Professional Accounting Certificate - Track 2 - Career Certificate

Strengthen your accounting credentials

Become a certified public accountant (CPA) and get promoted. With a bachelor’s degree (in any area), you can earn a certificate in Professional Accounting within 2 years and qualify to take the CPA exam. Most students who complete this certificate at CLC pass the CPA exam on their first sitting—at nearly an 80% higher pass rate than the national average!

What can you do with a Professional Accounting Certificate?

Complete this certificate to advance your career in accounting. Many students take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination after graduation to become licensed CPAs.

After becoming a licensed CPA, you can begin a career in any of the following roles:

auditor
controller
financial analyst
staff accountant
tax accountant

Becoming a CPA: The exam and what else you need to know

After completing the certificate, you’re eligible to take the uniform CPA exam. This exam protects the public by ensuring that only qualified individuals become CPAs. There are four parts to the exam:

Financial Accounting and Reporting
Auditing and Attestation
Taxation and Regulation
Choice of one of the following exams:
- Business Analysis and Reporting
- Information Systems and Controls
- Tax Compliance and Planning

Before you embark on a career as a CPA, you also need to pass an ethics exam and work under the mentorship of a CPA for one year. Learn more about the CPA exam and requirements in Illinois.

Highlights

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Program Length: 1.5 Years

Full-time students can complete in 1.5 years.

Career Outlook

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $51,506
  
  Median
  
  $83,067
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $151,420
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $24.76
  
  Median
  
  $39.93
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $72.79
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  39.48%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  14.08%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  43.6%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  2.84%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $33,978
  
  Median
  
  $50,333
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $83,580
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.33
  
  Median
  
  $24.19
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $40.18
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  47.24%
  
  Certificate
  
  20.79%
  
  Some college
  
  4.72%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  8.54%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  12.19%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  6.52%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Perform duties related to the purchase, sale, or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $42,229
  
  Median
  
  $62,185
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $98,101
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $20.30
  
  Median
  
  $29.89
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $47.16
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  29.13%
  
  Some college
  
  19.95%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  12.69%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  38.23%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $62,960
  
  Median
  
  $93,553
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $131,373
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $30.26
  
  Median
  
  $44.97
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $63.15
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  10.06%
  
  Some college
  
  3.28%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  10.63%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  63.99%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  12.04%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $60,229
  
  Median
  
  $88,984
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $184,950
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $28.95
  
  Median
  
  $42.78
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $88.92
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  95%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  5%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $63,344
  
  Median
  
  $100,935
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $220,657
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $30.45
  
  Median
  
  $48.52
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $106.08
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Associate Degree
  
  2.42%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  62.17%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  35.41%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $65,960
  
  Median
  
  $82,720
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $161,051
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $31.70
  
  Median
  
  $39.77
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $77.42
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  95.66%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  4.35%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

View more careers

Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.

Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.

Talk to a CCN

Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

Icon Key

Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
CLC 120	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.	2
ACC 121	ACC 121 Financial Accounting Class Description This is an introductory course focusing on financial reporting for external users. Course coverage includes basic accounting principles, the accounting cycle with an emphasis on transaction analysis, and financial statements. Specific course topics include the valuation and reporting of cash, receivables, inventory, long-term assets, current and long-term liabilities and stockholders' equity.	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	CLC 120
Course Title	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 121
Course Title	ACC 121 Financial Accounting Class Description This is an introductory course focusing on financial reporting for external users. Course coverage includes basic accounting principles, the accounting cycle with an emphasis on transaction analysis, and financial statements. Specific course topics include the valuation and reporting of cash, receivables, inventory, long-term assets, current and long-term liabilities and stockholders' equity.
Credits	4

