The Post Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate is tailored to meet the needs of professionals seeking to augment their existing bachelor’s degree with specialized knowledge in the field of accounting. The Linfield online accounting certificate prepares students to qualify for positions in non-profit and government accounting, public accounting and corporate accounting. Many graduates of the post baccalaureate program go on to sit their state exam to become a Certified Public Accountant. All of Linfield’s accounting instructors have extensive experience in the accounting profession. All courses are taught to the standards of industry and the board of accountancy.
Graduates with a certificate in accounting will have the knowledge and ability to embark on a career in accounting, or augment their value to their current organization. College graduates who have already achieved a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university who then add the specialized knowledge that is earned with the Linfield Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting will increase their earning potential and strengthen their career opportunities. Take a moment to read about Brian Roberts, a graduate of the Linfield Accounting Certificate program who has gone on to pursue a successful career as an accountant.
Prerequisites for this program include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college (in any major) plus two courses in accounting, Financial Accounting (BUSN 260) and Managerial Accounting (BUSN 261) or in approved transfer courses. Linfield College provides each of these courses during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
The Post Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate program requires completion of:
BUSN 361-2 Intermediate Accounting I & II
BUSN 461 Cost Accounting
BUSN 466 Advanced Accounting
BUSN 468 Federal Income Tax
BUSN 469 Auditing
BUSN 361 Intermediate Accounting I
Accounting principles, conventions and rules as reflected in the pronouncements of leading professional and accounting research organizations. Valuation of current and fixed assets, and the impact of valuation procedures on income determination. Prerequisite: BUSN 261. 4 credits.
BUSN 362 Intermediate Accounting II Continuation of 361.
Liabilities, shareholders’ equity, dilutive securities and investments. Issues related to income determination and the preparation and analysis of financial statements. Prerequisite: BUSN 361. 4 credits.
BUSN 461 Cost Accounting
Accounting to meet internal management needs for planning and control. Cost accounting systems and procedures, analyses of costs and variances, and the integration of cost accounting into the overall accounting system. Prerequisite: BUSN 261. 4 credits.
BUSN 466 Advanced Accounting Advanced topics in financial reporting, including partnerships, business combinations, consolidated financial statements, foreign exchange transactions (including hedging and foreign exchange risk), translation of foreign statements, segmental and interim financial reporting. Prerequisite: BUSN 362. 4 credits.
BUSN 468 Federal Income Tax Theory, policies and procedures regarding federal taxation of individuals, corporations, partnerships and fiduciaries. Prerequisite: BUSN 362. (BUSN 362 may be concurrent with 468 for accounting certificate students only.) 4 credits.
BUSN 469 Auditing Introduction to the field of auditing. Essential characteristics of the business and legal environment of auditing, the recognition and assessment of audit risk, and the detail process of audit execution and reporting of the results of the audit. Prerequisite: BUSN 362. 4 credits. (MWI)
In addition, the Linfield faculty recommends the following courses for those who plan to take the CPA Examination: Business Law II (BUSN 440) and Governmental and Not for Profit Accounting (BUSN 464).
| Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
| BUSN 361 | BUSN 464 * | BUSN 362 | BUSN 466 |
| BUSN 461 | BUSN 468 | BUSN 469 | |
| 8 credits | 3 credits | 8 credits | 8 credits |
* BUSN 464 is recommended, but not required.
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
| BUSN 361 | BUSN 362 | BUSN 466 | BUSN 464 * |
| BUSN 461 | BUSN 468 | BUSN 469 | |
| 8 credits | 8 credits | 8 credits | 3 credits |
* BUSN 464 is recommended, but not required.
| Tuition | $435 X 24 Semester Credits | $ 10,440 |
| Fees | Online Fees - $150 X 6 Courses | $ 900 |
| Application for Admission | $ 50 | |
| Textbooks | $176-$303 per course ($286 (average) x 6 courses) (est.) | $ 1,760 |
| Total 2013-2014 Academic Year (Est.) | $13,150 | |
| Optional | BUSN 464 - Government/Not for Profit Accounting - Add $1,455 (Tuition and online fee) | $14,605 |
On-time completion rate: 24 students completed the certificate in 2011-12. 75% completed within 3 semesters. 87% within 4 semesters.
13-2011 Accountants and Auditors http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2011.01 http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2011.02
13-2031 Budget Analysts http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2031.00
13-2041 Credit Analysts http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2041.00
13-2061 Financial Examiners http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2061.00
13-2081 Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2081.00
13-2082 Tax Preparers http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2082.00
To receive an Information Kit, please complete the Information Request Form
Have questions? Call or email Enrollment Specialist, Gloria Flower.
Phone: 503-287-3191, email: gflower@linfield.edu
For those adult learners whose undergraduate degree is not in business who need to complete the required number of business credits in order to qualify for the CPA exam, Linfield offers online courses in basic business subjects and economics. You can find these courses in our Year Long Plan.
Get information on the Oregon CPA exam or the Washington CPA exam. Or find your state board of accountancy for preparing for the CPA exam.
Post baccalaureate certificates help you fulfill your dream for higher education. Please contact us and one of our knowledgeable admissions and enrollment specialists will help you get started.