The demand for accountants and auditors is on the rise.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for those positions will increase 11 percent and it is forecasted that at least 142,000 new accounting jobs will be created by 2024.
To help meet the job market needs, Radford University will begin offering an accounting certificate in the fall.
The one-year Accounting Certificate program consists of 30 credit hours, which includes the six-credit-hour prerequisite courses. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a cumulative 2.5 GPA or better. Individuals must have completed accounting 211 and 212 courses or an equivalent to begin the certificate program.
The program will be offered through Radford University’s Department of Accounting, Finance and Business Law.
“It is a perfect opportunity for business majors to improve their options and it gives non-business majors a chance to change their career arc,” said Department Chair Dan Davidson. “In addition, it will help to meet a demand in the state and region.”
Completion of the certificate program furthers an individual’s eligibility to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, increasing the career options with a greater likelihood of promotion and advancement, particularly in public accounting, Davidson said.
The Virginia Board of Accountancy requires candidates taking the CPA exam to have a bachelor’s degree with at least 120 total semester credit hours, including 30 semester hours in accounting and 24 hours of other business studies.
The Accounting Certificate is a classroom program. However, some sessions will be online.
Radford University accounting graduates have a 96 percent job-placement rate with a median starting salary of $40,235. Their lifetime earnings expectation is $4,770,000.
“There are jobs in accounting, and accounting pays well,” Davidson said.
Individuals applying for the Accounting Certificate program will use the non-degree-seeking application for admission, which can be found on the Radford University Registrar’s website: http://www.radford.edu/content/registrar/home.html.
To learn more, contact the Department of Accounting, Finance and Business Law at 831-6595 or afbl-ru@radford.edu.