Top Accounting Certifications & Online Courses
Explore the best accounting certifications and online courses. Learn about benefits, career paths, and salaries with top accounting certificate programs.
An accounting certification is not just a credential. It is proof of expertise that can unlock better jobs, higher salaries, and global career options for you. Here is everything that you need to know about top certifications & online courses.
Introduction
Feeling stuck in your accounting career? This becomes a stagnant situation if you do not have the right credentials. Without the proper accounting certifications, the promotions and higher-paying roles can be out of reach.
Accounting certifications and online courses help you advance faster with expertise in accounting-related fields. In this guide, we have provided the most valuable certifications, their benefits, and how they compare with traditional degrees.
What Are Accounting Certifications?
Accounting certifications are professional credentials that demonstrate your specialized knowledge in areas like auditing, taxation, financial analysis, or management accounting. To earn a certification, you must pass certain standardized exams and meet specific educational and experience requirements.
Unlike a college degree, which covers broader subjects, certifications mostly focus on niche expertise and practical skills.
These credentials can complement degrees and online accounting certificate courses and make you job-ready.
Who Should Get an Accounting Certification?
Accounting certifications aren’t just for one type of student; they benefit multiple career paths:
- Students and career starters who want to stand out in internships and entry‑level roles. They can use online accounting courses and targeted credentials to build credibility faster than with coursework alone.
- Working professionals who want to get into audit, management accounting, or IT risk can use certifications like CIA, CMA, or CISA to validate skills without any need to pause their careers.
- Career changers with business or analytics backgrounds can demonstrate competency with stackable accounting courses online and recognized credentials. This will aid transitions into accounting, internal audit, FP&A, or compliance roles.
Top Accounting Certifications
With so many accounting certificates available, it can be hard to know which one is worth your time and money. Below, we’ve outlined the certifications that employers value most, along with the career paths they unlock.
CPA – Certified Public Accountant
What it is
The CPA is the U.S. public accountancy license. It signals mastery in accounting, audit, tax, and ethics. It is widely considered the “gold standard” for public and corporate accounting careers.
CPA Requirements
- You need to pass the four-part Uniform CPA Exam (three Core sections+one Discipline under the 2024 model).
- Also complete state-specific education, often 150 semester (credit) hours.
- You must complete 1-2 years of relevant work experience in accounting-related fields under a licensed CPA supervisor.
Roles and value
CPAs advance into audit, assurance, tax, advisory, and leadership roles. It gives you a strong market recognition across industries.
Salary Potential
CPAs typically earn above the median annual wage of $78,000, as for auditors and accountants.
CMA – Certified Management Accountant
What it is
The CMA from IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) validates expertise in planning, analysis, performance management, and strategic finance. It aligns closely with corporate FP&A and decision-support roles.
CMA Requirements
- You will need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Gain IMA membership and enter the two-part CMA exam.
- Complete two continuous years of relevant professional experience, plus ongoing ethics and CPE.
Roles and value
CMAs are valued for bridging accounting with strategy, budgeting, and analytics. This makes CMA a strong complement to accounting certifications focused on corporate finance.
Salary Potential
CMAs earn about 47% more than non-CMAs, according to the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). The annual salary of a CMA ranges from $100K to $120K.
CIA – Certified Internal Auditor
What it is
The CIA from The IIA(Institute of Internal Auditors) is the only globally recognized internal audit certification. It focuses on assurance, risk, governance, and quality.
CIA Requirements
- A bachelor’s or equivalent degree.
- Pass the three-part CIA exam within 3 years of application and
- Complete two years of relevant internal audit experience to maintain the credential.
Roles and value
CIAs work in internal audit, risk management, SOX/compliance, and advisory, and the credential is often preferred for advancement in audit departments.
Salary Potential
Certified CIAs earn 37-50% more than non-certified ones. The annual salary with a CIA certificate can be around $100K.
CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor
What it is
The CISA, issued by ISACA, validates expertise in IT audit, controls, cybersecurity oversight, and information systems governance, making it a top choice where finance meets technology.
CISA Requirements
- First, you need to pass the CISA exam.
- Meet the professional experience requirements in IS audit or related areas.
- Agree to ISACA ethics, and maintain CPE (Continuing Professional Education).
Roles and value
CISAs are in demand for IT audit and risk roles within internal audit, consulting, and regulated industries, complementing traditional accounting certifications with tech depth.
Salary Potential
CISA holders can earn more than $149K annually.
CGMA – Chartered Global Management Accountant
What it is
The CGMA, conferred by AICPA & CIMA, recognizes advanced proficiency in management accounting, strategy, and leadership through structured pathways like the CIMA professional qualification or the CGMA Finance Leadership Program.
CGMA Requirements
- Candidates progress through 3 curriculum levels (operational, management, and strategic).
- You will be studying a total of 9 subjects from the Enterprise, Performance, and Financial fields.
