Florida requires, among other things, that candidates for the CPA examination complete 36 semester hours in accounting and/or tax above the principles level, and two courses in business law. Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in accounting from UWF typically need 9 additional semester hours in accounting/tax and the second law course to meet this requirement.
To assist students who fall into this category, the Department of Accounting and Finance offers an online graduate level Accounting Certificate program. This certificate is designed for students and accounting professionals with a bachelor's degree in accounting or equivalent, who need the additional four courses to sit for the CPA examination in Florida. The certificate program, which can be completed in two to three semesters, requires successful completion of 12 semester hours comprised of the following graduate courses:
- ACG 5205 - Advanced Financial Accounting
- ACG 5658 - Non-Profit Accounting and Auditing
- TAX 5105 - Corporate Tax
- BUL 5831 - Commercial Law
Although these classes are online, they do require proctored exams.
A GMAT score is not required for the Accounting Certificate program. Students, however, need to be either degree or non-degree seeking at UWF in order to enroll in the certificate classes. Students who are not graduates of the UWF Accounting Program will also need to supply a copy of their undergraduate accounting transcript. The copy of the transcript should be sent to Dr. Robert Fahnestock by mail (11000 University Parkway, Building 76, Pensacola, FL 32514), by e-mail (rfahnest@uwf.edu), or by fax (850.473.7060). More information on applying to UWF is available here. The application for the Certificate in Professional Accountancy is available here. For additional information, please contact Dr. Robert Fahnestock, Chairperson of the Department of Accounting and Finance (850.474.2719 or rfahnest@uwf.edu).
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How can I determine what courses I need to sit for the CPA exam in Florida?
Information about requirements can be found on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation web site, or by calling the Florida Board of Accountancy at 352.333.2505.
- What is considered equivalent to a bachelor's degree in accounting?
If you do not have a bachelor's degree in accounting, you will need to complete the foundational proficiencies required for the Master of Accountancy.
- I took Advanced Accounting in my undergraduate program. Can I still enroll in the certificate program?
Yes. If any of the certificate courses were taken as part of your undergraduate degree requirements, a substitution will be made in the certificate program. The specific substitution will be dependant on what other courses you took in your undergraduate program, and what additional courses you need to be successful on the CPA exam.
- After completing my undergraduate degree, I took Advanced Accounting because I needed the additional hours. Will I have to take another course in place of Advanced Accounting in the certificate program?
No. Any of the certificate courses that you successfully completed outside of the bachelor's degree program requirements will be treated as completed for the certificate.
- What is the minimum grade required in certificate courses?
A minimum grade of C is required in all certificate courses.
- Is there a minimum overall GPA in all of the certificate courses?
Yes, in order to receive the certificate, you must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in the certificate courses.
- What if I enroll in the certificate program and later decide that I want to pursue the Master of Accountancy (MAcc)?
Although the GMAT is not required for the certificate program, it is required for the MAcc. Once admitted to the MAcc, you can petition for the certificate courses to be included in your MAcc program.
- What is a proctored exam?
A proctored exam is one that is overseen by an impartial individual (called a proctor) who monitors or supervises a student while he or she is taking the exam. Thus, a proctored exam requires the student to be physically present when taking the exam.
- I don't live in the Pensacola or Ft. Walton Beach area, but would like to take the certificate courses. Will this be a problem for examinations?
No. If you live outside of the Pensacola or Ft. Walton Beach area, you can make arrangements to take any required proctored examinations at an alternate location, so long as that location is in the United States and approved by the professor. For example, you could arrange to take the proctored examinations at a testing center at a university or junior college in your locale, at a library, or other site approved by your instructor.
- I would like to enroll in the certificate program, but don't want to take the courses online. Is there a traditional face-to-face alternative?
Yes. All of the certificate courses are offered both online and face-to-face.
- Does the Department offer the bachelor's degree in accounting online?
No. The bachelor's degree is accounting is offered in the traditional face-to-face format.
- Are there other accounting courses that the Department also offers online in addition to the certificate courses?
Yes, the Department also offers the following courses online:
- ACG 3403 - Accounting Information Systems
- ACG 4151 - Accounting Theory
- ACG 4174 - Special Topics in Accounting
- ACG 5807 - Special Topics in Accounting
- ACG 4403 - Intermediate AIS
- ACG 4411 - AIS Special Topics
- ACG 4682 - Forensic Accounting I
- ACG 4683 - Forensic Accounting II
- Do I have to take two courses per semester?
No. The courses are offered at that rate to expedite the completion of the program for those able to take two courses per semester.
- Do I have to pay out-of-state fees if I do not live in Florida?
No. The courses in the certificate program are eligible for the out-of-state fee waiver program administered by the University's Academic Technology Center.
