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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

CPA Examination Preparation

Online Undergraduate Certificate in CPA Examination Preparation

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$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
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About This Program

For those interested in CPA exam prep, American Public University (APU) offers an eight-course CPA Examination Preparation undergraduate certificate, specifically designed for those who already have an accounting or business degree.

APU’s CPA exam prep courses integrate labs and simulations. You will learn how to prepare financial statements, interpret how financial statement information can impact business, and design an audit. Courses include Intermediate Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Law for Accountants, and Individual Federal Taxes.

This program is intended to help you prepare for the national CPA exam, but is not intended to meet the professional licensure requirements of any state.

Note: This program does not qualify for federal student aid. 

This program has specific admission requirements.

What You Will Do

  1. Use appropriate standards to prepare financial statements and interpret the business implications of financial statement information
  2. Prepare accounting information to plan and control products, projects, and divisions
  3. Use managerial accounting information to evaluate product, project, divisional, and organizational performance
  4. Prepare business and individual tax returns to meet the standards of the appropriate authorities
  5. Design an audit program with planning, testing, and reporting phases and which considers the overall audit objective, engagement risk assessment, and internal controls

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
24
Transfer up to 9 credits
Cost Per Credit
$285 | $250*
*with military grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4222

|
This course examines the accounting process including the adoption of the International Accounting standards (IAS) and reporting of financial reporting (e.g., balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows). Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT101)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4224

|
Students will study accounting theory and practices associated with corporate accounting issues of pensions, leases, bonds, and investments and earnings per share. Students will also study the effects of time value of money and how it applies to business decisions. An in-depth analysis of liabilities, stockholder’s equity, and accounting changes and errors analysis are also reviewed in this course. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT301)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4225

|
A survey of the financial reporting process, a detailed study of financial statements, and an analysis of generally accepted accounting principles. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT302)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4226

|
This course applies the practical application of accrual-basis accounting through the use of accounting software. Students will gain experience in integrated software designed to handle general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial statement analysis, fixed assets, sales order processing, inventory, and payroll. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT101)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4227

|
This course examines the role of the auditor in a global business environment. The course covers the scope of auditing, the rules governing the professional ethics of the Certified Public Accountant, the auditing process, and the legal liabilities and responsibilities of an auditor. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT101)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4621

|
Cost accounting identifies the essential data to managers regarding planning and controlling, costing products and services, and customers. The student studies the basic concepts, analyses, uses, and procedures related to types of costs and costing systems. This course will concentrate on examination of the concepts, theories, principles, and practices of cost accounting. Students will develop quantitative and qualitative methods for analyzing raw data that support the business decision-making process and inventory costing. (Prerequisites: ACCT101 and MATH225)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4230

|
To develop a sound understanding of the nature of law and an appreciation of the role of law within which an Accountant operates. A study of an area of law of particular importance to business, including contracts, sales, negotiable instruments, secured transactions, agency, partnerships, and corporations. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT101)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/25/22 - 07/01/22 07/04/22 - 08/28/22 Summer 2022 Session B 8 Week session
03/29/22 - 09/02/22 09/05/22 - 10/30/22 Summer 2022 Session D 8 Week session
05/21/22 - 11/04/22 11/07/22 - 01/01/23 Fall 2022 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4221

|
Students will be introduced to procedures for analyzing tax information on an individual federal tax basis. The following material will be covered in this course: analysis of gross income, income exclusions, adjusted gross income, deductions, exemptions, and credits. Students must have access to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel software. (Prerequisite: ACCT101)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/22/22 - 07/29/22 08/01/22 - 09/25/22 Summer 2022 Session I 8 Week session
04/26/22 - 09/30/22 10/03/22 - 11/27/22 Fall 2022 Session B 8 Week session
06/28/22 - 12/02/22 12/05/22 - 01/29/23 Fall 2022 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jul 4
Register by Jul 1
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e. GED).

To enroll in this program, you must possess the necessary preadmission courses from a regionally accredited institution. Preadmission courses must be grade C or better at the undergraduate level.

You will be required to have completed the following courses prior to admission into this program:

  • ACCT100 – Accounting I
  • ACCT101 – Accounting II
  • MATH225 - Calculus

You will also be required to submit a signed statement of understanding (SOU).

Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).

There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.

An APU admissions representative will contact you with further details about how to submit the required documentation after you complete the enrollment application.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

State Requirements

The State Board of Accountancy requires fully online programs to use test proctoring. Students in all upper-level accounting courses (i.e., 300-level and above) are required to use test proctoring in several assessments. Any challenges that may impede the student from using test proctoring (e.g., military deployments, overseas travel, connectivity issues, etc.) need to be taken into consideration by the student before enrollment since exceptions to the use of test proctoring are not permitted.

Except as indicated below, APUS has not made a determination whether this program meets the educational prerequisites for licensure or certification in your state.  For more information on educational prerequisites applicable to you, please see the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website or select your state from the drop down list for more information.

Maryland: This program meets a portion of the educational prerequisites needed to sit for the CPA Exam in the state of Maryland.  Click here for the full list of educational requirements in Maryland.

Texas: This program meets a portion of the educational prerequisites needed to sit for the CPA Exam in the state of Texas.  Among other prerequisites, Texas requires that you complete a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours of upper-level accounting coursework resulting from physical attendance in class, which this program does not provide.  Additionally, this program, by itself, meets a portion of Texas’s credit hour requirements related to accounting courses and business courses to sit for the CPA Exam.  Click here for the full list of educational prerequisites in Texas.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $65 per course | $0 for active-duty military, National Guard members, and Reservists.

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Department of Education and State Disclosures

For information on costs, median debt, state licensure requirements and more, view the gainful employment disclosures and the program disclosures for Maryland residents.

 

*Cost Per Credit Hour

To minimize out-of-pocket costs, U.S. active-duty servicemembers, their spouse/dependents, National Guard members, and Reservists receive a tuition grant that caps undergraduate, master's degree, and graduate certificate tuition at $250/credit hour. In addition, a university book grant provides no-cost textbooks and ebooks for all undergraduates and military-tuition-grant-eligible master’s-level students.
See all military student benefits.