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Why This Certificate is For You

THinking of a career move?

The UBalt Fundamentals in Accounting post-baccalaureate certificate can help you progress to higher-level roles, such as accountant, financial analyst, or auditor. While a bachelor's degree in accounting is typically the traditional path to becoming a CPA, an accounting certificate can offer significant advantages for non-business majors who aspire to this career.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Business and Entrepreneurship

Program Type

Certificate
CERT

Locations/Format

UBalt Campus

Cost

More About Graduate Business (non-MBA)
• UBalt offers regional, in-state tuition for select out-of-state areas.

Requirements

12 credit hours

The certificate aligns with: 

No test requirements for admission.

Graduate Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals

The 12-credit graduate certificate in Accounting Fundamentals is designed primarily for individuals who want to strengthen their understanding of accounting or individuals seeking to fulfill some of the accounting requirements to sit for the CPA examination. While many student want to brush-up on their skills, many use the certificate as a launching pad for our master's programs.

 

The certificate courses may satisfy six elective credits in the MBA program or twelve of the prerequisite credits in the M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services program.

 

Learn more about the admission process.

 

EMPOWERING YOUR FUTURE

Want a career with great job prospects? Accounting could be the perfect fit! With a projected growth of six percent over the next decade, there's a strong demand for accountants and auditors. That means plenty of job openings every year. 

Accountants and auditors do exciting work like:

  • Uncovering the financial story: Analyzing financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance.
  • Mastering the tax code: Calculating taxes, preparing returns, and ensuring timely payments.
  • Protecting the bottom line: Inspecting accounts and systems for efficiency and identifying potential fraud risks.
  • Organizing the financial world: Maintaining accurate and organized financial records.
  • Strategic problem-solving: Assessing financial operations, identifying challenges, and recommending solutions to improve business performance.
  • Driving business growth: Suggesting ways to reduce costs, increase revenue, and boost profits.

What Our Graduates Do

Many of our certificate students are career-changers. They begin with the certificate and then evaluate the professional development goals.

Common Roles

  • Government Accountant
  • Management Accountant
  • Public Accountant
  • External and Internal Auditors
Dean Raju Balakrishnan and three male Merrick School of Business students

A Message from Dean Raju Balakrishnan

A degree from the Merrick School of Business is more than just a qualification; it's a passport to a world of opportunity.
Raju Balakrishnan, Ph.D. Dean, Merrick School of Business
Read Full Story

Admission Information

Your application will be accepted on a rolling basis but you can use these dates as a guide.

  • Fall: Aug.15
  • Spring: Jan. 1
  • Summer: May 1

Admission will be offered depending on availability of space, strength of your credentials and sufficiency of time for processing.

Questions?

Contact an admission counselor at 410.837.4777 or gradadmission@ubalt.edu.

 Let us know when you are ready to earn your Accounting Fundamentals Certificate by applying to the program. Our will only take you a few minutes to complete. Before you submit the application, you’ll be asked to use your credit card or bank account to pay the $50 application fee.

Insider tips:
The earlier you apply and submit a completed application, the faster you’ll receive an admission decision. Each one of your supporting admission documents may be sent individually. Your admission portal will keep track of what the UBalt Admission team has received.

When you attend an information session or discuss your application with an Admission counselor or Merrick School of Business representative be sure to get your application fee waiver code and save yourself $50.

A bachelor’s degree in any field is required for admittance into the  certificate. This program is open to students without an accounting undergraduate degree as well as those who have earned an accounting-focused bachelor’s degree. The undergraduate GPA for admitted students typically ranges from 2.9 to 4.0.

Historically, admitted students have average cumulative GPA's of 3.2 and come from a variety of academic majors.

A key factor for all applicants is the undergraduate GPA, although graduate coursework will be taken into account. Request your official transcripts as soon as possible, as they can take time to print, prepare and mail. The Office of Admission requires original transcripts from all universities you’ve attended. It’s easiest to have the institution send your transcript directly to us.

If you are mailing an institution’s transcript, do not break the seal upon receipt. If you attended a non-U.S. institution, you must provide the official transcript and a transcript evaluation with a course-by-course analysis conducted by a such as World Education Services. 

Send your resume to our team to documents@ubalt.edu. By submitting your resume you are signaling that you are a polished professional. That’s great because our students are professionals who are looking to enhance or change their careers. The diversity of your overall work experience is important to us.  

The Admissions Committee holistically considers your transcripts, work experience, personal statement and professional recommendation in the evaluation process.

Your personal statement is important, so take your time writing it. Please submit it to documents@ubalt.edu

Clearly tell the admissions committee more about your background and your interests. Share the reasons why you are interested in pursuing a ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ Accounting Fundamentals Certificate.

Include your thoughts about how the program will assist you in achieving your academic and professional development goals. Make sure your essay is well written and exhibits a high level of academic and professional competency. Again, don’t forget to proofread for grammatical and spelling errors. 

One recommendation letter is required for candidates with a GPA less than 3.0.  It should come from someone with the ability to evaluate your academic aptitude and/or professional experience, such as a professor, supervisor, project partner, or mentor.

Candidates with a GPA above 3.0 are not required to submit a letter of recommendation but it is welcomed.

Examples should include details of your work history, thoughts on your competence as an employee, an explanation of why they think you’d be a successful Accounting Fundamentals candidate, description of your academic ability, etc.

Ask the writers to put their letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes with their signatures on the back flap. Give those individuals who are writing your letters of recommendation at least two weeks—but preferably a month—to complete the task. This allows them to take their time and communicate their thoughts and recommendations of the likelihood that you will succeed in the program.

The ¼«ÀÖ½ûµØ
Office of Graduate Admission
1420 N. Charles St.
¼«ÀÖ½ûµØe, MD 21201

documents@ubalt.edu

UPCOMING ADMISSION INFORMATION SESSIONS

  • Monday, May 12, 2025 from 6-7 p.m. | Virtual Session |
  • Monday, Jun. 9, 2025 from 6-7 p.m. | Virtual Session | 

GRADUATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Ready to move your career forward? Have a conversation with our graduate program director.

Dr. Mikhail Pevzner

Email: mpevzner@ubalt.edu 
Phone: 410.837.5862

 

 

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Merrick Advising Center

Advising appointments may be scheduled in the Student Success Hub in the UBalt portal.
Advising Team

 

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