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Accounting

Graduate Certificate

About this program

The Graduate Certificate in Accounting helps you prepare for the Certified Public Accountant exam and advance your career. You will build skills in areas like financial accounting, tax, auditing and ethics. The program offers flexible course options and is located at the Downtown Campus near the Financial District. It is also a good choice if you are exploring graduate study in accounting or need U.S.-specific coursework to meet CPA requirements.

Program Curriculum and Requirements

Graduate Certificate

What you can do

Employment Opportunities

A Graduate Certificate in Accounting prepares you for careers such as:

Accountants and Auditors, Budget Analysts, Financial Managers, Personal Financial Advisors

Program Scope

A graduate-level academic certificate in accounting is offered to those who wish to reach the eligibility requirement of 150 credits of coursework to practice as a certified public accountant (CPA) in California.

This may also appeal to individuals working in accounting who wish to update their knowledge and skills. This program is also appropriate for individuals with accounting degrees from other countries who wish to prepare for the CPA exam by taking courses specific to American accounting regulations.

Program features

The certificate offers students flexibility in choosing from a variety of courses in different areas of accounting. The program is held at the San Francisco State University Downtown Campus, close to the financial district with plenty of opportunities for part-time and full-time work.

Program Learning Outcomes

Develop key skills for students in their preparation for the certified public accountancy examination and a professional career in accounting, including:

  • Financial Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis or Accounting Data Analytics
  • Tax or Managerial Accounting
  • Audit, Business Law, Accounting Information Systems or Ethics

Admissions Information

Individuals with a bachelor’s degree, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and who have completed an Introduction to (or Basic) Financial Accounting course within the past 7 years, are eligible to apply for the certificate.

We welcome applications from current matriculated San Francisco State University graduate students and non-matriculated post-baccalaureate domestic students interested in the study of accounting.

Current MBA, MSA, MSAA or MSBA students are not required to apply for admissions into a graduate business certificate program. The requirements can be met while seeking the graduate business degree.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with deadlines in May and October.

Ready to apply? Visit the Graduate Students page to get started.

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Questions about the program or how to apply? Don’t hesitate to reach out.

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