepares you for AU’s Advanced Certificate in Accounting. Completing both certificates puts you well on your way to earning your Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and many of the courses required to meet CPA requirements.

As a result of completing this program, students should be able to

• demonstrate a basic understanding of technical and theoretical aspects of the accounting field, including financial accounting, cost analysis, microeconomics and macroeconomics, commercial law and statistics, in order to obtain credit transfer that meets the educational requirements of the CPA professional accounting association.
• demonstrate ethical values, global awareness and technological skills in identifying problems and issues as well as making decisions related to business problems.
• recognize that the body of knowledge in the field of accounting and business is continually evolving, as is the legal and regulatory environment within which accounting is performed.

Possible Career Options

• Bookkeeper
• Accounting Clerk
• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Accounts Receivable Clerk
• Audit Clerk
• Billing Clerk
• Budget Clerk
• Costing Clerk
• Deposit Clerk
• Finance Clerk
• Freight-Rate Clerk
• Income Tax Return Preparer
• Invoice Clerk
• Ledger Clerk
• Tax Clerk
• Actuarial Clerk
• Bank Clerk
• Credit Clerk
• Dental Claims Clerk
• Dividend Calculation Clerk
• Insurance Clerk
• Insurance Rater
• Ledger Control Clerk
• Loan Clerk
• Mortgage Clerk
• Premium Rater
• Real Estate Clerk
• Securities Clerk
• Benefits Officer
• Pay Advisor
• Pay and Benefits Administrator
• Pay and Benefits Clerk
• Pay Clerk
• Payroll Clerk
• Payroll Officer
• Salary Administration Officer

• Completion of high school in an English-speaking country.
• Completion of 15 university credits from a recognized English-speaking university, or 1 year at a non-university post-secondary institution with an overall average of 75% (GPA of 3.0).

English is the language of instruction and communication in SCIS graduate programs.

Proficiency in English is an essential requirement for admission to SCIS graduate programs. Although working and studying online requires a different level of English language skills than does the classroom situation, students must nevertheless be able to communicate effectively with faculty, administration, and with other students.

For more information on the English Language Prociency Requirements for Graduate Studies please refer to the AU graduate calendar.

• Minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• Minimum score of 60% on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
• Minimum score of 80 on the Michigan English Language Battery (MELAB) test.
• Minimum score of 59 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
• Minimum score of 213 on the computer- or paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with 4.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE).
• Minimum score of 80 with an essay score of 20 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
• Successful completion of AU’s English Language Proficiency Program with an overall average of 75% (GPA of 3.0).
• See the English Language Proficiency Requirements Policy for further details.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online any time. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee, you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

You should enrol as an unclassified (non-program) student if you want to take the English Language Proficiency Program.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program