Roles and value
The CGMA signals strategic business acumen for roles in corporate finance, operations, and leadership, complementing online accounting certificate learning focused on analytics and decision support.
Salary Potential
A CGMA-certified person draws around $63K in the start, and with progress, it goes up to $100K.
ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
What it is
ACCA is a global qualification covering financial reporting, audit, tax, and management accounting, with exams across Applied Skills and Strategic Professional levels plus ethics and experience.
ACCA Requirements
- Candidates must complete a three-level qualification structure.
- Pass the required exams, an ethics and professional skills module, and at least 36 months’ relevant experience to achieve membership.
Roles and value
ACCA offers international portability and a broad foundation, making it a viable alternative to U.S.-centric accounting certifications for those targeting global roles.
Salary Potential
ACCA professionals typically earn between $60-70K annually.
Online Accounting Certificate Courses
Online accounting certificate programs provide flexible options, particularly for those seeking to build skills in areas like financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and managerial accounting. These are short and structured courses that are designed to fit around work schedules and offer a pathway to more advanced degrees.
Below is a selection of online accounting certificate courses you can refer to.
- CPA(Certified Public Accountant) Prep Courses: Offered online by providers like Becker and UWorld(Wiley), these structured programs help students prepare for the Uniform CPA Exam through lectures, practice tests, and simulations.
- CMA (Certified Management Accountant): Available through the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). This certification focuses on financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support, ideal for students aiming at corporate finance roles.
- ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants): A globally recognized certification that can be completed online. It covers advanced financial management, auditing, and taxation, which makes it perfect for international career seekers.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Prep: Though finance-focused, CFA online prep courses strengthen accounting and investment knowledge for students interested in financial analysis and advisory roles.
- Graduate Accounting Certificate Programs: Many universities, like Harvard Extension School, offer online certificates that cover key topics such as auditing, taxation, and financial reporting.
Accounting Certifications vs. Accounting Degrees
Both accounting certifications and accounting degrees can advance your career in finance, audit and related fields. But both serve distinct purposes; here is how:
- Degrees build a broad academic foundation and are the standard entry path into the profession. You will need at least a bachelor’s degree for accounting professions.
- Certifications demonstrate profession-ready skills and ethical standards in specific domains. Popular credentials like the CPA, CMA, CIA, and CISA each map to career tracks with formal exams and experience requirements.
- Many professionals combine both; they earn a degree first and then add certification(s) to specialize and accelerate their career.
Takeaway:
- If you want specialized knowledge quickly, certifications are the best route.
- If you want a broad foundation and licensure eligibility, a degree is essential.
For maximum opportunities, many students pursue both a degree plus certification.
What are the Benefits of Certifications in Accounting?
Pursuing certifications in accounting comes with several advantages:
- 🔶 Career Advancement: Opens doors to higher-level roles. Accounting certifications like the CPA help you stand out, qualify for senior roles, and move faster into leadership positions compared to non-certified professionals.
- 🔶 Better Salaries: Certified professionals consistently earn more. According to UWorld data, professionals with certifications like the CPA earn 10–15% more on average than non-certified accountants
- 🔶 Credibility: Certifications and licenses prove your commitment to professional growth because they require rigorous exams, strict education standards, and ongoing training. This shows employers and clients that you meet trusted, industry-recognized standards in accounting.
- 🔶 Global Recognition: Many certifications are globally recognized. Certifications such as the CPA and ACCA are respected across countries, which makes it easier to work abroad or with international clients. This global validity proves your skills meet high professional standards, opening doors to career opportunities worldwide.
- 🔶 Flexibility: Many accounting certifications now offer online classes, review courses, and self-paced study options. This makes it easier for students and working professionals to prepare for exams on their own schedule without putting their careers or studies on hold.
Are Accounting Certifications Worth It?
Absolutely! Let’s look at some numbers:
- 🟠 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS, the demand for accountants and auditors is expected to grow 5% by 2034.
- 🟠 Certified professionals report earning 47% higher median salaries than those without certifications (IMA).
- 🟠 Employers often prefer or require credentials like CPA or CMA for senior roles.
So, the return on investment (ROI) is strong, especially when pursuing programs like accounting online courses that are affordable and flexible.
FAQ’s
▶ What is the best accounting certificate?
The “best” option depends on your goal. You can choose CPA for public accounting and broad recognition, CMA for management accounting and corporate finance, CIA for internal audit, and CISA for IT audit and controls.
▶ What accounting certification pays the most?
The pay varies by role, industry, and experience. But the CPA and CMA are among the highest-paying, especially for leadership roles in finance and corporate management.
▶ What is lower than a CPA?
Certifications like Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Enrolled Agent (EA) require less time and exam complexity than the CPA, making them accessible alternatives for specialized roles.
▶ What degree do most accountants have?
Most accountants hold a Bachelor’s in Accounting or a related field like finance or business administration, with an accountant certification as well.