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
ACC 122	ACC 122 Managerial Accounting Class Description This introductory course in managerial accounting focuses on internal planning and control. Emphasis is on identifying and applying relevant accounting and financial information for management decisions. Topical areas include product costing, operational control, cost allocation, capital budgeting, profit planning, performance reporting, and variance analysis.	4
ACC 212	ACC 212 Federal Taxation of Individuals Class Description This course involves the practical study of Federal Tax Law as related to the individual and sole proprietorship. Topics covered include history of Federal Income Tax, Personal and Dependency Exemptions, Cash and Accrual Methods, Gross Income inclusions and exclusions, Depreciation Methods, Property Transactions, Realization and Recognition of Gain or Loss, Deductions for and from Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), Itemized Deductions, Passive Activity rules and Tax Credits.	3
ACC 221	ACC 221 Intermediate Accounting I Class Description An intensive study of financial accounting theory and procedures involving the topical areas of accounting standards and theory development, the statements of income, retained earnings, and financial position, time value of money, cash, receivables, inventory, plant assets, depreciation, intangible assets and current liabilities. Grade of "B" or better in Financial and Managerial Accounting (ACC121 and ACC122) is recommended, grade of "C" or better is required.	4
BUS 221	BUS 221 Business Law I Class Description This course introduces principles of American law governing business and personal transactions. Areas covered include contracts, torts, agency, employment, and business structures. The course also introduces the American legal environment: the court system, the lawmaking process, and government regulation. Note: BUS 221 and LGL 221 are cross-listed	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 122
Course Title	ACC 122 Managerial Accounting Class Description This introductory course in managerial accounting focuses on internal planning and control. Emphasis is on identifying and applying relevant accounting and financial information for management decisions. Topical areas include product costing, operational control, cost allocation, capital budgeting, profit planning, performance reporting, and variance analysis.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 212
Course Title	ACC 212 Federal Taxation of Individuals Class Description This course involves the practical study of Federal Tax Law as related to the individual and sole proprietorship. Topics covered include history of Federal Income Tax, Personal and Dependency Exemptions, Cash and Accrual Methods, Gross Income inclusions and exclusions, Depreciation Methods, Property Transactions, Realization and Recognition of Gain or Loss, Deductions for and from Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), Itemized Deductions, Passive Activity rules and Tax Credits.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 221
Course Title	ACC 221 Intermediate Accounting I Class Description An intensive study of financial accounting theory and procedures involving the topical areas of accounting standards and theory development, the statements of income, retained earnings, and financial position, time value of money, cash, receivables, inventory, plant assets, depreciation, intangible assets and current liabilities. Grade of "B" or better in Financial and Managerial Accounting (ACC121 and ACC122) is recommended, grade of "C" or better is required.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	BUS 221
Course Title	BUS 221 Business Law I Class Description This course introduces principles of American law governing business and personal transactions. Areas covered include contracts, torts, agency, employment, and business structures. The course also introduces the American legal environment: the court system, the lawmaking process, and government regulation. Note: BUS 221 and LGL 221 are cross-listed
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
ACC 213	ACC 213 Federal Taxation of Entities Class Description This course is an introduction to corporate, partnership, gift, estate, and international taxation. The overall emphasis of the course is on the taxation of corporations and flow-through entities. The student will also become familiar with various related subjects including Alternative Minimum Tax, Accumulated Earnings Tax, Gift and Estate Tax, and International Taxation.	3
ACC 214	ACC 214 Cost Accounting Class Description This course is an advanced study of the information required in management planning and control systems. The emphasis is on the systematic application of cost accounting concepts as a tool for management decisions. Topical areas include product costing, operational control, cost allocation, budgeting, inventory control, analysis of cost-volume-profit relationships, and variance analysis.	3
ACC 222	ACC 222 Intermediate Accounting II Class Description An intensive continuation of the study of financial accounting theory and procedures involving the topical areas of accounting for long term liabilities, shareholder equity, investments, revenue recognition, financial analysis, preparation of the Statement of Cash Flows, accounting for income taxes, pensions, leases, changes and errors, and disclosure.	4
ACC 252	ACC 252 Research Topics in Taxation Class Description This course summarizes the art of navigating the federal income tax laws, as well as other authoritative literature, and developing a supportable conclusion to tax issues that do not possess definitive answers. This course will expose students to a variety of tax authoritative documents, as well as their citations. Students will be trained to use tax research software and will ultimately be assessed on their ability to create and communicate defensible tax positions.	1
BUS 132	BUS 132 Business Ethics Class Description This course introduces students to the principal ethical theories and concepts of human conduct and character and will provide a critical evaluation of these theories and concepts as they apply to particular moral problems and business decision making and policy. The class will evaluate the principles, values and standards that guide behavior in the business world. Students will study and analyze various business scenarios to determine ethical and non-ethical behavior. This course will include a large amount of case study work to aid students in identifying ethical behavior in the current business environment and provide opportunities to practice sound ethical decision making.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 213
Course Title	ACC 213 Federal Taxation of Entities Class Description This course is an introduction to corporate, partnership, gift, estate, and international taxation. The overall emphasis of the course is on the taxation of corporations and flow-through entities. The student will also become familiar with various related subjects including Alternative Minimum Tax, Accumulated Earnings Tax, Gift and Estate Tax, and International Taxation.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 214
Course Title	ACC 214 Cost Accounting Class Description This course is an advanced study of the information required in management planning and control systems. The emphasis is on the systematic application of cost accounting concepts as a tool for management decisions. Topical areas include product costing, operational control, cost allocation, budgeting, inventory control, analysis of cost-volume-profit relationships, and variance analysis.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 222
Course Title	ACC 222 Intermediate Accounting II Class Description An intensive continuation of the study of financial accounting theory and procedures involving the topical areas of accounting for long term liabilities, shareholder equity, investments, revenue recognition, financial analysis, preparation of the Statement of Cash Flows, accounting for income taxes, pensions, leases, changes and errors, and disclosure.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 252
Course Title	ACC 252 Research Topics in Taxation Class Description This course summarizes the art of navigating the federal income tax laws, as well as other authoritative literature, and developing a supportable conclusion to tax issues that do not possess definitive answers. This course will expose students to a variety of tax authoritative documents, as well as their citations. Students will be trained to use tax research software and will ultimately be assessed on their ability to create and communicate defensible tax positions.
Credits	1

