CPA Pathways, CERT
for the Graduate Certificate in CPA Pathways (online)
The CPA Pathways Graduate Certificate combines advanced technical knowledge in financial accounting, taxation, and data analytics with professional competencies in critical thinking, communication, leadership, and strategic decision-making. Students will study advanced principles, concepts, and methods used to record and report the transactions and taxation of a business entity, as well as the data analytics tools and processes to analyze accounting information. Students will also apply their knowledge in practical, real-world settings via experiential learning opportunities. Career opportunities for students who complete the CPA Pathways Graduate Certificate include positions in audit and assurance services, corporate accounting, taxation, consulting and advisory services, and in governmental and not-for-profit entities.
Admission
To learn more about this graduate certificate, including details about the admissions process, visit the CPA Pathways Graduate Certificate website.
for the Graduate Certificate in CPA Pathways (online)
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.75
Minimum hours required for certificate completion: 12 hours
Students who have successfully completed the CPA Pathways certificate may use the certificate to satisfy the following degree requirements, provided they apply and are admitted to the degree program:
12 hours of elective coursework requirements of the iMBA degree program
12 hours of elective coursework requirements of the iMSM degree program
12 hours of elective coursework requirements of the iMSA degree program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required: | ||
| ACCY 569 | Data Driven Decisions in Accounting | 2 |
| ACCY 576 | Data Preparation for Accounting | 2 |
| Select at least 2 credit hours from the following list: | ||
| ACCY 504 | Auditing | 2 or 4 |
| ACCY 506 | Advanced Topics in Accounting | 4 |
| ACCY 507 | Taxation of Business Entities | 2 or 4 |
| ACCY 516 | Professional Responsibility and Ethics for Accountants | 3 or 4 |
| ACCY 517 | Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation | 2 or 4 |
| Select the balance of 12 credit hours from the list above or the list below: | ||
| ACCY 577 | Machine Learning for Accounting | 2 |
| ACCY 578 | Accounting Analytics Applications | 1 |
| BADM 403 | Corporate & Commercial Law | 4 |
| MBA 563 | Data Toolkit: Business Data Modeling & Predictive Analytics | 4 |
| MBA 564 | Data Analytics Applications in Business | 2 |
| MBA 565 | Infonomics | 4 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
for the Graduate Certificate in CPA Pathways (online)
The learning objectives primarily include the ability to understand and evaluate:
- The courses in the CPA Pathways Graduate Certificate can be used to meet the educational requirements for the Uniform CPA Exam.
- Accounting for mergers and acquisitions: investment accounting, preparation of consolidated financial statements, business combination achieved in stages, divestitures and deconsolidations, segment reporting, goodwill / allocation impairment, and variable interest entities.
- The U.S. federal income tax treatment of corporations and pass-through entities, including Subchapter S corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies;
- A variety of tools to break apart financial reports into meaningful units for analysis, forecast financial statements, and value a firm and the models necessary to analyze, interpret, understand, and use financial information in a valuation setting.
- Methods to (i) apply data analytics in a variety of accounting and business contexts, (ii) critically solve business problems using data-intensive business and accounting information, and (iii) synthesize and effectively communicate data-intensive information, findings, and conclusions to other environment-constituents, including supervisors, peers and subordinates, clients, and regulatory agencies.
for the Graduate Certificate in CPA Pathways (online)
Chair of Department: Michael Donohoe
Director of Graduate Studies: Justin Leiby
Associate Director of Graduate Studies: Ashley Lamb
Department website
College website
Graduate Admissions
Gies College Admissions & Requirements
360 Wohlers Hall, 1206 South Sixth, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-0857
Department email