ACCT-130
Spring term A begins. Apply by Jan. 3.
Spring term B begins. Apply by Feb. 27.
Explore Cost Accounting
Designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners and others who need an introduction to business accounting needs, Champlain's cost accounting online certificate will give you a foundation in financial accounting, business law, planning, financial frameworks, and cost-volume-profit patterns.
This online accounting certificate can be taken as a stand-alone program or as part of Champlain's online bachelor's degree in accounting.
Build Your Career Future
We understand how important it is for busy working adults to gain knowledge and expertise quickly, which is why our cost accounting courses are applicable to the workplace from day one. Whether you are looking for business accounting skills, or apsire to become a public accountant, a cost accounting certificate is a great way to earn a credential in the field, get your resume noticed, and demonstrate proficiency in a focused area of knowledge.
Program Curriculum
Champlain's online cost accounting courses encompass the top skills needed by today's accounting professionals.
Note: Some of the courses in this program are available in 15-week terms only. Please contact your advisor for details.
Accounting is the language of business. This course introduces the student to accounting from the point of view of the user of financial reports and is appropriate for personal as well as business applications. Students explore the impact of transactions on the financial position and profitability of a business, and analyze financial reports of real-world corporations.
Managerial accounting focuses on the needs of management for accounting information to make informed decisions in the internal operations of a company. Topics include decision-making, accounting for planning and control, cost-volume-profit relationships, and budgeting.
Prerequisites
Cost accounting presents the behavioral aspects of accounting and identifies essential data that managers use for planning and controlling, costing products and services, and performance measurement. Students study the basic concepts, uses, and procedures related to types of costs and costing systems and uses this information to solve business problems. They will develop quantitative and qualitative analytical skills to analyze and interpret raw data that support the business decision-making process and inventory costing.
Prerequisites
Complete ACCT-140
Provides an overview of the entire legal system, with an emphasis on contract rights. Discusses the essential elements of a contract, the breach of contracts and the remedies for breach. Presents business and consumer laws, including white-collar crime, landlord-tenant rights, real property interests and administrative law.
Learn the fundamentals of accounting information systems and how they function and fit into organizations. Using a cycles approach, the course introduces internal controls, covers basic elements of the revenue and expense cycles, and you will become proficient with documentation techniques, such as flowcharting. You will also consider the uses of computerized accounting software and undertake a software research project. The course focuses on the needs and responsibilities of accountants as users and developers of information technology.
Prerequisites
ACCT-231
In the culminating course for the certificates, students will reframe knowledge and competencies from their certificate into a workable model that is applied through experiential learning models to a professional opportunity. Students will apply these competencies as professional best practice in a project that incorporates relevant research findings from the field.
Prerequisites
Completion of certificate content courses before enrolling in this course.
Additional Program Details
Graduates of the online cost accounting certificate program will demonstrate the following industry-specific skills, knowledge, and competencies:
- Apply laws as they relate to business and individual tax issues, businesses and their transactions and to their professional responsibilities.
- Apply financial frameworks used by business to prepare financial reports and to complete other financial tasks required of them.
- Objectively analyze information to identify problems and use business and financial knowledge to develop solutions for them.
- Identify and assess factors that may jeopardize success of a project or entity in both audit and business contexts.
- Integrate technology with financial analysis and presentations, to research professional guidelines and use it to keep abreast of changes in legal and accounting requirements and to investigate relevant business information.
- Identify and evaluate own knowledge, skills, and abilities for application to professional practice.
Champlain College Online's accounting faculty, led by Program Director Dr. Linda Miller, are expert practitioners in the field. Their industry expertise ensures that our cost accounting certificate curriculum is aligned with the needs of employers, and reflects the skills today’s accounting professionals need for success. Classes led by our seasoned experts will give you real-world insight into the world of accounting, and create a rich community of career-focused learning.
Tuition & Costs
Online Undergraduate Tuition Fall '23 - Summer '25
*Based on a 3-credit course; cost will vary if course is a different number of credits
** Starts Summer 2024, not retroactive
See the undergraduate cost of attendance and fees here
Affordability and Paying For Your Education
We provide a number of options to make your online education affordable, including preferred tuition for alumni, associate degree graduates, community college graduates, and military.
Gain New Skills with a Certificate
Accounting careers are projected to grow 7% between 2020 and 2030, with globalization and a growing economy resulting in high demand for qualified accounting professionals.*
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2020
Top Reasons to Pursue a Certificate
- Enter a new field
- Build new skills
- Gain knowledge on your way towards a degree
- Differentiate your resume
- Earn a credential
- Demonstrate proficiency in a focused area of learning
Academic Excellence and Recognition
Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Designated as a Military Friendly School for our commitment to the military community
Ranked among the best by Tech Guide for game design and computer science
Named the among the best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees by Intelligent.com
Meet the Program Director
Linda Miller, PhD, CPA
- Accounting (A.S., B.S., Certificates)
- Human Relations and Organization Development (M.S.)
- Integrated Studies (B.S.)
- MBA
- Positive Organization Development (Certificate)
About
Linda Miller, PhD, CPA, is Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Champlain College Online. She is responsible for the online accounting and integrated studies programs, as well as the MBA and master's in human relations and organization development programs. Following 12 years in accounting, business, and consulting positions, Dr. Miller has spent over 20 years in higher education at a variety of schools, including Bucknell University, the University of Vermont, and Pennsylvania State University, where she also taught in the executive education programs.
With an education focus primarily in adult and online education, Dr. Miller has enjoyed developing a wide variety of online certificates and degrees in business-related areas, including supply chain management and leadership. Dr. Miller continues to research best practices in online teaching and learning and to create opportunities for Champlain College Online instructors to develop their online teaching skills. Other specific areas of interest for Dr. Miller include the impact of technology on supply chains and the effective teaching of transformational leadership.
Dr. Miller holds an M.S. in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University and a PhD in Business Management (School of Supply Chain Management) from the same. She is a member of the International Leadership Association and the Society of Supply Chain Management Professionals.
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