Course Highlights
Course Code	BUS 132
Course Title	BUS 132 Business Ethics Class Description This course introduces students to the principal ethical theories and concepts of human conduct and character and will provide a critical evaluation of these theories and concepts as they apply to particular moral problems and business decision making and policy. The class will evaluate the principles, values and standards that guide behavior in the business world. Students will study and analyze various business scenarios to determine ethical and non-ethical behavior. This course will include a large amount of case study work to aid students in identifying ethical behavior in the current business environment and provide opportunities to practice sound ethical decision making.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
ACC 251	ACC 251 Financial Accounting Research Class Description This course is an introduction to the research process as it applies to financial accounting. The primary focus will be on the use of an Internet based research system to obtain authoritative evidence to support answers to accounting questions.	1
ACC 271	ACC 271 Auditing Class Description An intensive study of theory and procedures applied in the performance of an audit including the topical areas of audit reporting, auditing standards and evidence, components of audit risk, and the evaluation and impact of internal control environment and information systems. The legal, ethical and regulatory dimensions will be examined with emphasis on how government affects auditing and financial reporting through Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other relevant acts.	3
BUS 237	BUS 237 Managerial Communication Class Description This course will guide students in developing the communication skills needed to be successful as a manager. The course is organized in a workshop format, in which students develop, refine and practice communication skills used by successful managers. The course includes a focus on both oral and written skills used in business at a management level. The content of the course will also include a focus on organization, non-verbal (both delivery and listening) and presentation skills. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to prepare written business documents such as proposals, memos, and emails; organize and conduct meetings and write meeting minutes; and make formal and informal business presentations. Students will have developed communication skills that effectively inform and persuade their audience in addition to enhancing their credibility as managers. AMT 237 and BUS 237 are cross-listed.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 251
Course Title	ACC 251 Financial Accounting Research Class Description This course is an introduction to the research process as it applies to financial accounting. The primary focus will be on the use of an Internet based research system to obtain authoritative evidence to support answers to accounting questions.
Credits	1

Course Highlights
Course Code	ACC 271
Course Title	ACC 271 Auditing Class Description An intensive study of theory and procedures applied in the performance of an audit including the topical areas of audit reporting, auditing standards and evidence, components of audit risk, and the evaluation and impact of internal control environment and information systems. The legal, ethical and regulatory dimensions will be examined with emphasis on how government affects auditing and financial reporting through Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other relevant acts.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	BUS 237
Course Title	BUS 237 Managerial Communication Class Description This course will guide students in developing the communication skills needed to be successful as a manager. The course is organized in a workshop format, in which students develop, refine and practice communication skills used by successful managers. The course includes a focus on both oral and written skills used in business at a management level. The content of the course will also include a focus on organization, non-verbal (both delivery and listening) and presentation skills. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to prepare written business documents such as proposals, memos, and emails; organize and conduct meetings and write meeting minutes; and make formal and informal business presentations. Students will have developed communication skills that effectively inform and persuade their audience in addition to enhancing their credibility as managers. AMT 237 and BUS 237 are cross-listed.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

41

Accounting at CLC: Get the bigger picture

A certificate is just one possible way to study accounting. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Accounting Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the certificate can be completed 100% online. Classes are offered both in classroom environments and online. Most students in this program are working adults, many with full-time jobs. This program allows students to continue working while they take classes.
The professional accounting certificate is a total of 33 credit hours, plus 8 credit hours for ACC 121 and 122. Students take 1.5 to 2 years to complete this program, on average.
Expect to develop these in-demand abilities for a career in accounting:
- preparation of financial statements and regulatory documents
- conduct financial accounting and tax accounting research
- knowledge of auditing practices
- knowledge of accounting practices
- knowledge of general business practices, including compliance procedures, critical thinking and problem-solving
- quantitative comprehension and data analysis
- taxation of businesses and individuals, including experience with U.S. tax forms
Classes blend active and instructor-led learning—whether they are face-to-face or online. You learn through lectures, discussions and exercises. Solve real-world problems and discuss real-life career successes and challenges with other students.
CLC accounting faculty have relevant industry experience in tax accounting and reporting, auditing and compliance, financial analysis, planning and budgeting, financial modeling and capital investment. You receive a high quality education because of the extensive experience and educational accomplishments of CLC instructors.
Yes. If you earned a bachelor's degree and intend to sit for the CPA exam, this certificate is right for you!
Meet with an accounting instructor to discuss your plan of study for the CPA exam. Before you qualify to take the CPA exam in Illinois, you must satisfy all of the following requirements:
- earned a bachelor’s degree (in any field)
- completed 150 semester hours of college credit
- completed 30 semester hours of accounting credit (included in the 150 credits listed above) courses in the subjects of financial, managerial, taxation and auditing
- completed 24 semester hours in business, including Business Ethics (BUS 132) and Managerial Communication (BUS 237)
Please note: Although BUS 237 is a 3-credit course, only 2 hours of BUS 237 count toward the required 24 semester hours in business.

*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.

Paying for college

Explore careers

Discover majors and career paths to complement and extend your intuitive interests and abilities.

Explore Career Coach

Request info

Your education is a big investment of your time, money and attention. Gather all the info you need.

Send me info

Get started

Start your application today—it’s free and easy to complete. When you’re ready, we’re ready to help you take the next step.

Start today!

Professional Accounting - Track 2

Strengthen your accounting credentials

What can you do with a Professional Accounting Certificate?

Becoming a CPA: The exam and what else you need to know

Highlights

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Program Length: 1.5 Years

Career Outlook

Accountants and Auditors

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Brokerage Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Budget Analysts

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Credit Analysts

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Financial and Investment Analysts

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Financial Examiners

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

Icon Key

Semester 1 6 Credits

Semester 2 14 Credits

Semester 3 14 Credits

Semester 4 7 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Accounting at CLC: Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

Can I complete this program online?

How long will this program take to complete?

What skills will I obtain?

What will classes be like?

Will this certificate prepare me to take the CPA?

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

Explore careers

Request info

Get started